SOSC3000I: American Politics
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Introduction and Overview
David Hendry
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
hendry@[Link]
September 2, 2025
About Me
Education
Political Science and Statistics at the University of Illinois
(U.S.A.)
Current Position
Associate Professor, Division of Social Science, Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology
Research
Political behavior, political psychology, American politics
Experimental and observational methods
About You
Name
Major
Year in program
Why you are taking this course
What We Will Cover
Foundations of the American Political System
What We Will Cover
Foundations of the American Political System
The American Political Tradition
The U.S. Constitution
Federalism
What We Will Cover
Institutions
What We Will Cover
Institutions
The Congress
The Presidency
The Judiciary
The Bureaucracy
Political Parties
What We Will Cover
Political Behavior
What We Will Cover
Political Behavior
Public Opinion
Campaigns and Elections
Political Participation
Political Geography
Multiculturalism, Race, and Immigration
Structure of Class
In general:
Tuesday classes devoted to lecture
Structure of Class
In general:
Tuesday classes devoted to lecture
Thursday classes devoted to activities and discussion
Structure of Class
In general:
Tuesday classes devoted to lecture
Thursday classes devoted to activities and discussion
We will usually try to relate the lecture material to a
contemporary issue or an important historical event in
American politics
Structure of Class
In general:
Tuesday classes devoted to lecture
Thursday classes devoted to activities and discussion
We will usually try to relate the lecture material to a
contemporary issue or an important historical event in
American politics
Please follow the syllabus!
Structure of Class
In general:
Tuesday classes devoted to lecture
Thursday classes devoted to activities and discussion
We will usually try to relate the lecture material to a
contemporary issue or an important historical event in
American politics
Please follow the syllabus!
Readings are listed by date and will be posted on Canvas
It would be very helpful for both lectures and activities if
you complete the readings before class
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Exam material is not cumulative
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Exam material is not cumulative
Election Analysis Project
Election Analysis Project
Even-numbered Years are Big Election Years in American
Politics
Every even-numbered year, Americans vote for every seat
in the House of Representatives and about one-third of
seats in the Senate
Every second even-numbered year, Americans vote for
President
We refer to odd-numbered years as “o↵” years
Election Analysis Project
Even-numbered Years are Big Election Years in American
Politics
Every even-numbered year, Americans vote for every seat
in the House of Representatives and about one-third of
seats in the Senate
Every second even-numbered year, Americans vote for
President
We refer to odd-numbered years as “o↵” years
But as a large country and a federal system, there are usually
elections happening somewhere
Election Analysis Project
Even-numbered Years are Big Election Years in American
Politics
Every even-numbered year, Americans vote for every seat
in the House of Representatives and about one-third of
seats in the Senate
Every second even-numbered year, Americans vote for
President
We refer to odd-numbered years as “o↵” years
But as a large country and a federal system, there are usually
elections happening somewhere
State government elections
Election Analysis Project
Virginia State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
Virginia State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
Virginia State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
New Jersey State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
New Jersey State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
New Jersey State Government Elections
Election Analysis Project
New York City Mayoral Election
Election Analysis Project
Other Mayoral Elections
Albuquerque, New Mexico Atlanta, Georgia
Boston, Massachusetts Bu↵alo, New York
Cincinnati, Ohio Charlotte, North Carolina
Cleveland, Ohio Detroit, Michigan
Durham, North Carolina Fort Worth, Texas
Garland, Texas Greensboro, North Carolina
Hialeah, Florida Jersey City, New Jersey
Miami, Florida Minneapolis, Minnesota
New Orleans, Louisiana Oakland, California
Omaha, Nebraska Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Plano, Texas St. Louis, Missouri
St. Paul, Minnesota San Antonio, Texas
Seattle, Washington
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Exam material is not cumulative
Election Analysis Project
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Exam material is not cumulative
Election Analysis Project
In-class group presentation (15%)
Individual essay (20%)
Assessment
Exam on Foundations section (20%)
Exam on Institutions section (20%)
Exam material is not cumulative
Election Analysis Project
In-class group presentation (15%)
Individual essay (20%)
Class Participation (15%)
Attendance (10%)
For Next Time
Check out Canvas and the course syllabus
