PS 352: POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS

Priscilla L. Southwell

Fall 2009

(Subject to minor revision before start of classes)

 

OFFICE HOURS: 12-1:30 MW or by appointment (804 PLC)

E-MAIL: psouth@uoregon.edu

 

            This course centers on two crucial entities in the U.S. political system: political parties and interest groups.  While considerable attention will be given to the history of American political parties and the changing dynamics of group representation, the main focus of the course is on the difficulties of the current two-party system in adjusting to changes in the political environment and how certain interest groups have taken over many of the previous roles and functions of political parties.

 

REQUIRED READING:

1) Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns, by Matthew J. Burbank, Ronald J. Hrebenar, Robert C. Benedict, 2nd Edition, Paradigm Publishers, 2008, ISBN 1594513198, 288 pages.

2) Class handout on comparative political parties and interest groups (Nov. 30)

           

GRADING: There will be five short exams, each worth 20% of your grade, consisting of identification and essay questions.  

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Sept. 28                     No class in observance of Yom Kippur

Sept. 30-Oct.1           Current Developments and Recent Trends

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapters 1 and 2

                                   

Oct. 5-9                      History of Political Parties & Interest Groups

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter 3

                                    FIRST Exam, Friday, OCToBER  9

 

Oct. 12-14                  Candidate Selection; Primaries and Caucuses

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapters 4 and 5

                                    Film: “Recount” on Monday or Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Oct.16                         No class -- Professor Southwell’s research presentation in Canada

                                    (Note: additional film requirement outside of class)

 

Oct. 19-23                  National Conventions/Electoral College                                                            

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter 6

                                    SECOND Exam, Friday, OCToBER  23

 

Oct. 26-Oct.30           Campaign Financing; Rise of PACs

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter 7

 

Nov. 2-6                     Third Parties

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter 8

                                    Film: “Third Parties in American Politics”            (in class, 26 minutes)

                                    THIRD Exam, Friday, NovemBER  6

 

Nov.9-13                    Mass Media;  Parties in Congress                                                                                                                        Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter  9

 

Nov. 16-20                 Interest Group Theory: Pluralism vs. Elitism; Types of Interest Groups; Interest Group Strategy and Tactics                                               

                                    Reading: Burbank et al., Chapter 10 and Conclusion 

                                    Fourth Exam, Friday, NovemBER  20

 

Nov. 23                      Interest Group Lobbying at State and National Levels

 

Nov. 25-27                 No class in observance of Thanksgiving

                                    (Note: additional film requirement outside of class)

                                    Film:  "Washington’s Other Scandal,” Monday or Tuesday 7 P.M.

 

Nov.30-Dec. 4           A Comparative Look at Political Parties & Interest Groups

                                    Reading: Class handout

                                    Fifth Exam, FRIday, December 4

 

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES:

 

1. You will need to consult your uoregon.edu email account daily, as this is how I will send you important information.

2. There will be no makeups for any of the exams without a written, documented excuse that is approved by me. If you are approved to take any makeup exam, you will receive an incomplete for the course, and the makeup will be held at 8 a.m. in my office on Monday, January 4th – the first day of the Winter term.

3. Students with disabilities will be accommodated. Please contact Disability

Services, 164 Oregon Hall, 346-1155, and they will then advise me as to how to meet your needs.