Purpose and Objectives This is an introductory course that will
explore the foundation and design of American political system.
The course will cover several broad issues, the institutional
design of American government, the nature and location of power
in the United States, the characteristics and limits of
democracy, and the relationship between citizens and their
government. The objective of this course is to assist students
in developing a better understanding of some basic political
issues; what democratic government is, how it operates, why it
operates as it does, and what effects it has on society.
Ultimately, the objective is for students to become more
informed and active participants in the American political
system. Recommended: Students are encouraged to keep up with
current events by regularly monitoring the news in the daily
newspapers like the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and
The Washington Post. Many of these newspapers are available
online or can be found on the Internet, please chec