[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2000/2001

Campaigns and Elections
GOVT 233 FA

Popular elections are the most basic mechanism of democratic accountability, yet it seems that the more arduously candidates vie for our approval, the more disgruntled and dismayed the electorate becomes. The goal of the course is to explore this paradox and investigate the nature of campaigns for national elective office, i.e. the House, Senate, and presidency. The course will have four major themes. The first is the voting behavior of the electorate, and the opinions, processes, and beliefs that underlie their choices. The second theme is the candidates: Who are they? Why and how do they run? Who wins (and loses)? The third is the impact of the media, parties, and other mediating institutions on campaigns. The final and most important theme is th e implication of the conduct of elections and campaigns in terms of democratic accountability.

MAJOR READINGS

To be announced.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Election Report: Each student is to prepare a report on the most recent Congressional election from his/her home district. Further directions will be distributed in class. Midterm Exam: This exam will cover the first two sections of the course. Final Paper and Presentation: The class will be divided into groups of four to six students to prepare presentations and individual papers on contemporary campaign practices and calls for reform. Possible topics include: campaign finance reform; the role of consultants and polling; third party candidates. Final Exam: This exam will include material from the entire course, with a special emphasis on the second half of the semester. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicat e directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: GOVT151 OR GOVT201 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459