UCSB Department of Political Science

Contact Information

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

Phone: (805) 893-3432
Advising: (805) 893-4192
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.

Department Offices Closure Dates

All Political Science offices, including advising, will be closed on Wednesday, November 25 under the department's furlough plan and will remain closed through the Thanksgiving weekend. In addition, all offices will be closed December 21, 2009 through January 3, 2010.

Enrollment Guidelines for Winter Quarter 2010

The Political Science Department has established new Guidelines for Enrollment for Winter 2010 classes. Students who would like to get into classes that are already full should read these Guidelines carefully to see how their individual instructors are going to handle late enrollments.

Upcoming Events

Lecture by William Fierman
January 06, 2010
Topic to be announced. A presentation of the Research Focus Group on Identity. William Fierman is...
Presentation by Larry Bartels
January 14, 2010
Topic: "Democracy for Realists." Larry M. Bartels is Donald E. Stokes Professor of Public and...
Lecture by David Laitin
February 04, 2010
"Muslims in Europe: Do They Face Higher Barriers to Mobility?" A presentation of the Research...

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