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Final Review Sheet
Link to FLU INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
My policies: You will NOT be penalized for missing class due to the flu. If you are sick, for Pete's sake, stay home and avoid contact with other people. If you have the flu, email me immediately. I will expect that you will miss a week's worth of classes, and we will make sure that you are excused from exam questions that cover that week.
| Political Parties and Interest Groups |
This course will examine varying roles that political parties and interest groups play in the American political process. The course will center around two questions. In the first half of the class, we will ask: what are political parties and interest groups? How do they maintain their organizations in similar and different ways? The readings and discussions in the first half of the course will deal with party organizations, interest group organizations, the party in the electorate, the party in campaigns, and interest groups (including PACs and 527s) in campaigns. The second half of the class will ask to what degree political parties and interest groups facilitate or undermine democratic government. Readings in the second half will address the Congressional party organizations and their role in policymaking, and lobbyists’ influence on policy. We will also apply these ideas directly in a simulation of the current debate over reforming health care policy. In this class, we will challenge some popular preconceptions about whether parties and interest groups are “good” for democracy. You will analyze these ideas through reflection upon substantive readings about the makeup and activities of both sets of actors. You will also do a participant observation of a local political party or interest group, and analyze the role it plays in community politics. The only prerequisites for the course are a willingness to read, a desire to participate actively in discussions, and an open mind.
Books: John F. Bibby and Brian F. Schaffner, Politics, Parties, and Elections in America (Thomson Wadsworth, 2008). Other readings are on E-Reserve. PWD: POLS313 Grades: Final Exam (Fri., Dec 18, 11-1) 20% Participant Observation Paper 15% Simulation Paarticipation (Peer grade) 5% Prompt Attendance and Participation 10%I require that all papers submitted in my classes also be uploaded to turnitin.com. For instructions on how to use turnitin.com, follow this link. How to Guard Against Plagiarism
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