Prelude

Week 1: Introduction and Case Study:

September 1-3

     Hyer: "Values Versus Interests"

Week 2: Overview: Politics and the U.S. Political System

September 8-10

         Schmidt: Ch. 1

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Background

Weeks 3-4: Foundations of the System

September 15-24

      Schmidt: Ch. 2
      William Hudson, American Democracy in Peril, Introduction and ch. 1

Week 5: Individual Protections and the Political System

September 29-October 1

      Schmidt: Ch. 5

Week 6:

     Exam 1: October 6

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Political Participation

Weeks 6-7: Interest Groups and Parties

October 8-15

      Schmidt: Ch. 7

Week 8: Public Opinion and Media

October 20-22

     Schmidt: Ch. 6
     Auletta, Fortress Bush: How the Bush White House Keeps the Press Under Control
     Frontline: News War, excerpts

Weeks 9-11: Elections and Voting

October 27-November 12

      Schmidt: Ch. 8
      Voting updates from 2008 Election
      New York Times,"Voting Rates Dip in 2008 as Older Whites Stay Home"

      Exam 2: November 12

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Structures of Government

Week 12: The Presidency

November 17-19

     Schmidt, Ch. 10

Weeks 13-14: Congress

November 24-December 3

     Schmidt, Ch. 9

     No Class November 26 (Thanksgiving)

Week 15: The Courts

December 8-10

     Schmidt, Ch. 12

     Exam 3: December 10