Listed in: Political Science, as POSC-219
Jonathan M. Obert (Sections 01 and 02)
U.S. politics have been an object of fascination not only for American citizens but also for scholars, students, and observers from around the world. This course provides both an introduction to key scholarly arguments about American political institutions, development and participation as well as a chance to engage with the important question of how distinctive the politics of the U.S. actually are. Focusing our attention initially on the role Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution play in the shaping of policy, we will then examine how Americans actually participate in the political process. This means looking at how parties, the media, perceptions of class, race, and gender, interactions with bureaucracy, and even arguing and fighting shape the way Americans view their place in the political world. Finally, we will focus on the question of American "exceptionalism"—how different, really, are American political institutions and experience, and what lessons can we draw from the American experiment that might (or might not) help us understand the political process elsewhere?
Limited to 40 students. Fall semester. Professor Obert.
If Overenrolled: Priority given to a balance of first year and second-year students, randomly determined, then Political Science majors.
Cost: $15.00 ?
Section 01
Tu 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM FAYE 115
Th 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM FAYE 115
Section 02
Tu 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM FAYE 115
Th 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM FAYE 115
This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.
| Section(s) | ISBN | Title | Publisher | Author(s) | Comment | Book Store | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | The Two Faces of American Freedom | Harvard University Press | Aziz Rana | Amherst Books | TBD | ||
| All | Readings in American Politics: Analysis and Perspectives (Fifth Edition) | W.W. Norton (5th edition) | Ken Kollman | Amherst Books | TBD |
These books are available locally at Amherst Books.