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Spring 2005

GOV 312L • Issues and Policies in American Government

Unique Days Time Location Instructor
36245 MWF
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
BUR 224

Course Description

Fulfills second half of legislative requirement for 6 hours of American government. Offered on a letter-grade basis only. May be taken for credit only once. This is an introductory course in United States government with an emphasis on how gender, race and class shape and are shaped by politics and the political system. Attention will be given to how gender, racial and class differences intersect. The course begins by discussing generally where racial, gender and class differences come from and why they politically matter. We then turn to the founding of U.S. democracy and citizenship to explore how ideas about racial/sexual difference have influenced what is meant by equality. Here, our discussion will center on the ongoing tension posed by liberal democracy between equality and difference. From this historical perspective, we will turn to three policy issues: work, hate crimes and the prison system. Through these issues we will consider multiple problems and concerns facing most if not all diverse democratic societies.


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