University of San Diego
Dr. Casey B. K. Dominguez
Phone: 260-7925

Political Science 313
Politics and Parties

Syllabus

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: to what degree do political parties and interest groups facilitate or undermine participatory democracy? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? 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.

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.

One section of this class has an additional writing focus. Because this is a “W” class, an additional objective of the class is to help improve your writing skills. You will do this primarily by writing two 8-10 page papers (one analytical essay and one research paper) that are substantively related to the class. For each paper, you will submit outlines and drafts and go through a peer-review writing process. You will also get the opportunity to edit other students’ papers, and learn how the art of editing relates to the art of writing.  We will do periodic in-class writing assignments to help you come to think of writing as an important step in the critical thinking process. In addition, your exams for this class will be thematic essay exams, for which writing and organization will be part of your grade.

Books:
Marjorie Randon Hershey, Party Politics in America 12th edition (New York: Pearson
Longman 2007).
Jeffrey M. Berry,  Clyde  Wilcox, The Interest Group Society (Longman Classics
Edition), 4/E 2006.
William Strunk, Jr., E.B. White, and Roger Angell, The Elements of Style (New York:
Longman, 2000).
Additional readings on online reserve. (ER)

Grades:

Will be based on an 8-10 page essay, an 8-10 page research paper, regular (but unannounced) reading quizzes, and a final exam.  There will be no extensions given on the papers. Grade disputes can be submitted in writing to the instructor 24 hours after the work is handed back. The grade will be computed as follows:

25%     Participant observation/research paper (to be handed in with outline and drafts)
25%     Analytical essay (to be handed in with outline and drafts)
25%     Final Exam
10%     “Pop” reading quizzes
5%       Oral Presentation
5%       Peer editing
5%       Class participation and prompt attendance

Assignments

Survey Assignment

Participant Observation Essay

Final Paper

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.

Research paper advice

How to Guard Against Plagiarism

Extra Credit