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Duke University - Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
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portrait of Giovanna Invernizzi
New Faculty
Giovanna Invernizzi on Cooperation, Denunciation and Scandals
Jon Green, Assistant Professor of Political Science, is not fully unpacked from the recent move to Durham. He and his pup, Lizzy, eagerly await the delivery of a dining room table.
Moving In
Jon Green joins the department and bridges politics and methods
a graphic design with five scholars
New in 2023
Five new scholars join the community
Undergraduate Requirements
Graduate Degrees
Our Faculty
Research Themes

News

  • A graphical image of Peter Feaver looking across at an abstract scene of the military made out of community flowers
    Peter Feaver on Public Confidence in the Military (clicking this link will take you away from this site)
  • Timur Kuran in a design scene with his book
    Timur Kuran Explores the Political Impact of Islam on the Middle East in New Book
  • Eric Mvukiyehe graphic portrait
    Eric Mvukiyehe: Do Public Works Programs Make Sustained Change? (clicking this link will take you away from this site)
  • Jasmine Smith won an APSA Best Dissertation Winner graphic
    Recent Scholarship and Milestones
See All News

Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Undergraduate Program

With an undergraduate major in political science, you will acquire a sophisticated understanding of political processes. More importantly, our major is designed to develop critical and independent thinking, to hone your writing and communication skills, and to provide you with analytical tools. Upon graduation, our majors are highly successful and pursue careers in diverse fields, including non-governmental and public interest organizations, think tanks, consulting, journalism, communications, local, state, and federal government, polling firms, finance, and business management. Many also go on to pursue graduate study in law, political science, public administration, or business administration.

Learn More about our undergraduate program

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Political Violence stock image
POLSCI 329S
Politics in Violence

This seminar will examine the causes and consequences of different forms of political violence. We will first explore foundational questions in the study of violence and politics. What is the role of… read more about Politics in Violence »

Intro to American Thought flyer
POLSCI 265S
Introduction to American Political Thought

James Baldwin claimed that “American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.” In this course, we will seek to… read more about Introduction to American Political Thought »

Two Dollar Bill Founding Fathers
POLSCI 246
American Constitutional Development and Interpretation II: Individual Rights

This course will be offered on MW 10:15 – 11:30 am, Spring 2021.  Because it is taught by Neil Seigel, one of the best instructors at Duke Law, the course usually fills up. This year it was added… read more about American Constitutional Development and Interpretation II: Individual Rights »

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Graduate Programs

We place graduate research and training at the core of our mission. Three features define our approach to graduate education: ambition, innovation, and rigor. You will explore questions ranging from the micro-political economy of development, to the origins of state capacity, the relationship between ethnicity and conflict, the interplay between religion, money, and politics, or the ability of voters to articulate preferences in complex issue spaces. Our graduates begin working with faculty from the very first day, to gain an appreciation of the challenges involved in producing innovative research. This paves the way to your own intellectual development, the first milestone of which is a solo-authored research paper to be presented to the department during your third year in the program. From that point on, until the completion of the dissertation in year five, the focus is primarily on independent research.

Graduate Degrees: Ph.D. | M.A. | Joint J.D./M.A.

Hire a Duke Ph.D.

nagawa
Maria Nagawa
Research and Teaching Interests
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Development
  • Governance
tilley
Cameron Tilley
Research and Teaching Interests
Sjur Hamre Portrait
Sjur Hamre
Research and Teaching Interests
  • Political Economy
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • Quantitative Methods
See All Ph.D.s
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Department's National Ranking
#7
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Fields of Research
6
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Degrees & Certificates
8

Our Research

Our department is recognized as one of the premier political science departments in the world, and our faculty are leaders in their fields. The intellectual life of the department is organized around six subfields that broadly reflect the conceptual and theoretical range of questions addressed in political science. Of course, there are significant areas of overlap between these fields, and as a result, many faculty work in multiple fields.

Learn More about our research

Research Specializations

  • Normative Political Theory & Philosophy
  • Political Behavior & Identities
  • Political Economy
  • Political Institutions
  • Political Methodology
  • Security, Peace & Conflict

Selected Faculty Books

Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East
Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East
Timur Kuran
American Government in Black and White, Sixth Edition
American Government in Black and White, Sixth Edition
Paula McClain and Steven C. Tauber
Thanks for Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military
Thanks for Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military
Peter D. Feaver
The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Nicholas Carnes (co-editor)
Legitimate Opposition
Legitimate Opposition
Alexander S. Kirshner
Sanctions: What Everyone Needs to Know
Sanctions: What Everyone Needs to Know
Bruce W. Jentleson
Capitalism and Democracy: Prosperity, Justice, and the Good Society
Capitalism and Democracy: Prosperity, Justice, and the Good Society
Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Curbing the Court: Why the Public Constrains Judicial Independence
Curbing the Court: Why the Public Constrains Judicial Independence
Christopher D. Johnston, Brandon L. Bartels
Race, Gender, and Political Representation: Toward a More Intersectional Approach
Race, Gender, and Political Representation: Toward a More Intersectional Approach
Beth Reingold, Kerry L. Haynie, Kirsten Widner
The Paradox of Gender Equality: How American Women's Groups Gained and Lost Their Public Voice, Second Edition
The Paradox of Gender Equality: How American Women's Groups Gained and Lost Their Public Voice, Second Edition
Kristin A. Goss
Decentralized Governance and Accountability: Academic Research and the Future of Donor Programming
Decentralized Governance and Accountability: Academic Research and the Future of Donor Programming
Erik Wibbels (co-editor)
White Identity Politics (Cambridge Studies in Public Opinion and Political Psychology)
White Identity Politics (Cambridge Studies in Public Opinion and Political Psychology)
Ashley Jardina
The Lure of Authoritarianism: The Maghreb after the Arab Spring
The Lure of Authoritarianism: The Maghreb after the Arab Spring
Abdesiam M. Maghraoui (co-editor)
United States Constitutional Law
United States Constitutional Law
Neil S. Siegel
Türkiye'de Postanin Mikrotarihi 1920-2015 - Cilt 1: 1920-1950 / Microhistory of the Turkish Posts 1920-2015 - Volume 1: 1920-1950
Türkiye'de Postanin Mikrotarihi 1920-2015 - Cilt 1: 1920-1950 / Microhistory of the Turkish Posts 1920-2015 - Volume 1: 1920-1950
Mehmet Akan, Timur Kuran
See All Selected Books
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Political Science

140 Science Drive
208 Gross Hall
Campus Box 90204
Durham, NC 27708
T: (919) 660-4300
F: (919) 660-4330

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  • About Us
    • Our 89 Year History
    • Location & Directions
    • Statement on Workplace Environment
  • Undergraduate
    • Why Major in Political Science?
    • Major Requirements
    • Career Concentrations
      • American Political Institutions and Behavior
      • Decision Theory and Data Science
      • International Relations
      • Law and Political Theory
      • Political Economy
    • The Minor and Affiliated Certificate Programs
      • Certificate: Philosophy, Politics & Economics
      • Certificate: Decision Sciences
    • For Incoming & Premajor Students
      • Admissions
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • For Current Students
      • Advising
      • Independent Study
      • Honors Program
      • Internships
      • Global Education
      • Programs
        • American Values & Institutions Program
        • American Grand Strategy Program
        • Peter G. Fish Fellowship
        • Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
      • Student Association
      • Post-Undergraduate Fellows Opportunity
      • Trinity Ambassadors
  • Graduate
    • M.A. Programs
      • M.A. Requirements
      • M.A. Analytical Political Economy (MAPE)
      • Joint J.D./M.A. Degree
    • Ph.D. Program
      • Ph.D. Requirements
      • Ph.D. Alumni Placements
      • For Current Ph.D. Students
        • Good Standing
        • Qualifying Procedure
        • Preliminary Exam
        • Prospectus
        • Dissertation
      • Fields of Study
        • Normative Political Theory & Philosophy
        • Political Behavior & Identities
        • Political Economy
        • Political Institutions
        • Political Methodology
        • Security, Peace & Conflict
        • Theme Fields
      • Ph.D. Financial Support
    • For Prospective Students
      • How to Apply and FAQ
      • Living in Durham
    • Graduate Advising & Mentoring
    • Job Market Candidates
  • Courses
    • All Courses
  • People
    • Primary Faculty
    • Secondary Faculty
    • Affiliated Faculty
    • Emeriti
    • Postdoctoral Fellows
    • PhD Students
    • Masters Students
    • MAPE Students
    • Exchange Students
    • Staff
  • Research
    • Fields
      • Normative Political Theory & Philosophy
      • Political Behavior & Identities
      • Political Economy
      • Political Institutions
      • Political Methodology
      • Security, Peace & Conflict
    • Labs
      • Polarization Lab
      • Worldview Lab
    • Programs
      • Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology
      • Duke Program in American Grand Strategy
      • Politcal Institutions and Public Choice
      • Triangle Institute for Security Studies
      • Political Theory in the Triangle
    • Research Support and Endowments
    • Selected Works
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