Preparation for a Masters degree in Political Science: Applied Politics
Program includes:
- Graduate Seminar in Applied American Politics (3 credits)
- Graduate Course Elective within the School of Public Affairs (3 credits)
- Applied Politics Internship in Washington (three days per week)
- Faculty hold academic appointments in the School of Public Affairs
Housing: Apartment housing is available on Capitol Hill through American University
The Seminar in Applied American Politics
The three credit graduate seminar provides a conceptual and practical understanding of how Washington works. Through exposure to political practitioners and policy makers – both elected and unelected – who influence legislation, execute decisions, resolve disputes, and help others win electoral office, the graduate seminar provides a direct understanding of applied politics. Students will not only improve their skills in evaluating current policy proposals but also increase their factual knowledge of the structures, rules, and processes of American politics.
Sample Seminar Topics:
- Politics Inside the Beltway. How Washington works through the avenues of public communications.
- Elections and Campaigns. National campaign organizations, political consultants, and a focus on polling, media, gender, and voter turnout analyses.
- Campaign Finance Reform. How have recent laws and court cases affected future elections with an emphasis on spending/contribution limits, soft money, 527s, and public financing.
- Interest Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Think Tanks. The role of these organizations in influencing policy… strategies and tactics.
- Congress. The of the legislative process, appropriations and earmarks, committees and legislation.
- Presidency. Working inside the White House, and the execution of administration policies from legislation to implementation to rule making. To what extent is the Obama Presidency different?
- Economic and Social Policy. What is the government doing on issues that dominate policy agenda: jobs, health care and entitlements, energy, education.
- The Courts. The federal court system and the impact upon public policy. Major cases on the docket and the nature of the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts.
Sample of Graduate Course Electives with the School of International Service:
- Applied Politics and American Public Policy
- Advanced Studies in Campaign Management
- The Art and Craft of Lobbying
- The Legislative Process
- Topics in Women and Politics: Women, the Law, and Litigating for Social Change.
