ClassInfo - Spring 2021 Political Science Classes

2 classes matched your search criteria.

Spring 2021 | POL 3310 Section 001: Topics in American Politics -- American Politics Today (66087)

Instructor(s): Scott Abernathy
Minyoung Kim (TA)
Class Component:: Lecture
Credits:: 3 Credits
Repeat Credit Limit:: 15 Credits
Grading Basis:: Student Option
Instructor Consent:: No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:: Completely Online
Class Attributes:: Topics Course
Times and Locations:: Regular Academic Session

01/19/2021 - 05/03/2021

Off Campus

Virtual Rooms ONLINEONLY
Enrollment Status:: Open (81 of 83 seats filled)
Also Offered:: (Tentative) Spring 2022
(Tentative) Fall 2021

Course Catalog Description:: Topic in American politics, as specified in Class Schedule.
Class Notes:: This course is completely online in an asynchronous format. There are no scheduled meeting times. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?abernath+POL3310+Spring2021
Class Description:: This class will explore a series of topics in American politics, with an emphasis on applying theoretical and empirical insights and conclusions from political science to more fully understand currently debated topics in American politics. Topics will include the 2020 elections and their implications, federalism and the response to COVID-19, the power of the media, and American domestic policy. Familiarity with the topics covered in an introductory American politics course will be useful.

Students should expect to read roughly 150 pages per week, which will include journal articles, book chapters, and articles from the press. All readings will be posted on canvas. Grades will be assigned on a letter basis. Grading will be based on essays and written responses totaling 15-20 pages (double-spaced). Students will also submit a written midterm and final examination, with study preparation guides provided beforehand.
Textbooks:: https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/66087/1213
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:: 9 November 2020

Spring 2021 | POL 3310 Section 002: Topics in American Politics -- Political Parties, Representation, and Identity (66176)

Instructor(s): Andrew Proctor
Class Component:: Lecture
Credits:: 3 Credits
Repeat Credit Limit:: 15 Credits
Grading Basis:: Student Option
Instructor Consent:: No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:: Completely Online
Class Attributes:: Topics Course
Times and Locations:: Regular Academic Session

01/19/2021 - 05/03/2021

Mon, Wed 09:45AM - 11:00AM

Off Campus

UMN REMOTE
Enrollment Status:: Open (29 of 30 seats filled)
Also Offered:: (Tentative) Spring 2022
(Tentative) Fall 2021

Course Catalog Description:

Topic in American politics, as specified in Class Schedule.

Class Notes:

This course is completely online in a synchronous format. The course will meet online at the scheduled times. http://classinfo.umn.edu/?proct061+POL3310+Spring2021

Class Description:

Are "identity politics" the new normal in American politics or has group conflict always formed the basis of democratic government? How do political parties represent diverse constituencies and demands? What is the relationship between a social movement and a political party? This seminar course will address these and other related questions, as we examine American political parties, representation, and the politics of "identity" in the United States.

This course is designed to focus on the ways in which groups are represented in the American political party system; how inequality and marginalization are often entrenched and reinforced through political parties; and how political parties shape the mobilization of voters. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, class, religion and their intersections form the basis of what has come to be called "identity politics" by many pundits and politicians. In the first part of the course, we will engage an array of work in political science and other disciplines to learn about theories of representation, political power and collective action, and the structure and function of political parties, including how rules and reforms affect representation. We will also examine groups and identities as political and analytical concepts. The primary objective for this part is to develop a basic toolkit for understanding the inter-relationship between political parties and social groups. We then, in the second part of the course, explore how scholars have applied these theoretical ideas about democracy, political parties, and representation to the empirical study of group politics in the United States. Readings will cover a variety of topics including the two-party system, interest group politics and social movements, group political behavior, partisanship, and institutionalized inequalities. The primary learning objective is to build connections between foundational concepts, political history, and contemporary politics to better understand how American political parties shape and are shaped by "identity politics," and how inequalities persist in a nation that idealizes the notion of equality.

Learning Objectives:

This course places special emphasis on helping students:

1. Synthesize and evaluate competing theories about representation and political parties in the United States

2. Gain an understanding of how political institutions shape and are shaped by the politics of identity

3. Develop critical thinking skills through persuasive writing and the construction of arguments based on evidence

Grading:

1. Reading, attendance, and participation (20%)

2. Four Short Critical response papers (20%, graded pass/fail)

3. Discussion leader presentation (15%)

4. Take-home midterm (20%)

5. Final research presentation and paper (25%)

Exam Format:

There will be one take home mid-term and a final research paper and presentation.

Class Format:

Class will meet at assigned time over zoom

Workload:

100-150 pages per week. This course is reading intensive and requires students to come to class prepared to talk about assigned readings. In light of this required effort, a substantial portion of students' grades are from participation and attendance and short critical response papers that are graded pass/fail.

Textbooks:

https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/66176/1213

Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:

26 October 2020

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