POLI 1061 Introduction to American Politics
For majors and non-majors. An overview of contemporary American government and politics focusing on how the institutions envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution (Congress, the judiciary, the executive) function today. Particular emphasis will be placed on how developments since the 1960s have affected the interaction of national, state, and local governmental actors, political participation, the articulation of interests, and policy formulation and implementation. Topics covered will include the media, public interest and advocacy organizations, campaign technologies and consultants, and public policy research institutes (think tanks). Whenever possible, comparisons between the U.S. and other advanced industrial democracies will be explored.
Course overview
- Department
- Political Science
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Social Science
Requirements fulfilled
- Political Science: Introductory Sequence — Second Introductory Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Social Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.69 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.81 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 8
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Marc Landy | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 19 of 31 |
| Fall 2024 | Michael Hartney | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 24 of 34 |
| Summer 2024 | Casey Puerzer | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 9 of 11 |
| Spring 2024 | Marc Landy | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 7–9 hrs/week | 24 of 32 |
| Spring 2023 | Peter Skerry | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 25 of 32 |
| Summer 2022 | Michael Skeen | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 10+ hrs/week | 3 of 16 |
| Spring 2022 | Peter Skerry | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4–6 hrs/week | 15 of 34 |
| Fall 2021 | Michael Hartney | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 17 of 36 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 01
- Section 01