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This course gives a broad overview of American government and politics. The first part of the course will explore the development of the Constitution and the democratic nature of the values, politics, and economic structure of the United States. The second part of the course will look at the major institutions of the U.S. government - the Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Courts - both in a historical and a contemporary perspective. The third section of the course will look at the operation of American politics and the role of processes and institutions that link the citizenry to the government and shape public policy such as elections, interest groups, and the media. The course will incorporate current events such as the 2002 congressional elections as they unfold.

Theodore Lowi, Benjamin Ginsberg and Kenneth Shepsle, American Government: Power and Purpose (referred to below as AG)

Bruce Miroff, Raymond Seidelman, and Todd Swanstrom, Debating Democracy (referred to below as DD)

Other readings are on the Internet or in the library reserves. I will also add current periodical articles from time to time. Several of the links in the syllabus are to Lexis-Nexis articles and they may not remain active. You are still responsible for getting the readings. The librarians can show you how to search Lexis-Nexis using the periodical name and journal titles.

Course Requirements:

Class will be a mixture of lecture and discussion. You are expected to do the readings on time and participate in class. In addition, you should develop the habit of reading a well-respected newspaper (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal) or listening to a quality news program such as Morning Edition (from 6-9:00 am) or All Things Considered (4-6:30pm) on NPR 88.9fm. You are expected to follow current political events and incorporate them into discussion and assignments where relevant.

There will be two in-class exams and a final on the university-scheduled exam date. You will be divided into pairs and each pair will be required to debate and lead a discussion in class on one of the topics assigned from the Debating Democracy text. The other major assignment will be centered on the elections. You will need to select a House or Senate race from a list of highly contested elections distributed in class and follow it through Election Day. You must keep a weekly journal on developments in the campaign and write a paper on the contest after the election. Details on assignments will follow in handouts.

Final grade composition:

First exam 20%

Second exam 20%

Final exam 25%

Election assignment 25%

Discussion leadership assignment and participation 10%

Policy on late assignments:

Unless you have made arrangements with me in advance late work will be penalized one grading increment for each day late (e.g. a "B+" paper turned in a day late will be given a "B" - the same paper turned in two days late will be given a "B-.")

Attendance policy:

I understand that every college student will occasionally miss class. However, excessive absences will affect your grade. Each unexcused absence in excess five will result in a one point deduction from your final grade.

Read the above chapter but take this day as the Labor Day holiday UR doesn’t give you. I unfortunately will be away at the annual conference of political scientists (believe me this is unfortunate.)

Part I: The Constitutional Framework and the Democratic Nature of the United States

**Election assignment - You must choose a race and turn in 2-3 page summary describing the candidates and the makeup of the district in a House race or the state in a Senate race.

F 9/27 - Congressional power, organization, and differences between the House and Senate

W 10/9 - The Clinton years - a case study in the presidency and contemporary politics

W 10/16 - The power of the president - the office, the man, or historical circumstance? DD, Chapter 14

M 10/28 - The contemporary Supreme Court and the spread of conflict to lower court appointments

Be prepared to discuss in class the race you are following for the election assignment.

Be prepared to discuss what happened in your race and how the race does or does not reflect overall electoral trends.

F 12/6 – Conclusion: How democratic is the U.S. and how well does the American political system function?