click here for the lobby web site we'll use a lot in class
We discussed Schattschneider's idea that the size of the electorate is a result of the conflict among the political parties, and there are some actors who may not want to mobilize the entire population. Below are two links - one showing the turnout for all Presidential and congressional elections over time, and the other showing results for our local county. Check out the number of votes for Mayor of State College. Why do they have these elections in off-odd years? That is, the election is in 2005, not at the same time as the Presidential election, and not even at the same time as the off-year congressional elections... If you were a local elected official, would you want all these "uninformed" voters voting on local matters? Maybe that would depend on whom you were trying to mobilize or reach out to.
Click here to review the slide show that I gave in class on Nov 12 giving an overview of the findings we have about the surprisingly modest connection between money and outcomes.
Homework assignment due on October 20, focusing on looking things up in the library and understanding the Library of Congress call number system.
Here's a link to the full classification system:
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco. You don't need to memorize this, but then again it's not a bad idea so you can find books on whatever topic.
I can guarantee every professor in the social sciences or humanities is going to prefer that you cite an actual book out of the library than a web site in any paper you ever hand in. Recent books, or highly cited ones, published by university presses are particularly gold-star material.
Homework assignment due on Nov 5, focusing on using JSTOR
Homework assignment due on Nov 10, focusing on the historical New York Times historical archive
Need help on your writing? Think Baumgartner is a grammar ogre? Go here for information about the Penn State Undergraduate Writing Center, where you can make an appointment to get help in writing papers.
Note: You don't need to do it, you can also see me in office hours or after class. But this is a resource available to everyone on campus; tell your friends as well.