POL4335: African American Politics

This course examines the historical and contemporary efforts by African Americans to gain full inclusion as citizens in the US political system. Specifically, the course explores advocacy efforts by civil rights organizations and political parties to obtain and enforce civil and political rights for blacks. An examination of these efforts begins in the Reconstruction Era and concludes with the historic election of the nation's first African American president. The course will cover topics such as the politics of the civil rights movement, black presidential bids and racialized voting in federal and state elections. Finally, the course examines how political parties and organized interests used the Voting Rights Act to increase the number of minorities in Congress. The course focuses on whether the growing number of minorities in Congress increases citizens' trust in government and their involvement in voting and participation in political organizations.

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