Need credits? Political Science has a new Augmester course!
PSCI 1101-050 Introduction to American Politics
M-F 12:30-3:30 PM (taught remotely)
Instructor: Christopher Jorde
Course Description:
The Trump presidency has been nothing if not polarizing. To some his election represented “draining the swamp” of corrupt Washington politicians and to others it sent America trundling toward authoritarianism. Since Trump’s election America has faced a variety of crises: investigations into the use of social media by foreign powers to influence elections, a pandemic requiring coordination between state governments and the national government, and significant social unrest and protest seeking to address police brutality and racial inequality. Yet Trump’s presidency and all of these flashpoints highlight broader themes in American politics including the role of the electoral college in Presidential elections, the impact of media on political campaigns, the balance of power in a federal system, and the effects of social movements and protest on representation and policy change. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the institutions, processes, and actors that make up the American political system and to encourage you to think critically about the nature and quality of American democracy. In doing so, you will gain a better understanding of how our government works, as well as develop a knowledge of the opportunities that exist and the barriers that often thwart citizen participation in the American political system.