How can we leverage modern computational techniques and novel sources of data on human activity to answer core questions about political behavior? Faculty in the Political Science track pursue research on many aspects of these questions, ranging from basic questions about inferring causality from observational and experimental data to understanding the role of social networks in political behavior, and using textual data to understand how legislators communicate with constituents. You can learn more about their research on the track faculty page.
Track Course Requirements
All students must take the research design course (POLSCI 5360). Students must also choose one subfield and complete the requirements for that subfield satisfactorily. These are:
American Politics
Student must satisfactorily (with a grade B+ or better) complete at least three graduate-level seminars in American Politics, including American Political Institutions (POLSCI 5210) and American Political Behavior (POLSCI 5595).
Comparative Politics
Student must satisfactorily (with a grade of B+ or better) complete at least 3 graduate-level seminars in comparative politics, including Approaches to Comparative Politics (POLSCI 5140).
International Relations
Students must satisfactorily (with a grade of B+ or better) at least three graduate-level seminars in international politics. The includes the 5000-level graduate sequence and 4000 and 5000 level political science and economics courses authorized by the international politics committee.
Jacob Montgomery
Track Chair, Political Science
Associate Professor, Political Science
PhD, Duke University
Jacob Montgomery is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis. His research is in the areas of political methodology and American politics, with a special interest in political parties.