American Political Systems--Kittredge Honors
Schedule of Topics, Readings & Exams:
Fall 2005

8/22 Introduction to the Study of Government and Politics: Wilson Chapters 1 & 2;

James W. Ceaser, (1992) "Liberal Democracy And Political Science," and James V. Schall "A Student's Guide to Liberal Learning" are Required reading for the entire class.

8/24 Theory and Political Science

8/29 Quiz on Schall’s "Liberal Learning"; Liberal Democracy, Political Science and American Political Culture; Wilson Chapters 3 & 4

8/31 Liberal Democracy, Political Science and American Political Culture, continued

9/5 No Class prepare for Ceaser exam

9/7 Essay Exam on Ceaser Book. Read The Federalists Paper especially #10 & 47-51  

9/12 &14 Madison's Republic: The Theory of American  
David Truman, (1993) “The Governmental Process: Political Interests and Public  Opinion” University of California Press ISBN 0877723451
William Goldman, (1997) “Lord of the Flies”

9/19 Critique  of Madison

9/21 First Midterm

9/26 No Class

9/28 Interest Groups Wilson Chapter 13
Jeffrey M. Berry (1996) "The Interest Group Society," 3rd Ed. Harper Collins, ISBN -673-39889-7
Mancur Olson, (1990) "The Logic of Collective Action" Harvard, ISBN 0-674537513
James Q. Wilson (1995) "Political Organizations" Princeton, ISBN 069104385X

10/10 Political Parties Wilson Chapter 9
Martin Wattenberg, (1986) "The Decline of American Political Parties, 1952-1984" Harvard, ISBN 0-674-19535-3
E. E. Schattschneider, (1990) "The Semisovereign People" Harcourt-Brace, ISBN 0030133661
John Aldrich, (1995) “Why Parties? The Origin and Transformation of Political Parties in America” Chicago, ISBN 0-226-01272-7

10/19 Responsible Party Theory;  Voting & Elections Wilson Chapter 7 & 8
Angus Campbell, et al. (1980) "The American Voter" Chicago, ISBN 0226092542
Ray Wolfinger & Rosenstone, (1991) "Who Votes" Yale, ISBN 0300025521

10/24 Second Midterm

10/26 No class

10/31 & 11/2 The U. S. Congress Wilson Chapter 11
David Mayhew, (1974) "Congress: The Electoral Connection" Yale, ISBN 0-300-01809-6
Richard Fenno, (1987) "Homestyle: House Members in Their Districts" Addison- Wesley, ISBN 0673394409

11/7 The American President Wilson Chapter 12
Richard Neustadt (1995) "Presidential Power" Free Press ISBN 0465013856
Clinton Rossiter (1990) "The American Presidency" Johns Hopkins, ISBN 0801835453
Theodore Lowi, (1992) “The Personal Presidency: Power Invested, Promise Unfulfilled” Cornell, ISBN 0-8014-9426-5

11/16 The American Presidency II
 

11/21 & 23 Thanksgiving Break


11/28  The Executive Branch (Federal Register) and The Supreme Court: Wilson Chapters 13 & 14
Harold Seidman & Robert Gilmour, (1997) "Politics, Position and Power" Oxford, ISBN 0195090721
John Kingdon, (1995) "Agenda, Alternatives and Public Policies" Harper-Collins, ISBN 0673523896

12/5 Third Midterm

12/7 Conclusion, Review, grades

12/8 Last day of University classes

12/10 Final Exam due in my office, Farrand 101 by noon.