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American Politics

With the United States facing significant challenges and opportunities, there is no better time to study American politics. Scholars in this field examine three core areas: political behavior among citizens and elites; mediating institutions such as political parties, elections, interest groups, social movements, the media, and bureaucracy; and political institutions such as Congress, the presidency, and the courts.

American Politics scholars also investigate American institutions and political behavior in a comparative, cross-national context. The field equips students with the analytical skills necessary to conduct theoretical and empirical research across these areas.

Research Areas

American Politics faculty at Purdue pursue research in several areas, including:

  • Political Behavior
  • Political and Mediating Institutions
  • Technology and Artificial Intelligence
  • Social Inequality and Group-Based Politics
  • Research Methods and Theory

Research Labs and Programs

Governance and Responsible AI Lab (GRAIL)

The Governance and Responsible AI Lab supports research on the social, ethical, and governance implications of artificial intelligence. The lab produces rigorous, policy-relevant research to inform discussions and decisions about AI.

Program on American Institutional Renewal (PAIR)

The Program on American Institutional Renewal brings together scholars, students, and practitioners interested in improving the functioning of legislatures, courts, executive agencies, and other political institutions.

Court of Claims Lab

The Court of Claims Lab studies and collects data on a relatively understudied but important federal court that frequently serves as a venue for litigation involving government policies.

Parties, Polarization, and Pluralism Lab

The Parties, Polarization, and Pluralism Lab conducts a multiyear data collection project examining whether organized interests, political parties, and American democracy continue to function as envisioned in James Madison's Federalist No. 10.

Computational Social Science Lab

The Computational Social Science Lab examines mass and elite behavior, with a particular focus on data from nontraditional sources, including audio and video. Current projects draw on resources such as the C-SPAN Archives, political advertisements, social media, and traffic-camera footage of pedestrian interactions.

Faculty

Degrees and Programs

  • Bachelor of Arts (Undergraduate)
  • Master of Arts (Graduate)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Graduate)