POLS 3600: Political Parties

Dr. Leah Murray

Summer 2009 | TR 5:30 – 8:10pm | SS 278

Office: SS 290 | Email: lmurray@weber.edu | Hours: TR 4:30 – 5:30

Website: http://faculty.weber.edu/lmurray

Course	This course is designed to introduce students to the study of the organization and function of American political parties. Political parties are a worldwide phenomenon, with contemporary parties tracing their roots to the Founding Congresses of the United States. We will examine how parties came into being, how they operate, and how elections are run through the political party system.
Required Materials	Hershey. Party Politics in America, 13/e. Pearson Longman, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-205-61963-4 Banning. Liberty and Order: The First American Party Struggle, Liberty Fund, 2004. ISBN: 0-86597-418-7 Riordan. Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, BN Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 978-1607960126
Assignments	Weekly Essays 7 assignments, 2 – 3 pages each Based on readings, questions handed out weekly 30% average of final grade Essay Exams 2, in class Based on readings, lectures and class discussions 30% of final grade Group Project 1, reports and final presentations Based on historic third party, details in separate handout 30% of final grade Current Events Quizzes Weekly, 5 questions each Based on current events 10% average of final grade
Policies	Academic Integrity You have integrity if you treat other students with respect. This includes not plagiarizing, not cheating on exams and quizzes and not treating other students’ opinions with intolerance. Any breach of this will result in a failing grade on the assignment or immediate expulsion from the classroom. Attendance Attendance is expected and will be monitored. Your attendance will figure in your final grade. Services for Students with Disabilities Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials in alternative formats if necessary. Grading Grades will be given within 2 weeks from when I receive the assignment. Any discussion about grades should be done within two weeks. Late Work No assignment will be accepted late without arrangements made with me.

When We Are	What We’re Covering	What We’re Reading	What’s Due
Parties and Party Systems
May 11 – 15	History of Political Parties	Hershey Part One Banning all	Weekly Essay 1 CE Quiz 1 Choice of party
The Political Party as an Organization
May 18 – 22 No class 19	State and Local Parties	Hershey Ch 3 Riordan all	Weekly Essay 2 CE Quiz 2
May 25 – 29	National Parties Party Activist	Hershey Ch 4 – 5 Richard Richards	Weekly Essay 3 CE Quiz 3 Exam 1
The Political Party in the Electorate
June 1 – 5	Party Identification Party Coalitions	Hershey Ch 6 – 7	Weekly Essay 4 CE Quiz 4 Group outline
June 8 – 12	Voting Patterns	Hershey Ch 8	Weekly Essay 5 CE Quiz 5
The Political Party in Government
June 15 – 19	Legislatures	Hershey Ch 13	Weekly Essay 6 CE Quiz 6 Group Presentations
June 22 – 26	Executives Responsible Parties American Parties	Hershey Ch 14 – 16	Weekly Essay 7 CE Quiz 7 Exam 2