PSC 312 Parties, Elections and Pressure Groups
A systematic look at mechanisms for popular control of American
government. This course looks at the nature of public opinion and its
translation into political action. Political parties and interest groups
are investigated as mechanisms which link the citizen to the policy-making
system. Attention will be given to elections and the bases upon which
individuals make their decisions at the polls. We will also consider the
conflicting arguments about the decline, decomposition, and realignment of
parties in the 1980s and the rise of the single-issue interest group.
Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered
in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1