Department of
Political Science

POL S 202 Home

Syllabus

Online Readings

Assignments

Nov 6th
Election Results

101 Gowen Hall, Box 353530
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-3530
Ph: 206-543-2780

POL S 202: Intro to American Government

Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 1:20 pm, Kane 110

Professor: Matt A. Barreto
Email: mbarreto@washington.edu
Office: Gowen 148
Office Hours: Weds 10am - noon


Course Syllabus and Reading Assignments for Spring 2010


Week 1
March 30		First Day of Class

April 1			NO CLASS - PROF. BARRETO OUT OF TOWN


Week 2
April 6			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 2, "Forging a New Government" [ PPT Slides ]

April 8			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 3, "Federalism" [ PPT Slides ]
			Clayton & Meyer, "Washington's Constitution"  [ ONLINE ]


Week 3
April 13		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 4, "Civil Liberties" [ PPT Slides ]
			"The Patriot Act vs. the SAFE Act"  [ ONLINE ]

April 15		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 5 "Civil Rights" [ PPT Slides ]
			"Racial Profiling in Missouri: Traffic Stop Data"  [ ONLINE ]


Week 4
April 20		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 5 "Civil Rights" Continued [ PPT Slides ]
			"Divided Court Limits Use of Race by School Districts"  [ ONLINE ]

April 22		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 6 "Public Opinion, Political Socialization"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Pierce et. al., "Public Opinion in Washington State"  [ ONLINE ]
			Short paper due at 12:00pm via online drop-box
			

Week 5
April 27		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 6, "Public Opinion and the Media"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Handouts for Survey Project: online

April 29		Schmidt et. al., Chapter 7, "Interest Groups and Political Parties"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Appleton & Grosse, "Washington State Parties"  [ ONLINE ]


Week 6
May 4			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 8, "Campaigns and Elections"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Long, "Direct Democracy in Washington,"  [ ONLINE ] 
		
May 6			Midterm Exam - in class - bring only pen or pencil



Week 7
May 11			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 8, "Voting Behavior"  [ PPT Slides ]
			"College Students and the 2004 Election"  [ ONLINE ]

May 13			Schmidt et. al, Chapter 9, "The Congress"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Donovan, "The (WA) Legislature"  [ ONLINE ]



Week 8
May 18			Schmidt et. al, Chapter 13, "Domestic Policy"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Case Study: Health Care Reform Bill of 2009-2010: PBS Frontline documentary

May 20			Stewart, Chapter 10, "The Presidency"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Nice & Otte, "The Office of the Governor"  [ ONLINE ]


Week 9
May 25			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 12, "The Judiciary"  [ PPT Slides ]
			May, "The Washington State Court System"  [ ONLINE ]

May 27			Schmidt et. al., Chapter 14, "Foreign Policy"  [ PPT Slides ]
			Afghanistan: The Forgotten War - Online documentary (PBS)
			http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/428/index.html


Week 10
June 1			Review Session for Final Exam  [ Review Slides ]
June 2 QS		Review Session for Final Exam
June 3			FINAL EXAM 12:00 - 1:20PM KANE 110