The CQ Press Career Guide for American Politics Students. Peter Ubertaccio

comparative politics, political theory)

       The ability to formulate a research design and utilize the appropriate methodology to write a research paper in American politics

       Critical thinking and analytical skills

      These goals are broad but help to clarify the types of courses you should seek as you navigate through your curriculum.

      Every institution has its own set of requirements, but there are many courses in common beyond your introductory or prerequisite courses. As a student in American politics, you should find your way to some of the basic courses in the field:

       Congress and the Presidency (this class might be the equivalent of two separate courses at your institution)

       Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections and Voting Behavior

       Constitutional Law and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

       Public Policy Analysis and specific policy courses

      Your school might also offer upper-level courses in the following:

       Race and American politics

       Women in politics

       Public administration or courses on bureaucracy

       Research methods in political science

       Media and politics

       Judicial politics

       Federalism

       American political history

      The range of elective choices that you take within your major can be a mix of your professional interests (a future town administrator should understand bureaucracy and budgetary politics), as well as broadly defined passion areas. Students in American politics should understand some of the widely established issues that punctuate our politics, so you will want to check out courses on environmental politics, the politics of race, inequality, business organizations, and women in power.

      Telling Your Story

      Here are curricular choices that will help you answer the question, “What problem do I want to solve?”