Time Schedule:
David Pettinicchio
SOC 356
Seattle Campus
Causes of political change in democratic countries, including public opinion, social movements, interest group activity, and party organization. Offered: jointly with POL S 356.
Class description
This course examines the relationship between social membership and political participation. This means looking at the nature of political power and how it affects the public. It means understanding the concept of “democracy” both in theory and practice, and more specifically, how nations “democratize”. Finally, it means understanding the ways in which citizens are (or are not) included in the political process (i.e., have a say in the enactment of policies that affect them).
Student learning goals
Familiarize the student with major classical and contemporary work on political and social processes
Understand the link between citizen and soci-political structures
Learn about how individuals become politically active in order to change policies that affect their everyday lives
Apply theories to contemporary cases.
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
