Contact Information
Department of Political Science
Mailcode #9420
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9420

Phone: (805) 893-3432
Fax: (805) 893-3309

Welcome to The Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara has assembled an exceptional faculty who are engaged in advanced research and who place a high value on excellent teaching.  The department trains doctoral students for academic careers, and offers an undergraduate major enrolling about 800 students.  We strive to use the resources of the University to create an environment of productive intellectual inquiry and rigorous academic training.  We encompass the traditional fields of international relations, comparative politics, American politics, political theory, and research methods.  Additionally, in conjuction with other departments and research centers on campus, we organize many of our activities and research selectively around broad foci: political communication, the politics of identity, and the politics of public policy, especially environmental policy. 

Not only is UCSB is a world-class research university offering a comprehensive array of academic programs, it is located in a beautiful coastal community with a year-round temperate climate. The campus has been ranked among the ten "highest-impact U.S. universities" by Science Watch, and as the second highest-ranked public research university in the country based on faculty productivity. 

Rauchhaus Receives Teaching Award

Assistant Professor Robert Rauchhaus is one of the recipients of the 2007-2008 Distinguished Teaching Awards from the UCSB Academic Senate.

Alumnus Establishes Endowed Chair in International Security Studies

UC Santa Barbara has received a $600,000 gift from UCSB alumnus Anton Vonk (MA '05) and his wife, Diane Boss, to establish a new endowed chair in political science.

Upcoming Events

  • Colloquium: Josiah Ober
    October 31, 2008
    Josiah Ober, Professor of Classics and Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, will present a colloquium on Athenian democracy from 3-5 p.m.  Exact topic and further details will be announced.
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