PolS 90-10; CRN 6743
4 Credits
TR 10:45-12:00
Professor Edward Morgan
Though an introduction to American Politics, this seminar is not a
Ònuts-and-boltsÓ/textbook course about the working of American government and
politics (see PolSci 1). Instead, this course has several distinguishing
features:
It will be conducted as a seminar, with an emphasis on reading and discussing a
variety of perspectives on American politics. The course seeks to clarify
the meaning of democracy, and its relationship to freedom and a capitalist
economy.
One significant feature of the course is a semester-long simulation of the
Congressional policy-making process, providing students with a hands-on ÔlabÕ
for assessing some of the issues addressed in the course. Students will
select policy roles (representatives or administration/interest group
lobbyists), will research their constituencies and a recent piece of
legislation, and will sponsor, debate, and vote on class bills.
The course focuses on Òmyths vs. realitiesÓ of American politics, and considers
the role the mass media play in creating or perpetuating myths in American
society today. Attention will be given to the role of the media and the
two-party system in the presidential election of 2004.
One aim of the course is to expose students to both conventional and
unconventional perspectives so they can work out their own viewpoints on
American politics by applying critical thinking skills.
a. The class will examine Òliberal,Ó Òconservative,Ó and more ÒradicalÓ
perspectives on social, economic, environmental, and foreign/defense policy.
b. Particular attention will be given to issues of inequality, community
decline and U.S. foreign policy (including the war in Iraq).
Course materials
William E. Hudson, American Democracy in Peril (4th ed.);
Thomas R. Dye, Top-Down Policymaking;
Jonathan Kozol, Amazing Grace;
Gregory Scott & Loren Gatch, 21 Debated Issues in American
Politics, 2nd ed.
The course will combine lecture, discussion of readings & issues, a few
videos, and the Congressional simulation.
Required assignments
There will be two in-class hourly tests, three video journals, a
journal/paper on Kozol, and a final paper on the student's simulation
proposal and class role.
Ted Morgan is a professor in the Department of Political Science