We learn about politics by studying the world and reflecting on what we have observed.

In the Department of Politics at Saint Anselm College, our students study political life in the context of the Benedictine liberal arts education that is at the heart of Saint Anselm – a context that includes history, art and literature, the natural and social sciences, and philosophy and theology. Students also enjoy all the advantages offered by our partners at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, including campaign and media events, the NHIOP’s resident polling program, and policy forums.

Our graduates emerge with empirical training in the social science of politics as well as concern for enduring questions of liberty, power, and justice. In the process, we seek to develop students' critical thinking, research, and organizational skills as well as their ability to contribute thoughtfully to public life.

Each of the faculty members in our Department are engaged teachers and scholars whose published work addresses current issues in American elections, political violence, international law, gender and politics, political development, philosophy and politics, and religion and statecraft.

The Department offers three major courses of study (in Politics, International Relations, and Environmental Studies), and five minors (in Politics, International Relations, Campaign Management, Public Policy, and Political Theory). Each major includes foundational courses appropriate to the field of study, and flexibility to allow students to emphasize study in their own areas of interest. On any given day visitors to our classrooms may hear lectures, witness the work of our service learning projects, take part in classroom simulations, observe seminar discussions, engage in one of our living-learning residential communities, or learn about student research projects – all designed with a view to the development of our students’ preparation for lives of thoughtful political engagement and public service.