Schedule

Here you can find the schedule for the semester with links to the list of readings for each week. In addition you’ll find links to instructions for the assignments in this course.

Here’s a guide to the schedule:

All readings will be made available through the library or on Canvas.

Date Title Materials Assignment
Week 1
January 15 Introduction
Week 2
January 20 NO CLASS. MLK Day.
January 22 Problems of Collective Action
Week 3
January 27 American Democracy: Fragile or Stable?
January 29 American Democracy: Fragile or Stable?
Week 4
February 3 The Constitution
February 5 The Constitution
February 7 Congressmember profile due  (submit by 23:59:00)
Week 5
February 10 Federalism
February 12 Civil Liberties
Week 6
February 17 Civil Rights
February 19 Congress: Representation
February 21 Response Paper 1 due  (submit by 23:59:00)
Week 7
February 24 Congress: Ambitious Politicians
February 26 Congress: Institutional Dynamics
Week 8
March 3 Review
March 5 Midterm
Week 9
March 9–March 15 Journeys/Peak Week
Week 10
March 16–March 23 Spring Break
Week 11
March 24 Campaign Memo
March 26 Presidency
Week 12
March 31 Bureaucracy
April 2 Judiciary
April 4 Congressional district profile due  (submit by 23:59:00)
Week 13
April 7 Political Parties
April 9 Political Parties
April 11 Response Paper 2 due  (submit by 23:59:00)
Week 14
April 14 Public Opinion, Elections, and Campaigns
April 16 Public Opinion, Elections, and Campaigns
Week 15
April 21 Public Opinion, Elections, and Campaigns
April 23 Interest Groups
April 23 Full draft of campaign memo for peer-review  (submit by 15:30:00)
Week 16
April 28 Interest Groups
April 30 Media
May 2 Final draft of campaign memo due  (submit by 23:59:00)
Week 17
May 5 Applications to Policy
May 7 The Future of American Democracy
May 7 Response Paper 3 due  (submit by 17:00:00)
Week 18
May 13 Final Exam due for Seniors  (submit by 17:00:00)
May 14 Final Exam due for Non-seniors  (submit by 17:00:00)