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PUBLPOL101

Introduction to American Politics and Policy: In Defense of Democracy

Public Policy H&S - Humanities & Sciences

Course Description

American democracy faces a series of unprecedented challenges. This course will identify the greatest areas of weakness in the American political system, make sense of the most pressing threats facing democracy, and contemplate how democracy can be strengthened. With this them - in defense of democracy - in mind, we will examine several questions: What guiding principles, norms, and institutions organize and structure American politics, and how do they affect the health and effectiveness of American democracy? What do patterns of political participation and representation in the United States tell us about the health of our democracy? How do partisan and social identities breed hostility and antagonism among the mass public? How does information from the media and other sources advance or frustrate democratic outcomes? What does increased violence - political, racially motivated, or otherwise - reveal about the trajectory of democracy in the United States? This is a course built on the science of politics, and our aim is to bring the scientific study of politics to bear on these pressing questions.

Cross Listed Courses

Grading Basis

ROP - Letter or Credit/No Credit

Min

5

Max

5

Course Repeatable for Degree Credit?

No

Course Component

Discussion

Enrollment Optional?

Yes

Course Component

Lecture

Enrollment Optional?

No

This course has been approved for the following WAYS

Social Inquiry (SI)

Does this course satisfy the University Language Requirement?

No

Programs

PUBLPOL101 is a completion requirement for: