POLS 151-03, United States Politics, Fall 2004

Abstract

This course surveys the U.S. political system, looking at its major institutions, processes, and actors. Specific topics we will examine include the nature of politics, constitutionalism, federalism, political ideologies, public opinion and political participation, interest groups, elections and campaigns, political parties, congressional, presidential, and bureaucratic politics, the Supreme Court and federal judiciary, and public policy-making. The thematic focus of the course is the importance of electoral politics in the contemporary U.S. political context, and the related normative debate over the appropriate role and level of popular influence in our democracy.