Political Science
About This Program
You’re a critical thinker by nature. You’re fascinated by the intricacies of government, and you know that politics affect every aspect of our lives. Political Science may be the major for you.
Why Utica College
The Political Science major at Utica College helps students comprehensive understanding of the principles, processes, and structure of power and authority through richly interactive classroom learning, research, and real- world experiences. Taught by an accomplished faculty, the program focuses on skills that are highly valuable for the globalized world, with in-depth study of authority, diversity, leadership, conflict resolution, and collective mobilization.
The Center of Public Affairs and Election Research was launched on January 1, 2017 by the Department of Political Science at Utica College. The Center seeks to serve citizens, students, journalists, and scholars by providing research, commentary, and analyses of state, national, and international politics. We do this through our website, which provides free content designed for a general audience. Our team of over 50 contributors includes Political Scientists from around the country and throughout the world for an audience spanning more than 160 countries. The Center publishes articles on a wide range of topics from U.S. elections, to international security, China’s rising, and much more.
The James Sherman Society is a non-partisan, student organization focused on politics and current affairs. The goal of this organization is to provide an opportunity for all students interested in political science to discuss issues.
Events under the auspices of the James Sherman Society:
- Pizza and Politics: Through Pizza and Politics, the James Sherman Society invites guest speakers to discuss political issues and current affairs. Speakers range from UC faculty and professors from other universities to professionals working in the field such as lawyers, public officials, and diplomats. This event is open to all students to attend. Pizza and Politics talks occur during the fall and spring semesters.
- Northeastern Political Science Association: This is an annual trip open to students of all majors who are interested in politics. This is an opportunity for students to attend panels where academics present their research. As the Northeastern Political Science Association is often hosted in cities with high levels of cultural value in the U.S. such as Boston, New York City, or Philadelphia, students will also have an opportunity to tour these cities and learn more about the history of the U.S. This is a fall semester event.
- Annual Awards Dinner: At this event the political science department’s faculty and students recognize the achievements of outstanding students. At this annual celebration, monetary awards are given to students in the following categories: professionalism, leadership, academic achievement, and outstanding graduating senior. This is a spring semester event.
For more information please contact Dr. Daniel Tagliarina at dctaglia@utica.edu
The Model United Nations Club at Utica College is focused on teaching students’ debate, interpersonal communication, and research skills in preparation for the annual Model UN conference that Utica College attends, the Harvard National Model United Nations in February (HNMUN).
Events under the Model UN Club:
- Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) conference: This is the annual Model UN conference that the UC Model UN team attends held in Boston in the Spring Semester. In the Model UN conference, participating students will be assigned a country to represent in a large conference in which they will have to assume the role of said country and debate from that position on an assigned topic. While the focus of the club has been to educate students important life skills, the Model United Club at Utica College have won awards competing in conferences with other schools. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.
- United Nations HQ trip: This is an annual trip where the Model UN club tours the UN headquarters in New York City. During this trip there will be guest speakers who are diplomats and officials at the UN who will speak to students about the inner workings of the UN and are available for questioning. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.
For more information please contact Dr. Jun Kwon at jtkwon@utica.edu
This honor society recognizes the academic achievements of outstanding students who have taken political science classes.
Events under the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society:
- Annual Induction Dinner: Students who have enough credits to be considered juniors at Utica College and have taken a certain amount of political science classes, and who have achieved a high GPA, are eligible to be selected to join the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. During this fall semester induction dinner, inductees are celebrated for their achievements.
- Speaker Series: Part of the Utica College’s chapter’s goal is to educate the college community and the wider community about important issues of the day. There are two public lectures are held each year, one during fall semester and another during spring.
For more information please contact Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu
All majors take an internship appropriate to their academic and/or career interests.
POL470 - Government and Politics - Internship (3 to 15 credits). Below is a list of different internships students have completed in recent years. For more information please contact Dr. Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu
- U.S. State Department
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Peace Corps
- Americorps
- New York State Assembly
- Onedia County District Attorney's Office
- Oneida County Family Court
- Clean and Healthy New York
- Mohawk Valley Refugee Center
- National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee
- Anthony Brindisi’s Congressional Campaign
- Claudia Tenney’s Congressional Campaign
- Emerge America
- Utica College Center of Public Affairs and Election Research
Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Jun T. Kwon, Ph.D.
General Information
Political Science at Utica
"My internship with a member of the NYS Assembly has been a great experience. During the budget process, I did a lot policy analysis, working out how proposals would impact the district and looking for alternatives."
Career Opportunities
Choices
Responsible Citizenship
What You'll Learn
This major is designed to prepare students for careers in government service, law, and other positions which require an understanding of governmental policy and procedure. The program also prepares students for careers as social science teachers at the secondary or elementary level. Foundational coursework is complemented by electives in a variety of topics (such as American government, foreign policy, human rights advocacy, European politics, and more). The curriculum culminates with an internship experience, options for foreign study, and a capstone senior seminar and thesis.
Political Science Faculty
- Associate Professor of Political Science
- Professor of Political Science
- Associate Professor of Political Science
- Adjunct Instructor of Government
A Degree That Works
Political science majors develop skills that may be applied to a broad spectrum of professional endeavors, including local, state, and federal government; law; business or non-profit; and education. UC political science alumni have taken leadership positions at:
- City of Utica Urban Renewal
- HSBC
- Madison-Cortland ARC
- New York State Senate
- New York City Law Department (DOT)
- Paige Marketing Communications Group
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- Samsung
- SourceMedia
- United States Investigative Service
- WellPoint, Inc.
Alumni Voices: Paul Joyce '18
Recent graduate Paul Joyce talks about the political science major at UC and how amazing research opportunities, real-world learning, and mentorship made all the difference.
Student Voices: Mikhail Bushinski
Political science major Mikhail Bushinski '17 talks about his program, his professors, and his experience on UC's men's hockey team.
Student Voices: Anthony Sokolowski
A brief conversation with Anthony Sokolowski, a political science major with a minor in philosophy of justice. Anthony talks about his experience at UC, his professors, and his internship at the Office of the Oneida County District Attorney.
Departmental News and Events
Read about media appearances, publications, field experiences, and campus events featuring faculty and students from UC's political science program.
View Stories / EventsPolitical Science at Utica College
At multinational law firm Latham & Watkins, Mik Bushinski ‘17 helps tech innovators get their start
Catching Up with Ann Ciancia ’18
UC Center of Public Affairs, Election Research to Host Alumni Discussion: Benefits and Challenges of Modern Polling
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