A comprehensive introduction to the American political system. Political foundations, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federal Constitution period; Federalist, pluralist, and Democratic foundations of the American political style, political parties, the electoral system; pressure groups and public opinion; the Congress and the legislative-representative function; the contemporary presidency and the executive branch; the Supreme Court and judicial politics. The course also examines the policymaking process generally with reference to current political and governmental issues both throughout and at the conclusion of the course. (Group I)