Americans are becoming increasingly cynical about politics.  Most
people think that politics is remote from their lives; that what
their elected officials do in Washington does not really affect
them. In this course, we will examine the problems that give rise to
their skepticism, as well as what might be done about it.

This course provides an overview of American national government.
In this class, we will explore the rules, institutions,
participants, and products of American politics.  The specific
course objectives are: (1) to introduce you to basic principles,
institutions, and processes in American national government, (2) to
help you observe and consider the ways that politics directly
affects our lives, and (3) to encourage you to think critically
about important political issues.