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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.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate 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
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT Grading Mode: Student Option
Prerequisites: GOVT151 OR GOVT201
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459