Summer 2005

GOV F310L • American Government

Course Description

Closed to enrollment. Fulfills first half of legislative requirement for 6 hours of American government. This course takes an historical approach to American and Texas government. We will use episodes of past problems, conflicts, and resolutions to better understandd the problems of governance today. We will use this background to examine current government institutions and processes. While the primary focus is on American Government, we will also study Texas government and politics. Texas serves as examples of the role of the states in the federal system, and provides a useful contrast to the institutions and practices of the Federal government.

Texts

Barbara A. Bardes, Mack C. Shellly, and Steffan Schmidt. 2004. American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials, 2004-5 Edition. Toronto: Thompson/Wadsworth. Richard H. Kraemer, Charldean Newell, David F. Prindle. 2004. Essentials of Texas Politics, Ninth Edition. Toronto: Thompson/Wadsworth. One major daily newspaper, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, or Houston Chronicle. You may do so by subscription or on-line.

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