Politics, Law, and Society

About this Department

The Department of Politics, Law and Society provides students with unique, multidisciplinary opportunities to develop into civically engaged citizens who actively participate in their communities and are dedicated to promoting social, economic, and political change.

We are home to leading scholars and accomplished authors in the fields such as international politics, U.S. presidency, health law, sociology, and anthropology. The guidance and mentoring our faculty give students provides them the opportunity to study while developing individual interests and preparation to become impactful leaders in their communities.

Department Chair

John Dietrich
BryantUniversity Professor Nicole Frenier sits a table with three students giving a presentation.

Department Highlight

Grace Greenaway, Nilsa Lane, and Aly Snell join their co-author Prof. Nicole L. Freiner in presenting their research, "The NSLP and Food Oppression in New England during Covid-19."

Previously presented at the New England Political Science Association Annual Meeting, their work explores how the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) plays a role in national food politics and policies that affect access to food and food security. During Covid, there was a sharp decrease in NSLP participation that potentially left school students without nutritionally balanced meals.

3+3 Juris Doctor

BryantUniversity and Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law have collaborated to establish a streamlined admission pathway for eligible students aspiring to pursue a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at Villanova University. Upon successful program completion, students will graduate with a bachelor's degree from BryantUniversity alongside a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Villanova University School of Law.

BryantUniversity globe and Villanova clock

Engage with Faculty Experts

Our faculty bring a wealth of knowledge that offers unique perspectives on pressing global issues, historical contexts, and emerging trends. Their expertise will help you dissect ideologies, theories, and challenges and analyze the dynamics that drive change and shape our world.

BryantProfessor Rich Holtzman at the front of a classroom.

The Washington Center

A partnership between BryantUniversity and The Washington Center in the U.S. Capitol provides access to a variety of semester-long internships. Students participate in the work of leading think tanks, the White House, the Environmental Protection Agency, and more.

View of Washington DC at night featuring the Lincoln Memorial, and Washington monument with Capitol building in the background

Research and Engagement Day

Students participate in Research and Engagement Day, a Bryantshowcase that highlights student and faculty research collaboration, creativity and innovative academic accomplishments.

A Bryantstudent gives a presentation during the Research and Engagement Day.

Inspiring Faculty

Our faculty are award-winning educators, mentors, and scholars, with expertise in fields including African music, comparative politics, international humanitarian law, race relations, sports studies, the entrepreneurial turn in the biomedical field, and women's history. Among them is:

John W. Dietrich, Ph.D.

Professor of History and Social Studies
Department Chair

BryantProfessor John Dietrich speaks to students sitting at a table.
Faculty Listing
Danielle Latty ’24

Danielle Latty ’24

“Bryanthas taught me to be an exceptional leader, and we really emphasize experiential learning. I’ve learned how to lead a group of people and how to understand people, and I’ve taken that with me in everything that I’ve done.”
Owen Sawyer 24

Owen Sawyer ’24

“When I was looking at the research interests of the professors I would be studying under, I was really impressed that an institution known for business had such a talented politics and law faculty.”
A headshot of Stephanie Lherisson.

Stephanie Lherisson '19

“I'm really passionate about equality and equity, and I want to help people find common ground, especially at a time when there's so much division. I want to be a voice for people who have no voice.”

Where Our Students Go

Americorps
Covidien
Dell EMC
BryantUniversity
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
JP Morgan Chase
Lightspeed GMI
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Paramount Partners, LLC
Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs
Peace Corps
U.S. Department of State
Boston College
Brown University
Duke University
Georgetown University
University of Chicago
Villanova University
wake Forest University

Visiting Campus

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