American Democracy and Citizenship

PLS 101

Course Description

This course will provide students with both a factual and analytical introduction to the national government of the United States and state government of Missouri, and the politics that surround them. We will study both the historical traditions and a number of contemporary questions associated with the American and Missouri political systems. Students will be expected to employ critical analysis in their study of American and Missouri politics in this course and not merely rely on partisan rhetoric.

This semester will be divided, roughly, into three sections:

1. Democratic Theory
2. Democratic Institutions
3. Political Behavior and Citizenship