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Political Science Department

Political Science, Law & International Relations Special Opportunities

The Department of Political Science, Law & International Relations is committed to teaching excellence. The faculty regularly integrate hands-on learning experiences into their classes such as United Nations and Congressional simulations, debates focused on contested issues in national and international politics, and interactions with political leaders and organizations.

Mehri Best Senior Thesis Award

Every year the department recognizes outstanding theses by nominating them for the Mehri Best Senior Thesis Award.

Andrew Sher '26

“The thesis represents a passionate summation of the knowledge and political analysis I've been building upon during my time at Hartwick.”

Andrew Sher '26

Pursuing an M.A. in Political Science with a specialization in International Affairs and Global Justice at Brooklyn College

Most Recent Mehri Thesis Award Winners

Scientific Socialism, Scientifically Better?: Investigating the Narrative of Failure Through a Comparison of Capitalism & Socialism in the Periphery – Andrew Sher ’26
Politics, Celebrities, and the Entertainment Industry – Kezia Namakula ’25
Language Legislation In Quebec: A Way To Strengthen Democracy Or Strengthen The Independence Movement? – Daviti Meskheli ’24
Will Women Save The Planet? The Effects of Gender Quotas on Women’s Representation and Environmental Legislation – Awino Pauller Musyoka ’23
A Critical Civic Crossroad: Legislative Restrictions on Civic Education in US Public Schools to Suppress a POC Electorate – Kristopher Kremsner ’22
How the Affordable Care Act Impacted Women’s Health – Hannah Pettis ’21
America the Beautiful: For Some, but Not For All. – Jennifer Paszko ’21
Let’s Talk About the Elephants (Not) in the Room: The Causes Behind the Growing Gender Partisan Gap in Congress – Abby Meltzer ’20
Democracy and Protection of Human Rights: Evidence from Croatia and Turkey – Ariana Mattice-Lybrand ’19

Political Science Off-Campus J Term Programs

The department also directs off-campus January Term programs to various locations including studying Ancient Political Thought in Greece; and Populism in Central Europe – Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Political Science Student Intern with Otsgeo County Judges

Internships

The Department of Political Science encourages majors to complete at least one internship in the field. Internships provide opportunities to test theory in practice, to gather information for senior thesis research, to be active participants in the political process, and to investigate possible careers.

Hartwick students at Model UN Conference

Student Research & Conference Participation

Political science majors have opportunities to work closely with faculty on their own research projects and as research assistants. Political science majors have a successful record of presenting their research at professional conferences and have even published their work in professional journals.

Our Students Present Their Research

The 2023 National Political Science Honor Society’s Undergraduate Research Conference, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Hartwick College graduate Addy Colligan '23

Addy Colligan ’23 presented her research Post Dobbs Decision: The Role of Women Legislators and Governors in Abortion Policy. She found that the states that passed complete or near complete bans on abortion in the wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision have the lowest levels of women’s representation, in particular the lowest levels of Republican women. In other words, these bans are being enacted with very little input from women.

Hartwick College graduate Jack Mahn '23

Jack Mahn ’23 presented his research, which examines whether Russia’s invasion of Ukraine represents a new type of challenge to the liberal world order.

Hartwick College students

Awino Musyoka ’23, Jack Mahn ’23, and Addy Colligan ’23 connected with Hartwick graduates Trevaughn Smith ’21 and Ed Holman ’21.  Alumni attended the conference in support of those making presentations and participating in panel discussions.

Hartwick College delegates to Model UN

Model UN/EU and Political Science Honor Society

Political science students also have the opportunity to participate in Model UN/EU and get involved in our award-winning chapter of the national political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha.

Hartwick students with Steven B. Epstein P’18

Career Opportunities

Hartwick political science graduates go on to earn graduate degrees in political science or allied fields such as public administration. Some find employment working for members of Congress, other government agencies, and they work as teachers, journalists, and business people, among other careers. A number of Hartwick political science majors work with our pre-law program to prepare for law school and go on to practice law in a variety of fields.

Careers for Political Scientists
Hartwick College delegates to Model European Uniuon

Other Special Opportunities for Political Science Students

Interning with the New York Assembly

Wick in Washington (job shadowing professionals in Washington D.C. )

Voter registration drives

Serving in local government

The Stephen L. Green competition for student papers on issues in U.S. democracy
Student Government Association

Attending national political conventions

Volunteering for presidential political campaigns in New Hampshire

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.

Graduate School Opportunities

Hartwick political science graduates are heavily recruited by the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs MPA Program. Our graduates consistently standout and are actively engaged in all the Cornell MPA program has to offer. They are successful and have forged exciting careers in the public and private sectors.

The Cornell Institute for Public Affairs program requires: strong writing and communications skills, solid data analytical skills, and the desire to engage in the world to make it better. These form the foundation of a Hartwick College degree.