University of Delaware Political Science and International Relations

University of Delaware Political Science and International Relations Welcome to Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware. We now house the European0 Studies major and Legal Studies minor.

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, too! Our faculty of nationally and internationally recognized scholars and professors publish with acclaimed presses and journals and regularly receive awards for research and teaching. We focus on four primary fields in o

ur graduate and undergraduate programs: International Relations, Comparative Politics, American Politics, and Political Theory. Much of our work is interdisciplinary, including special strengths in global governance, political psychology, gender and politics, and inequality and social justice. Our highly diverse graduate student community adds vibrancy to the department, as we remain committed to recruiting the best US and internationally-based students. POSCIR graduate students work closely with faculty, regularly presenting their work at regional and national conferences, as well as providing them the opportunity to teach their own courses. After finishing their degrees, most of our doctoral students go on to teach at universities across the US and the world, with the rest working at research institutions or government agencies. Our undergraduate program is one of the largest at UD, with our students routinely receiving recognition for work both within and outside of the university. Currently offering two majors, Political Science and International Relations, we have added new courses including opportunities to study the politics of social justice and political psychology. We are also partners in the UD Center for Political Communication and offer minors for non-majors, giving students even more ways to connect across fields. Our new Political Communication Ph.D. program offers the graduate level this same multi-departmental experience. Our undergraduate majors have the highest four year graduation rate of all departments, also showing significantly lower disparities in graduation rates across different groups of students. Our commitment to our students is at the core of what we do, and is reflected in our hands-on advising team. Thank you for your interest in our department and the University of Delaware. We hope you will visit us in person (Smith Hall 347), as well as on our website. Located in Newark, Delaware, UD is centrally positioned between Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City. UD POSCIR is on the move, so come be part of these exciting times!

Student Spotlight: Zoey Lucas 💙💫Senior International Relations major Zoey Lucas is pursuing a concentration in U.S. Fore...
09/14/2026

Student Spotlight: Zoey Lucas 💙💫

Senior International Relations major Zoey Lucas is pursuing a concentration in U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security and a specialization in Africa Regional Studies, along with minors in Global Studies, History, and Leadership.

This summer, Zoey interned in U.S. Senator Chris Coons’ Dover, Delaware, office, where she worked on federal policymaking. Her daily work varied and included researching policy and legislation related to issues affecting Delaware constituents, assisting with constituent services, tracking federal legislation and committee activity, and drafting memos and correspondence for the Senator’s office.
Her International Relations studies at UD have strengthened her research and communication skills, deepened her critical thinking, and given her greater insight into how policy decisions can affect communities.

Two courses that have had a particularly strong impact on Zoey are American Foreign Policy with Professor Bottomley and National Security Policy with Professor Kaufman. These courses have contributed to her understanding of U.S. foreign policy and national security, areas that closely align with her concentration in International Relations.

Outside the classroom, Zoey is a co-founder and treasurer of the Global and Area Studies Club, an ambassador for the Center for Global Programs and Services, and a member of the Student Government Association and National Council of Negro Women. Through the World Scholars Program, she studied in Greece in Fall 2024 and will study in the Czech Republic in Fall 2026.

Zoey chose International Relations at UD because she saw it as the major that best aligned with her future career goals of working globally. Her experiences in the classroom, abroad, and in Senator Coons’ office have allowed her to explore her interests in U.S. foreign policy and national security while applying what she has learned through her studies.

09/05/2026

From Campus 🎓to Crown 👑: Congratulations to UD alumna Anaya Harrison, who will represent the First State on the Miss America stage as Miss Delaware this weekend! Harrison graduated from UD in 2024 as a 4+1 student with a dual bachelor's degree in political science and public policy and master of arts in urban affairs and public policy. As a student, Harrison balanced her coursework with numerous community service endeavors.

Reinforced through her role as a social justice peer educator and student in the University of Delaware College of Arts & Sciences and the UD Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, Harrison’s lifelong passion for public service and commitment to community now serve as the foundation for her work as Miss Delaware 2026.

Read More Here: https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2026/september/miss-delaware-anaya-harrison/

💙🐓Student Spotlight: This summer, senior Mary Kate Monroe is interning with Ethics & Compliance at Howmet Aerospace.Mary...
09/04/2026

💙🐓Student Spotlight: This summer, senior Mary Kate Monroe is interning with Ethics & Compliance at Howmet Aerospace.

Mary Kate is a double major in Political Science and History with a minor in Legal Studies. On campus, she is a member of Kappa Alpha Pi pre-law fraternity and works as an associate in the student centers.

Mary Kate first came across her internship with Howmet Aerospace during her internship search in the fall. After learning more about the field of Ethics & Compliance, she shifted her search toward opportunities in that area. She believes that being confident in her abilities and taking the time to tailor her application materials helped her secure the opportunity.

During her internship, Mary Kate has been working on summer-long project assignments and participating in different kinds of meetings. One of the highlights of her experience so far was traveling to Cleveland with the other interns to tour one of Howmet’s manufacturing plants.

“Even though we are usually in the office, the trip was a very meaningful part of my experience so far,” Mary Kate said.

Her experience this summer has also given her the opportunity to see how her coursework connects to the real world. Mary Kate said the political science courses have given her a strong foundation to build on this summer. In particular, the international law course has been useful as she works for a company with locations in several countries. The reading and writing skills she has developed during the course have also been valuable throughout her internship.

Mary Kate said that her biggest lesson from working in a corporate environment has been the importance of building a strong network and being open to collaboration💫

08/29/2026

“What inspires me is giving back to the UD community and being known as someone my peers can rely on or go to for help.”

That commitment to community is at the heart of why University of Delaware junior Ben Danlasky was selected as the 2026 Seitz Award recipient.

The scholarship recognizes students who exemplify the “We Are Blue Hens” values. Ben is already making an impact across campus as a resident advisor, Blue Hen Ambassador and director of outreach for the Student Government Association.

A double major in criminal justice and political science with a minor in legal studies, Ben is building a UD experience rooted in service, leadership and showing up for others. 💙💛

Read about the Blue Hen value Ben identifies with the most: https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2026/august/seitz-award-benjamin-danlasky/

08/29/2026

What does it mean to build a more perfect union? 🇺🇸

University of Delaware alum and Delaware State University president Tony Allen will explore this question as the speaker for the 2026 James R. Soles Lecture: “A More Perfect Union Is a Verb.”

Drawing on his experiences at both universities, Allen will reflect on the challenges facing higher education and the role of institutions in working toward the common good.

September 23 | 4:00 p.m.
The Audion, STAR Campus, University of Delaware

Register to attend:
https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Q4vAwWjRQmUNZY

🌎 New at UD: International Relations Minor!Want to better understand the global forces shaping our world? The Department...
08/26/2026

🌎 New at UD: International Relations Minor!

Want to better understand the global forces shaping our world? The Department of Political Science and International Relations has launched a new 15-credit interdisciplinary minor in International Relations.

Explore topics including international law, human rights, migration, trade, diplomacy and global politics while connecting a global perspective to your major and career goals.

📚 Students can enroll beginning Fall 2026.

Visit the article for more information about the minor, requirements, course options and advising:
https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/news-events/news/2026/august/ud-political-science-international-relations-minor/

Meet Srinjay Mukherjee, a sophomore double major in international relations and economics whose passion for understandin...
08/15/2026

Meet Srinjay Mukherjee, a sophomore double major in international relations and economics whose passion for understanding the world is shaping his journey at the University of Delaware. 🌎💙💛

From conducting undergraduate research on international treaties to serving as a New Student Orientation Leader and preparing to become a teaching assistant, Srinjay is making the most of every opportunity to learn, lead and make an impact.

His advice? “You have to actively build your own momentum.”

➡️ To learn more about Srinjay’s journey in international relations here: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/news-events/news/2026/august/ud-poscir-student-spotlight-srinjay-mukherjee/

08/12/2026

University of Delaware alumna Ashley Miller has been named the 2026 Delaware History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History!

A 2002 political science graduate, Miller teaches social studies at the Conrad Schools of Science in Wilmington and mentors UD history education students. She is also a Delaware Teachers Institute Fellow and participant in Library of Congress workshops offered through DTI at UD.

Her recognition continues a long tradition of UD secondary education alumni making an impact as outstanding educators.

Read more: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/news-events/news/2026/august/ud-alumna-named-delaware-history-teacher-of-the-year/

Student Spotlight: Gianna DeLaura 🐓💫Gianna DeLaura, a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy...
08/06/2026

Student Spotlight: Gianna DeLaura 🐓💫

Gianna DeLaura, a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy and Administration.

Gianna’s passion for politics and public service began with her upbringing in a politically active family that taught her the importance of giving back to her community and standing up for what’s right. At UD, she found her home in the Political Science and Public Policy programs and has embraced opportunities to put her interests into action.

As President of the Women in Law and Politics Club and a volunteer with Newark, Delaware’s chapter of Indivisible, Gianna has found meaningful ways to engage in advocacy and serve her community. Her experiences at UD have also taken her to Washington, D.C., where she became a Washington, D.C. Fellow through the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration’s Semester in Washington, D.C. Program.

Last spring, Gianna lived, worked, and learned in the nation’s capital while interning for Senator Chris Murphy. The experience gave her firsthand insight into government and helped her build a network that would open doors to her next opportunity.

Gianna DeLaura said 💬, “During my time in the program, I took classes and interned for Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. This was an experience of a lifetime and not only taught me so much about our government, but also helped me build a great network.”

This summer, Gianna is working with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, where she answers constituent calls, assists with casework, produces press clips for the D.C. and Connecticut offices, and attends events throughout the district. Her Political Science coursework has helped prepare her for the experience, allowing her to apply what she has learned in the classroom to her work in government.

Among Gianna’s favorite courses are Introduction to American Politics, Politics and the Media, and Social Movements in Fiction and Film. She also credits Dr. Erin Cassese as an influential mentor, both as a professor and as the advisor for the Women in Law and Politics Club💙

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347 Smith Hall, University Of
Newark, DE
19716

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Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
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