Department of Political Science

Banner showing Political Science offices and classrooms

Why Political Science? Our department will help you to understand how and why people use and misuse power within and outside of political institutions and systems throughout the world. Our curriculum provides our students with strong theoretical foundations in all subfields of political science, as well as opportunities to cultivate robust quantitative and analytical skills to help them enhance their understandings of contemporary developments in politics, governance, political and military conflicts, representation, and public policy. Whether you are drawn to a career in law, government, education, private industry, or the non-profit sector, a degree in political science will provide you with the insights and tools you need to achieve your goals.

NEH lauds Vanderbilt’s Jon Meacham for humanities achievements

of political science graduates have post-graduation plans directly related to political science

labs that actively involve undergraduates

Research on Individuals, Politics and Society

Research on Individuals, Politics and Society

  Alert Content Goes Here

Prof. Cindy Kam (RIPS Director) and Prof. Liz Zechmeister (RIPS Faculty Affiliate) in the state-of-the-art RIPS facility

Research on Individuals, Politics & Society (RIPS) is the experimental research program in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University.

Our goal is to advance empirical research in political behavior while also enriching the learning environment for the faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students..

  • Learn more about how RIPS works —  check out our methodology .
  • If you would like to apply to help conduct the research, apply to be a research assistant .
  • Utilize RIPS for your own research project —  inquire about the proposal process .

Your Vanderbilt

  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • International Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Prospective Students
  • Researchers
  • Sports Fans
  • Visitors & Neighbors

Popular Now

  • Commencement
  • Rites of Spring

Bradley C. Smith

Assistant professor, vanderbilt university.

Welcome to my website. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University . I received my PhD in Political Science in 2017 from the University of Rochester . In my research, I focus on questions at the intersection of international conflict and cooperation. More specifically, I utilize both formal theory and statistical methods to analyze military cooperation in the international system. I am interested in both the conditions that lead to military cooperation, as well as the influence of realized military cooperation on international conflict outcomes.

Please feel free to take a look around, download a copy of my CV , and peruse my research . If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] .

' src=

  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • Manage subscriptions

IMAGES

  1. Vanderbilt Political Science PhD Program

    phd political science vanderbilt

  2. Placements

    phd political science vanderbilt

  3. Placements

    phd political science vanderbilt

  4. Bio

    phd political science vanderbilt

  5. Placements

    phd political science vanderbilt

  6. Placements

    phd political science vanderbilt

COMMENTS

  1. Admissions

    The Political Science Ph.D. The Vanderbilt Ph.D. program in political science ranks among the top programs of its kind, both overall and by subfield (American Politics, Comparative Politics, with International Relations on the rise). Our faculty and students study many varied subjects using a diverse slate of methodologies. Vanderbilt’s political science department is known for...

  2. Ph.D. Courses

    Below is a list of courses typically offered in the political science doctoral program. For the most up-to-date and complete list of course offerings, see the Graduate School Catalog. American Politics The subfield of American politics at Vanderbilt offers rigorous instruction and unique opportunities for skill-building as it prepares doctoral candidates to excel in academic...

  3. Political Science

    Our department will help you to understand how and why people use and misuse power within and outside of political institutions and systems throughout the world. Our curriculum provides our students with strong theoretical foundations in all subfields of political science, as well as opportunities to cultivate robust quantitative and analytical ...

  4. Vanderbilt Political Science PhD Program

    A look at Vanderbilt University's PhD program in Political Science. For more information visit: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/political-science/.Follow Vanderbil...

  5. Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions

    CSDI Welcomes 2023-2024 Postdoctoral Fellows Amna Salam & Rachel Lienesch. Amna received her PhD from the University of Rochester in Political Science. Her research centers on strategic behavior in the legal system, and how various actors in the judiciary work to advance their ideological interests.

  6. Research on Individuals, Politics and Society

    Research on Individuals, Politics & Society (RIPS) is the experimental research program in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University. Our goal is to advance empirical research in political behavior while also enriching the learning environment for the faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Learn more about ...

  7. Vanderbilt University Fully Funded PhD in Political Science

    Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt University based in Nashville, Tennessee offers a fully funded PhD in Political Science. The PhD program offers intensive training in three fields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. Students take courses in multiple subfields and diverse methodologies.

  8. Political Science, Ph.D.

    The department in Political Science at Vanderbilt University will help you to understand how and why people use and misuse power within and outside of political institutions and systems throughout the world. The TOEFL iBT® is given online through the internet at designated testing site.

  9. PDF Vanderbilt University Reu Summer Program in Political Science

    Tuition is fully funded, with living stipend provided*. Teaching and research assistant requirement. Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree not required. 2 to 3 years of coursework in substantive areas and methodological areas (w/ comprehensive exam) Generate a capstone project (dissertation)

  10. Bradley C. Smith

    Welcome to my website. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University. I received my PhD in Political Science in 2017 from the University of Rochester. In my research, I focus on questions at the intersection of international conflict and cooperation. More specifically, I utilize both formal theory and…