Political Science (BA)

Program Description

The Political Science major at NYU Abu Dhabi attracts students who are interested in the many important political questions—conceptual, empirical, policy-oriented—that societies everywhere face today. How do different political systems affect policy-making? What are the intrinsic and instrumental virtues of democracy?

How could its functioning improve? Why do dictatorships survive in many countries, but evolve into democracies in others? Why do countries go to war? What are the connections between internal conflicts (such as civil war) and political or economic development? What are the main characteristics and causes of economic underdevelopment? Why are prosperity and stagnation distributed so unequally, both across countries and within them?

The student with a passion for questions such as these finds the Political Science major most rewarding. The philosophy underlying the courses has several distinctive features. First, the major has a strong analytical focus, with two required courses that introduce students to statistics and models of political behavior and institutions. These courses provide an introduction to the kinds of tools used by social scientists to conduct a deep analysis of these questions and to test the analysis using quantitative data. Second, the major offers many substantive courses, wherein these analytical tools are applied to important policy questions of considerable current interest. Third, the courses in the major include discussions of classic texts that illuminate both the intellectual history and the broader dimensions of these policy questions. Finally, the major offers several courses jointly with programs in Economics, Psychology, and Philosophy, providing students with exciting interdisciplinary opportunities.

Foundations of Social Science

Foundations of Social Science (FSS) has four components that focus on (1) intellectual traditions in the social sciences (Social, Political, and Economic Theory: SPET), (2) global development in historical perspective (Social, Political, and Economic History: SPEH), (3) quantitative reasoning and numeracy, and (4) gateway courses into the majors. 

Students come to NYUAD with a great diversity of backgrounds in terms of their grasp of societal and economic development and globalization, with a vision that is often narrowed by regional foci of high school curricula. FSS is designed to broaden and amplify students’ understandings of the world and global processes. Required and elective courses in each of the majors will be able to build on this foundation, thereby fostering intellectual growth.

Beyond their role in the programs, Foundations of Social Science courses are open to all students and will deliver high value to any student curious about the development of societies and social thought; the substance and skills students learn in these courses will be applicable across the liberal arts spectrum. They are designed to foster informed world citizenship.

Concentrations (Optional)

As part of the Political Science major, the program is offering students the possibility to complete an optional concentration in a more specialized area. Two optional concentrations therefore stand in addition to the existing BA Political Science program. In addition to meeting all of the graduation requirements for the major, students who wish to pursue a concentration must complete additional coursework in place of Political Science major electives.. 

Data & Politics

The political science program has sent many students to the top Ph.D. programs in political science (among others, Stanford, M.I.T., University of California Berkeley, Columbia, NYU), as well as top master's programs (e.g., Oxford, ETH Zurich). The quantitative-oriented concentration is intended for students seeking more specialized training in order to pursue graduate studies in political science or other more data-oriented employment. The concentration will prepare students to develop advanced proficiency in quantitative and statistical methods, and apply them to conduct political science research and analysis. 

International Affairs & Foreign Policy

The international politics-focused concentration is intended for students planning to work for the government, NGOs, and the private sector, especially in a foreign affairs and/or policy capacity. The concentration will prepare students to demonstrate knowledge in various topics in international affairs and foreign policy, including conflict and cooperation dynamics, strategic interactions of states, international organizations, and non-state actors across domains such as war, terrorism, trade, development, finance, technology, human rights, and environment. 

Study Away

The study away pathway can be found on the NYUAD Student Portal at students.nyuad.nyu.edu/pathways. Students with questions should contact the Office of Global Education.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.