Political Science at Penn has grown by 50% over the past decade, with notable strength in four major subfields including American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

With nearly 1,700 students graduating with a degree in Political Science every year, it is consistently among Penn’s top five most popular majors.

Political Science faculty have a major impact on their students—as both teachers and mentors—in addition to their impact as scholars in their discipline.

Political Science faculty scholarship is reflected in books that address issues ranging from economic opportunity for India’s Dalits, to what drives nations in their decisions to go to war, to mass incarceration as a force in our political process, and more.

Political Science

Professor Brendan O’Leary joined with members of the department last October for a public discussion of the ISIS crisis in Iraq and Syria.