CRITICAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SENIOR SEMINAR
POL-344, FALL 2009
we will meet on
Tuesdays, 1:30 – 4:20 pm, Old Main 06
♦ Official
2009 book list with ISBNs – click HERE
♦ USEFUL COURSE
MATERIALS
Fall 2009 course
syllabus (pdf)
UPDATED for
2009!! Presidential
election research resource page (on GAC library web site)
Handout with searching tips (distributed in library session, 9-19-07)
Really good
thesis paper, example 1 (pdf)
Really good
thesis paper, example 2 (pdf)
list of thesis
topics from fall 2007 (coming soon)
♦ THE SCHEDULE OF REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF!!
Links to the discussion questions
can be found under the "Class topic, readings" column; handouts from
student-led classes will also be posted (usually after class). If our semester schedule changes for some
reason, this web version will be changed and should be considered the
"official" schedule; I promise not to change the schedule without
alerting you first!
(Left column dates listed are
TUESDAYS/class days, except at the very end)
Date Class topic,
readings Thesis
assignments & other assignments
|
September 8 |
Introduction to
presidential election analysis; review syllabus, thesis guidelines,
library resources Nothing to read for today Leading class today: Chris Treats: Chris |
Start to figure out your thesis
topic! Consult with Chris individually
this week or next |
|
September 15 |
Read Ferling chapters 1-8
Treats: Lynn |
Consult w/ Chris individually
by end of week Dates for students leading
class will be determined in class this week |
|
September 22 |
Read Ferling 9-end Leading:
Justin, Lynn >> class handout Treats: Kyle |
M September 21: e-mail Chris
your general topic 1 paragraph about topic due in class Peer groups
will be set up, posted by class time on Tuesday |
|
September 29 |
Read Parsons Prologue, 1-3 Leading: Joel, Micah >> class handout Treats: Jake |
F October 2: preliminary list
of sources due to Chris by 5 pm |
|
October 6 |
NO CLASS – NOBEL |
Peer groups to
meet this week |
|
October 13 |
1828: analyzing
results and long term consequences Read Parsons 4-end Leading: Kyle, Ryan >> class handout Treats: Sara |
M October 12: organization and
progress report due to Chris and peer group by noon Peer groups
meet this week to discuss progress reports |
|
October 20 |
Read Chace
Prologue, 1-8 Leading: Amber, Amy >> class handout Treats: Amber |
F October 23: annotated
bibliography due to Chris by 5 pm |
|
October 27 |
NO CLASS – FALL BREAK |
Consult with Chris this week or
next |
|
November 3 |
1912: evaluating the
outcome and consequences Read Chace
9-end Leading: Jake, Michelle >> class handout Treats: Michelle |
Consult with Chris by end of
this week F November 6: first 4-5 pages
and outline of thesis due to Chris, peer group by 5 pm |
|
November 10 |
Read Donaldson, First Modern Campaign Preface, 1-6 Leading:
Chris >>
class handout Treats: Amy |
Peer groups
meet this week to discuss first 4-5 pages & outlines |
|
November 17 |
Read Donaldson, First Modern Campaign 7-end Leading: Chris >> class handout Treats: Micah |
Keep researching and writing!! |
|
November 24 |
NO CLASS MEETING – thesis
preparation only this week |
T November 24: “first half” (12-15
pages) of thesis due to Chris before you leave for Thanksgiving break |
|
December 1 |
1964: evaluating
Johnson’s victory and Goldwater’s strategic repositioning Read Donaldson, Liberalism’s Last Hurrah, all of it Leading: Alison, Sara >> class handout Treats: Justin |
Chris to return “first half”
papers with comments by class time Take-home exam
posted on December 1 |
|
December 8 |
NO CLASS MEETING; everyone will
meet with Chris on this date, either during office hours or the usual class
time, for a progress report (likely a 10-15 minute meeting) |
T December 8: take-home exam
due by 5 pm F December 11: complete rough
draft of thesis due to Chris and peer group by 5 pm |
|
December 15 |
Treats: Chris |
Poster
due in class today |
|
Th December 17 (1st
day of final exam period) |
|
By this date: peer group
members will return thesis drafts & comments to authors, send overall
comments to Chris Chris will have all thesis
drafts ready for return by this date |
|
Monday
December 21 (last day of final exam period) |
|
TWO
copies of thesis due by 12 NOON at Chris’s office, without exception!! |
last modified 9-28-09