| POLS 101: Intro to American Government and Politics, Fall 2008 |
 |
| Professoror: Randall D. Smith Offfice: 1122-B BSB E-Mail: rsmith14@uic.edu Office Phone: (312) 996-5156 Website: oocities.com/randall_d_smith/ Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 TR, or by appt. TAs: Magdalyn Guzzo and Jason Stodolka |
| Description:
POLS 101 provides an introduction to American politics and government at the national level. This course introduces students to the institutions of American political life. This introduction places emphasis on political culture, public opinion, institutions, decision-making and outcomes. Democracy and democratic government provide the major theme of this course. We will consider core questions about the US government, such as: How democratic is America? After examining some of the alternative ways of thinking about American politics, this course analyzes public opinion, elections, political participation, interest groups, and political parties. These processes link government to the people. Then, this introduction investigates the major decision-making institutions of the national government; the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court, with the goal of appraising their responsiveness to those governed. Finally, a better understanding of each of these institutions emerges through analyzing the decision-making processes within each institution, its policy outcomes, and the impact of those outcomes on the American people. Texts: Greenberg, Edward S., and Benjamin I. Page. 2007. The Struggle for Democracy, 8/E. New York. Longman. ISBN: 978-0321420831. O’Connor, Karen. 2000. Ten Things Every American Government Student Should Read, 2/E. Boston. Allyn & Bacon / Longman. ISBN: 978-0205289691. Various items placed on reserve in the Daley (Main) Library and/or available via the web at JSTOR (available free through the Library). Objectives and Outcomes: 1. To acquaint students with an historical background of American political institutions. 2. To increase understanding of how our government differs from that of other nations. 3. To offer students the background to make informed judgments about current political controversies. 4. To increase student awareness of the contributions of women and minorities in American politics. 5. To assist in student realization of the impact of public policy on their lives. 6. To encourage critical thinking about politics, especially in light of mass media. 7. To introduce students to classic and contemporary research in the field. 8. To encourage students to participate actively as global citizens and researchers. Course Methodology: This course utilizes several different teaching techniques to explain the substantive material: 1. Lecture Section – The professor shares his knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with you on the various topics, books, and articles. He welcomes your input on this material. 2. Discussion Section – This portion of the course will be outlined in supplementary syllabi distributed by your assigned Teaching Assistant. Students’ work in this portion of the course will comprise the Discussion Section portion of the grade. 3. Audio-Visual Aids – The instructor utilizes items such as power point, the overhead projector, maps, films, videotapes, computers, musical recordings and other items where appropriate. Examinations and Grading: Your performance determines your course grade in the following manner: 100 points possible = 2 Papers (50 pts. each) 100 points possible = Test I 100 points possible = Test II 200 points possible = Test III 100 points possible = Discussion Section 600 points possible = Total Test Grades: This course involves a total of three (3) non-cumulative examinations. Each exam consists of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Each exam covers the textbook readings, the classroom lectures, class discussions, and current events. These exams are closed book, closed note. Papers: This class also requires students to write two persuasive essays. These papers are to be written in the standard 5 paragraph argumentative essay format. The topic of the first paper is generally the role of money in elections. The second paper will be unique to your Discussion Section. More information regarding the essay format and topics will be disseminated at a later date. Discussion Section: The determination of the Discussion Section portion of your grade will be detailed by your TA through their supplementary syllabus, which will be handed out at the first Discussion Section meeting. This portion of the grade provides the opportunity of receiving an “A” in this course. Technology: All personal communications devices (i.e. cell phones, Blackberries, etc.) are to be turned off prior to entering the classroom. Utilizing these devices during regular class time will result in a reduction on your final course grade, and during test periods will be treated as cheating. I do not mind use of laptops for note-taking or in conjunction with internet resources I may discuss in class. However, abuse of this policy (i.e. checking E-mail, IM-ing, etc.) will necessitate revision of this policy (which may include banning laptops all together). Technology should aid in our academic endeavor, not hinder it. |
| All work requires standard grammatical English and prompt attention to due dates. We cannot grade what we cannot read. If we cannot read an assignment we will ask you once to rewrite it, and after that first warning you either receive a reduced grade or no credit. Cheating and plagiarism also encounter strict prohibition and require that I deal with them according to UIC policy and procedure. |
| Course and Topic Outline:
Tuesday, 8/26/08 Introduction Thursday, 8/28/08 Democracy and American Politics Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 1. Friday, 8/29/08 Discussion on Theorizing the Political Society Read: O’Connor, Chapter 1. Tuesday, 9/2/08 Foundations for A Republic Read: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and Federalist #10 (Greenberg & Page Appendices). Thursday, 9/4/08 The Constitution Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 2. Friday, 9/5/08 Discussion of McCulloch v. Maryland and Review Read: O’Connor, Chapter 2; Read Also: Urban Institute. 2005. Section 2: Health Coverage in a Changed Landscape. in Assessing the New Federalism: Eight Years Later. Washington, DC. Urban Institute. available at: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/311198_ANF_EightYearsLater.pdf. (Acquaint yourself with the entire document, but thoroughly read cited section) Tuesday, 9/9/08 Federalism Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 3. Thursday, 9/11/08 Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 4. Friday, 9/12/08 TEST I – In Discussion Section Tuesday, 9/16/08 Public Opinion and Political Socialization Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 5. Thursday, 9/18/08 The Media as Kingmaker Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 6. Friday, 9/19/08 Discussion of The Media Read: O’Connor, Chapter 7; Read Also: Williams, Granville. 2001. Bestriding the World. New York. MediaChannel. available at http://www.mediachannel.org/ownership/granville.shtml. (Be sure and look at the “Media Ownership Chart”) Tuesday, 9/23/08 Interest Groups and Corporations (Big $) Read: Greenberg and Page, Chapter 7. Thursday, 9/25/08 It’s My (Political) Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 9. Friday, 9/26/08 Discuss Parties and Interest Groups (End of Liberalism?) Read: O’Connor, Chapter 8. Tuesday, 9/30/08 Votin’ ‘n Other Forms ‘O Participatin’ Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 10. Thursday, 10/2/08 A Responsible Electorate? Read: O’Connor, Chapter 6. Friday, 10/3/08 Discuss Current Events and Review Tuesday, 10/7/08 Social Movements Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 8; Thursday, 10/9/08 Congress Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 11. Friday, 10/10/08 TEST II – In Discussion Section Tuesday, 10/14/08 Congress and the Washington Establishment Money in Elections Paper Due Thursday, 10/16/08 APLS Simulation Read: Simulation Handout Friday, 10/17/08 Discuss APLS Simulation and the Washington Establishment Read: O’Connor, Chapter 4. Tuesday, 10/21/08 The President Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 12. Thursday, 10/23/08 Bureaucracy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 13. Friday, 10/24/08 Discussion of, what else, upcoming election? Tuesday, 10/28/08 The Power to Persuade Read: O’Connor, Chapter 3. Thursday, 10/30/08 Bureaucracy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 13. Friday, 10/31/08 Discussion of Current Events and Executive Branch Tuesday, 11/4/08 The Courts Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 14. Thursday, 11/6/08 Constitutional Flexibility Friday, 11/7/08 Discussion of the Courts in the 21st Century Read: O’Connor, Chapter 5. Tuesday, 11/11/08 Civil Liberties Historically Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 15. Thursday, 11/13/08 Civil Liberties Today Friday, 11/14/08 Discussion of Civil Liberties Read: O’Connor, Chapter 10. Tuesday, 11/18/08 Civil Rights Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 16. Thursday, 11/20/08 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Read: O’Connor, Chapter 9. Review: APLS Simulation Links Friday, 11/21/08 Discussion of Civil Rights in America ** Tuesday, 11/25/08 Domestic Policy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 17. Thursday, 11/27/08 Thanksgiving Break – No Classes Friday, 11/28/08 Thanksgiving Break – No Classes Tuesday, 12/2/08 Foreign Policy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 18. Thursday, 12/4/08 An Invitation to Struggle? Read: Crabb Cecil V. and Pat M. Holt. 1980. Preface and Chapter 1: The Executive Branch and Foreign Affairs; Locus of Decisionmaking (in) Invitation to Struggle: Congress, the President and Foreign Policy. Washington DC. CQ Press. (E-Reserve). Friday, 12/5/08 Discussion of Current Events and Review Friday, 12/12/08 Final Examination Period, (8:00-10:00) TEST III |
| This syllabus remains subject to change at the instructor’s discretion, without prior notice.
To obtain academic accommodations for this course, students with disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services and the professor as soon as possible. The Office of Disability Services can be reached at 1-312-413-2183 (voice) or 1-312-413-0123 (TYY). |
 |
 |
|