17.20 | Spring 2013 | Undergraduate

Introduction to American Politics

Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
Part I: Foundations
1

Course Introduction

  • Recitation Assignments
  • Writing Self-assessment

 
2

Analytic Foundations

  • Power
  • Collective Goods and Collective Action
  • Civic Culture
  • Institutions

 
3 The American Political Tradition  
4 The Constitution I  
5 The Constitution II  
Part II: Institutions
6 Congress I: Ambitious Politicians Short paper 1 due
7 Congress II: Internal Organization  
8 The Presidency  
9 The Bureaucracy  
10 The Judiciary  
11 Federalism  
Part III: Mass Behavior
12 Citizens and Politics Short paper 2 due
13 Public Opinion  
14 Parties and Partisanship  
15 Political Choice  
16 Campaigns and Elections Short paper 3 due
17 The U.S. in Comparative Perspective  
Part IV: American Politics as a System
18 Political Participation Long paper topic idea due
19 Politics and Policy  
20 Political Geography  
21 Parties and the U.S. Political System Long paper draft due
Part V: Substantive Debates
22 Polarization and Extremism  
23 Money and Organized Interests  
24 The Politics of Economic Inequality  
25 Race and Racism  
26 Immigration and Multiculturalism Long paper final version due

Course Info

Instructor
Departments
As Taught In
Spring 2013
Learning Resource Types
Lecture Notes
Written Assignments