Course Description
Political polarization, income inequity, and immigration all increased dramatically in the United States over the past four decades. This course will identify the forces that have led to this social turn in American society with a primary focus on political polarization.
Athena Title
Polarization of American Pol
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in POLS 4615H
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1105H or POLS 1101E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To show students how federalism interacts with changes in the economy to produce polarized political parties and social polarization.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction: What is Political Polarization and why does it matter? 2. How do we measure polarization of the elites? 3. Income Inequity and Political Polarization 4. Post 1960s Political Polarization 5. George W. Bush and the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections 6. Barack Obama and the 2008 and 2012 Presidential Elections 7. The Public Policy Consequences of Political Polarization 8. The Future of American Politics