Department of Government

The American Government subfield focuses on theory-driven applied questions in political science. The faculty has particular strengths in several key areas of American politics: presidential politics (Stephen Wayne, James Lengle, Clyde Wilcox), congressional politics (Michael Bailey, Michele Swers, Wilcox), religion (E.J. Dionne, Wilcox), social movements (Wilcox), law and society (Doug Reed), public policy (William Gormley, Kent Weaver, Mark Rom, Michael Hanmer, Reed, Bailey, and Swers), women and politics (Swers, Wilcox), bureaucracy (Gormley, Weaver, Rom), federalism (Gormley, Rom, Bailey),  statistical methodology (Bailey, Hammer) and political economy (Bailey). Associate Director for the MA program (Jeffry Burnam) and Visiting Assistant Professor and Intern Coordinator for the M.A. program (Lynn Ross).

Our location at the heart of the national government allows us to take advantage of the many resources at the theory-practice nexus in Washington D.C. Faculty members work on projects for the Justice Department and other government agencies and it is also quite common for faculty to invite policy and political practitioners for class lectures and discussions. We also regularly offer courses taught by visiting faculty members with significant political experience, including former members of Congress (Rep. Gary Franks) and top advisers to the president (Paul Begala).

The American field also benefits considerably from interaction with the broad and deep social scientific and policy community at Georgetown University. In particular, faculty members have a close connection with colleagues in the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, Democracy and Governance Studies, the Business School and the Economics Department. There is also substantial interaction with colleagues in the international relations, comparative politics and theory subfields, especially those dealing with the formation and impact of American foreign policy and public policy.

In the department's graduate program in American Government, there is an emphasis on developing both strong statistical skills and a deep knowledge of a either a national institution or a specific aspect of political behavior.

For more information about our American Government Ph.D., please contact the Field Chair or or our Graduate Program Officer.

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