Chair, Professor of Government
Peter Cannavò
Peter F. Cannavò is the author of The Working Landscape: Founding, Preservation, and the Politics of Place.
Government
You will emerge from your government major grounded in international relations, American politics, comparative politics and political theory. If you are accepted into Hamilton’s program in Washington, D.C., you will get a front-line perspective on U.S. government, including working in a Congressional or executive office.
About the Major
The study of politics and public affairs at Hamilton has three tracks: government, world politics and public policy. The government major provides a broad grounding in international relations, American politics, comparative politics and political theory. World politics focuses on either a region or theme, for instance, poverty and inequality, democratization or international law and organization. Public policy is interdisciplinary and includes economics and philosophy.
While it’s hard to pinpoint exact things, the sense of community, the professors, and the campus all come to mind as the three largest reasons that Hamilton has been so great. It’s a very inclusive and supportive environment, and this strengthens the relationships that are created at Hamilton.
Thomas Funk — World politics major
Careers After Hamilton
- Program Analyst, Department of Homeland Security
- Strategic Marketing Coordinator, NBC Universal Media
- Writer, Comedy Central
- Coordinator for Communications & Outreach, U.S. Department of State
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- Advisor & Associate Counsel, Republican National Committee
- Maynard-Knox Professor of Government, Hamilton College
- Founder/Executive Director/President, New England Center for Children
- Director, Foreign Exchange Distribution, UBS Securities LLC
- President & CEO, Texas International Education Consortium
- Senior Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior
Meet Our Faculty
the Maynard-Knox Professor of Law, Director of Public Policy
Frank Anechiarico
Frank Anechiarico studies constitutional law and public administration.
the Henry Platt Bristol Professor of International Relations
Alan Cafruny
Alan Cafruny is an expert on the political economy of the European Union, and U.S.-European and U.S.-Russian relations.
Associate Professor of Government
Erica De Bruin
Erica De Bruin’s research interests include civil-military relations and civil war.
Assistant Professor of Government
Ashley Gorham
Ashley Gorham uses political thought to explore a variety of contemporary political issues related to the development of the Internet.
Associate Professor of Government
Gbemende Johnson
Gbemende Johnson’s research explores the litigation of executive privilege in federal courts.
Assistant Professor of Government
Kira Jumet
Kira Jumet's research focuses on protest mobilization leading up to and during the 2011 and 2013 Egyptian uprisings.
the James S. Sherman Professor of Government
Philip Klinkner
Philip Klinkner is an expert on American politics, including parties and elections, race relations, Congress and the presidency.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Government
Gregory Koutnik
Greg Koutnik’s research in political theory focuses on environmental political thought.
the Sidney Wertimer Professor of Government
Robert Martin
Robert Martin wrote Government By Dissent: Protest, Resistance, and Radical Democratic Thought in the Early American Republic.
Distinguished Lecturer in American Public Policy and Practice
William (Billy) Mea
Billy Mea is a visiting research fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies.
Professor of Government
Stephen Orvis
Stephen Orvis studies comparative politics with an emphasis on Africa.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Government
David Rivera
David Rivera's interests include international relations and comparative politics.
Professor of Government
Sharon Werning Rivera
Sharon Werning Rivera specializes in the post-communist countries of Eurasia, especially Russia.
Assistant Professor of Government, Director of Latin American Studies
Heather Sullivan
Heather Sullivan's research explores state capacity, protest and protest management.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Government
Joel Winkelman
Joel Winkelman studies the work ethic and democracy in the political thought of the Progressive Era U.S.
College President, Professor of Government
David Wippman
A recognized authority in international law, David Wippman has taught courses on a wide range of related topics.
Visiting Instructor in Government
Ziqiao Chen
Ziqiao is a quantitative social scientist with broad interest in addressing policy questions that are relevant to the just transition toward a sustainable economy.
Visiting Instructor in Government
Pedram Maghsoud-Nia
Professor of Government Emeritus (retired)
P. Gary Wyckoff
Paul Gary Wyckoff directed Hamilton’s Public Policy Program.
A Sampling of Courses
International Relations 114FS
Introduction to the theory and practice of world politics. Emphasis on the changing structure of the international system; the role of the nation-state and non-state actors; patterns of conflict and cooperation; the use of force, diplomacy and ideology; the interplay between politics and economics. Writing-intensive. Proseminar.
View All CoursesCongressional Politics 200FS
Course will examine the factors that influence Congress both at the individual and national level. Students will also complete a volunteer internship with a local congressional office.Does not count toward the concentration. Offered satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
View All CoursesNationalism and the Politics of Identity 244F
Comparative assessment of identity politics around the world, including nationalism, race, ethnicity, religion, and gender. Examines the origins, evolution, and solution to identity-based conflicts. Case studies will include Islam in Europe and race in the US, among others. Writing-intensive.
View All CoursesThe Politics and Theory of Place and Space 360F
How do we map out, conceptualize, inhabit and govern our spatial environment? What political challenges arise in organizing and maintaining a coherent world of places? A look at the theoretical and political dimensions of place and space through writings of geographers, political theorists, environmental thinkers, novelists and U.S. case studies, including 9/11, the debate over logging in the Pacific Northwest, the problem of sprawl, the decline and revival of old industrial cities, the future of America’s agricultural landscape, and the impact of climate change. Writing-intensive.
View All CoursesViolence, Justice and the State in Latin America 368S
This class explores contemporary issues in Latin American politics, focusing on the ways that the capacity of Latin American states impact people’s everyday lives. The course will consider the role of the state in controlling and contributing to violence and in enhancing and impeding struggles for social justice. Emphasis will be placed on critically reading the theoretical and empirical literature in order to understand and assess the relationship between states and citizens in Latin America. Writing-intensive.
View All CoursesCapitalism, Democracy, and the Workplace 389F
What is the relationship between capitalism and democracy? Do the claims of democracy extend into the workplace? This course examines the development of a market society, the division of labor, and contemporary working conditions, exploring the challenges and possibilities each presents democratic life. It emphasizes critical reading of historical, empirical, and normative texts in order to define and assess the mutual obligations between democratic societies and their citizens and workers. Readings include Adam Smith, Max Weber, Hannah Arendt, C. Wright Mills, and Karl Polanyi. Writing-intensive. Proseminar.
View All CoursesToday and Tomorrow
Connections and Careers
Will Andriola ’21 Awarded Fulbright ETA to Bulgaria
Read The Story
