This research seminar is intended as a broad survey of the 
literature on American political development.  The central 
focus of the course will be on the historical development of 
political institutions, but much of what we discuss will have 
direct relevance for the study of institutions more generally.  
As such, we will focus on the origins and evolution of 
political parties, balloting and primaries, elections, 
congressional politics, the presidency, the courts, and the 
bureaucracy. Throughout the course, we will pay attention to 
current political and scholarly controversies (as well as 
some “classics”) in terms of identifying important research 
questions as well as examining and improving upon existing 
research designs.  By the end of the course, you should have a 
better understanding of the nature of current research on 
American political development, even thought it would be 
impossible to cover all facets of this topic in a single 
graduate seminar.

Studying American Political Development
Political Parties
Partisan Realignment
Balloting and Primaries
Presidential Elections
Congressional Elections
Historical Perspectives on Congress
Historical Perspectives on the Presidency
Historical Perspectives on the Courts
The Growth of the Bureaucracy

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A 
Culture of Honesty."  Students are responsible for informing 
themselves about these standards before performing academic 
work. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and 
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.  Also note that the 
course syllabus is a general plan for the course and that 
deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be 
necessary. (www.uga.edu/ovpi/academic_honesty 
academic_honesty.htm)