Arts and Sciences 114 : Fall 2000
Freshman Discovery Seminar

Campaigns and Elections in Kentucky: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly


Wednesdays, 3-5:30p.m. - BDH 101
Office Hours: W 1-2:45p.m.; TR 1-2:45p.m. and by appointment

Required Readings:

1.Penny M. Miller, Kentucky Politics and Government: Do We Stand United? (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1994).

2. Packet of readings

All the reading assigned in this syllabus is required. You should read the appropriate material prior to the class for which it is assigned, and be prepared to discuss and ask questions about it.
Students should also read state and county newspapers daily to stay current with campaign developments throughout the commonwealth.

Course Description:

"Politics [is] the damnedest, in Kentucky," says the poet. Kentuckians indeed talk about campaign politics and elections incessantly, thoroughly, hotly. This seminar will examine the good, bad, and ugly presidential, gubernatorial, congressional, state legislative, and local contests in the last three decades in the commonwealth. Primaries and general elections, no matter at what level, illustrate the power of incumbency and financial resources, the importance of issues and communication skills, the coalescing of special interests, the personality of candidates, and the ability to organize factions and alliances. In addition to studying noteworthy past campaigns, there will be a special focus on the Bush/Gore race in Kentucky and some of the other exciting congressional, state legislative, and local political contests in fall 2000. Students will gain first-hand experience in following specific candidates -- attending press conferences and rallies, interviewing campaign personnel, and analyzing positive and negative TV and radio ads.

Attendance Policy:

Class attendance is strongly recommended; students are expected to attend every seminar session. Participation in the form of discussion is considered essential to the success of the seminar. Students are expected to keep pace with the reading assignments, and to be prepared to discuss these readings in class. If you must miss seminar because of illness, contact someone who has attended. Announcements pertinent to the course will frequently be made in seminar, and students will be held responsible for knowing of any assignment changes and upcoming guest speakers.


The Role of Writing:

Of all the skills and substantive information you learn in college, writing is perhaps the most important. Regardless of your career goal, you will need to know how to write well. Equally important, writing helps us learn. It focuses our thoughts and forces us to verbalize what we think we know. Thus, writing accomplishes two goals: we can learn to write better, and we can master substantive material. This course offers you numerous opportunities to work toward both goals.

Course Requirements:

To complete this course you must fulfill the following requirements: finish all readings prior to the class meeting for which they are assigned; complete the in-class exercises and short homework writing assignments; keep a group campaign scrapbook; write three 5 to 7 page research papers; give an oral presentation; and participate in class. The homework writing exercises and research papers will be due at the beginning of specific seminars or other designated times as noted in this syllabus. In addition, teams of 2 to 3 students will follow a specific candidate -- attending his/her press conferences and rallies, interviewing campaign personnel, and analyzing positive and negative TV and radio ads. Some of the required in-class written exercises will be based on each student's "poking and soaking" campaign observations.

University policy will be followed regarding all make-up papers and homework writing exercises. Make-up assignments will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances (for example, your illness accompanied by a doctor's excuse or a death in the family) and/or with my prior consent. If you do not meet these conditions, you will earn a zero for the assignment. If you do meet these conditions, you will be able to turn in a written homework exercises and/or a research paper at a different time. In written assignments, students shall not plagiarize or cheat. See Section 3.0, Part II, of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook for definitions. Students shall use non-discriminatory language for written assignments as well as classroom discussions. See the Writing Center for guidelines.

The last day to drop this course without it appearing on a student's transcript is September 20, 2000. The last day for automatic withdrawal is October 20, 2000.

The final grade will consist of three components weighted as follows:

1.There are five required homework written assignments that are due at the beginning of designated seminars. In addition, there are five required in-class written exercises. Each homework and in-class written assignment will be worth 10 points, and collectively they will account for 20% of your course grade.

2.There will be three papers on topics specified by the teacher. The papers must be properly documented, double-spaced and typewritten. The first paper, between 3 to 5 pages in length and worth15%, will be due on September 27th; the second paper, between 3 to 5 pages in length and worth 20%, will be due on October 25th; and the third paper, between 5 to 7 pages in length and worth 25%, will be due on November 20th. The three papers comprise 60% of your seminar grade.

3.There will be a group oral presentation, which is based on a team's analysis of a current campaign, on either November 8th or November 15th. Each team will also complete a campaign scrapbook which is due on November 15th. The oral report and campaign scrapbook constitute 20% of the final grade.


Required Reading Assignments

I. An Overview of Kentucky Politics and Government (August 23)

II. Historical Perspectives (August 30)
Goebel Affair and Campaigns of Chandler and Combs

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 1 "Character, Divisions, Conflicts, and Change"
Chapter 2 "The Political Development of Kentucky"
Reading packet: Klotter article; John Ed Pearce, 16-99

Required library/homework assignment #1 for August 30, 2000: Select articles from two different state/county newspapers (over the past two years) which demonstrate the role of the media in Kentucky electoral politics. Write a brief analysis of each article, noting the treatment by each journalist. Include copies of the newspaper articles.

Suggested Readings:

Michael Barone and Grant Ujifusa, "Kentucky," In The Almanac of American Politics, 1997 (Washington: National Journal, 1997).
Harry M. Caudill, Night Comes to the Cumberlands (Boston: Little, Brown, 1962).
Steven Channing, Kentucky: A Bicentennial History (New York: W.W. Norton, 1977).
Thomas D. Clark, A History of Kentucky (Lexington: The John Bradford Press, 1960).
Lowell H. Harrison, Kentucky's Road to Statehood (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992).
Robert Ireland, Little Kingdoms: The Counties of Kentucky, 1850-1891 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1977).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968).
Marion B. Lucas, From Slavery to Segregation, 1760-1891 (Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 1993).
John Ed Pearce, Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).
Peirce and Hagstrom, "Kentucky: Diverse, Genteel, and Violent," in The Book of America, pp. 384-99.
Allen J. Share, Cities in the Commonwealth: Two Centuries of Urban Life In Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1982).
William S. Ward, A Literary History of Kentucky (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1988).
George C. Wright, In Pursuit of Equality, 1890-1980 (Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 1993).

III. Political Culture, Public Opinion, and Participation (September 6)
Role of Women and Blacks in Kentucky Politics

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 4 "Political Culture and Public Opinion"
Chapter 5 "Kentucky's Constitutions and Constitution Making"
Reading packet: "The Silenced Majority: Glacial Movement of Women into
Kentucky Politics"

Required library/homework assignment #2 for September 6, 2000: Complete the identifications of current Kentucky politicians. See the list at the end of this syllabus.

Suggested Readings:

Harry M. Caudill, Night Comes to the Cumberlands (Boston: Little, Brown, 1962).
Emma Guy Cromwell, Women in Politics (Louisville: Standard Printing, 1939).
Daniel J. Elazar, American Federalism: A View from the States, 3d ed. (New York: Harper and Row, 1984).
Paul E. Fuller, Laura Clay and the Women's Rights Movement (Lexington:University Press of Kentucky, 1975).
Marion B. Lucas, From Slavery to Segregation, 1760-1891 (Frankfort:Kentucky Historical Society, 1993).
William S. Ward, A Literary History of Kentucky (Knoxville:University of Tennessee Press, 1988).
George C. Wright, Racial Violence in Kentucky, 1865-1940: Lynchings, Mob Rule, and "Legal Lynchings" (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1990).

IV. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections (September 13)

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Reading packet: Miller and Jewell, "Democratic Gubernatorial Primaries...40-124; Nominating and Electing Republicans," 245-272

Suggested Readings:

Earl Black and Merle Black, Politics and Society in the South (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, "Interest Groups in Kentucky:Adapting to the Independent Legislature," in Ronald J. Hrebrenar and Clive S. Thomas, eds., Interest Group Politics in the Southern States (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1992).
V.O. Key, Southern Politics in State and Nation (New York: Random House, 1949).
Alexander P. Lamas, The Two-Party South (New York: Oxford University Press, 1984).
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
John Ed Pearce, Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).
Larry J. Sabato, PAC Power (New York: W.W. Norton, 1985).
Larry J. Sabato ed. Campaigns and Elections (Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman/Little, Brown, 1989).
Frank J. Sorauf, Inside Campaign Finance: Myths and Realities (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992).


V. Campaign Finance (September 20)

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Reading packet: Miller and Jewell, "Democratic Gubernatorial Primaries...40-124; Nominating and Electing Republicans," 245-272

Required library/homework assignment #3 for September 20, 2000: Select articles from two different spring2000 state/county newspapers which discuss the role of money in Kentucky primary campaigns. Write a brief analysis of each article, noting the treatment by each journalist.


Suggested Readings:

Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, The Kentucky Legislature: Two Decades of Change (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1988).
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
Larry J. Sabato, PAC Power (New York: W.W. Norton, 1985).
Larry J. Sabato ed. Campaigns and Elections (Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman/Little, Brown, 1989).
Frank J. Sorauf, Inside Campaign Finance: Myths and Realities (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992).

VI. The Media Game -- Role of Television, Radio, and Newspapers (September 27)

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Reading packet: "Campaigning on Television," 71-101
Witherspoon, "Campaign Commercials and the Media Blitz" 61-74
Miller and Jewell, "Democratic Gubernatorial Primaries...40-124; Nominating and Electing Republicans," 245-272

*****First Research Paper Due on September 27, 2000*****

Suggested Readings:

Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, The Kentucky Legislature: Two Decades of Change (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1988).
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
John Ed Pearce, Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).
Larry J. Sabato, PAC Power (New York: W.W. Norton, 1985).
Larry J. Sabato ed. Campaigns and Elections (Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman/Little, Brown, 1989).
Frank J. Sorauf, Inside Campaign Finance: Myths and Realities (New Haven: Yale University

VII. Democratic and and Republican Gubernatorial and Statewide Primaries (1959-1999) (October 4)

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Reading packet: Miller and Jewell, "Democratic Gubernatorial Primaries...40-124; Nominating and Electing Republicans," 245-272

Suggested Readings:

Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
John Ed Pearce, Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).


VIII. Gubernatorial General Election Contests (1959-1999) (October 11)
The Executive Office and State Bureaucracy

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 7 "The Governor and the Executive Branch"
Miller, TEXT: Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Chapter11 "Taxing and Spending, Kentucky-Style"
Chapter 12 "Contemporary Policy Issues"
Reading packet: Miller and Jewell, "Democratic Gubernatorial Primaries...40-124; Nominating and Electing Republicans," 245-272

Required library/homework assignment #4 for October 11, 2000: Using November/December 1995 newspaper articles or other sources, provide a brief analysis (250-300 words) of how the Democrats held on to the gubernatorial office in Frankfort in November 1995. Include citations.

Suggested Readings:

Thad L. Beyle, ed. Governors and Hard Times (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1992).
Governor's Commission on Quality and Efficiency, Wake-up Call for KY
Lowell H. Harrison, ed. Kentucky Governors: 1791-1985 (Lexington:University Press of Kentucky, 1985).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, The Kentucky Legislature: Two Decades of Change (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1988).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
John Ed Pearce, Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).
Alan Rosenthal, Governors and Legislatures: Contending Powers (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1990).


IX. U.S. Senate and House Campaigns, 1960-1998 (October 18)

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 3 "Kentucky in the Federal System: Dependence and Resistance"
Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"

Suggested Readings:

Richard Fenno, Home Style: House Members in Their Districts (Boston: Little, Brown, 1978).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, The Kentucky Legislature: Two Decades of Change (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1988).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Samuel C. Patterson, The Legislative Process in the United States, 4th ed. (New York: Random House, 1986).
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
Alan Rosenthal, Governors and Legislatures: Contending Powers (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1990).
Alan Rosenthal, Legislative Life (New York: Harper and Row, 1981).

X. State Legislative Campaigns, 1960-1998 (October 25)
The Changing Kentucky Legislature

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 6: "Resurgence of the Kentucky Legislature"
Chapter 9 "Political Parties and Interest Groups"
Chapter 10 "Electoral Politics"
Chapter11 "Taxing and Spending, Kentucky-Style"
Chapter 12 "Contemporary Policy Issues"

*****Second Research Paper Due on October 25, 2000*****

Suggested Readings:

Richard Fenno, Home Style: House Members in Their Districts (Boston: Little, Brown, 1978).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Samuel C. Patterson, The Legislative Process in the United States, 4th ed. (New York: Random House, 1986).
Malcolm E. Jewell and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1968)
Malcolm E. Jewell and Penny M. Miller, The Kentucky Legislature: Two Decades of Change (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1988).
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
Alan Rosenthal, Governors and Legislatures: Contending Powers (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1990).
Alan Rosenthal, Legislative Life (New York: Harper and Row, 1981).


Past Local Mayoral, County Judge-Executive, and Council/Commission Races, 1960-1998 (November 1)
The Progressive Judicial System

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 8 "The Progressive Judicial System"
Chapter 13 "Local Government: the Centrifugal Forces"
Chapter 14 "Local Government: the Centripetal Forces"
Past Election Analyses of Lexington Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal

Required library/homework assignment #5 for November 1, 2000: Consider yourself an election expert for KET; then provide a brief prediction of the outcomes of the Sixth District, Third District, and Fourth District Congressional races.

Suggested Readings:

Donald F. Harker and Elizabeth Ungar Natter, Beyond Voting: A Citizen's Guide to Participating in Local Government (Berea:MACED, 1991).
Robert Ireland, Little Kingdoms: The Counties of Kentucky, 1850-1891.
KY League of Cities, State of the Cities 1993, 1993.
Penny M. Miller and Malcolm E. Jewell, Political Parties and Primaries in Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1990).
Allen J. Share, Cities in the Commonwealth: Two Centuries of Urban Life In Kentucky (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1982).


XII. Analysis of Current U.S. House Races (November 8)
Oral Reports on 2000 Campaigns


Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 15 "Continuing Traditions and Fundamental Challenges"
Election Analyses of Lexington Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal, 11/7/00


XIII. Analysis of Current State Legislative and Local Races (November 15)
Oral Reports on 2000 Campaigns

Required Readings:

Miller, TEXT: Chapter 15 "Continuing Traditions and Fundamental Challenges"
Election Analyses of Lexington Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal, 11/7/00

*****Group campaign scrapbooks are due on November 15th at the beginning of class.

*****Third Research Paper Due November 20, 2000 by 3p.m. in POT 1615

***************************************************************************

Homework written exercise -- due Wednesday, September 6, 2000
Name _____________________________________________________
SS# _____________________________________________________
Provide the current or recent national, state, or local governmental position and/or candidacy held by the following Kentuckians:

1. Paul Patton
2. Pam Miller
3. Eleanor Jordan
4. Marshall Long
5. Steve Henry
6. Crit Luallen
7. Kathy Stein
8. Mary Lou Marzian
9. Brereton Jones
10. David Karem
11. Scotty Baesler
12. Ernesto Scorsone
13. Anne Northup
14. Janet Stumbo
15. Greg Stumbo
16. Susan Westrom
17. Julie Rose
18. Rebecca Jackson
19. Joseph Lambert
20. Tom Buford
21. Steve Nunn
22. Sara Combs
23. Dan Kelly
24. David Williams
25. Mitch McConnell
26. Ben Chandler
27. John Y. Brown III
28. Jonathan Miller
29. Jim Bunning
30. Ernie Fletcher
31. Ron Lewis
32. Ken Lucas
33. Wendell Ford
34. Jody Richards
35. Hal Rogers
36. Ed Whitfield
37. Larry Forgy
38. David Armstrong

 

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