Senior Colloquium in American Government

University of Calgary  POLI 577 University of Florida   POS 4936 This page is under construction. [Calendar] [Readings] [Requirements and Texts] [Participants] [Home] 
 
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Purpose of the Course

This course will be an examination of the causes and consequences of divided government in the United States. We will explore the electoral and institutional origins of divided government, as well as its effects on budgetary and welfare policy. We will also examine some ideas for participation reform in the United States. This course is intended to provide students interested in U.S. politics an opportunity to explore some topics of current interest. 

Each part of the course will involve discussion of common readings as well as student presentations. 

Specific topics that we expect to cover include 

  • Divided Government
  • Budget
  • Welfare
  • Participation Reform

    • This course is supported by a grant from the Distance Learning Fund of the United States Information Agency. Students registered in their respective courses will take this course jointly, under the direction of Professor Gretchen MacMillan of the University of Calgary and Professor Michael D. Martinez of the University of Florida.

    Format of the Course

    This course will be offered jointly at the University of Calgary and the University of Florida during January through May 1998.  It provides a unique opportunity for senior students to work together on projects involving the politics and government of the United States. Canadian students will have the opportunity to learn about the U.S. government through interaction and discussions with a U.S. class. American students will gain perspective on their own government, as well as insights on how some students in Western Canada perceive the United States. Students from both campuses will gain experience in working long-distance with others using the internet and videoconferencing. 

    Student participation will be vital to the success of this course. Students will be expected to participate in class discussion, including local, videoconference, and electronic mail discussions.  In order to facilitate videoconference interactions between the two classes, the course will meet Mondays 
     

    • 6:15 - 9:10 p.m. Eastern time (periods 11-E2)
    • 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Mountain time
    Office Hours: 
    Professor MacMillan, 
    Room 728 SSB, 
    phone (403) 220-6276. 
    email macmilla@acs.ucalgary.ca 
    1 - 2 pm (Mountain), 3 - 4 pm (Eastern) MWF 

    Professor Martinez, 
    3330 Turlington, phone 
    (352) 392-0262 ext 282, 
    email martinez@polisci.ufl.edu 
    2 - 4 p.m. (Eastern), 12 - 2 p.m. (Mountain) Thursday