Political Science Major

The political science major draws future lawyers, aspiring policymakers, and passionate communicators, but it's also built for those who simply want to develop the skills to write persuasively, speak with conviction, and participate in healthy, productive conversations about the topics shaping our world today. 

Why Choose Political Science at LAS

At LAS, political science is personal. You won’t just learn theories, you’ll test them, challenge them, and apply them in real time. Our students are active participants in every class, presenting their ideas and defending their perspectives in respectful, thought-provoking discussions.

You’ll study everything from American government and political psychology to politics in the Middle East and communication strategies that win elections. You’ll also take courses in law and other areas that introduce you to legal thinking, including how to analyze, brief, and argue real cases — skills vital for law school, public policy work, or any field where logic and advocacy matter.

Our faculty members will help you connect the dots between what you're learning in class and where you want to go, offering the kind of thoughtful mentorship that helps you discover, refine, and pursue your purpose. 

The political science curriculum prizes intellectual rigor, healthy debate, and real-world engagement that prepares you for any professional path, whether you’re on the pre-law track, planning to work in policy, or still exploring where your interests might lead. From the first class to the final capstone project, you'll be part of a lively, discussion-rich environment.

Meet the Political Science Faculty

The political science faculty at LAS brings a mix of academic scholarship, legal expertise, consulting savvy, public service, and practical know-how to the classroom. Most importantly, they bring genuine investment in their students. Meet some of the faculty you could learn from:

Professor Alan Mond is the department’s full-time anchor. He’s known for his intellectually stimulating classes, dry humor, and commitment to helping students tackle big ideas. He brings extensive real-world experience to the classroom, with over 30 years in leadership consulting roles for global Jewish organizations and political figures in the USA and Israel. His courses on Middle East politics, political scandals, and political psychology are student favorites.

Professor Aryeh Werth teaches international relations and is known for his immersive Model UN-style simulations that bring global politics to life. With a background in international affairs and mentorship from diplomats and scholars, he challenges students to think deeply, speak diplomatically, and engage with complex global issues. Outside the classroom, he brings a journalist’s perspective as a contributor to Jewish publications like The Jewish Press, Hamodia, and Mishpacha, and he previously worked with a major broadcast network as well. 

Professor Seth Nadler teaches courses on American government and constitutional law. He has experience in labor law and currently works in commercial real estate. A graduate of Brooklyn College and the University of Minnesota Law School, he has conducted legal research at Yale and worked in Washington, D.C. on administrative law. 

Faculty-student relationships often extend beyond graduation, with professors offering ongoing mentorship and guidance on grad school applications, internships, and career planning.

Course Spotlight: Scandals & Accountability

One of the most talked-about classes in the department is Scandals & Accountability (POLN 318), which is a multidisciplinary course that explores some of the most infamous political controversies in American history. Covering infamous incidents like Teapot Dome, Watergate, Iran-Contra, and presidential impeachments, this course takes you deep into the legal, ethical, and societal implications of scandal. 

Co-taught with the History department, the course challenges you to research, contextualize, and present your findings with clarity and confidence, all while sharpening your analytical thinking and public speaking skills.

Other standout courses that will push you to think in new and interdisciplinary ways include Political Communication (POLN 330) and Psychology & Politics (POLN 328). In the communication course, you'll go beyond theory to learn how to write persuasive campaign speeches, blog articles, and even storyboard political videos. Our political psychology course blends political science and behavioral studies to explore how emotion, identity, and cognition influence voting and leadership.

More About the Political Science Major

As a political science major, you’ll develop media literacy, learn how to assess information critically, and walk away with the ability to construct and defend a position on everything from healthcare to foreign policy. Courses are creative, fun, and small by design, allowing for a conversational atmosphere where questions are encouraged and alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

Writing is central to the political science experience at LAS. From first-year courses through the senior capstone, students build confidence in their ability to research, argue, revise, and express ideas clearly. You’ll write policy briefs, analytical essays, and research papers that go through feedback cycles geared toward helping you refine and strengthen your writing skills. 

Even students who didn’t pursue political careers have reported back to us that this major gave them the tools and mettle they needed to thrive in business, education, and other fields.

Get Into the Field with Internships

With faculty approval, students can earn academic credit for internships after they complete a writing assignment that connects their fieldwork back to political science theory. 

Whether working in the NYC Mayor’s Office, supporting policy efforts at Jewish advocacy groups, or learning the ropes at a political consulting firm, you’ll learn to apply classroom insights in meaningful, hands-on settings. Here are some locations where our students have interned in recent years:

• NYC Mayor’s Office
• New York City Council
• NY State Assembly
• Prominent political consulting and PR firms
• Office of the Brooklyn Borough President

Faculty play an active role in helping students with these internships, offering support with connections, applications, and preparation.

Tip: Take advantage of the flexibility and explore electives outside political science that genuinely interest you. It made my experience more meaningful. - Avremi Karp (BA Political Science ’24, attending Fordham Law)

Get Involved with Political Science Society

The student-led Political Science Society is open to all students interested in politics, law, diplomacy, or public policy. The club hosts alumni and expert speakers and organizes community events and panels around relevant community and Jewish topics. 

In the past, the group hosted the Egyptian ambassador and held a symposium on domestic violence with a representative from the DA’s office and a judge. Students have also organized viewing parties for the presidential debate and election night as well as small gatherings to discuss relevant hot topics. Faculty and students also often gather to mark the end of the semester with a BBQ and casual political conversation. 

Wrap Up Your Degree with the Capstone Experience

As part of their senior coursework in Advanced Topics in Social Science (POLN 493), political science majors at LAS complete a semester-long capstone paper. You’ll collaborate with faculty to outline, research, and write a paper on a subfield of political science, culminating in an in-class and faculty presentation. Here are some recent capstone paper topics: 

• The Art of Filibustering
• Why Ending Gerrymandering Won’t Save The Country From Polarization
• Leadership in the Middle East: How Individual Leaders Impacted the State of Israel
• Can You Have Your Cake and Free Speech Too? Examining the First Amendment Rights of Bakers
• Modernity In Saudi Arabia: Power Play Cloaked in Liberalism
• Menachem Begin and the Camp David Accords

Students on the political science Honors Track take this even further, with a multi-semester effort that culminates in an expansive paper presented before a faculty committee for grading.

Political Science Pathways at Touro

Political science at LAS connects students to a variety of graduate programs across the Touro system, including education, business, and public administration. Plus, staying within the Touro family makes it easy to keep your momentum going, with familiar professors and a student body that is as busy as you are. 

If you're considering law school, the pre-law track offers one-on-one guidance from Professor Tom Rozinski, who helps students navigate everything from course planning to personal statements. Whether you're just starting to think about law or already prepping for the LSAT, there's solid support every step of the way. In fact, Avremi Karp, who graduated with his political science degree in 2024 and is starting at Fordham University Law School in Fall 2025, had this to say:

“After I graduated, and throughout the LSAT and law school application process, the faculty and advisors were with me every step of the way. They reviewed everything, gave me thorough notes, and were always available to provide guidance.”

Of course, not every student takes the same path. Some go on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the Touro Graduate School of Business or even a Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA). Others find their way into journalism, education, advocacy work, or nonprofit leadership. No matter where you see yourself, we’re here to help you explore your options and move forward with self-assurance.

After Touro: Where Our Alumni Go

Our political science graduates have gone on to careers in law, education, public service, and beyond. Some have become practicing attorneys, policy analysts, and educators, while others have risen to leadership roles as judges, community advocates, and elected officials. 

Graduates have attended Columbia Law School, Harvard Law School, NYU School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and other prestigious institutions. 

Notable alumni include Judge Ruchie Freier, the first female Hasidic judge in the state of New York, and NY State Senator Simcha Felder, both of whom have remained closely connected to the Touro community.

What to Expect at LAS

When you study political science at Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences, you won’t be lost in a lecture hall. Instead, you’ll be part of a tight-knit community where the professors know your name, classmates respect your perspective, and ideas come alive through conversation. Let's look at what you'll experience here: