
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. The UW American Politics program is ranked by US News as one of the top 10 in the country.
Research Groups and Projects
Journals Edited by Faculty in American Politics
Courses in American Politics - Spring 2011-2012
104 - Introduction to American Politics & Government
Faculty: John Coleman Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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217 - Law, Politics and Society
Instructors: Carlton Henson Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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401 - Selected Topics-Poli Sci: Law Separation of Power & Supreme Court
Faculty: Ryan Owens Field: American Politics
Section Number: 002
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401 - Selected Topics-Poli Sci: Politics and Policy of Urban Environmentalism
Instructors: David Cieslewicz Field: American Politics
Section Number: 004
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408 - The American Presidency
Faculty: Kenneth Mayer Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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427 - Legislative Internship
Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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442 - American National Security: Policy & Process
Faculty: Helen Kinsella Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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452 - Criminal Law and Justice
Faculty: Donald Downs Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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466 - Campaign Finance
Faculty: Kenneth Mayer Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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479 - Political Communications
Instructors: Amy Gangl Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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695 - Proseminar: Topics in Poli Sci: Election Reform in America
Faculty: Barry Burden Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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695 - Proseminar: Topics in Poli Sci: Criminal Law & Jurisprudence
Faculty: Donald Downs Field: American Politics
Section Number: 002
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825 - Race & Politics in the U.S.
Faculty: Benjamin Marquez Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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827 - Interest Groups in American Politics
Faculty: Susan Yackee Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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863 - The Judicial Process
Faculty: Alexander Tahk Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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874 - Policy-Making Process
Faculty: Susan Yackee Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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900 - Topics in Political Science: The Politics of Presidential Selection
Faculty: Byron Shafer Field: American Politics
Section Number: 002
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904 - Seminar-American Politics: The Politics of Presidential Selection
Faculty: Byron Shafer Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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989 - American Politics Workshop
Faculty: Katherine Walsh Field: American Politics
Section Number: 001
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