Fall 2004

GOV 312L • Issues and Policies in American Government

Course Description

Fulfills second half of legislative requirement for 6 hours of American government. Offered on a letter-grade basis only. May be taken for credit only once.

In this course, we'll examine congressional elections historically and contemporaneously. We'll also analyze them from a political science as well as political junkie perspectives. The first half of the course will discuss campaigning and the second half of the course will deal with election outcomes and their consequences on policy making. Each student will be required to become an expert on a particular congressional and senate race. The number of students in the course will demand that it be mostly lecture, however, I like to get the students involved in my lectures. Consequently, it'll feel like the class is just you and 100 of your friends.

Grading Policy

Grades will be determined by a semester project, several midterms (not multiple choice tests), and in-class participation.

Texts

The course readings consist of the following: Gary Jacobson's The Politics of Congressional Elections, 5th ed. Aldrich and Rhode's Change and Continuity in the 1994 and 1996 Elections A course packet available at Speedway (in Dobie Mall)

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