Koger, Gregory

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi Spring 2-1-2006 PSC 395.01: Interest Groups Gregory Koger The University Of Montana, gregory.kroger@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Koger, Gregory, "PSC 395.01: Interest Groups" (2006). Syllabi. 7067. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/7067 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. Political Science 395 Interest Groups Spring 2006 Professor Gregory Koger gregory.koger@umontana.edu Office: LA 354 Office Hours: T, Th 9:30-10:30 and 3:00-3:30 Content This course analyzes the role of interest groups in American democracy. As citizens, we are nominally equal. Our votes count. the same and we have the same rights to freedom of speech, assembly and petition. Yet some of us utilize those rights more than others. Subsets of citizens (or corporations) band together to advance common political interests. This class studies the behavior of these organized groups. How do they form? What conditions favor the development of interest groups, and when would we not expect to see groups form? How do interest groups influence policy formulation? How do interest groups influence elections? Which groups ally themselves with a political party? This class will address these questions ... and more. ,, Required Texts • Analyzing Interest Groups by Scott Ainsworth, available at the bookstore • A collection of supplemental readings is on reserve at Mansfield library -7 also, I may send e-mails linking you to relevant news items Student Behavior Students are required to read all assigned readings and bring them to class, attend all lectures, participate in class, take a midterm and final, and complete a research paper. Students are expected to avoid profanity, to tum off cell. phones, and to arrive on time. While we will be discussing contemporary politics, students sh~~~d avoid simple proselytizing or provocation. The grade breakdown is: Participation: 20% Midterm: 20% Paper: 30% Final: 30% Papers are due at the start of class. 'Late papers are docked a full grade for each day late. Students may schedule a make-up exam with documentation if illness or family death prevents attendance at the midterm. No excuses will be accepted for late papers; students are responsible for beginning their papers early, avoiding computer problems, and getting papers to me in a timely fashion. ·:: ; : Students are expected to do their own work. Students must cite sources used to write their papers. Plagiarism will be punished in accordance with university policy. Students taking PS 300 or PS 400 in conjunction with this class, or graduate students, will write an additional paper analyzing an interest group in light of course texts. ' ·~ ii TIMELINE Week Topics and Readin2s Jan24-Feb2 Introduction. Why Interest Groups? • Ainsworth 1 & 2 • Loomis & Cigler, "The Changing Nature of Interest Group Politics," JG Politics Interest Group Formation and Design • Ainsworth 3 • Patterson & Singer, "The NRA in the Face of the Clinton Challenge," JG Politics The Washington Environment • Ainsworth 5 • Baumgartner, "The Growth and Diversity ofUS Associations, 1956-2004," Draft Paper • Loomis, "Interests, Lobbying, and the U.S. Congress: Past as Prologue," JG Politics Feb. 7 & 9 Feb 14 & 16 Feb21&23 Lobbying • Ainsworth 6 • Shaiko, "Making the Connection: Organized Interests, Political Representation, and the Changing Rules of the G~e in Washington Politics," The JG Connection Feb 28 &Mar 2 Agenda-Setting • Brown and Waltzer, "Lobbying The Press ..." JG Politics • Leech et. al. "Organized Interests and Issue Definition in Policy Debates," JG Politics Mar7 &9 Congress II; Executive Branch • Ainsworth 7 • White, "Making Connections tp the Appropriations Process," JG Connection Mar 14 & 16 Judicial Branch; Ballots & Initiatives • Ainsworth 8 • O'Connor, "Lobbying the Justices or Lobbying for Justice?" JG Connection Mar21 &23 Choosing Venues • Mahoney & Baumgartner, "When To Go It Alone," draft paper • Holyoke, "Choosing Battlegrounds," PRQ 2003 Mar 27 & 31 SPRING BREAK April 4 & 6 4/4: Review. 4/6: MIDTERM April 11 & 13 Campaign Finance • Ainsworth 9 • Biersack & Viray, "Interest Groups and Federal Campaign Finance ..." JG Connection April 18 & 20 Interest Groups in Campaigns • Interest Groups and Campaigns: The Electoral Connection," JG Connection April 25 & 27 PAPERS DUE May2&4 Interest Groups and Parties ,\) l. • Skinner, "Do 527's Add Up to :a1Party? Thinking About the 'Shadows' of Politics." The Forum. Pa)!ers are due AJ!ril 25! Interest Groups and Reform - see e-mailed readings on lobbying reform May9 Final (8:00-10:00 a.m.) 

PSC 395.01: Interest Groups

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PSC 395.01: Interest Groups

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