UVA. PLAP 101: Intro. to American Politics (SABATO)-News & Politics

Updated 4/11/ 2005

Watch this page in the coming semester for information and news relevant to the class. Also look at the links below for current political news:

George Lynch took some photographs at the recent Tour of Pavilion IV Prof. Sabato recently gave. I added one to the website; if you'd like to take a look, check it out here.

Matt Smyth from the Center for Politics wanted me to pass on the following information about Internships at the CFP:

For those of you who might be interested in opportunities at Mr. Sabato’s Center for Politics during the fall semester, internships will be organized under the PLAP 424 "Independent Study" course. The course combines the elements of an internship at the UVA Center for Politics with an academic component that adds to the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the American political process. My name is Matt Smyth and I am Mr. Sabato's Communications Director at the Center for Politics. I will be assisting Mr. Sabato in organizing the Independent Study/Internship course in the fall.

This Independent Study/Internship will provide the student with direct hands-on exposure to the workings of the political process through the Center for Politics’ various programs and initiatives. By working with Center staff members on focused projects over the course of the semester, participants will gain an understanding of politics that is unavailable in a traditional classroom setting. In addition, topical reading and writing requirements spread over the course of the semester will augment each student’s experience. For more information about the Center’s ongoing projects, visit www.centerforpolitics.org

At this point, the number of students expressing an interest in the fall class already exceeds the number of spots that we will have available. Students interested in taking the class should complete the application available on the Center’s website at www.centerforpolitics.org/about/employment.htm . Applications are due on Monday, April 25 at 5pm, although they may be submitted earlier. All applicants will be informed of their status in the class no later than 5pm on Friday, May 6. Because of the limited number of spaces, preference will be given first to 4th year politics majors, followed by 3rd year politics majors.

Each student will be assigned to work with a specific staff member at the Center for Politics. They average weekly commitment of 8-10 hours at the Center will be established between the student and their staff contact. The syllabus for the course will be distributed to accepted students when notifications are distributed on May 6. A wait list may be created for the course, should spots open up over the summer.

It’s also important to note that students may not participate in both PLAP 424 Independent Study and PLAP 436 Campaigns and Elections during the same semester. Best of luck as you finish the spring semester.

New Readings Schedule has been posted to account for upcoming speakers and several assignment changes. Also note the correction of an error on Important Dates and Times. The final is on FRIDAY, May 13.

The Women's Center is holding a lecture called "A Future Milestone: A Woman President" by Laura Liswood. It will be on Friday, April 1, at 2 PM in 107 Clark Hall with a free reception to follow. Liswood is co-founder of Council of World Women Leaders and a Goldman Sach Senior Advisor. She will discuss women's global leadership, challenges faced by traditionally disadvantaged groups, and the politics of eleting a female presdient in the US.

The reading assignment for this week has changed. We will be reading the sections in Chapter 13 concerning Congressional Elections, starting on page 510 of American Goverment: Continuity and Change. We will discuss the Judiciary next week, days 3/28 and 3/30.

Prof. Sabato has passed on an announcement reminding students that on Tuesday, March 22, at 4:30 P.M., Americans for Informed Democracy will hold an event called "U.S. Security and Global Environment." Speakers include former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations William Mansfield and Jacob Scherr, the director of International Programs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The event is free, open to all, and will serve food afterwards.

Prof. Sabato wanted to pass on a message from Erin Levin that the Dance Marathon is this Friday (Feb. 25) beginning at 7:00 PM at Memorial Gymnasium.

Please note that the reading schedule has changed for the next few weeks. We will be covering Congress (for the second half of February 28th and all of March 2nd) before the March 16th Midterm, but we will not cover the Judiciary until after the midterm. Also, we will be holding a review session on Monday, March 14th. See here.

Please read Chapters 13 and 14 in preparation for the lectures covering the Presidential Nominating Process. Prof. Sabato will present a PowerPoint lecture, and, to celebrate President's Day, there will be a "sweet treat" following class.

Help investigate the effects of political divides and partisanship! Students from all backgrounds are invited to participate in a political psychology study titled "Interpersonal Communication and Political Viewpoints". The study consists of a 15 minute on-line survey and a 60 minute problem-solving task: you can fill out the survey whenever you wish, and meeting times are very flexible if you are asked to come to the lab for the problem-solving task. Participants receive $5 for completing the survey and $10 for coming to the lab. All opinions are welcome. For more information or to sign up, e-mail partyanimal@virginia.edu.

The Center for Politics is currently taking internship applications. You can find them online here. Contact Matt Smyth for more information.

Prof. Sabato, always trying to lighten the mood, wanted to pass this online comic onto all of you. Speaking of comics, the Center for Politics is putting on a program:

Win, Lose or Draw: 2004 Through the Eyes of Political Cartoonists

Want to know how political cartoons are made? Interested in seeing the ups and downs of the presidential election through the eyes of some of the nation's top political cartoonists? Join the University of Virginia Center for Politics on Tuesday, January 25, 2005 in the new Special Collections Library at 7:00 PM. Panelists will not only show their past work, but actually draw cartoons as the audience watches!

Panelists Include:

Bob Gorrell: syndicated cartoonist for AOL
Clay Jones: Fredericksburg Freelance-Star
Kevin Kallaugher (KAL): The Baltimore-Sun
Ann Telnaes: Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist

Win, Lose or Draw: 2004 Through the Eyes of Political Cartoonists Special Collections Library, Auditorium Tuesday, January 25 7:00 PM.

The event is free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Molly Clancy (mclancy@virginia.edu, 434-243-8472).

For those of you who missed the Bush's second Inauguration address, here is a link to it. Read to be prepared for discussion! Remember, we are discussing two questions: what does the Inauguration address tell us about this President? What does the Inauguration tell us about the presidency as an institution?