The Wilf Family Department of Politics offers two undergraduate majors, one in Politics and one in International Relations (IR). For information about the IR major, click here.
A vibrant home for those interested in government and public affairs, the Wilf Family Department of Politics gives students the skills needed to reach a deeper, analytical understanding of political events that is grounded in logic and evidence. We encourage a truly scientific inquiry into politics that informs a critical discussion of political institutions and a rigorous approach to effecting positive political change.
We offer courses in political theory, quantitative and formal political analysis, American politics, comparative politics and international politics. Our curriculum covers a wide range of substantive topics including law, elections, ethnic conflict, justice, economic development, political accountability, war and peacekeeping, public policy, democracy, political economy, strategy, and political attitudes and beliefs.
Our faculty specializes in the politics of the United States and countries around the globe. Courses are regularly offered on Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, Russia, India and China. Politics courses are also offered at many of NYU’s Study Away sites, including extensive curricula at the department’s Global Pathways sites in Florence, Italy and Washington, D.C. Our track in American Political Practice and Leadership recognizes students who gain skills in applied American politics via a study-away semester at NYU-Washington DC, while acquiring the substantive, analytical understanding of U.S. politics provided by American politics courses offered at NYU Washington Square.
Our honors program provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to work individually with a faculty member in conducting original research on the topic of their choice while writing a thesis over the course of their senior year.
The analytical skills gained by Politics majors prepare them for a wide range of careers. Our graduates accept positions with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, international finance groups, multinational corporations, law firms, and other institutions. Many pursue further study in fields such as political science, law, and public and international affairs at highly competitive universities.
Introduction to Research Methods for Politics (POL-UA 850) is required for the Honors Program. Many intermediate and advanced courses use the concepts and skills learned in the course. Therefore we also strongly suggest that all Politics students take POL-UA 850 whether they expect to apply for the honors program or not and that they do so by the end of their sophomore year, if possible.
For more information, please contact us at politics.undergrads@nyu.edu.
Michael Gilligan
Professor of Politics
Director of Undergraduate Studies