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Recently Taught Courses
Fall 2004:
GOVT 350 Department Seminar: Politics of the Christian Right
(Syllabus)
This seminar examines the role of the Christian Right in American
politics in the twentieth century. We will examine the history of
the Christian Right, and consider alternate ways to conceive of
the movement. We will then identify contemporary groups and examine
their political agenda. Finally, we will explore the role of the
Christian Right in elections and policy making.
GOVT 527 Public Opinion & Voting Behavior (Syllabus)
This course will introduce students to the theory and research on
public opinion and political behavior. Although the course will
focus primarily on the U.S., there will be readings throughout on
other countries as well. The course will include readings that draw
on a variety of theories and use a variety of methodologies. Students
will complete the readings on time and discuss them in class, write
one major paper, and take a final exam. Graduate Students only;
otherwise, permission from instructor required.
Spring 2004:
GOVT 008 U.S. Political Systems (Syllabus)
This course will provide students with an introduction to the operation
of the United States political system. We will first focus on the
inputs to the political system (public opinion, voting and elections,
interest groups, parties), then on the components of the system
(the Presidency, the Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy),
and finally on the outputs of the system (public policy). In each
topic, we will compare the contemporary workings of the system with
history, and with other countries. One important theme of this course
is that institutional and political arrangements are largely arbitrary,
and could be changed. Students are encouraged to consider alternative
arrangements.
GOVT 702 Research in American Politics (Syllabus)
This course will focus on the research process. Each student is
expected to do readings and attend class prepared to discuss readings.
In addition, each student will prepare a paper that is suitable
for presentation at a professional conference, and/or submission
to a professional journal.
Fall 2003:
GOVT 527 Public Opinion & Voting Behavior (Syllabus)
This course will introduce students to the theory and research on
public opinion and political behavior. Although the course will
focus primarily on the U.S., there will be readings throughout on
other countries as well. The course will include readings that draw
on a variety of theories and use a variety of methodologies. Students
will complete the readings on time and discuss them in class, write
one major paper, and take a final exam. Graduate Students only;
otherwise, permission from instructor required.
GOVT 350 Department Seminar: Politics of the Christian Right
(Syllabus)
This seminar examines the role of the Christian Right in American
politics in the twentieth century. We will examine the history of
the Christian Right, and consider alternate ways to conceive of
the movement. We will then identify contemporary groups and examine
their political agenda. Finally, we will explore the role of the
Christian Right in elections and policy making.
Spring 2003:
GOVT 374 Dept. Sem: Money in American Elections (Syllabus)
Throughout the 20th century, periodic scandals have erupted about
the financing of American political campaigns. As the US advises
the world on how to finance their elections, hundreds of millions
of dollars of soft money are pouring into the political parties,
and countless groups are spending undisclosed sums to advocate "issues."
A consensus among scholars who study the campaign finance system
is that it is "broken", but there is less agreement on
how to fix it. In 2002, Congress passed the Bipartisan Campaign
Reform Act, which will be challenged in federal courts during the
spring semester. In this seminar, we will explore the history of
the financing of American campaigns, and compare that history to
the financing of campaigns in other countries. We will next explore
the sources of money and the avenues of spending in 2002, both for
national elections, and for state elections (which are regulated
by state law). We will hear from party and interest group leaders
about their financial strategies, and examine the normative and
legal arguments in the challenges to BCRA before the Supreme Court.
This is the first time that this course has been offered, and its
success will depend in part on student involvement. The course is
a seminar, and student are required to do readings on time, to actively
look for information on campaign finance, and to discuss in class.
GOVT 702 Research in American Politics (Syllabus)
This course will focus on the research process. Each student is
expected to do readings and attend class prepared to discuss readings.
In addition, each student will prepare a paper that is suitable
for presentation at a professional conference, and/or submission
to a professional journal.
Fall 2002:
GOVT 350 Department Seminar: Politics of the Christian Right
(Syllabus)
This seminar examines the role of the Christian Right in American
politics in the twentieth century. We will examine the history of
the Christian Right, and consider alternate ways to conceive of
the movement. We will then identify contemporary groups and examine
their political agenda. Finally, we will explore the role of the
Christian Right in elections and policy making.
GOVT 527 Public Opinion & Voting Behavior (Syllabus)
This course will introduce students to the theory and research on
public opinion and political behavior. Although the course will
focus primarily on the U.S., there will be readings throughout on
other countries as well. The course will include readings that draw
on a variety of theories and use a variety of methodologies. Students
will complete the readings on time and discuss them in class, write
one major paper, and take a final exam.
Fall 2001:
GOVT 350 Dept. Sem.: Politics of the Christian Right (Syllabus)
This course will examine the role of interest groups and social
movements in American politics. We will begin with an overview of
social movements and interest groups -- their role in political
science theories, their formation, membership, and internal organization.
Next, we will investigate the role of interest groups in American
elections. Third, we will explore the role of groups in trying to
influence government policies, primarily through lobbying. We close
with a look at the changing composition of the interest group universe
and an evaluation of the role of interest groups in American politics
and society.
GOVT 520 American Politics: Theories, Controversies, and Methods
(Syllabus)
This is a gateway course to graduate study in American politics.
It is designed to introduce students to the theories, approaches,
methods, and topics in the study of American politics. By the end
of the term, students should know major contours of the field, and
be familiar with the major controversies and approaches.
Spring 2001:
On leave.
Fall 2000:
GOVT 236 Public Opinion and Political Behavior
(Syllabus)
This course will introduce students to the concepts, theories, and
substance of public opinion and political behavior. There will also
be a special emphasis on how we study public opinion, and how social
scientists go about asking and answering questions in this field.
The paper is due the final day of class. Students will be required
to submit their model for approval, and are encouraged to discuss
their results with the instructor or TA before writing the paper.
GOVT 514 Public Opinion and Political Behavior (Syllabus)
This course will introduce students to concepts, methods, and the
literature on political behavior in the U.S. and abroad. The course
will begin with a focus on methods and approaches to this topic.
Spring 2000:
GOVT 350 The Politics of Interest Groups (Syllabus)
This course will examine the role of interest groups and social
movements in American politics. We will begin with an overview of
social movements and interest groups -- their role in political
science theories, their formation, membership, and internal organization.
Next, we will investigate the role of interest groups in American
elections. Third, we will explore the role of groups in trying to
influence government policies, primarily through lobbying. We close
with a look at the changing composition of the interest group universe
and an evaluation of the role of interest groups in American politics
and society.
GOVT 702 Research in American Politics (Syllabus)
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