Department of Political Science - Duke University The Department of Political Science at Duke University is among the top departments in the nation. Our faculty enjoy teaching, are excited about research, and in many cases are at the forefront of their fields. Our students are among the best anywhere.
Depth requires a conscious regard for the contributions of the past.
If the discipline of political science is to advance our understanding of the political world and the people in it, then theorizing and philosophical debates must be cumulative. Our faculty emphasize depth in all our programs, exploring the foundations of arguments and examining the historical development of political cultures, rules and institutions. Breadth requires a willingness to cross artificial academic and disciplinary boundaries. Faculty in our department have links to numerous other units on campus, including Divinity, Economics, Environment, Film, History, Law, Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Public Policy, Sociology, and Women's Studies. Our faculty focus on asking significant questions about politics among people, among groups, or among nations.