Classes

Government 2453: Practical and Theoretical Regulation of Voting

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2011

The course will focus on points of contact between legal scholarship on voting rights and election law and the political science literature on redistricting, voting behavior, and elections. Emphasis will be placed on how observed data can be, and should be, used as evidence.

Government 1328: Electoral Politics

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2010

Elections are the foundation of American democracy. This course focuses on the simple questions: Who wins elections and why? Answers to these questions guide the interpretation of elections and evaluation of how well government represents the public preferences. The first half of the course presents the basic explanations and models of elections and voting behavior, and asks students to make their best forecast of the election. The second half of the course will examine why the models worked or didn't work. Students will learn how to interpret and analyze surveys and other data, to...

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Government 30: American Government: A New Perspective

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2009

Provides an overview of contemporary American politics, showing how recent changes in elections and media coverage have helped shape key aspects of American government. From the courts, Congress, and the Presidency, to the workings of interest groups and political parties, and, also to the making of public policy, the pressure on political leaders to run permanent campaigns has altered governmental institutions and processes. The course explains how and why.

Government 2321: American Politics: Power, Structure, Behavior

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2008

This seminar covers empirical and theoretical research on power, structure, and behavior in American politics, emphasizing what we know and how we present research to various audiences, especially through textbooks, legal cases, and media. Statistics and/or game theory recommended.