Politics and Parties

Me Dr. Casey Dominguez Office: 285 IPJ Office Hours: MW 12:10-1:10 Tues Website: E-Reserve Password: POLS313

Policies Tardiness: It’s rude. I notice. I do not repeat information. Late papers: 1/3 grade for every day late Cheating: I will report you to the Dean for even a minor infraction. –All papers must be uploaded to turnitin.com.

Assignments Grades: Final Exam (Fri., Dec 18, 11-1)20% Pop Quizzes10% Participant Observation Paper15% Four Simulation Papers(10% ea.)40% Simulation Paarticipation (Peer grade) 5% Prompt Attendance and Participation 10%

Syllabus Organization How do interest groups and parties overcome organizational challenges? How do interest groups and parties relate to the public at large? How do interest groups and parties participate in elections? How do interest groups and parties participate in the governing process? Why are we conflicted about the merits of parties and interest groups?

Paper #1 “Participant observation” 1.Attend a meeting of a political party, or a group that has some political goals, either on campus or in the community. (Since many groups only have meetings once a month, or less often, you will need to choose this group and ask permission to attend the meeting ASAP).

Paper #1 Observe how the group is run, the demographic characteristics of the members or attendees, and the substance of the discussion. What do you observe the group’s goals to be? What do you think are the biggest obstacles to their success in achieving those goals? Are they aware of those obstacles? What could they do to overcome them?

Paper #1 1.At the meeting or elsewhere, interview the group’s leader and at least two other members of the group. Ask them how they, personally, got involved with the group, how much of their time it takes, and why they choose to participate. Also ask them what the group’s short and long term goals are, what resources they need to achieve those goals, and how they will get those resources.

Paper #1 Write an 5-7 page essay that MAKES AN ARGUMENT in answer to the following questions, relating your observations substantively to the material we’ve discussed in class: –What are the prospects for this group achieving its political goals? –How does it deal with the collective action problems it faces? –If you were the leader of the group, would you do anything differently to achieve your group’s goals?

Other papers… Simulation: Details TBA…