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Political Science Major

The skills you’ll gain as a Lander political science major will prepare you to succeed in roles that require analytical thinking and ethical leadership. Our graduates often go on to pursue law school, engage in public policy, or work in government and nonprofits.

“As future lawyers and politicians, we strive to create a better future through the courtroom and through Congress. Our Chaburah is a microcosm of that philosophy, where we ensure that while we know we are heading to professions that may challenge our integrity, we will try to bring a kiddush Hashem to our workplaces.”

- Sam Davis, political science club and student government leader

Why Choose Political Science?

Lander’s political science curriculum is designed to give you a deep understanding of how political systems and ideas shape our world. This includes courses that explore the ethical dimensions of political decisions, guided by Jewish teachings.

You’ll engage with points of view that are different from your own as you consider complex social and political issues — all while developing strong writing, presentation, and speaking skills. You’ll also benefit from having New York as your classroom. Field trips to the UN, NGOs, and foreign embassies allow you to see how political processes play out in the real world.

LCM’s small class sizes offer personal attention from professors with impressive backgrounds. You’ll learn from leaders in areas like international relations, public administration, and diplomacy. Their stories about integrating their values into their work lives can help you find that balance for yourself.

Devoted Faculty with Remarkable Expertise

These roles are just a few that LCM’s core poli sci faculty have held. These professors’ real-world, practical experiences bring their subject matter to life. No matter what path you take through the major, you won’t feel like you’re learning from a textbook.

In his classes on public administration, Prof. Tom Rozinski shares lessons he learned as Commissioner of Homeless Services for New York City, where he ran the largest shelter system in the world. His years as both an attorney for major law firms and as a legal scholar frame his approach to classes on American and international law, and advising LCM’s pre-law students.

Prof. Daniel Friedman has lived and studied in four different countries. His experience serving as a rabbi in pulpits across the globe bring unique perspective to his teaching of comparative politics.

As former head of the world’s largest Jewish diplomatic organization, Prof. Israel Singer draws on his experience as a major lobbyist to teach courses on international relations and political advocacy.

Course Spotlight: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

In this hands-on course you’ll go beyond learning about Supreme Court cases and decisions by stepping into different legal roles yourself. One day, you might act as a lawyer making arguments before a panel of attorneys. Another day, you might become a judge writing an official court opinion.

These simulations help prepare you for success in law school, especially in moot court competitions. “We’re getting experience that first year law school students don't have with learning how to write legally, which is fantastic,” says political science major Benji Heller. “Prof. Rozinski wants to make us better than first year law school students. If you go to law school, you’re going to have a bit of an advantage wherever you go.”

Explore the Field In and Out of Class

Lander offers many ways to explore a future career in politics, international relations or law through clubs, classes, research, and internships.

  • Chaburah: Join our political science club to discuss current events, participate in debates, and engage with guest speakers. Want to leave an impression on an audience? Hone your presentation and oratory skills as a member of the public speaking club.
  • Classes: Choose from more than two dozen courses, from foundational topics such as International Relations or Political Theory to electives like Debating Justice or American Foreign Policy. In each one, you’ll get to analyze real-world political scenarios and consider various solutions.
  • Senior research: Students on the honors track work closely with faculty to do policy research that culminates in a written thesis and oral defense of their findings.
  • Internships & Networking: Lander students have done internships at international Jewish organizations like the Simon Wiesenthal Center as well as at local, state, and federal government offices. Career Services can help you find a job internship opportunities and connect with alumni. Reach out to them! These experiences are key to preparing for your post-college work life and making career connections.

Alumni Profile: Ari Lustig, senate intern turned corporate attorney

When poli sci graduate Ari Lustig first got to LCM, he was anxious because he wasn’t sure what he wanted to study. “Maybe a week or so into school, I attended a panel discussion with professors from each department. The one who was representing the political science department was really interesting, so I figured I’d sign up for a class. Law was an outgrowth of that experience.”

Other doors that his undergrad experience opened: An internship with then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ivy League degrees in law and public administration, and work experience with the U.S. House Oversight Committee and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, among other judicial and legislative offices.

Now a successful securities lawyer, Ari appreciates the breadth of his LCM education: “Even for the students who do know what they want to do, I think college is the time to explore and try out different things.”

Pathways at Touro

Touro gives poli sci students several options to continue toward an advanced degree while staying within the university system. Our programs include:

What You Can Expect From Lander

Aside from small class sizes, experienced faculty, individualized attention, and demanding academics, you can expect alumni connections, support to enter the professional world, and an understanding of what you might be looking for as a Torah Jew raising a family and earning a living.

  • We have a strong alumni network you can rely on, and a powerhouse Career Services department that will prepare you for the workplace and help you start your career.
  • Our mentoring program can match you with an alum currently in the field, to mentor you and answer any questions on your career.
  • We host career night dinners each year, where alumni come back to campus and gather around the dinner table with you, to help you get an inside view of their career with real talk about the profession.
  • No disconnect between your morning in the Beis Medrash and your afternoon in a college classroom. Torah infuses everything we do and the shiur course you’ll take on Jewish Business Ethics is one example of the balance and coordination you’ll find here.