Political Science Faculty

Clarissa Peterson

 Peterson

Ph.D. (Emory University)

Associate Professor
105 Asbury Hall
Phone: (765) 658-4807
E-mail: cpeterson@depauw.edu

vita

Dr. Peterson was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio. She is the youngest of six children. She attended the University of Akron in Ohio where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/ Public Policy management. While at the University of Akron, she was one of twenty students selected to participate in the Ralph Bunche summer program sponsored by the American Political Science Association. She Graduated from the University of Akron in 1992. Immediately after graduation she attended graduate school at Emory University. She served as a graduate assistant at the ICPSR in Ann Arbor Michigan for “Nonlinear Systems I and II” during the summers of 1995 and taught “Nonlinear Systems” during the summer of 1996.  

Dr. Peterson has been at DePauw since 1997. She teaches classes in political science and Black studies. Some of the classes that she has taught include: 1) American National Government, 2) Political Parties, 3) African American Politics, 4) Race politics, 5) Introduction to Black Studies, 6) Race, Power, and Privilege in American Government, and 6) Policy Analysis. She has also advised several independent projects in Black studies and political science and taught a very popular winter-term class focusing on an African American experience. This winter term course exposed the students to Black movies, music, and soulfood.  

Professor Peterson has been very active on campus. She served as the Interim Director of the Black Studies program during the (2003-2004) academic year and has advised several student groups, formally and informally.  

Her research interests include Black politics, voting behavior, and ideology. She is working on several research articles on the topics, "Political Orientations and African Americans", "Determinants of African-American Conservatism', "African-American Ideology, Liberals and Conservatives: Do Differences Exist?", and "Racial Threat and Voting: Truth and Consequences Concerning the 2004 Election."  

Dr. Peterson is married and has two children, Ronald (8) and Deijhah (5). She enjoys spending time with them by riding bikes and traveling to see relatives. She is committed to making a difference in her community through volunteering her time and expertise. She was an avid cheerleader in high school (later cheerleader coach) and can’t wait for her daughter to be able to cheer so that she can coach again.

Peterson kids 

Spring 2008

  • Pols 110C American National Government
  • Pols 110D American National Government

Fall 2007

Spring 2007

Fall 2006

Fall 2005

Spring 2006

  • Pols 110B  American National Government
  • Pols 320   African American Politics
  • Pols 450   Senior Seminar:  US Voting Behavior