Course Description
This research seminar is intended as a survey on American electoral development. It is part of a certificate program on Applied History designed to introduce students to the topic of elections and electoral systems and how they have been shaped by political actors over the course of American history.
Athena Title
American Electoral Development
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in POLS 4105, POLS 4105H, POLS 4805H
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to understand how political elites have attempted to use elections to influence political outcomes over the course of our nation's history.
- Students will be able to explain how elections have consequences in terms of the types of policies that elected officials pursue once in office.
- Students will be able to understand how elections have evolved over the course of our nation's history and how some established "facts" are subject to interpretation.
- Students will be able to evaluate how political actors have sought to influence or manipulate election outcomes for political gain.
- Students will be able to formulate an argument in a research paper that is supported by evidence and show that alternative hypotheses are not correct.
- Students will be able to understand why an election outcome occurred and how specific events contributed to that specific outcome.
- Students will be able to evaluate, interpret, and critique arguments presented in scholarly articles and books.
- Students will be able to think critically about arguments and evidence that is presented in both written and graphical form.
- Students will be able to offer alternative explanations for historical events supported by political science concepts.
- Students will be able to understand and explain concepts related to elections to fellow class members and the instructor when called upon to do so.
- Students will be able to conduct original research on elections and communicate their findings to the class and instructor in an end-of-the semester project.
- Students will be able to offer verbal and written critiques of scholarly work relating to historical analyses of elections.
- Students will be able to explain why political actors seek to influence election outcomes in an effort to gain advantage within the political system.
- Students will be able to do a critical assessment of a scholarly article or book at the end of the class that illustrates the knowledge they have gained during the semester.
Topical Outline
- Studying American Electoral Development
- Political Parties
- Partisan Realignments
- Balloting and Primaries
- Voter Registration
- Antebellum Politics and Elections
- Postbellum Elections
- Electoral Governance
- Presidential Elections and Congressional Elections
- Redistricting
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
