About Us
James R. Soles Professor and Chair
Welcome from the chair
Welcome to the University of Delaware Department of Political Science and International Relations (POSCIR). We are excited about what's happening here, and we think you will be as well.
Excellence in teaching and research: Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, publishing in top presses and journals and earning awards for both research and teaching. Our Political Science program is highly respected: CollegeFactual places UD at #44 out of 591 schools for Political Science & Government.
- Academic focus: We offer two undergraduate majors: Political Science and International Relations. We also offer minors in Legal Studies, Politics and Social Justice, International Relations, Political Communication and Political Science. Our students can also apply for a 4+1 program to receive the B.A. in Political Science and an M.P.A. from the Biden School in only five years. Students who want to think out of the box will find great interdisciplinary options in global governance, political psychology, gender and politics and social justice.
- Undergraduate Experiential Learning: We have a core focus on experiential learning opportunities for our students. With extensive internship programs, research opportunities and funding to support them, students are able to combine their in-classroom work with out-of-classroom experiences. Our Legal Studies program connects students with lawyers and gives a real taste of law school. Alumni support opportunities for students to go to New York City and the United Nations, and to Washington, D.C., to see our government in action.
- Graduate studies: Our Ph.D. program focuses on rigorous training in two fields along with research and teaching opportunities. Students may choose American Politics, Comparative Politics or International Relations as a first field, with those three fields plus Political Theory and Political Methodology available as second fields. We have particular strengths in Political Psychology (both U.S. and Comparative) and in Gender and Politics, as well as International Security and IR Theory. We also collaborate closely with the Department of Communication’s Ph.D. track in Political Communication. Our highly international graduate community works closely with faculty, presents at national conferences and gains valuable teaching experience. Graduates pursue careers in academia, research and government around the world.
- Student success: POSCIR students graduate on time at higher rates than university averages, with lower disparities across groups. Our department' s hands-on advising reflects our deep commitment to student achievement. We also celebrate that in recent years, students and alumni from POSCIR have won Fulbright awards, and many other University and extramural honors and awards. Our graduates go on to the most prestigious law schools; jobs in every sector including tech, finance and government; and positions with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world.
We appreciate your interest in our department and the University of Delaware. We hope you will visit us in person, as well as through our website. Our beautiful campus beckons. Please stop by and see us in 347 Smith Hall or explore our website to learn more about all that we have to offer, and you'll want to be part of these exciting times!
David Redlawsk, Ph.D.
James R. Soles Professor and Chair
Visitor Information
The University of Delaware campus is located in Newark, Delaware, which is about 20 minutes away from Wilmington, an hour from either Philadelphia or Baltimore, two hours from Washington D.C., and two and a half hours from New York City.
The UD Department of Political Science and International Relations Our Values and Commitment to Diversity
As an academic department responsible for the education of students and the advancement of knowledge, we are motivated by our commitment to four central values:
- Methodological pluralism
- Interdisciplinarity
- Diversity
- Excellence
Our values strongly influence how we pursue our goals and how we measure excellence. Methodological pluralism, interdisciplinarity and diversity mean we value research of all kinds, as long as it demonstrates excellence and contributes to the discipline. Some of us do work widely considered mainstream, others do work that might be considered more niche. Respecting diversity and methodological pluralism means valuing both kinds of work, recognizing that the distinction between “mainstream” and “niche” is itself is largely a matter of taste, that diversity of perspectives inherently means including less popular or common ones, and that this distinction may in part reflect discrimination (unconscious or otherwise) against the perspectives or concerns of racial, sexual and other minorities. Many of us also believe that searching for intersections between more “niche” and “mainstream” considerations is the way to achieve creative success.
We value the many and varied experiences of our colleagues and students, and seek to incorporate and extend this diversity in all that we do. We have adopted a plan focused on a set of core principles on which we intend to continue to build on this diversity in many ways. These principles are:
- Principle I: Recruiting, developing, retaining and promoting a diverse faculty and staff.
- Principle II: Continuing to create and retain a diverse student body at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
- Principle III: Being attentive to issues of diversity in the curriculum, encouraging regular reflection on the courses, authors and subjects taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Principle IV: Committing to ongoing professional development to improve our ability to provide a welcoming educational space.
- Principle V: Contributing to the intellectual discussion around diversity issues by engaging with university projects and paying greater attention to diversity in the selection of speakers and events.
- Principle VI: Working to increase our broader community engagement, particularly as the university is considerably less diverse than the surrounding community.
The College’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are significant parts of the University of Delaware's College of Arts and Sciences values and goals. The college's commitment to these values is not just evident in its student body but also in its faculty, staff, and curriculum, ensuring a fully inclusive experience. Through this steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusivity, the college continues to enrich its educational offerings, allowing each student to benefit from a wide array of viewpoints and experiences.
