All political science majors complete an original thesis, which they present and defend during their senior year.

In the spring of their junior year, majors take POL372: Seminar in Research and Methodology, an intensive course in which they learn how to research, organize, document, write, and orally present and defend a major piece of original work. Students choose topics according to their unique interests and potential career goals.

In their senior year, students apply these skills to a more extensive and professional senior thesis, with individual mentoring provided by a faculty member whose expertise aligns with their chosen topic. These experiences provide students with valuable professional skills that serve them well after graduation.

Recent thesis topics include:

• "The Political Philosophy of Thomas Paine: How Paine's Moral, Political and Economic Beliefs Share Common Themes"
• "Warrantless Aerial Surveillance by Drones: The Alarming Capabilities of Drones"
• "Broken Windows Theory in New York City: How Statistics Prove That Stop-and-Frisk is Not a Racist Practice"
• "The Establishment Clause: Everson's Proposal for Separationism"
• "Why Americans Called for Prohibition: Overindulgence in Alcohol"
• "California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: Concerns for Third-Party Access"
• "Parker v. Flook: The Paradox of Legal Minds Legislating Scientific Investigations"
• "Chinese Expansionism in the South China Sea and Artificial Islands: The Diplomatic and Strategic Threat to the United States"