PSC 313—Elections and Voting Behavior

The existence of free and fair elections is a hallmark of a democratic society. This course focuses specifically on the American case and will explore how well American elections stack up against widely-held democratic ideals. Students will encounter evidence concerning the conduct of elections in the United States, the ?rules of the game? that govern electoral politics in this context, and the aspects of the voters themselves that threaten the prospect of democratic accountability in the U.S. The course will cover the strategic considerations that go into candidates? campaign strategies, the administration of elections, and the effects of both on individual members of the electorate. Other important topics include: partisan identification, candidate positioning, primary elections, down-ballot (e.g., not presidential) races, and voter turnout. The course will close with a discussion of the different electoral reforms that have been suggested over the years and the degree to which they might shape the electoral landscape in the U.S