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Name of Institution: University of Vermont

Name of First Year Seminar: POLS 021A ~ American Political System Professor Eileen Burgin, Political Science

Abstract of the First Year Seminar:

Does the American political system work, or is it fundamentally flawed, as many citizens contend? Why do we face serious policy problems in a range of substantive areas, from domestic policy issues such as the economy and health care to foreign policy matters such as the war on terrorism? And has the national policy-making scene become too partisan, so that the three branches of the federal government cannot fulfill the roles envisioned by the framers of the Constitution? Or is the conflict simply an inherent and natural part of the system? We will explore these and other questions. By learning about the basics of the American political system (ideas on which the Republic was founded, principal institutions of national government, and participation in government and politics), students will gain the requisite knowledge to analyze the key problems facing our constitutional democracy. To engage students in the political process, this course has a service-learning component. Students will commit to partnering with a campaign of their choice and to contributing to that campaign's efforts through weekly work with the campaign. The service-learning dimension allows students to apply what they are studying to a real-world challenge and to connect with the broader community.

Link to Syllabus or PDF of Syllabus:

Contact Eileen.Burgin@uvm.edu

http://www.uvm.edu/artsandsciences/tap/?Page=seminars/pols.php