Selected Topics in American Government:

The purpose of this course is to carefully consider some fundamental issues
regarding race/ethnicity in American politics, including its roots or
‘causes’ and its ‘consequences’ or impacts, through a broad examination of
the political science research which addresses a range of dimensions
relevant to the topic. We aim to understand and critically assess the
sources, nature and extent of impact of race/ethnicity in American politics
as revealed in systematic studies of these phenomena, demonstrated in the
body of research An underlying assumption of the course is that
race/ethnicity has been and continues to be an important feature of American
politics, albeit in changing ways and to varying degrees. Beyond being a
substantial social factor or force in itself, understanding race/ethnicity
helps illuminate (and is illuminated by) core ideas and institutions of the
political system.