Religion Politics in the US

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The scholarly literature on American political parties is vast. This course examines the major themes and research on the role and contributions of political parties to the maintenance of democracy in the United States. We will survey the parameters of the literature, including the structure and operation of party organization, the role and effects of political parties in government (Executive Branch, Congress, Judiciary), and the origins, stability, and party identification within the American electorate and its effects on political interest, attitudes, and behavior. Topics to be covered in depth include two-party vs. multi-party systems, party polarization (the blue-state/red-state divide), and presidential elections. During the semester, we also will follow events leading up to the 2006 midterm Congressional elections and discuss and analyze all developments surrounding the 2008 presidential elections in light of our readings.DLS and MALS students only.