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.

Study Guides and Exam Resources

Chapter Outlines
Chapter Reviews
Diagnostic Quizzes

Other Resources

Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution
Download US Constitution
Articles and Constitution Compared
Powers of the Congress, the President, and the Courts
Learning Resource Center

Additional Resources For Policy Analysis:

Policy Information

Politics 1
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Public-Policy.org
Democratic National Committee
Republican National Committee

Federal Government Offices and Agencies

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

Federal Statutes and Regulations

Federal Law Resources (Technical)
United States Code (Searchable Code of Federal Statutes)
US Code of Federal Regulations (Searchable)

Academic Policy and Politics Resources

American Political Science Association (APSA)
International Political Science Resources
General Political Science Resource(UC Irvine)

Political Science Resources and Departments (Directories)

Poly-Cy (Cal Poly) Directory of Resources
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs (NASPAA)

The Presidential Election

CNN's Election Coverage 2008
CNN's Election Coverage 2004
CNN's Election Coverage 2000

Issue Areas

Facts on Congress
Odd Facts of Federal Elected Officials (Salaries, Names, Histories, etc.)
Federal Government and Resources
State Government Resources