The Politics Department studies issues that are vital for politics and public life around the world, such as power, freedom, and justice; democracy and authoritarianism; and inequality, conflict, and change.
We seek to prepare our students with knowledge and skills that are valuable for a wide range of careers and for reflective and active citizenship in contemporary democracy.
Academics
Undergraduate
Politics major
A Bachelor of Arts degree in politics helps students develop the sharp analytical and critical thinking skills needed to develop, implement, and ensure accountability in public policy, including through careers as elected officials, government administrators, judges, lawyers, journalists, and more. Students can personalize their learning experience through independent study opportunities or double majors and gain real-world experience through internships and field study locally, in Washington, D.C., or in Sacramento.
Undergraduate
Politics minor
Adding a minor in politics helps students build interdisciplinary understanding of public life in a way that complements what they’re learning in other majors. The politics minor includes one lower division course and five upper division courses.
Students choose two main focus areas for their studies from among four subfields: theory, U.S. politics, comparative politics, and global politics/international relations.
Graduate
Doctoral degree
Our Ph.D. program combines small size, close contact with our accomplished faculty, rigorous training, and a flexible curriculum that draws on the strengths of both our department and the broader university. Graduate students learn to apply a wide range of research methods and develop specialized knowledge to investigate topic areas that most interest them. Alumni often go on to careers in academia, government, and political non-governmental organizations.
Graduate
Doctoral designated emphasis
A designated emphasis in politics is the graduate equivalent of a minor. It allows doctoral students to add perspective and methods from our department to their studies in other fields. Students must include a Politics faculty member on their qualifying examination and dissertation committee, take four courses in the department, and prepare a significant piece of politics writing. Applicants should coordinate with their home department to apply before advancing to candidacy.
Faculty
The faculty of the Politics Department at UCSC comprises a diverse group of scholars and practitioners who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field of politics. With expertise in various subfields such as political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, and environmental politics, our faculty bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to the department.
Through their research, teaching, and community engagement efforts, they contribute to critical discourse on pressing issues in local, national, and global politics.
Research
Our research builds new understanding of the ideologies, movements, and systems of power that have shaped the current state of our society and are competing to influence our collective future. We provide historical and social context on today’s biggest issues and offer insights on how to address structural inequalities and ensure positive impacts from future policies.
Politics Department research uses a wide range of techniques, including archival methods, ethnography, case studies, fieldwork, comparative philosophy, and cultural studies.
