1AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Political Science 101 Spring 2004
E. Huskey MW 12:00
Numerous questions will engage us in this introductory
course in American government. In what ways is American politics
similar to and different from other political systems? What
explains the elements of American distinctiveness? How is
American politics shaped by its historical, philosophical, and
social context? What are the functions and inter-relationships
of governing institutions such as Congress and the Presidency?
How do government and citizens interact? Why and how do problems
become political issues in America? Once on the "issue agenda",
how are problems debated and resolved?
As this list of questions suggests, a university-level
course in American politics goes beyond the details of government
to issues of interpretation. "What is Democracy?" cannot be
answered in a stock phrase. Our purpose, therefore, is not to
memorize information in order to spit it back on exams but to
create a body of knowledge that is held together by an
understanding of what is important in politics and why.
You will be assessed on the basis of a midterm examination,
a final examination, two papers (the first an analysis of the
arguments of the Hofstadter book, the second a reaction to the
book on Hilary Clinton’s senatorial campaign), and class
attendance/participation. These methods of assessment will be
weighted as follows:
Class Attendance/Participation 10%
Papers 40%
Midterm 25%
Final 25%
Faithful attendance in class is expected. Regular absences will
result in a poor assessment for class attendance/participation.
I encourage students to stop in to see me during office hours
(11-12 MW and 11-12:15 TTh) or to arrange an appointment if
office hours are not convenient. My office, 332, is opposite the
departmental office on the third floor of Elizabeth. The
extension is 7576.
