Required Texts:

The primary texts for this course will be The Interest Group Society by Jeffrey M. Berry and Clyde Wilcox and Interest Group Politics by Cigler and Loomis.   The course will be organized around The Interest Group Society text and we will integrate material from Interest Group Politics as appropriate.  Additional material and readings will be supplemented to the above texts.
 

Course Format:

This course will explore the role of interest groups and interest group politics in the context of the American political system.  Special interest, or "factions" as Madison called them, have been vying for recognition and consideration in a political context virtually from the inception of our system of government.  This course will examine the constitutional basis of special interest activity and trace the historical development of special interest groups and the role they have played in our political system.  It will survey the structure, functions and techniques of special interest groups as they operate within our political system.  Finally we will be concerned with the regulation and/or control of interest groups and their activity and the role they play in a representative democracy.
 

Grading:

Grades will be determined from three essay exams given during the semester, student presentation of assigned reading material, a formal research paper, and the class presentation of the core of the research paper directed toward an interest group selected by the student and approved by the instructor. Further elaboration on the reading assignment and research paper/presentation will be provided during the first class period.
 

Special Considerations:

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations please advise the instructor of such disability at the first class attended.  If any student encounters particular difficulty with any aspect of the material being covered, he/she is encouraged to seek individual assistance from the instructor at the designated office hours listed above or by special appointment as arranged.

 Reading Assignments

Berry, The Interest Group Society

The readings from Cigler and Loomis will be integrated into the above material.  Additional material will be integrated into this general structure as necessary.