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American Politics

The study of American politics at Notre Dame offers a dynamic and comprehensive exploration of politics in the United States. To gain a deeper understanding of American democracy, we employ rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methods in empirical analyses of mass political behavior and political institutions.

Outstanding faculty

Our faculty are experts in electoral behavior, public opinion, civic engagement, political parties, and legislative representation. We have particular expertise in group and identity politics, with researchers focusing on racial and ethnic politics, religion and politics, and women in politics. American politics faculty publish regularly in the top journals in political science and with leading university presses.

Graduate study in American politics

For graduate students, Notre Dame offers a collegial and collaborative environment for developing as a scholar and a teacher. Faculty prepare students for future careers through close mentoring and collaborative research projects.

Graduate students in American politics recently have published in the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, Political Analysis, and other leading journals. Recent graduate placements in American politics include positions at the University of Tennessee, the University of Arkansas, the University of Arizona, Syracuse University, and the National University of Singapore.

Undergraduate study in American politics

Undergraduates interested in American politics can take courses covering topics such as partisan polarization, racial and ethnic politics, political psychology, political parties and elections, religion and politics, immigration, Congress and state legislatures, and gender and politics. American politics students can minor in the Hesburgh Program in Public Service or the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government, intern in our nation’s capital through the Washington Program, and engage in original research by writing a senior thesis or working as a research assistant for faculty.

Faculty and student support

The Rooney Democracy Institute supports research by:

  • Facilitating faculty and graduate student collaborations on projects

  • Organizing weekly research workshops

  • Sponsoring seminars and lectures by visiting scholars

  • Providing opportunities to share research at the center’s annual Keeping the Republic conference

  • Offering research and travel grants for graduate students

  • Conducting the annual Health of Democracy survey, which offers students an opportunity to develop questionnaires and survey experiments that advance their own research.

The ambitious new Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, an interdisciplinary effort focused on advancing and strengthening democracy in the United States and abroad, also supports scholarship in American politics.

 

Highlights

A photo collage representing democratic ideals. Two hands clasp in agreement over a cream circle. A hand holds a megaphone over a red speech bubble. An “I VOTED” sticker and the definition of “democracy” are placed within the red speech bubble.  A blue speech bubble features the Statue of Liberty and open quotation marks. Below, a fragment of the US Constitution starts with “We the People.”

Is depolarization possible?: Erin Rossiter studies cross-partisan chat discussions

The American flag and a blue Notre Dame flag wave in the breeze. In the background, the iconic golden dome of the Main Building at the University of Notre Dame gleams in the sunlight. Atop the dome, a golden statue of Mary stands. Behind the flags, the spire of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart reaches towards the clear sky.

University-wide Democracy Initiative bridges research, education, and policy

Headshot of Jeff Harden, Andrew J. McKenna Family Associate Professor of Political Science. The text reads "The Impact of State Legislature Design on Political Representation." The University of Notre Dame Arts and Letters logo is in the bottom right corner.

Video: Jeffrey Harden examines how to strengthen democracy for the common good

Faculty

  1. David Campbell headshot A man smiles warmly at the camera against a plain, light gray backdrop. He wears a textured dark blue blazer over a light pink and white plaid button-down shirt. His light brown hair is styled neatly.

    David Campbell

    Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy

  2. David Cortez headshot. A man with short, dark, wavy hair, a mustache, and wearing a dark gray collared shirt. He is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile. A blurred background suggests an outdoor setting.

    David Cortez

    Assistant Professor

  3. Headshot of a man with a beard and reddish-brown and navy plaid shirt, smiling against a blurred green, outdoor background.

    James M. Curry

    Professor

  4. Darren Davis headshot. A bald, black man in a navy blue suit and blue patterned tie smiles slightly at the camera. He wears glasses and has a framed picture on the wall behind him.

    Darren W. Davis

    Snyder Family Mission Professor

  5. Luis Fraga headshot. A fair-skinned man in a navy suit and striped tie speaks behind a wooden podium. He gestures with his left hand while addressing the audience. A wooden wall with donor names is behind him.

    Luis Ricardo Fraga

    Joseph and Elizabeth Robbie Professor of Political Science

  6. Matthew Hall headshot. A white man wearing glasses and a blue button-down shirt smiles warmly in an office setting.

    Matthew E.K. Hall

    David A. Potenziani Memorial College Professor of Constitutional Studies

  7. Jeff Harden headshot. A man wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and gold patterned tie. He is smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Jeff Harden

    Andrew J. McKenna Family College Professor

  8. Headshot of a man with short graying hair wearing a white dress shirt and dark blue patterned tie. He is positioned slightly off-center, looking towards the camera with a neutral expression. A window with brown blinds is visible in the background.

    Thomas Kellenberg

    Teaching Professor

  9. Geoffrey Layman headshot. A man with short, graying hair and a goatee smiles for a professional headshot. He is wearing a blue button-down shirt and a navy blue suit jacket.

    Geoffrey C. Layman

    Professor
    Department Chair

  10. Angela McCarthy headshot. A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black blazer and a dark patterned shirt, smiles at the camera against a light gray background.

    Angela McCarthy

    Associate Teaching Professor
    Director of Undergraduate Studies

  11. Dianne M. Pinderhughes headshot. A woman with short, graying black hair against a light gray background. She wears a dark purple cardigan over a navy blue shirt and a beaded necklace. She has a calm expression.

    Dianne Pinderhughes

    Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C. Professor of Africana Studies and Political Science

  12. Rachel Porter headshot. A woman with long dark hair, wearing a patterned brown and cream blazer over a white blouse. She smiles against a plain gray backdrop.

    Rachel Porter

    Notre Dame du Lac Assistant Professor of Political Science

  13. Ricardo Ramirez headshot. A man with lighttan skin, short brown hair, a goatee, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, light blue collared shirt, and maroon and blue striped tie against a gray background.

    Ricardo Ramírez

    Associate Professor

  14. Erin Rossiter headshot. A woman with shoulder-length auburn hair, smiling at the camera. She wears a gray and burgundy plaid blazer over a black top. The backdrop is a solid gray.

    Erin Rossiter

    Nancy Reeves Dreux Assistant Professor

  15. Christina Wolbrecht headshot. A woman smiles at the camera, wearing a maroon and white patterned scarf. The U.S. Capitol Building is visible in the background over her shoulder. A tree with fall foliage frames the right side of the image.

    Christina Wolbrecht

    Professor

Partners

American politics faculty and students are supported by and regularly participate in the wide variety of resources available at Notre Dame, including:

  • The Democracy Initiative logo at the University of Notre Dame. The words "Democracy Initiative" appear above a horizontal line, with the University of Notre Dame logo below. The University logo depicts a gold shield with a cross, book, and star along with wavy lines beneath. Latin words appear on the open book.

    Notre Dame Democracy Initiative

    Establishing Notre Dame as a leader in the study of democracy both in the U.S. and worldwide, as a convenor for conversations about and actions to preserve democracy, and as a model for the formation of civically engaged citizens and public servants.

  • Hesburgh Program in Public Service, a public policy minor.

    Hesburgh Program in Public Service

    Offers an interdisciplinary minor in the College of Arts and Letters designed for undergraduate students interested in public policy or public service.

  • The University of Notre Dame Washington Program logo. A stylized "W" is formed by colorful triangles in shades of purple, teal, maroon, and gold. The words “The University of Notre Dame” appear in small type above “Washington Program” in larger, bold letters.

    Notre Dame Washington Program

    Offers students the ability to study off-campus, becoming immersed in the political and cultural life of Washington DC.

  • Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts logo. The University of Notre Dame logo sits below the institute name. The university logo is a gold shield with a cross and open book. The Latin phrase “Vita, Dulcedo, Spes,” meaning “Life, Sweetness, Hope,” appears on the book.

    Religion and Democracy Lab (to come)

  • Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts logo. The University of Notre Dame logo sits below the institute name. The university logo is a gold shield with a cross and open book. The Latin phrase “Vita, Dulcedo, Spes,” meaning “Life, Sweetness, Hope,” appears on the book.

    Representation of Women Research Innovation Collaborative

    Advances our understanding of the causes and consequences of women’s representation and activism, with a particular focus on the factors that encourage or discourage women from entering politics.

  • The logo for the University of Notre Dame's Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government. A gold quill pen is positioned above the center's name.

    Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government

    Seeks to cultivate thoughtful and educated citizens by supporting scholarship and education concerning the ideas and institutions of constitutional government.

Events

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