Week 1: Introduction and Problems of Collective Action

During the first week, we will discuss the syllabus and talk about what it means for political science (or any social science, for that matter) to be a science.

Wednesday, August 26

• Syllabus

• Schulman, Jonathan, and Richard Wike. 2026. “Multiple indicators show a decline in the health of America’s democracy in 2025.” Pew Research Center, April 15.

• Wondimu, Blen. 2026. “A majority of Americans say the country’s best years are behind us.” Pew Research Center, May 15.

Friday, August 28

• Logic of American Politics, Chapter 1.