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Political Theory

Political theory asks the most fundamental questions about politics: What is justice? What is the best regime? What are the duties of a citizen? How does politics promote happiness?

The political theory field of study strives to educate thoughtful citizens, attentive to the demands and complexities of living justly and contributing to the common good in an imperfect world. The Catholic mission of Notre Dame informs the field’s teaching and scholarship in dialogue with a wide range of philosophical and religious traditions.

Outstanding Faculty

Our large and highly ranked political theory faculty members offer courses spanning the entire history of political thought: ancient, medieval, early modern, late modern, and contemporary. Faculty have a strong interest in constitutional law and design, continental thought, feminist theory, politics and technology, liberalism and its critics, literature and political philosophy, religion and politics, and human rights. They have written on canonical thinkers, including Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, James Madison, Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Hannah Arendt. The Review of Politics has been closely associated with the department since 1939, and it has contained pieces by some of the world’s most prominent political theorists.

Graduate study in political theory

The political theory program features a robust intellectual community, enabling graduate students to develop fruitfully as scholars and teachers. Graduate seminars cover major time periods and specialized topics, ranging from the thought of Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle to contemporary topics like Christian political thought or the Constitution and the common good.

We offer a range of opportunities for students to interact with faculty across the discipline, receive feedback on their work, and interact with top scholars, including events such as the Political Theory Colloquium and the Niemeyer Lectures, a professional development seminar, an annual Graduate Conference in Political Theory and Constitutional Studies, fellowship and research sponsorships through the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, and graduate minors in Gender Studies or Screen Cultures.

Recent program graduates have received appointments or fellowships at the University of Chicago, Princeton University, Oberlin College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Vanderbilt University, and Emory University, among others.

Undergraduate study in political theory

Studying political theory involves the critical examination of the principles and values underlying political systems, fostering informed and engaged citizens who contribute to the common good. Undergraduates may inquire into, debate, and learn the foundational purposes of politics and thus become citizens who will serve the common good in the world. Students may take courses offering dynamic lectures and lively seminar discussions focused on a range of topics, including constitutional law, Black political thought, the politics of conscience, democracy and virtue, Catholicism and politics, religious freedom, J.R.R. Tolkien, and liberalism and its critics. Students may participate in the minor in Constitutional Studies or become a Menard Fellow of the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, giving them opportunities to engage with prestigious outside speakers.

Faculty

  1. Sue Collins

    Susan D. Collins

    Associate Professor

  2. Patrick Deneen headshot. A Caucasian man with salt-and-pepper hair wearing a navy blue suit and blue glasses over a blue and gray patterned tie. He is posing for a headshot against a gray background.

    Patrick J. Deneen

    Professor

  3. Eileen Hunt headshot. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling at the camera. She wears a black and white patterned jacket over a black top against a gray background.

    Eileen M. Hunt

    Professor

  4. Mary Keys headshot. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses and a black collared shirt, smiling against a blurred green, leafy background.

    Mary M. Keys

    Professor

  5. Vincent Munoz headshot. A man with salt and pepper hair wearing a blue suit jacket and patterned tie looks directly at the camera. A University of Notre Dame lapel pin is visible on his jacket.

    Vincent Phillip Muñoz

    Tocqueville Professor of Political Science

  6. Dan Philpott

    Daniel Philpott

    Professor

  7. Dana Villa headshot. A man with medium-length, dark brown hair and glasses, wearing a dark jacket. He is slightly smiling and standing in front of a light-colored, neoclassical building with columns.

    Dana Villa

    Packey J. Dee Professor of Political Science

Concurrent Faculty

  1. Bernard Forjwour headshot. A man with dark skin, wearing glasses, a white collared shirt, red tie, and a dark green sweater vest. He smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Bernard Forjwuor

    Assistant Professor of Africana Studies

  2. Vittorio Hosle headshot. A man with glasses, smiling at the camera. He wears a light blue sweater over a blue and white striped collared shirt. A blurred background features what appears to be stained glass windows.

    Vittorio Hosle

    Paul Kimball Professor of Arts & Letters

  3. Jim Otteson headshot. A headshot of a man with light brown hair and glasses wearing a navy blue blazer, blue and white striped collared shirt, and a gold patterned tie against a plain gray background.

    James Otteson

    John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics

  4. Emma Planinc headshot of a woman with light blonde hair pulled back, against a gray background. She wears a black shirt and a gray cardigan sweater. She is smiling slightly and wearing small earrings.

    Emma Planinc

    Assistant Professor, Program of Liberal Studies

  5. Ernesto Verdeja headshot. A man with short brown hair and glasses. He wears a dark gray blazer and a purple pinstriped collared shirt. He stands slightly smiling in a hallway with light-colored walls and overhead lights.

    Ernesto Verdeja

    Associate Professor of Peace Studies

Partners

Political theory faculty and students are supported by and regularly participate in the wide variety of resources available at Notre Dame, including:

Events

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