I. Locator Information

Political Science 612 Seminar in American National Government

Three Semester Hours Spring 2001

Dr. Dowdle Time of Class: 6-8:50 PM Thursday

Classroom: JKSA 204 Office: TS 207B

Telephone: 486-1573 Alt. Phone: 486-1247 (Ms. Lashley)

Office hours: TR 9:30-11 a.m., MW 1 p.m.-3 p.m., TW 5:30-6 p.m.

class website http://spacer.uncfsu.edu/f_dowdle/index.htm Email: adowdle@uncfsu.edu

II. Course Description:

This course will provide students with the ability to examine critically major and recurring problems in American national government. Special attention will be placed on government plans and reactions in dealing with domestic and international problems, such as war, other international crises and plans, depression and other economic aberrations, labor disputes, unemployment, budgetary crises, and official abuses of power.

III. Textbooks:

John S. Jackson III and William Crotty. The Politics of Presidential Selection, second edition. (New York: Longman, 2001).

Dennis W. Johnson. No Place for Amateurs: How Political Consultants are Reshaping American Democracy. (New York: Routledge, 2001).

Richard G. Niemi and Herbert F. Weisberg, editors. Controversies in Voting Behavior, fourth edition. (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 2001).

IV. Evaluation Criteria:

Midterm 35%

Final 35%

Two Class Presentations 20%

Reaction paper 10%

A 92-100

B 83-91

C 73-82

F 72 or less

V. Course Requirements

The final grade for this class will be base on four components. Students will have an inclass

midterm and final based on the readings. The instructor will also assign students to lead the class

discussion for particular weeks. The fourth assignment requires that students write a 3-4 page reaction

paper based on a week's readings.

VI: Course Schedule (tentative):

WEEK I: Introduction

WEEK II: No class

WEEK III: Presidential Nominations

Read Jackson and Crotty, Chps. 1-6

WEEK IV: General Elections

Read Jackson and Crotty, Chps. 7-12.

WEEK V: Political Consultants and Contemporary Democracy

Read Johnson, Chps. 1-5

WEEK VI: Political Consultants and Contemporary Democracy (continued)

Read Johnson, Chps. 6-10

WEEK VII: Political Participation

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp. 1-68.

WEEK VIII: Midterm Examination

WEEK IX: Spring Break

WEEK X: Political Information

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp. 100-114, 139-180.

WEEK XI: Vote Determinants

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp. 180-221, 240-271.

WEEK XII: Divided Goverment

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp.271-322.

WEEK XIII: No Class

WEEK XIV: Party Identification

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp. 322-356, 364-370.

WEEK XV: Evolution of the American Political Party System

Read Niemi and Weisberg, pp. 371-427.

WEEK XVI: Review for Final Examination

WEEK XVII: Final Examination (@ time scheduled by Registrar's office).