COURSE SYLLABUS Political Science 2315.001. Fall 2017 American and Texas Government: Political Behavior T-TH, 12:30-1:50, Wooten Hall 115 Instructor: Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers Office Hours: T-TH, 11-12 and 2-3:30 pm, Wooten 143; You can call me “Dr. V” and by appointment 940-390-2304 you gotta do this! About the Course—Why This is one of two courses on American and Texas politics required by state law and as part of UNT’s general education (“core”) requirements. Both the United States and Texas governments are representative democracies. This suggests a connection between the will of the people (that’s and us!) the actions taken by government. We will trace that connection by looking at where individuals’ political values and attitudes come from, the mechanisms intended to join individual beliefs to government action, and the outcomes or results of these actions . you’ll be able to do: Course Objectives---What As a result of taking this course, you should be able to: explain the origins, development, and effects of US and Texas political culture; identify, describe, and explain the origin of individual political attitudes; identify and analyze data about political behavior and different political phenomena; evaluate polling as a means of measuring public opinion; demonstrate knowledge about the role and effects of the media on political behavior; describe the expansion of the franchise in the U.S.; explain and assess theoretical explanations for the individual decision to participate; assess the decline in American voter turnout; assess the role of forms of political participation other than voting; explain the formation of interest groups; explain the effect of interest groups on American politics; explain the process of electing the President and Vice President of the U.S.; explain the reapportionment and redistricting process explain the election of members of the House and Senate; explain the relationship between money and elections; recognize the stages of the policy making process; evaluate the need for governmental regulation; explain and critique select topics of U.S. domestic policy AND foreign policy we’re gonna read; Required Class Materials---What
COURSE SYLLABUS Political Science 2315.001. Fall 2017 American and Texas Government: Political Behavior T-TH, 12:30-1:50, Wooten Hall 115 Instructor: Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers Office Hours: T-TH, 11-12 and 2-3:30 pm, Wooten 143; You can call me “Dr. V” and by appointment 940-390-2304 About the Course—Why you gotta do this! This is one of two courses on American and Texas politics required by state law and as part of UNT’s general education (“core”) requirements. Both the United States and Texas governments are representative democracies. This suggests a connection between the will of the people (that’s us!) and the actions taken by government. We will trace that connection by looking at where individuals’ political values and attitudes come from, the mechanisms intended to join individual beliefs to government action, and the outcomes or results of these actions . Course Objectives---What you’ll be able to do: As a result of taking this course, you should be able to: explain the origins, development, and effects of US and Texas political culture; identify, describe, and explain the origin of individual political attitudes; identify and analyze data about political behavior and different political phenomena; evaluate polling as a means of measuring public opinion; demonstrate knowledge about the role and effects of the media on political behavior; describe the expansion of the franchise in the U.S.; explain and assess theoretical explanations for the individual decision to participate; assess the decline in American voter turnout; assess the role of forms of political participation other than voting; explain the formation of interest groups; explain the effect of interest groups on American politics; explain the process of electing the President and Vice President of the U.S.; explain the reapportionment and redistricting process explain the election of members of the House and Senate; explain the relationship between money and elections; recognize the stages of the policy making process; evaluate the need for governmental regulation; explain and critique select topics of U.S. domestic policy AND foreign policy Required Class Materials---What we’re gonna read;
2315.001%20Martinez-Ebers-1.docx