Ewha Womans University International Co-Ed Summer College
Summer 2016
22170-01
ELECTIONS AND PARTY POLITICS
Instructor: Shang E. Ha (하상응) Class Time: 9:00-11:30 (Monday to Thursday) Classroom: TBD Office Hours: TBD Office: TBD Email: [email protected]
COURSE DESRCIPTION
This course aims to examine the electoral process in contemporary American politics. We focus on what political science can tell us about electoral politics, covering not only presidential elections but also congressional and state/local elections. The main goal of this course is to help students (1) understand and evaluate the basic rules and structure of the American electoral system, (2) understand and analyze the strategic decisions of candidates, political parties, the media, and interest groups, and (3) understand the decisions of voters. By the end of this course, students should be in a good position to consume, summarize, and interpret information about the elections, so that they critically review the opinions and ideas by pundits and commentators in the media, academic journals, and political campaigns. Although the course will be focused on the US elections, we will also examine the electoral systems and voting behavior in other democratic countries, particularly South Korea.
TEXTBOOKS
Sides, John, Daron Shaw, Matt Grossman, and Keena Lipsitz. 2015. Campaigns and Elections: Rules, Reality, Strategy, Choice. 2nd edition. New York: W.W. Norton. (hereafter, SSGL)
The textbook is available at Kyobo Bookstore or copy center, both located in ECC. You may purchase it via your preferred online bookstore.
Given the nature of this course, students are responsible for keeping themselves updated regarding the upcoming elections. It is highly recommended to regularly read the New York Times, Washington Post and/or Wall Street Journal (for the US presidential election in November).
REQUIREMENTS
Attendance. Attendance is required. Students are expected to complete the assigned reading before attending class and to actively participate in class discussions. Students who have been chronically absent (more than THREE unexcused absences) over the course of the semester should not expect to receive a passing grade. Students who have missed THREE or more classes by the midterm exam will be asked to withdraw from the class. If a serious illness or major event results in missing class sessions, please let the instructor know in advance in order to make alternative arrangements.
1 Assignments & Exams. The assignments for this course are one short paper (about three to five pages long) and two exams (mid-term and final). Detailed instructions for the short paper will be given in due time and manner. But, briefly, the possible topics for the short paper are:
(1) Comparing electoral systems: choose a country (e.g., South Korea, France, Brazil, etc), describe its electoral system, compare it to the American system, and discuss the merits and demerits of each.
(2) Campaign strategy memo: choose a country (including, but not limited to, the US), and write a memo to a presidential candidate who is running (or could run) in 2016 or 2017. The memo will provide him/her with a basic strategy for the campaign, drawing on information about the country, relevant political issues, public opinion, and candidate’s background.
(3) Electoral system reform proposal: choose a country (including, but not limited to, the US), and write a memo that proposes a reform of a specific aspect of the electoral system (e.g., campaign finance, low turnout, etc).
Exams, most likely in short answer and short essay format, will be conducted in class.
Grade. Your final course grade will be a weighted average of the assignments and the exams: Class participation: 20% Paper: 30% (1 paper) Exam: 50% (2 exams/25% each)
Your final grade will be calculated on a 100-point scale: A (94-100), A- (90-93), B+ (86-89), B (83-85), B- (80-82), C+ (76-79), C (73-75), C- (70-72), D+ (66-69), D (63-65), D- (60-62), and F (0-59).
N on-Ewha Students: Students should receive a letter grade ranging from A+ to F. A student who misses more than 3 classes without prior permission will get an automatic ‘F’, regardless of his or her in-class performance.
Ewha Students: Students should receive a letter grade ranging from A+ to F. A student who misses more than 3 classes of their classes without prior permission will get an automatic ‘F’, regardless of his or her in-class performance. There should be some spread in the final grades given to students. A bell curve (‘A’ to a maximum of 45% of the whole student body and ‘B’ to a maximum of 50% of the whole student body) should be applied. However, this does not apply when the number of Ewha students is less than five.
HONOR CODE AND STUDENT INTEGRITY
By enrolling at Ewha Womans University, you have agreed to abide by an Honor Code, only taking credit for work you have done. Students are responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. Because academic honesty is treated as a serious matter, the course policy is one of zero tolerance for academic dishonesty. For this reason, plagiarism, using the work of another without proper citation, cheating, and unauthorized use of information during an examination are prohibited.
STUDENT DISABILITIES SERVICES
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary
2 accommodations. I will make every effort to accommodate verified disabilities so that you may do your best work in this course. If you have any questions about this issue, please contact to the instructor.
COURSE OUTLINE
JUNE 21: ORIENTATION (NO CLASS)
JUNE 22: INTRODUCTION
SSGL, Chapter 1.
JUNE 23: AMERICAN ELECTORAL PROCESS
SSGL, Chapter 2.
JUNE 27: VOTER PARTICIPATION
SSGL, Chapter 11.
JUNE 28: VOTER CHOICE
SSGL, Chapter 12.
JUNE 29: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS
SSGL, Chapter 3.
JUNE 30: FINANCING CAMPAIGNS
SSGL, Chapter 4.
JULY 4: CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES
SSGL, Chapter 5.
JULY 5: MID-TERM EXAM
JULY 6: PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS
SSGL, Chapters 6 and 7
JULY 7: MEDIA
SSGL, Chapter 8.
JULY 11: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
SSGL, Chapter 9.
JULY 12: CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
3 SSGL, Chapter 10.
JULY 13: STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
SSGL, Chapter 11.
JULY 14: ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY
SSGL, Chapter 14.
JULY 18: WRAP-UP (DUE DATE FOR THE SHORT PAPER)
JULY 19: FINAL EXAM
JULY 20: COMMENCEMENT (NO CLASS)
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