[students may take one of the following sections]

This course is designed to look at both the theory and practice of how the press covers politics and public policy, and to a lesser extent, how politicians try to influence that coverage. The reading load is a book a week, ranging from the popular and highly accessible to the more academic and theoretical. It is the hope that by blending both the academic and the practical, students will gain a useful perspective on one of the more interesting and important relationships in the public arena: the interplay between politics, policy and the press. Since this is a seminar, preparation and participation are vital, and the grading regime reflects that emphasis. Critical thinking skills and the ability to analogize from the readings to contemporary events will also be important. If you don’t read a daily paper and aren’t prepared to discuss current issues affecting politics and the press, you don’t belong in this class. Finally and most importantly: robust debate will be required, as will a decent respect for the opinions of others. So bring both a thick skin and a civil tongue; both will be necessary. Professor Begala.

 

Few questions are more vexing or inherently controversial than the relationship of the media to politics and policy-making. There is even dispute over what constitutes “the media.” This course is organized around particular problems raised in the debate and specific media institutions. Some of the problems given particular attention are the press’ coverage of the Bush Administration and the 2004 campaign, the ability of media institutions to police themselves and the role of journalists in political campaigns. Attention will also be paid to media innovations, including the increasing importance of the Web, the rise of talk radio and National Public Radio, and the rise of media polling. Guests with particular expertise and experience have been invited to help lead sessions devoted to their areas of interest. The reading list includes popular and journalistic works – including the work of journalists who will meet with the class – as well as the work of scholarly analysts.  Students will be encouraged to bring their own perspectives to bear, and are strongly urged to add to the reading list and to exchange readings with each other (and their instructor).  Students will be required to produce one research paper (20 to 25 pages in length) touching on a problem of their choosing in the area of media and politics.) Students will play a central role in organizing the final session of the course. This session could be devoted to raising issues not touched upon in the course, or to developing themes already addressed in more depth.  Professor Dionne.

 

PPOL 570: PUBLIC POLICY & POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.  Public policy and politics are inseparable.  To try to make public policy without an understanding and appreciation of politics is like trying to raise fresh vegetables without gardening and fertilizer.  Understanding the contemporary political campaign, its unique nature, and every campaign's distinct Seven Elements, can be enormously important in the making of public policy.  A personal knowledge of the campaign – and how to participate in and influence it – can be enormously advantageous to the policy person.  This course will seek to show students the indivisibility between policy and politics, and to help students become more effective policy makers by becoming more politically savvy and effective.  Professor Shields.

 

PPOL 526: SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS. Surveys are the most commonly used data collection tool in the social sciences, providing for efficient collection of data over broad populations, amenable to administration in person, by telephone, and over the Internet.  The course teaches state of the art methods for designing, conducting, and interpreting the results of surveys.   The emphasis is on the development of practical skills that will be valuable additions to the GPPI student’s analytic toolkit.  The course integrates perspectives from sociology, economics and cognitive psychology and methodologies commonly applied within policy evaluation, social science and public opinion research settings.  Topics include questionnaire development and testing, judging the quality of a survey, the use and misuse of survey methods, sources of bias/error in survey design and analysis, techniques for dealing with limitations in surveys, data collection techniques, coding and data processing, and ethical issues in survey research.  For some topics, guest speakers from government and private research and polling firms will provide practical insights.   Professor Morrison.

 

PPOL 562-01: PUBLIC POLICY OF COMMUNICATIONS
The goal of the course is to examine the public policies, legal and political structures that currently determine democratic deliberation in the U.S.  Rather than looking at media as a consumer product, a means of entertainment or as a business, this course will focus on the political relationship between citizens and media/telecommunications companies.  The course will require readings (roughly half a book per week) that explore the constitutional and regulatory structures that determine the character of this political relationship, the history and theories behind these structures, and present battles over media concentration and telecommunications infrastructure.  Preparation and participation are required for this seminar.  My goal is for the student to develop a clear understanding of how public policy shapes and is in turn shaped by the structure of communication at the local, state and national level.  Two 10-15 page papers and a group project will determine the grade.  Professor Lloyd.

 

PPOL 534: Campaign Management: An inside look at elections

Modern campaigns are expensive, consuming and brutal public spectacles which determine who sets the course and the policy for our nation.  But the public rarely gets to see what actually goes on behind the scenes.  This workshop focuses on how campaigns are put together from the ground up—from the time a candidate decides to run, through research, polling, message development and delivery to Get Out the Vote.  Real world examples help to shed light on this public, but often misunderstood process.  Professor Arceneaux.

 

GOVT-397 - Dept Sem: Leadership, Pandering & Political Responsiveness

This course examines the relationship between public opinion and the actions of politicians. Under what conditons do American politicians follow, ignore, or attempt to lead public opinion? In attempting to answer this question, we look at how both political institutions and the nature of public opinion create incentives for politicians to follow these different strategies.   Professor Ladd

 

This course will introduce students to the theory and research on public opinion and political behavior. Although the course will focus primarily on the U.S., there will be readings throughout on other countries as well. The course will include readings that draw on a variety of theories and use a variety of methodologies. Students will complete the readings on time and discuss them in class, write one major paper, and take a final exam. Graduate Students only; otherwise, permission from instructor required.  Professor Wilcox

 

GOVT-528 - Mass Media and American Politics

This course examines the role of mass media in the American political system. We will review existing research by political scientists, economists, and sociologists into the media’s role both as a political institution and as an actor interacting with mass political behavior. We will engage this existing literature at a high theoretical and methodological level. Our goal will be to both acquaint students with the latest social science research and to prepare them to do their own doctoral-level research on the mass media.   Professor Ladd.

 

PPOL 595: PUBLIC LEADERSHIP: PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, & REALITIES.  This course is designed for students seeking to become more effective leaders in the public policy arena, as government officials and staff, legislative directors, issue advocates, or nonprofit managers. We will focus on effective leadership strategies for analyzing and diagnosing public problems and needs; for implementing creative and responsible solutions through policies or program delivery; and for mobilizing resources and support across organizations and sectors.  Students will be challenged to think critically about the moral responsibilities and ethical dilemmas of public leadership; to understand the competing demands on leaders trying to accommodate politics, institutional constraints, and the multiple agendas of interested parties; to examine their own capacity for leadership; and to discover new ways to think about and exercise leadership for the public good. We will explore leadership principles and practices in a variety of ways:  analysis of the current political scene, key actors, and forces influencing leadership decisions; case studies of leaders in action, from issue advocates to presidents; class discussions with experienced public leaders and the journalists who cover them; and participation in class activities designed to allow students to practice their leadership skills.  Students also will have an opportunity to interview two leaders of their choice to learn about the issues they face, the strategies they use, and the advice they offer to emerging public leaders.  Professor Kretman.

 

Other courses on Congress, Presidency, State & Local Politics, Legislative Politics, US Political Parties