Politics
Offered as a major (B.A. or B.S.) and a minor
Politics means something different here. If you study Politics at Saint Anselm you are immersed in New Hampshire’s rich political history, which unfolds every day at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP). You’ll learn from accomplished professors in small classroom settings, gain first-hand experience at high-profile events, and take the lead on innovative research projects.
You’ll learn political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations with a liberal arts, interdisciplinary approach. In the process, you’ll develop your critical thinking, research, and organizational skills as well as their ability to contribute thoughtfully to public life. Our graduates emerge with empirical training in the social science of politics as well as concern for enduring questions of liberty, power, and justice.
So much of what you’re learning about in the classroom is happening right down the hall in real life.
Featured Course
Politics and the Arts: Marvel
In this course, you will examine the Marvel franchise through the lens of art and politics. By paging through comic books and watching movies, you'll go on a creative journey to explore the connection between politics and the global entertainment superpower. You'll be challenged to think outside the box and take a deep dive into the meanings of political messaging in the Marvel universe.
Step into the World of Politics
History is being made every day at the NHIOP, a non-partisan civic engagement institution located on campus dedicated to fostering meaningful, bi-partisan conversations on pressing local, national, and global issues. Through the NHIOP, students see politics in action. They can get involved through the institute’s Ambassador program or other events and programs.
Internships
Hands-on experience helps you make the transition from college into the workforce. Through our internship program students gain valuable work experience on Capitol Hill, at non-profits and government agencies as well as at private organizations.
Past Internships included:
- U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan’s DC Office
- WMUR-TV
- ABC News
- Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group
- N.H. Governor’s Office
- Mass. Governor Maura Healey's Office of Boards and Commissions
Earn Your Master of Public Policy
Strengthen your research, communication, and analytical skills and build your policy expertise with our Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program. Whether you have professional aspirations in public administration, the non-profit sectors, or private industry, our MPP program will equip you with the tools and knowledge to unlock new career opportunities. You choose either a research track or a professional track.
Rosabella Daraoui ’25
Politics Major
Rosabella Daraoui ’25, alongside fellow students, presented her work on how gender has shaped national leaders’ reactions to the conflict in Ukraine at the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference in Washinton D.C.
Ellie Duffin ’25
Politics Major, Communication and Spanish Minor, Honors Program
Focusing on the intersection of communication and politics, Ellie Duffin ’25 researched how ‘news deserts,’ or areas where there are a lack of local newspapers and channels, impact constituents’ voting behavior in the American south.
Josephine Rizzo ’25
Politics Major, Honors Program
An Honors Politics student with a fascination for legislation, Josephine Rizzo’s research analyzed trends within bills introduced following tragic school violence. Working alongside Politics Prof. Jennifer Lucas, Josephine looked into policy in Texas and Florida to track the forms of safety procedures that were proposed and implemented.
Unique Experiences
Politics students at Saint Anselm gain access to distinguished internships and opportunities through the unparalleled connections of faculty, staff, and alumni. Take Amani Clemons ’24 who interned in Washinton D.C. at the U.S. Senate for Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and worked on campus for ABC News.
Additional Politics Major and Minor Information
Politics at Saint Anselm College combines strong political theory with research methods as well an interdisciplinary approach. The major provides training in the four sub-fields of politics: American politics, comparative politics, political theory, and international relations. Second, it emphasizes the normative and philosophical dimensions of politics and public policy.
Freshman Year - Fall Semester
Freshman Year – Spring Semester
This minor introduces students to the main themes, issues, and questions of government and public policy. It covers the theoretical and practical dimensions of affairs of state and the relations between the state and citizenry on local, national, and international levels. It is designed to introduce students to the core of the discipline and, with two electives, to give students the option to focus on one of its subfields.
The minor requires completion of five politics courses:
- PO 102 - American Government
- Either PO 104 - Comparative Politics or PO 106 - International Relations
- And, either PO 208 - Elements of Political Theory: Classical or PO 209 - Elements of Political Theory: Modern.
Students must complete any two courses from any of the other offerings of the Politics Department.
Students must take 10 courses including one political theory course and four electives. Courses include:
- PO 102 - American Government
- PO 104 - Comparative Politics
- PO 106 - International Relations
- PO 203 - Political Science Research Methods
- PO 208 - Elements of Political Theory: Classical
- PO 209 - Elements of Political Theory: Modern
- PO 478 - Senior Seminar
Visit the College Catalog for more up to date information on the major and minor requirements.
From the Hilltop to the Governor’s Office
Brandon Pratt ’18, who graduated with a degree in Politics, has put his knowledge from Saint Anselm into action. It was during his time as a student that he got involved with the Chris Sununu for Governor Campaign, an endeavor which led him to become the Governor’s Director of Communications. Now, Pratt manages Global Corporate Communications at Boston Scientific.
Recent Outcomes
Recent Career Outcomes
Amazon
Bloomberg Government
CNN
Cogent Strategies
Fidelity Investments
Forbes Tates Partners
Harvard University
Litchfield Middle School
Lowe Law Group
Massachusetts State House
New Hampshire Public Defender
New Hampshire Statehouse
The Ivy Group
The Pocketbook Project
The RiverStone Group
United States Army
USA Today
U.S. House of Representatives
WMUR-TV
WPTZ
Recent Graduate Schools
Brown University
Tufts University
University of Massachusetts School of Law
University of Notre Dame – ACE Teaching Fellowship
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law
University of Westminster
RelatedPrograms
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A new poll of New Hampshire registered voters conducted by the…
More to Discover
The Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life seeks to engage students, faculty, staff, and the community in examining how religion influences and is influenced by our shared common life.
To view degree requirements, click the Academic Catalogue button.
- Navigate to Programs by Area: Majors and Minors in the left column
- Select your program for course details