American Politics

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:

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

Barry Burden

Position title: Lyons Family Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology

David Canon

Position title: Professor | American Politics

Katherine J. Cramer

Position title: Professor and Natalie C. Holton Chair of Letters & Science | American Politics

Benjamin Marquez

Position title: Professor | American Politics

Kenneth R. Mayer

Position title: Professor | American Politics

Ryan Owens

Position title: Edwards Professor | American Politics

Eleanor Neff Powell

Position title: Booth Fowler Associate Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology

Howard Schweber

Position title: Professor: American Politics | Political Theory

Alexander Tahk

Position title: Associate Professor

David L. Weimer

Position title: Professor: American Politics | Political Methodology

Susan Webb Yackee

Position title: Professor | American Politics