This research seminar is intended as a broad survey of the literature on electoral
behavior and politics.  The central focus of the course will be on congressional
elections, but we also will spend some time on the study of presidential elections. 
As such, we will focus on the behavior of strategic politicians, the origins and
growth of the incumbency advantage, the impact of money in elections, the role of the
campaign in the election outcome, and various forecasting models of elections. 
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 research
on electoral behavior, even though it would be impossible to cover all facets of this
research in a single graduate seminar.

The Politics of Congressional Elections
Studying Elections across Time
Ambition and Electoral Politics
Strategic Politicians
The Incumbency Advantage in Congress
Representation and Congress
Congressional Campaign Politics
Money and Elections
Forecasting Models of Elections
Presidential Campaigns
Presidential Elections

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)