Fall 2008

GOV 370K • 3-African American Politics

Course Description

This course focuses upon the evolution, nature, and role of African-American politics within the American Political System. The concern is with African Americans as actors, creators and initiators in the political process. Specifically, this course will examine various political controversies that surround the role of race in American society and how these controversies affect public opinion, political institutions, political behavior, and salient public policy debates. This course will assess and evaluate the contemporary influence of race in each of these domains while also exploring their historical antecedents.

Grading Policy

Your grade will be based on a paper proposal, the first and second drafts of a research paper, a paper presentation, weekly response papers, in-class assignments, and pop quizzes. The weight of each assignment in determining your final grade is as follows: Paper Proposal 10% First Draft of Paper 20% Final Draft of Paper 35% Quizzes/In-class assignments 10% Weekly Response Papers 20% Paper Presentation 5% A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59

Texts

There are two required text books for this course, which are available at the University Co-op. Walton, Hanes, Jr. and Robert C. Smith. 2007. American Politics and the African American Quest for Universal Freedom. 4th Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Longman. Schmidt, Diane E. 2008. Writing in Political Science. 4th Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Longman.

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