CRITICAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SENIOR SEMINAR

POL-344-001, FALL 2011

 

Wednesdays, 1:30 – 4:20 pm, Old Main 205

 

♦ Official 2011 book list with ISBNs – click HERE

 

♦ USEFUL COURSE MATERIALS                      PEER GROUPS FOR FALL 2011!!

 Course syllabus (pdf) – all due dates, thesis details can be found here!!

Presidential election research resource page (on GAC library web site)

Really good thesis paper, example 1 (pdf)

Really good thesis paper, example 2 (pdf)

list of thesis topics from fall 2007 and fall 2009 are part of September 7 handout (see below)

 

 

THE SCHEDULE OF REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF!!

 

If our semester schedule changes for some reason, this page 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 WEDNESDAYS/class days, except at the very end)

 

Date                             Class topic, readings                           Thesis assignments & other assignments

September 7

Introduction to presidential election analysis; review syllabus, thesis guidelines, library resources

 

Nothing to read for today

Leading class: Chris

Start to figure out your thesis topic!  Consult with Chris individually this week or next

September 14

 

 

The “basics” of presidential elections: a one-week crash course

 

Read Wayne 1, 3, 7, 9

Leading class:  Chris

Treats:  Chris

Consult w/ Chris individually by end of week

 

Dates for students leading class will be determined in class this week

 

September 21

1796/1800: Adams v. Jefferson, take one

PLUS! Library handout

Read Ferling chapters 1-8

Leading class: Chris

Treats:  Phil

M September 19: e-mail Chris your general topic by today

 

1 paragraph about topic due in class

 

Peer groups will be set up, posted by class time on Wednesday

September 28

1800: analyzing the rematch

 

Read Ferling 9-end

Leading class: Chris

Treats:  Brian, Mario

F September 30: preliminary source list due to Chris by 5 pm

October 5

NO CLASS – NOBEL

Peer groups to meet this week

October 12

1912: the main players

 

Read Chace Prologue, 1-8

Leading class: Kyle, Jacob >> class handout

Treats:  Kyle, Jacob

M October 10: organization and progress report due to Chris and peer group by noon

 

Peer groups meet this week to discuss progress reports

October 19

1912: evaluating the outcome and consequences

 

Read Chace 9-end

Leading class: Jake, Aaron >> class handout

Treats:  Aaron

F October 21: annotated bibliography due to Chris by 5 pm

October 26

1960: setting the stage

 

Read Donaldson, First Modern Campaign Preface, 1-6

Leading class: Josh, Nick >> class handout

Treats:  Jake

Consult with Chris this week or next

November 2

1960: assessing the outcome

 

Read Donaldson, First Modern Campaign 7-end

Leading class: Annie, Phil >> class handout

Treats:  Josh, Nick

Consult with Chris by end of this week

 

F November 4: first 4-5 pages and outline of thesis due to Chris, peer group by 5 pm

November 9

Modern election analysis: a second, one-week crash course

 

Read Wayne 2, 4, 5, 6

Leading class:  Chris >> class handout

Treats:  Chris

Peer groups meet this week to discuss first 4-5 pages & outlines

 

November 16

1996: setting up Dole v. Clinton

 

Read Wayne 8 AND The Election of 1996, Intro (Burnham), 1 (Mayer), 2 (Just), 3 (Keeter)

Leading class: Maryam, Alyssa >> class handout and crossword puzzle

Treats:  Maryam, Alyssa

Keep researching and writing!!

November 23

NO CLASS – Thanksgiving break

T November 22: “first half” (12-15 pages) of thesis due to Chris before you leave for Thanksgiving break

November 30

1996: how Clinton won, what it means

 

Read The Election of 1996, 4 (Corrado), 5 (Pomper), Conclusion (McWilliams)

Leading class: Mario, Brian >> class handout

Treats:  Annie

Chris to return “first half” papers with comments by class time

 

Take-home exam posted on November 30

December 7

NO CLASS MEETING; everyone will meet with Chris on this date, during the usual class time, for a progress report (likely a 10-minute meeting)

 

W December 7 >> NOW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 >> NOW MONDAY, DECEMBER 12: take-home exam due by 5 pm

 

F December 9: complete rough draft of thesis due to Chris and peer group by 5 pm

December 14

Presentations, with posters

Treats:  Chris

Poster due in class today

 

F December 16 (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 19 (next to last day of final exam period)

 

ONE paper copy of thesis due by 12 NOON at Chris’s office, without exception!!

 

E-copy (pdf preferable) of thesis also due by 12 noon

 

 

 

last modified 09-06-11