GOVT 474 American Political Parties

This course is designed to provide students with an integral analysis of the significant persons, ideas, events, issues and trends in the history of American political parties and politics and demonstrate the impact of successive worldviews on American political parties. 

In this foundational course, students will be introduced to both historical and contemporary political parties in the United States; how parties have shifted over the centuries and how both voters and electees engage with parties. Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of a biblical Christian worldview when it comes to political polarization, the effects, and what can be done about it. 

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (4):

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 300-400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100 words. CLO: A, C, D 

Essay: Mass Parties and Mobilization Assignment:

The student will write a 4-5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the development of the mass party and the downfall of the Whig Party. The paper must include at least 4-5 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. CLO: A, B, C 

Essay: Candidate Centered Organizations and Parties Assignment

The student will write a 4-5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on pre and post 1960s as a key decade of change in our major party system operates. The paper must include at least 4-5 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. CLO: D 

Essay: Biblical Position Assignment

The student will write a 4-5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the polarization of the major political parties and our culture. The paper must include at least 4-5 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. CLO: B, D 

Populism Presentation Assignment:

The student will complete a presentation summarizing what they have learned about the roots of populism around the world and within the United States. To that end, the student will identify contemporary movements related to populism and analyze the United States system of government in relation to populism. The presentation must be 20-25 PowerPoint slides and include at least 5-6 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. CLO: E 

Quizzes (2):

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 48 multiple-choice and true/false as well as 2 essay questions questions, and have a 2 hour time limit.