This course is designed to be an introduction to the tools and
skills necessary to analyze politics. The skills discussed and
practiced would be valuable to anyone considering a major in
political science (or other social science disciplines), future
profession in law, business, policy research, or community advocacy
to name. It is equally designed for those students who may not have
decided their future directions but are interested in being critical
consumers of the news media, political advertising, and other
sources of political information.  We will be discussing such issues
as what is the nature of a hypothesis; how to understand causation;
the role of comparison in political analysis; how to understand,
interpret, and collect political information through polls and
surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographic
observation, and experimental research; and, how to interpret and
present information presented in charts, graphs, tables, and visual
maps.  In order to learn about sometimes abstract concepts and
skills, we will focus on a variety of “hot” policy issues and
debates. Some of the topics will include: the role of race in the
response to Hurricane Katrina; the plight of the uninsured in
America; the trend toward college-educated women leaving the work
world to raise their children; and, how NASA knew but did not
recognize the problems with the space shuttle before it crashed. The
course will involve participation by students in small and large-
group discussions as well as activities where we “practice what we
preach.” The requirements will thus include: active attendance and
participation; two short (5 page) take-home assignments; and, a mid-
term and final exam.