We all must deal with government, politics, and the consequences of
political actions in all facet of our lives.  Part of dealing with
politics involves understanding the key components and facts about
our system while another major part is thinking critically about
politics and understanding how our opinions fit into the system.  As
such, the main purpose of this class will be not only providing
details about how our system works, but also allowing and helping
students develop the skills to critically analyze our political
system.  We will examine the institutional features of our system
(Congress, Presidency, and the Courts); the role of citizens in the
system (voting and public opinion); the place of groups such as the
media, interest groups, and political parties; and policy outcomes
all with an emphasis on the overarching place of the constitution and
civil liberties.

Student participation will be a key component in making this a
successful class as the course design focuses on mixing lecture,
video, and current events with student activities.  The grades will
come from several quizzes (or tests), short writing assignments (2-3
pages), and student participation and attendance.