Politics has been described as who gets what, when, and why.  This course focuses on the American process of determining who gets what, when, and why.  Are we democratic?  What is democracy?  How can 270 million people make decisions together?  The course will look at the formal institutional process -- Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court -- as well as the subtle forms of influence that characterize the national bureaucracy, including campaigning, PACS, political consultants, mass media.  Throughout, we will attempt to identify the underlying value choices we make, as a society, and as individual citizens.

Why study American politics?  Quite simply, it affects and shapes your options in life.  Power and control are central concerns.  The better we as citizens understand politics, the more control we retain over our lives and our society.  Empowerment can only come from knowledge.

Writing Guides and Resources:

CSUN: Learning Resource Center
UCSB: Writing Resources
Harvard: The Writing Center
Purdue: Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Illinois Urbana: The Writers' Workshop
Capital Community Technical College: Guide to Grammar and Writing
University of Richmond: Writer's Web
Hanover College: Writing Manuals and Guides
Hudson Valley Community College: Grant Writing Resources
Medianet:  Presentation Skills

Additional Resources For Policy Analysis:

Policy Information

Politics 1
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Public-Policy.org
PoliSci.com

Federal Government Offices and Agencies

FedWorld (US Gov Web Directory)
Directory (LSU)
Directory (Commercial)

Federal Statutes and Regulations

The Center for Information Law and Policy
Federal Law Resources (Technical)
United States Code (Searchable Code of Federal Statutes)
United States Code (Searchable Code of Federal Statutes)
US Code of Federal Regulations (Searchable)

Academic Policy and Politics Resources

Public Policy Section, American Political Science Association
Section on Race, Ethnicity and Politics, APSA
American Political Science Association (APSA)
International Political Science Resources
Political Science Virtual Library
General Political Science Resources
     Western Connecticut State University
     UC Irvine

Political Science Departments (Directories)

From Indiana
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs (NASPAA)

The 2000 Presidential Election

Los Angeles Times “37 Days” 
CNN's Election 2000
Election 2000 from the BBC
Washington Post
Official Electoral College Site 
     (National Archives and Records Administration)
General Information on the Electoral College
     (Federal Election Commission)

Issue Areas

The 2000-2002 Congress
Odd Facts of Federal Elected Officials (Salaries, Names, Histories, etc.)
Federal Government and Resources
State Government Resources