POS 2041 American Politics

This course is designed to introduce you to the world of American politics.  Throughout the semester, we will examine the institutions and political processes of American national government.  We will review the Constitution, the ideological and cultural bases of American politics, the role of political parties, elections and interest groups, and the policy-making processes in the Congress, the presidency and courts.  But why study old, dusty documents and the intricacies of a complex political system?  We live in a unique governmental system that grants us the opportunity to affect change in the world around us.  We each have many civil rights and liberties that allow us to express ourselves without fear of oppression.  We each take for granted many services that allow us to live productive, healthy lives.  This class will open our eyes to the role of government and politics in society today and give us a clearer understanding of the ways in which politics shapes each of our lives in clear and meaningful ways. Grades are based on two exams given throughout the semester and participation  activities

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 3424 Legislative Process

This course provides a thorough introduction to the world of American legislative political institutions.  After examining some of the fundamental aspects of the Congress including constitutional design and organizational structure, we will read and critically analyze some of the most influential works written on the modern Congress.  We will examine the political and historical context of these works and the possible influences on their conclusions.  We will consider the consequences of the legislative process not only for public policy but also for the distribution of power and accountability in the United States.  The course is broken down into three segments: Constitutional Design and Organizational Structure, the Legislative Process, and the Committee System; Elections, the District, and Members of the Contemporary Congress; and Competing Theories of Legislative Behavior, Public Opinion, and Critical Examination of Media Portrayals of Congress.

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 3453 Political Parties and Interest Groups

This course is designed to examine the role of political parties and interest groups in America.  While most of the discussion will focus on parties, we will examine the role of interest groups in comparison and conjunction to parties and policymaking.  First, we will discussion the origins and evolution of the American two-party system.  Secondly, we will examine the role of parties in structuring electoral politics and mass political behavior.  Third, we will turn to the Congress and examine the critical function parties serve in structuring legislative processes.  Finally, we will end our examination by focusing on the role of parties in structuring legislative-executive relations.

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 3072 Women and Politics

This course traces the evolution of women’s involvement in politics as voters, activists, candidates, and public officials. First, the history of the women’s movement will be traced from the founding to the Seneca Falls Convention (1848), to the suffrage movement of the early 1900s, to the Year of the Woman in 1992. Secondly, this course will examine the contemporary participation of women in American political institutions, particularly the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. It will examine the character and substance of women’s participation in both the electoral and policy-making arenas to better understand the influence of women in the American political system.

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 3448 Campaigns and Elections (POS3990 Elections 2008)

This course is designed to introduce students of American politics to the practical side of campaigns and elections.  We will undertake as a class an exclusive examination of the local, state, and national elections to be held this fall.  Not only will students be introduced to the candidates and their offices, but also to the mediating institutions which serve to structure campaigns and elections, such as:  political parties, interest groups, and media.  Some of the “institutions” that have recently begun to dominate the electoral process will also be evaluated such as political consultants and pollsters.  We will focus during the first part of the semester on the presidential election, then turn to the state-wide elections taking place this year in Florida, and finally to the elections taking place in the surrounding areas.

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 3413 The Presidency (POS 3992 The West Wing)

We begin our exploration of the American presidency with a critical overview of the constitutional parameters of the executive office. What did our founding fathers expect from an executive? From there we examine how the presidential institution has evolved since the founding. The presidency definitely has a somewhat different place now in our separated system of branches sharing power than it once did. One of the most important features we address is how individual presidents have impacted the scope and direction of the office. We highlight the important role of personal style, leadership, persuasion, and charisma as an influence on American government as a whole. Finally, we evaluate competing theories of presidential power to see how useful they are in explaining contemporary presidential politics.

Syllabus (PDF)

POS 4990/5990 Researching Congress in D.C.

POT 4601 Masters of Political Thought

The essence of political theory is the study of regimes. By regime is meant the system of government and its relations to the rest of society, those institutions where people live, learn, work, worship, and play. This involves inquiring into what is and has been as well as what could be, i.e., the real, the ideal, and the possible. This course examines what a few of the greatest political thinkers have written about these things. The objectives of the course are that you learn the basic ideas espoused by these thinkers, comparing and contrasting them, and that you use their ideas as a foil against which to formulate and express your own thoughts about how politics is and how it could or could not be. There will be no exams, as such. Grading will be based on three essays- two mid-term essays and one final one- summarizing and commenting on the material. More will be expected of graduate students in terms of quantity and quality of work.

Syllabus (PDF)

PUP 3008 Analyzing Political Issues

This course introduces students to theories of policymaking, basic research methods, and analysis of political issues. The class covers a variety of research methods, including: statistical analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and survey research. Students apply competing modes of analysis to contemporary issues in American politics, such as: immigration, education, health care, welfare programs, crime, and the economy. By understanding competing theories of policymaking as well as competing research methodologies, students are better prepared to critically analyze the political world around them.

Syllabus (PDF)