The field of American Politics encompasses the study of the structure and dynamics of mass behavior and opinion and of the major governmental and extragovernmental institutions, their interrelationships, their historical evolution and their role in the policy process. Specifically, the field covers the major national government institutions (presidency, Congress, bureaucracy and courts); subnational governments and the federal system; extragovernmental organizations such as parties, interest groups and social movements; the behavior and opinions of elites and masses who operate within these institutions and organizations who may seek (as in the case of elections and voting) to influence them; the impact of institutions, organizations, and actors on public policy; the determinants of public policy; the legal and constitutional context in which politics occurs; and changes in all of these elements and their relations with each other and with society over time.
Resources in the field of American politics include:
- American Politics Workshop
- Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership
- Elections Research Center
- Experimental Politics Workshop
- Models and Data Group
- Election Law Journal (edited by David Canon)
- Faculty shared with the La Follette School of Public Affairs
Recent Ph.D. graduates have been placed in positions at West Virginia University, Pew Research Center, St. Lawrence University, Princeton University, University of Buffalo, Government Accountabilty Office, Macalaster College, Cal State-San Marcos, Georgetown University, University of Oklahoma, DePaul University, Dickinson College, and University of Minnesota.
American Politics Faculty
David Canon
Position title: Department Chair, Professor | American Politics
Email: dcanon@polisci.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2283
Address:
413 North Hall
Katherine J. Cramer
Position title: Professor and Natalie C. Holton Chair of Letters & Science | American Politics
Email: kathy.cramer@wisc.edu
Address:
223 North Hall
Benjamin Marquez
Position title: Professor | American Politics
Email: bmarquez@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2389
Address:
403 North Hall
Kenneth R. Mayer
Position title: Professor | American Politics
Email: krmayer@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-263-2286
Address:
201D North Hall
Ryan Owens
Position title: Edwards Professor | American Politics
Email: rjowens@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2279
Address:
214 North Hall
Susan Webb Yackee
Position title: Professor | American Politics
Email: syackee@lafollette.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 265-6017
Address:
402 North Hall
David L. Weimer
Position title: Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology
Email: weimer@lafollette.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2325
Address:
215 North Hall / 201 LaFollette
Howard Schweber
Position title: Professor: American Politics | Political Theory
Email: howard.schweber@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-263-2293
Address:
322B North Hall
Eleanor Neff Powell
Position title: Booth Fowler Associate Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology
Email: eleanor.powell@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 265-5798
Address:
216 North Hall
Barry Burden
Position title: Lyons Family Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology
Email: bcburden@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-6351
Address:
Office Hours: Wednesday 9:30-11am (spring 2020)
101A/B North Hall
Alexander Tahk
Position title: Associate Professor
Email: atahk@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2297
Address:
212 North Hall
Office Hours: By appointment
Amy Gangl
Position title: Director of Undergraduate Engagement
Email: agangl@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-2028
Address:
302 North Hall