Bethany L Albertson

Course Description  

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional foundations, the relationship between the mass public and politics (public opinion and participation), the role of intermediary organizations (interest groups, media, parties), and the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts).  In addition to mastering a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these questions.  Some of these topics will also be examined in the context of Texas politics.    

Grading Policy  

90%:3 in class exams(30% each)

10%: Participation    

Texts

American Politics Today 3e PA by Bianco & Canon, Norton ISBN: 978-0-393-91326-2

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional foundations, the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts), the role of intermediary organizations (parties, interest groups, media), and the relationship between the mass public and politics (public opinion and participation).  In addition to mastering a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these questions.  Some of these topics will also be examined in the context of Texas politics.  This class has no prerequisites.

Grading Policy

5%:        5 in class writing exercises

75%:      3 midterms (25% each)

20%:      1 final exam

Texts

Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson and Mayer.  2011.  The New American  

Democracy, Alternate 7th Ed.  Pearson.

Supplemental readings will be available on Blackboard.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional foundations, the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts), the role of intermediary organizations (parties, interest groups, media), and the relationship between the mass public and politics (public opinion and participation).  In addition to mastering a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these questions.  Some of these topics will also be examined in the context of Texas politics.  This class has no prerequisites.

Grading Policy

5%:        5 in class writing exercises

75%:      3 midterms (25% each)

20%:      1 final exam

Texts

Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson and Mayer.  2011.  The New American  

Democracy, Alternate 7th Ed.  Pearson.

Supplemental readings will be available on Blackboard.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional foundations, the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts), the role of intermediary organizations (parties, interest groups, media), and the relationship between the mass public and politics (public opinion and participation).  In addition to mastering a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these questions. Some of these topics will also be examined in the context of Texas politics.  This class has no prerequisites.

Grading Policy

 20%-  1 paper (5-7 pages)

5%- 3 in class writing exercises

50%- 2 midterms (25% each)

25%- 1 final exam

Texts

Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson and Mayer.  2011.  The New American Democracy, Alternate 7th Ed.  Pearson. (NAD)

Supplemental readings will be available on Blackboard.

course description coming soon.

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional  foundations, the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency, Courts), the role of intermediary organizations (parties, interest groups, media), and the relationship between the mass public and politics (public opinion and participation).  In addition to mastering a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these questions.  Some of these topics will also be examined in the context of Texas politics.

This course is an introduction to American government and politics.  While the main focus is on the national level, additional attention is paid to the state and local governments of Texas. Topics will include U.S. political history, political institutions, elections, public opinion, rights and freedoms, and public policy issues.

See syllabus

This section restricted to Plan I and Plan II honors students.

This course provides an introduction to American politics.  The course
topics include an introduction to America’s constitutional
foundations, the function of institutions (Congress, Presidency,
Courts), the role of intermediary organizations (parties, interest
groups, media), and the relationship between the mass public and
politics (public opinion and participation).  In addition to mastering
a set of basic facts about American government, students will learn
theories addressing “big questions” in American politics, and will
explore critical assessments of the evidence brought to bear on these
questions.  Some of these topics will also be examined in the context
of Texas politics.

Grading Policy and Textbooks TBA.

This course is an introduction to American government and politics.  While the main focus is on the national level, additional attention is paid to the state and local governments of Texas. Topics will include U.S. political history, political institutions, elections, public opinion, rights and freedoms, and public policy issues.

This course is an introduction to American government and politics.  While the main focus is on the national level, additional attention is paid to the state and local governments of Texas. Topics will include U.S. political history, political institutions, elections, public opinion, rights and freedoms, and public policy issues.