The Polarization of American Politics -- UCSD 2007

POLI 102G SPECIAL TOPICS: THE POLARIZATION OF AMERICAN POLITICS

Winter Quarter AY2006-2007
Department of Political Science
University of California, San Diego
San Diego, CA 92093-0521

Classroom: WLH 2005
Time: 6:30PM - 7:50PM Tuesday and Thursday

Instructor: Keith T. Poole

Office: 368 Social Science Building
E-Mail: kpoole@ucsd.edu
WebSite: Voteview Home Page
Office Hours: 2:00 - 4:00PM Wednesdays

Grader:

Lexi Shankster, ashankst@dss.ucsd.edu, Room SSB 351, Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:00-9:00PM

The following texts will be used in this course:

McCarty, Nolan, Keith T. Poole, and Howard Rosenthal (2006). Polarized America: The Dance of Ideology and Unequal Riches
Jacobson, Gary C. (2006). A Divider, Not a Uniter: George W. Bush and the American People
Fiorina, Morris P. (2006). Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America

Requirements

Grades will be determined by two examinations -- one midsemester exam and a final exam. The exams will consist of essay and short answer questions.

The Midterm Exam is scheduled for Thursday, 15 February 2007 from 6:30 - 7:30PM.

The Final Exam is scheduled for Tuesday, 20 March 2007 from 7:00 - 10:00PM.

Course Outline

Introduction: Why Political Polarization Matters

Assignment:

Chapter 1, Polarized America
Chapter 1, Culture War?
Chapter 1, A Divider, Not a Uniter

Lecture 11 January 2007

Lecture 16 January 2007

Lecture 18 January 2007

How do we Measure the Political Polarization?

Assignment:

Chapter 2, Polarized America
Chapter 2, A Divider, Not a Uniter

Lecture 23 January 2007
Lecture 25 January 2007

Lecture 30 January 2007

Lecture 1 February 2007
Lecture 6 February 2007

Income Inequality and Political Polarization

Assignment:

Chapters 3 and 4, Polarized America
Lecture 8 February 2007

Lecture 13 February 2007

Lecture 20 February 2007

Lecture 22 February 2007

Post 1960s Political Polarization

Assignment:

Chapters 2 - 7, Culture War?
Chapter 5, Polarized America

Lecture 27 February 2007

Lecture 1 March 2007

Lecture 6 March 2007

George W. Bush and the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections

Assignment:

Chapter 8, Culture War?
Chapters 3 - 7, A Divider, Not a Uniter

Lecture 8 March 2007

Lecture 13 March 2007

The Public Policy Consequences of Political Polarization

Assignment:

Chapter 8, A Divider, Not a Uniter
Chapter 6, Polarized America

The Future of American Politics

Assignment:

Chapter 9, A Divider, Not a Uniter
Chapter 10, Culture War?
Chapter 7, Polarized America

Lecture 15 March 2007