American Politics Major American Politics Major Use political science tools to analyze and understand the American system of government with the goal of explaining political outcomes. The program traces the founding and evolution of our American political institutions, emphasizing how philosophical principles influenced the structure and behavior of the Nation's governing apparatus. Breadcrumb american politics major Majors-and-Minors-left MENU Explore Academic Majors and Minors Academic Majors American Politics Major Applied Statistics and Data Sciences Major Chemical Engineering Major Chemistry Major Civil Engineering Major Computer Science Major Cyber Science Major Defense and Strategic Studies Major Economics Major Electrical Engineering Major Engineering Management Major Engineering Psychology Major English Major Environmental Engineering Major Environmental Science Major Foreign Area Studies: Africa Major Foreign Area Studies: East Asia Major Foreign Area Studies: Eurasia Major Foreign Area Studies: Europe Major Foreign Area Studies: Latin America Major Foreign Area Studies: Middle East Major Foreign Language: Arabic Major Foreign Language: Chinese Major Foreign Language: French Major Foreign Language: German Major Foreign Language: Persian Major Foreign Language: Portuguese Major Foreign Language: Russian Major Foreign Language: Spanish Major Geography Major Geospatial Information Science Major History Major International Affairs Major Kinesiology Major Law and Legal Studies Major Life Science Major Management Major Mathematical Sciences Major Mechanical Engineering Major Nuclear Engineering Major Operations Research Major Philosophy Major Physics Major Sociology Major Space Science Major Systems & Decision Sciences Major Systems Engineering Major Academic Minors Aeronautical Engineering Minor America in the World Minor American Foundations Minor Applied Statistics Minor Cyber Security Minor Diversity and Inclusion Studies Minor Engineering Management Minor General History Minor Geography Minor Grand Strategy Minor Network Science Minor Nuclear Science Minor Photonics Minor Regional Studies Minor Robotics Minor Space Science Minor Systems Engineering Minor Terrorism Studies Minor War Technology and Society Minor Guidance on Choosing an Academic Major Overview Courses Enrichment Cadets will receive instruction in political science methods, enabling them to identify and critique methodological approaches to answering political science questions and select an appropriate method of answering their own research questions. From this intellectual foundation, students are afforded an opportunity to study contemporary topics in public policy and explain outcomes based on the actions of formal and informal political actors. As a program focused on educating future Army leaders, the American politics program also emphasizes the role of the U.S. military in society, its constitutional roles and responsibilities, and the shifting tenor of civil-military relations across time and levels of policy implementation. American politics majors develop a deep understanding of their roles as both a military officer and a citizen by exploring political institutions, societal dynamics, public policymaking, and national security strategy. The program provides future officers with the strategic, political, cultural, and policymaking knowledge that Army leaders at all levels from platoon leader to theater commander need to succeed on the contemporary battlefield. This major offers an honors track. To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.Podcast: West Point cadets on why they chose to major in Social Sciences Required CoursesSS360 POL SCI RESEARCH METHODS SS366 COMPARATIVE POLITICSSS376 AMERICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTSS386 POLITICAL THOUGHT Sample ElectivesSS370 MASS MEDIA & AMER POLITICS3SS373 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCYSS379 LEGISLATIVE POLITICS SS392 POLITICS-RACE,GENDER,SEXUALITY SS464 HOMELAND SECURITY SS465 TERRORISM: NEW CHALLENGESSS457 INTRODUCTION TO GRAND STRATEGY SS475 DEMOCRATIZATIONSS476 CONFLICT AND NEGOTIATIONSS487 INT'L POLITICAL ECONOMYSS490C COLLOQUIUM (INTER RELATIONS)XH397 GRAND STRATEGY FIELD STUDYXH467 WINNING THE PEACE This major offers an honors track. To learn more, view the full American Politics Major Curriculum. Cadets in this major can participate in the Domestic Affairs Forum where they learn about domestic politics and government through a variety of experiences including round tables, mentorship programs, panel discussions, and numerous trip sections across North America. Majors can also expect to meet expert guest speakers, to travel on exciting trip sections, and to have the opportunity to compete for Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience.. Recent AIAD locations include The White House, Congress, Pentagon, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Safety Council, and the New York Police Department Joint Terrorism Task Force.Honor Societies:Pi Sigma Alpha - National Political Science Honor SocietyGolden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences or the Combating Terrorism Center.