Section I: Housekeeping

• Course Introduction and Overview
• Lecture 1: Defining American Politics and the Elite Model of Democracy
  • Additional Notes: Potential Essay Questions for Section I

• Lecture 2: The Founding Fathers and the Constitution
• Handout: Ray's Consti-Tutorial (for students who want to know more about the U.S. Constitution)
• Lecture 3: Making Sense of American Federalism
• Handout: Guidelines and Options for Written Assignments
• Lecture 4: Political Culture, Ideologies, and Other Squishy Topics
  • Additional Notes: Potential Essay Questions for Section II

• Lecture 5: The Media and American Politics
• Lecture 6: Political Parties
• Lecture 7: Interest Groups
• Lecture 8: Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections
• Lecture 9: The Legislative Branch
• Lecture 10: The Executive Branch
• Lecture 11: The Judicial Branch
• Lecture 12: The American Bureaucracy
• Additional Notes: Potential Essay Questions for Section III

• Lecture 13: Equal Rights under the Law
• Lecture 14: Public Policy
  • Replacement for group project: Internet Scavenger Hunt
  • Handout: Final Exam Dress Rehearsal