"POLS 390B Campaigns, Elections, and Political Parties Kirchgassner Fal" by Brooks Kirchgassner
 

Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Fall 9-1-2024

Course Description

What's the difference between a political party and an interest group? Why do the Democratic and Republican Parties dominate U.S. elections? What is the Electoral College and why do we use it to elect the president? What are the advantages of incumbency for a candidate? Why is it expensive to run a campaign for elected office in the United States? How do voters decide which candidate will best represent their interests? These are a few among many questions we will address this semester. This course provides an overview of the rules of the game, i.e. how elections work, strategies candidates use for campaigns, and the role of political parties in the United States. We will also discuss the concept of representative democracy, and some of the debates surrounding citizenship and representation.

Student Outcomes

1. Students will be able to identify the differences between political parties and interest groups and their competing roles in U.S. elections. 2. Students will be able to explain single-member district plurality voting and identify the advantages and disadvantages to this electoral method. 3. Students will be able to summarize the differences and similarities between national and state/local campaigns for elected office in the U.S.

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