Introduction to American Government

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with a broad overview of the political system in the United States. By the end of the course, students should be able to describe the structure and function of American institutions, as well as the motivations behind their construction and the consequences of their actions. Specifically, students should be able to explain how these institutions influence the behavior of both politicians and constituents. More generally, students should be able to apply theory to “real world” situations, use data to evaluate theoretical arguments, and write logical and coherent arguments.