Department of Political Science
Faculty
Distinguished Professors
Richard P. Nathan, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Professors Emeriti
Carlos A. Astiz, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University
Thomas W. Church, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Martin Edelman, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of California, Berkeley
Webb S. Fiser, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Walter Goldstein, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
John G. Gunnell, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Erik P. Hoffmann, Ph.D. (O'Leary Professor)
Indiana University
Bernard K. Johnpoll, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Albany
Alvin Magid, Ph.D.
Michigan State University
Charles D. Tarlton, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Frank J. Thompson, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Stephen L. Wasby, Ph.D.
University of Oregon
Lewis P. Welch, Ph.D.
Syracuse University
Theodore P. Wright Jr., Ph.D.
Yale University
Professors
Michael J. Malbin, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Bruce L. Miroff, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of California, Berkeley
Robert T. Nakamura, Ph.D. (O'Leary Professor)
University of California, Berkeley
Julie Novkov, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Morton Schoolman, Ph.D.
Brown University
Joseph F. Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Syracuse University
Associate Professors
Victor Asal, Ph.D.
University of Maryland
Peter D. Breiner, Ph.D.
Stanford University
Cheng Chen, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
José E. Cruz, Ph.D.
City University of New York — Graduate Center
Sally Friedman, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Anne M. Hildreth, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
Reynold Koslowski, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Gregory P. Nowell, Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
David Rousseau, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Patricia Strach, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Meredith Weiss, Ph.D.
Yale University
Assistant Professors
Zsofia Barta, Ph.D.
London School of Economics and Political Science - European Institute
Bryan Early, Ph.D.
University of Georgia
Matthew Ingram, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico
Torrey Shanks, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Adjuncts (estimated): 5
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 12
The study of political science is concerned with the activity and organization of society for the realization of public goals and values. The study of political science is designed to prepare the student for responsible and effective citizenship, political participation, and advanced academic or professional studies. The student of political science may gain an understanding and appreciation of political values, institutions, and processes operating in American, foreign, and international systems.
Careers
Majors in the Department of Political Science may use their studies as preparation for graduate programs in law, public administration, public affairs, or other professional study. Studies in political science can also lead to entry-level employment in government or industry training programs. Our programs provide a basis for effective citizen participation in public affairs whether or not a student pursues further professional training. The most common careers are in law, government service, teaching, business, and journalism.
Undergraduate Study
The faculty and students in the Department of Political Science study politics in all of its manifestations:
- The institutions of government in the United States and around the world
- The role of interest groups, and elections and political parties in the political process
- The relationships among nations
- The connections of the law and courts to politics
- The role of citizens in government
The tools we use to approach these issues range from theoretical and philosophical studies, to historical and institutional analysis, to quantitative studies.
The program requirements of the major in Political Science are made up of courses at four levels, providing breadth at the introductory level, depth in one of four distinct areas of specialization and, through elective courses, the opportunity to explore different types of political issues. As soon as possible after declaring a Political Science major, a student should meet with an academic advisor in the department and declare a concentration.
American Politics
The faculty in American politics have research and teaching interests in all areas of the subfield: American political institutions (the presidency, Congress, courts, state and local government, political parties), as well as political processes (elections, public opinion, urban politics, minority politics, political behavior, public policy formation). Given its location in the state capital and within Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, the department offers students unique opportunities to study ongoing research projects at the intersection of politics and public policy.
Public Law
The subfield of public law at the University at Albany has a national reputation for the quality of its program. The public law faculty pursue a variety of research interests related to law, legal actors, and legal systems. Faculty members in this area focus their research on trial and appellate court processes, the relationship of law and the legal system to public policy, interest groups, the media, and the political system in general. Faculty members also examine doctrinal issues in constitutional and administrative law, as well as the relationship of tort and other forms of private law to public policy.
Political Theory
The subfield of political theory includes faculty members whose interests range from the traditional texts to contemporary theory, including critical theory, deconstructive readings of political theory, theories of political judgment, and German social and political theory.
Although students are allowed to work out their own program with faculty mentors, the program aims to give students a firm grounding in the history of political theory, interpretive theory and the philosophy of the social sciences, and the various strands of contemporary theory.
Global Politics
The global politics faculty have research and teaching interests in a range of substantive and geographical areas, current changes in the world, and the comparative study of political systems. Particular areas of interest include constitutionalism, ethnicity and civil-military relations, international political economy, foreign policy formation, regional integration, institutional theory and military change, ethnicity and international relations, and comparative foreign policy. The faculty has regional specializations in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Russia and Eastern Europe, Africa, and China.
Special Programs or Opportunities
Recognizing the fact that a lawyer must be politically knowledgeable, many pre-law students major in political science. Individuals engaged in the practice of law automatically are involved in "political" activities because of their dealings with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
The location of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy in the capital city of the Empire State affords students of political science unusual opportunities to observe and study the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the state government, the second largest public employer in the United States. With a few exceptions, the principal office of each state department, division, and office is located in Albany.
Internship opportunities are available for juniors and seniors to work in legislative and other governmental offices in Albany; the department also organizes a competitive Semester in Washington internship program available in the Spring semester, open to high achieving students across the university.
Library resources to support research in New York State government are excellent. Students have access to the New York State Library, with one of the largest collections in the world. State departments, divisions and offices also have specialized libraries containing information not commonly housed in university or public libraries.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Political Science
General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits in political science including R POS 101 and 102 and 103; at least 18 credits from courses at or above the 300 level (including the concentration-see below); and at least 3 credits from courses at the 400 level that require a major research or writing project.
Majors in Political Science must pick an upper-division area of concentration in American Politics, Global Politics, Public Law, or Political Theory and take at least four courses in this area of concentration at the 300 or 400 level. It is recommended, but not required, that students take the 400 level writing intensive course that is part of the major in their area of concentration. The courses for each area of concentration are under their respective headings in the Political Science Courses section.
Internships cannot be used to satisfy the 400 level course requirement, but honors seminars or independent studies can be counted if they are appropriate and with permission.
Independent study courses are used to deal with topics not covered by regular departmental offerings and after classroom courses dealing with the same subject have been completed. Prior to registering for independent study, students must have their proposed research project approved by a faculty member willing to direct the research. The student's prospectus must outline the topic of the proposed research, indicate its importance to political science, and describe the methodology to be employed and methodological problems that may be encountered. Students may not register for independent study unless a copy of the prospectus, properly signed, has been filed with the department; independent study courses may not be used in lieu of classroom courses.
Public Administration courses other than R PAD 110, 111, 210, 211, 380, 381, 480 and 481, R CRJ 353 and 414 are acceptable as political science courses in meeting the 36 credit requirement in political science, but R PAD and R CRJ 400 level courses cannot be used to satisfy the requirement of a 400 level course which requires a major research or writing project.
The Political Science Internship (R POS 390) is open only to juniors and seniors with a minimum overall average of 2.50 or higher. A maximum of 3 credits from R POS 390, U UNI 390, 391 or 392 will be applied toward a major in Political Science. Approval of the undergraduate coordinator is required prior to enrollment.
The Department recommends that students take the 200 level survey and topical courses. The Department offers two empirical methodology courses for social scientists: R POS 316 and 417Z.
Honors Program
This program is designed to provide serious students of politics with the opportunity for a special educational experience in small seminars where they can develop their writing, discussion, and analytical skills.
Majors may apply for admission to the Director of the Honors Program at the end of the sophomore year, or for junior transfers, upon admission to the University.
The requirements for admission include: an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50, and a 3.70 in political science courses; and completion of 12 credits in political science (including, normally, R POS 101, 102, and 103) before beginning the program.
Honors Program Requirements
The Honors Program requires 16 credits of honors work. All students beginning the Honors Program will take Great Ideas in Political Science (R POS 496Z). This seminar is taught each fall and only honors students may enroll.
Students in the honors program must take two 4 credit honors versions of existing 300 level courses (R POS 300 level + 1 credit R POS 300). In addition to attending classes and doing the same assignments as the other students in the course, they will earn the additional fourth credit through a tutorial with the faculty member teaching the course that will include extra reading and writing assignments. Students in the honors program will have the option of capping their studies with either a 4 credit honors thesis (R POS 499Z) written under the supervision of a faculty member or a 4 credit version of an existing 400 level course in which the honors student will undertake a major writing project (R POS 400 level + 1 credit R POS 400).
Honors students will need to have an upper-division area of concentration in American Politics, Global Politics, Public Law, or Political Theory. The two 300 level honors courses and the 400 level honors course or honors thesis can be used to fulfill this requirement. Honors students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in political science to continue in the program in the senior year and to graduate with honors.
Combined B.A./M.A. Programs
Political Science/Political Science
The combined B.A./M.A. program in political science/political science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of the junior year to earn the B.A. and M.A. degrees within nine semesters.
The combined program requires a minimum of 143 credits, of which at least 32 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, including the requirements of the major described previously, the minor requirement, the minimum 90 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all University and school requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 38 graduate credits and any other conditions such as field seminars and Master's Essay (R POS 698), professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 9 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.
Students may apply to the combined degree program in political science/political science at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits. To be eligible for admission, the student must have completed at least one semester in residency at this University.
The student must also have completed at least 6 credits of course work in political science at this University, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, a grade point average of 3.20 or higher in course work completed at Albany, and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty to be considered for this program.
Political Science/Public Administration
The combined B.A./M.P.A. program in political science/public administration provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of the junior year. A carefully designed program can permit a student to earn the B.A. and M.P.A. degrees in one less semester than is normally required.
The combined program requires a minimum of 154 credits, of which at least 46 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, including the requirements of the major described previously, the minor requirement, the minimum 90 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.P.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 46 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.P.A. programs.
Students may apply to the combined degree program in political science/public administration at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits. To be eligible for admission, the student must have completed at least one semester in residency at this University. The student must also have completed at least 6 credits of course work in political science at this University. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, a grade point average of 3.20 or higher in course work completed at Albany, and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration. The Graduate Record Exam is not required. Of the 36 credits required for the B.A. degree in political science, at least 18 credits must be from courses taken in political science on this campus.
