Political Science 4324:
Political Dynamics
Instructor: Matthew Wilson
e-mail jmwilson@mail.smu.edu
phone (214) 768-4054
website http://faculty.smu.edu/jmwilson
Office: 215 Carr Collins Hall
Mon Wed 2:00-3:00 pm
or by appointment
Course Description: One of the most critical features of a democratic society is the exchange of ideas
between the governors and the governed. Communication between political elites and the mass public
is essential both for the translation of popular preferences into public policy and for the legitimacy of
government institutions. This course focuses on the three main links between citizens and legislators
that exist in the American polity: political parties, interest groups, and the mass media. All have been
characterized as “transmission belts” that connect politicians and the public, providing a dynamic
character to the American political system. They allow citizens to communicate their concerns and
preferences to political leaders, and those leaders to explain and defend their policy choices to the
public. This course will focus on how parties, interest groups, and the media fulfill their roles in linking
citizens and legislators, and how both masses and elites use these institutions to accomplish their
political objectives.
Readings: In this course, we will use three assigned books, supplemented frequently with additional
materials. The books, Hershey’s Party Politics in America (13th Edition), Berry and Wilcox’s The Interest
Group Society (5th Edition), and Iyengar and Kinder’s News That Matters, are all available at the S.M.U.
bookstore. The other materials will all be available electronically, via the instructor’s web site. They are
described fully in the course plan (below).
Timely reading is critical both for achievement as an individual student in this class, and for the
success of the course as a whole. The reading load in this course is not particularly heavy—on average,
assignments will run less than fifty pages per class session. As a result, students are strongly expected
to come to class having read the material carefully, thought about it, and prepared to discuss it in class.
Failure to do so will result in lessened comprehension of class lectures, poorer exam performance, and
a lower participation grade. Conversely, dutiful attention to the reading will greatly enhance the
intellectual experience of the course for the individual student, and enable him or her to contribute
meaningfully to the class as a whole.
Course Requirements and Grading: Grades for this course will be determined by a combination of
three factors: in-class examinations, independent essays, and class participation and preparedness.
There will be three exams during the course of the semester (including the scheduled final).
These exams will consist of both objective and brief essay items, and will cover material from both
readings and lectures. They will test both mastery of important concepts and the ability to write
analytically about the ideas discussed in class. Each will cover material from one major section of the
course. Together, these exams will comprise 45% of the total course grade.
Students will also be responsible for two independent essays during the course of the semester.
Assigned essay topics will be distributed at least two weeks prior to the due date for the papers. Essays
should be approximately five or six typed pages (1500-1800 words) in length, and will be expected to
incorporate material from the assigned readings. These papers will be graded according to the
soundness and intellectual rigor of their argument, their use of relevant class material (both from
reading and lecture), and the quality of their written expression. Together, these essays will comprise
40% of the total course grade.
Finally, class participation is a very valuable part of the learning experience in this course.
Questions are welcomed, and time will often be set aside for discussion. Students are expected to come
to class prepared to share their questions, comments, criticisms, and insights with others. This course
will be greatly enriched if people with views across the political spectrum voice their opinions on the
important and often controversial issues that we will discuss. Simply showing up for class, while
necessary for a good participation grade, is not sufficient. Additionally, to ensure that students are
completing assigned readings in a timely manner, there will be at least six unannounced reading quizzes
during the course of the semester. These should be very easy for those who have read, and very
difficult for those who have not. Together, class participation and quizzes will make up the final 15%
of the course grade.
Grades will be assigned on the following scale:
98-100
88-89
78-79
68-69
<60
A+
B+
C+
D+
F
93-97
83-87
73-77
63-67
A
B
C
D
90-92
80-82
70-72
60-62
ABCD-
Attendance: If student participation is a vital component of a successful class, regular attendance is its
obvious prerequisite. Therefore, attendance will be taken at every class meeting, and excessive absences
will result in an overall course grade penalty. Because unavoidable conflicts sometimes arise, students
will be allowed two absences without penalty, and without need to provide an excuse. After that, each
absence will result in a penalty of one point deducted from the student’s final numerical average for the
course. This penalty can be waived only under very limited circumstances, such as travel to represent
the University, serious documented illness, or a real family emergency. Exceptions to the attendance
policy must be cleared with the instructor, in advance if possible.
Office Hours: Students are encouraged to take advantage of office hours, noted on the first page of
the syllabus. They are an opportunity to discuss issues relating to the course, to go over exams or
papers, or just to chat about politics. If these hours are not convenient, appointments can be made to
meet at other times.
Honor Code: The S.M.U. Honor Code governs all student work in this course, both in class and
outside of the classroom. The Honor Pledge is as follows: “On my honor, I have neither given nor
received unauthorized aid on this work.” It should be signed on exam blue books, and included (and
signed) on the title page of essays. Honor code violations are punishable not only by a failing grade for
the course, but also by referral to the University Honor Council. Any questions about specific
applications of the Honor Code should be addressed to the instructor.
Course Plan
Section I: Political Parties
The American Two-Party System (08/26-09/09)
08/26: No assigned reading
08/28: APSA CONFERENCE—NO CLASS MEETING
09/02: MONDAY SCHEDULE—NO CLASS MEETING
09/04: Hershey, Chapter 1 (5-25)
09/09: Hershey, Chapter 2 (26-43)
Voters and Parties (09/11-09/16)
09/11: Hershey, Chapter 6 (101-116)
Campbell et al., Chapter 6 (On-line)
09/16: Hershey, Chapter 8 (137-153)
Parties and Elections (09/18-09/25)
09/18: Hershey, Chapters 9-10 (157-191)
09/23: Hershey, Chapter 11 (192-211)
09/25: Hershey, Chapter 12 (212-238)
Partisan Realignment (09/30)
09/30: Hershey, Chapter 7 (117-136)
Key Articles (On-line)
*** Exam #1 *** Thursday, October 2nd
Section II: Interest Groups
Theories and Perspectives on Interest Groups (10/07-10/23)
10/07: Madison, The Federalist 10 (On-line)
Berry and Wilcox, Chapter 1 (1-14)
10/09: Schattschneider, Chapters 2-3 (On-line)
Berry and Wilcox, Chapter 2 (15-33)
10/14: FALL BREAK—NO CLASS MEETING
10/16: Moe Article (On-line)
10/21: Salisbury Article (On-line)
10/23: RELIGION AND POLITICS CONFERENCE—NO CLASS MEETING
*** Paper #1 *** Due Tuesday, October 21st
Modes of Interest Group Influence (10/28-11/04)
10/28: Berry and Wilcox, Chapter 5 (78-99)
10/30: Berry and Wilcox, Chapter 7 (118-136)
11/04: Berry and Wilcox, Chapter 8 (137-154)
*** Exam #2 *** Thursday, November 6th
Section III: The Media
General Overview (11/11)
11/11: Jillson, Chapter 5 (On-line)
Media Influence (11/13-11/20)
11/13: Iyengar and Kinder, Chapters 1-6 (1-62)
11/18: Iyengar and Kinder, Chapters 7-11 (63-111)
11/20: Iyengar and Kinder, Chapter 12 (112-133)
How Political Leaders Use the Media (11/25-12/02)
11/25: Zaller Chapter (On-line)
11/27: THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS MEETING
12/02: O’Heffernan Chapter (On-line)
Media Bias (12/04)
12/04: Excerpts: Goldberg’s Bias and Chait’s “Victim Politics” (On-line)
*** Paper #2 *** Due Thursday, December 4th
*** Exam #3 *** Monday, December 8th (11:30 am)