Introduction

Students majoring in Government with the American Politics & Policy track examine the key subfields of American Government, including American institutions and behavior, state and local government, public economics, public policy, and research methods.

Program

Apprenticeships in the American Politics & Policy track might explore opinion polling and survey research. In such a practicum, students would learn the history of public opinion polling, the methods used in polling, and how to accurately interpret poll data. Students might then be placed in a survey research firm for a period of time to actually do public opinion polling, culminating in a report on their work. Students would also do their own polling projects, independent of their work in survey research firms, researching already existing survey data to draw conclusions about public opinion on specific key issues facing American policymakers.

Apprenticeship Experience and Methodology

Students have a variety of opportunities to fulfill Patrick Henry College’s apprenticeship methodology. Some have interned at notable public institutions, including the White House, the US Department of State, US Department of Defense, US Department of Justice, and the US Office of the Attorney General. Students have also fulfilled internship requirements at various Congressional offices, including with Rep. Mike Pence (IN), Rep. Michelle Bachmann (MN), and Sen. Sam Brownback (KS); other students have interned with campaigns for election at all levels of government, including the 2008 Presidential campaign.

For more information, see Bachelor of Arts in Government-American Politics & Policy.