Hartwick College students, faculty and alumni in front of White House in Washington DC

welcome to hartwick political science

Study Political Science at Hartwick College and you’ll develop the critical thinking skills, insight, and understanding required to effect lasting change in your community, the country, and the world.

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MANY CAREER PATHS

Your Hartwick Political Science degree will lay the groundwork for a career in law, public service, public administration, the fast-growing field of environmental politics.

Hartwick’s flexible curriculum allows you to understand the complexities of politics in context. Your professors will encourage a cross-disciplinary approach so you can tailor your major to your interests and develop a distinctive preparation for your future. Build a strong foundation of coursework, then study Business Law or Global Civil Rights in history courses, Public Speaking with theatre faculty, Bioethics in a philosophy class, or Social Policy with sociology faculty.

Political science clubs, debate-watch parties, Model United Nations, and Student Government are just a few of the ways you can apply your learning and build your skills right here on campus. Cap off your education with an in-depth Senior Thesis on a research topic of greatest interest to you, from women in politics to the media’s effect on voting.

Political Science Major and Minor Requirements

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EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES

As a first-year student, 21st Century modules on political fluency will help you gain a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives. J Term courses abroad will give you insight into the complexities of international governance, while domestic study opportunities might take you to the Southwest to witness the growing importance of environmental law.

Your Guidance Team will help you identify internships and other immersive experiences to test-drive your skills with state and local lawmakers, or you might work alongside professors on their advanced research. You’ll get a real-world education in the intellectual and moral challenges of contemporary leadership; be sure to include that on your Digital Resume!

Ask your faculty about ways you can build your credentials. Develop your critical thinking skills and compete for generous prizes in the Stephen L. Green American Governance Essay Contest. Or assert your point of view on a critical issue of our time and compete for the Mehri Senior Thesis Award. (Both Manhattan real estate mogul Steve Green '59 and noted civil rights attorney Cyrus Mehri '83 majored in political science at the Wick!)

AN EDUCATION BUILT FOR YOU

Whether you’re headed for a career in law, politics, public administration, or policy-setting, a Hartwick degree in Political Science gives you the broad knowledge, deep insights, and practical skills you’ll need to succeed.

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Where Can You Go With A Hartwick Political Science Degree?

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Like Jadyn Carroll ’23, now working on her masters degree at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy. Her senior thesis was focused on “The Impact of Racial Housing Segregation on Present-Day Public Housing in U.S. Cities.”

PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH

Like Julian Kovac ’23, now a Legislative Researcher at NYS Assembly Conference and Information Services. At Hartwick, he served in Student Government in a variety of roles, including VP of Communications, as a Blue Key ambassador and as the All-Greek Council president.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Like Alice Johnson ’23, who served as a full-time field director for Sandra Ung’s reelection campaign for New York City’s District 20. In addition to working on other campaigns throughout the state, she is getting her masters degree in Political Management from George Washington University.

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service is dedicated to strengthening democracy across the region by serving as a hub of collaboration and innovation between state and local government, and through civic engagement and legal studies.

Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program

Ready to move faster? Get the full Hartwick political science experience in three-quarters the time at three-quarters the cost.

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Faculty

Amy Forster Rothbart

Associate Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of the First Year FligthPath Experience

Laurel Elder

Professor of Political Science and Department Chair
607-431-4887

James Buthman

Associate Professor of Political Science
607-431-4586

Jing Chen

Associate Professor of Political Science
607-431-4932

Matthew Chick

Assistant Professor of Political Science & Pre-Law Program Coordinator
607-431-4611
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