Teaching Bibliography
This introductory course provides a broad background in the political concepts and institutions that are important in U.S. government. We will focus on describing the conceptual and historical origins of the US governmental system; applying governance concepts to the fundamental institutions of US government and analyzing the way that ideas and institutions influence political processes and outcomes. We will examine critical institutions of American government, including the Constitution, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in the context of democracy, federalism, and other relevant concepts.
The course begins with a foundational understanding of democratic politics, such as elections and the role of political parties. We then examine political discourse and public opinion as it pertains to political culture, participation, and behavior. The course pays special attention to the dynamics of campaigns, the role of pressure groups, and the media in politics. The course then zeroes in on the use of framing and political socialization in the policy process as it concerns domestic, economic, domestic, and foreign policy. Integrated throughout the course is an assessment of the role played by the executive, legislative, and judiciary institutions of government in the preceding topics.
Political Science 353U Intro to Latin American Politics
Portland State University
This course is an introduction to the political landscape of countries in Latin America. These fascinating unfolding events continue to engage students from across the globe. With various levels of success, Latin America has been a place of “experiment”, shifting from state-led to market-oriented development, from reforms to revolution, and from dictatorship to democracy. Beginning our class with the history of colonial rule, we discuss problems of poverty, economic chaos, and inequality that marked the 20th century. We will also concentrate on the unrelenting societal appetite for unrest and political struggle that arose from these obstacles. Throughout the course we examine the quality of democracy in the region and draw on case studies where appropriate (Venezuela, Argentina, Guatemala, and others). Next, we consider institutional design and elections,including the breakdown of democracy and draw on the impact of coups and international intervention. In the second portion of class we focus on the political economy and modes of development. We end with an analysis of state-society relations, beginning with a concept of political culture and analyzing politics of social equity for women, indigenous communities, and Afro-Latinx. We then shift focus to migration patterns and consider whether a fourth transition is occurring today.
The course asks students to critically examine the role that individuals and organizations play in the policy process; locate themselves within the policy process, both as targets of public policy and as actors in the policy process. Students use a range of activities and readings to locate the formal and informal organizations in which they work, study, and socialize. Students apply theories and concepts of the policy process to real-world situations through examination of real-life cases, text, and/or film. Through real-life cases, students are asked to recognize how the public policy process results in differential impacts for diverse groups of residents, though social construction and other mechanisms. Through a Guest Speaker Series students are exposed to the many ways policy is created in U.S. pluralist system.
“ A syllabus should be a manifesto that serves as a founding document detailing the rights of the student and the pedagogy of the classroom.”