Introamersy

Introduction to American Politics        Professor Amberg

POL 1013        MS 4.02.56

Core Domain II        Office hours: M/W 10 - 12

Political Studies        or by appointment

Fall 2013        Telephone: 458-5618 stephen.amberg@utsa.edu

This course reviews and assesses main themes of American politics. We will examine the norms, rules, and political processes that are the foundation of our democracy. The course

outlines the U.S. Constitution's framework of government institutions and the primary techniques

of citizen mobilization and influence over those institutions. We will consider the ways that public and private institutions help determine who participates in politics and what ideas gain credibility in policy debates. We will discuss patterns of electoral politics and citizen participation. We will review who gets what and why in public policy.  Finally, we will assess America's place in the world. Lectures will present each topic in historical context to examine the specific conditions for political initiative and long run patterns of influence.

The principal theme that will frame our discussions is the possibility of democracy in a

large republic.  We’ll consider three perspectives throughout the course.  One couples an argument for the normative desirability of mass participation in government with a critical empirical analysis of the shortfall from popular government in America.  In addition to this egalitarian norm we will consider two other perspectives that are prominent in American debates. One is a defense of inequalities in political power on the basis on property, education, ascriptive characteristics, and/or administrative necessity.  The other is a conception of democracy that roots self-government in collective deliberation about the purposes of government authority.  Our objective in this course is to understand how varying standards of democracy have shaped judgments about what is possible in politics and what has been achieved.

All readings are required. The reading should be completed before the class date on which the material will be discussed.  Students should purchase the following textbook:

Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, Margaret Weir and Caroline J. Tolbert, We the People (9th edition).  Nota bene:  Be careful to get the complete textbook with chapters on public policy and not an abridged “shorter” or “essentials” edition.

Material on Texas politics will be distributed on-line.

Grading will be based on four exams.  The first exam will count 20% of your grade, the second and third exams will count 25% each and the final will count 30%.  Arrangements for make-up exams should be made before the scheduled exam and/or with a valid excuse. The course uses the +/- system for all grading. Regular class participation is strongly recommended.