Lamar University Honors Program

Fall 2002

Political Science 2301-60 Utter

Because of the nature of this course, as well as the opportunity provided by a relatively small number of students, this course will emphasize class discussion. The reading materials have been chosen to encourage such discussion.

Our primary focus will be on democracyBits meaning, advantages over other forms of government, and status and importance in the contemporary world. We will use a comparative approach in the treatment of democracy, examining not only democracy in the United States, but also in other countries that are usually considered to have democratic governments.

In addition to the readings and class participation, each class member will take part in one activity outside of class. Each student will conduct an interview with a local elected public official (for instance, a city council person, county judge, county commissioner, special district official, or court judge). We will discuss in class what we might want to learn from these officials and hence the types of questions that might be asked of them. Student will then write a paper (approximately 10 type-written, double-spaced pages) summarizing their findings. This project will constitute 1/4 of each student=s grade. The remaining 3/4 of your grade will be determined by three examinations, either essay or essay plus multiple choice.

The required books are:

Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Seven Challenges to America=s Future. Third ed. Chatham, NJ: Chatham House, 2000.

Dahl, Robert A. On Democracy. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1998.

Crain, Ernest, and James Perkins. Introduction to Texas Politics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000.

Important Dates:

First Test..............................................................September 29

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw without penalty.........October 2

Second Test..........................................................November 1

LAST DAY TO DROP OR WITHDRAW............November 9

Interview Paper Due.............................................November 22

Final Examination.................................................December 11 (Monday), 8:00 a.m.

Course Outline

Unit I The Context of American Democracy

1. Defining Politics and Democracy

Hudson, Chap. 1

Dahl, Chap=s. 1-4

2. Defense of Democracy

Dahl, Chap. 5

3. Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics

Crain & Perkins, Chap. 1

Unit II The Constitutional Context

1. National Constitution

U.S. Constitution

Dahl, Chap=s. 8-10

Hudson, Chap. 2

2. Texas Constitution

Crain & Perkins, Chap. 2

3. Local Government in Texas

Crain & Perkins, Chap. 8

Unit III American Political Ideology: The Dominance of Individualism

Hudson, Chap. 3

Unit IV Group Politics: Interest Groups and Political Parties

Hudson, Chap. 6

Crain & Perkins, Chap. 4

Unit V Public Opinion, Political Participation, and Elections

Hudson, Chap=s. 4-5

Dahl, Chap. 11; Appendix A

Crain & Perkins, Chap. 3

Unit VI The Meaning and Importance of Equality

Hudson, Chap. 7

Dahl, Chap=s. 6-7