| POLS 110 - A &B: American National Government, Spring 2008 |
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| Instructor: Randall D. Smith Offfice: 108-B Asbury E-Mail: randallsmith@depauw.edu Office Phone: (765) 658-4714 Website: oocities.com/randall_d_smith/ Office Hours: 9-10 MWF & 1-2 TR, or by appt. |
| Description:
POLS 110 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. Finally, 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. A better understanding of each of these institutions emerges through emphasizing 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 Roy O. West (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 Session – The instructor shares his knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with you on the various topics, books, and articles. He welcomes your input on this material. 2. Discussion Session – This portion of the course provides students a chance to voice their opinion about the American government and politics in a free and open manner, which comprises the participation portion of the students’ grades. 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 = Participation 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 topics for these papers are generally: (1) important documents to understanding the US government/society, and (2) the role of money in elections. More information regarding the essay format and topics will be disseminated at a later date. Participation Grade: The determination of the participation portion of your grade first involves attendance. The necessity of attending every class session thus reflects in this portion of your grade. This participation portion also involves your active contribution to class discussions. Class participation provides the opportunity of receiving an “A” in this course. Therefore, I establish some guidelines for discussion. Concern your comments with the topics concerning the American government and politics. Feel free to disagree with me, the readings, the institutions, and with your classmates. However, this discussion reflects the collegiate atmosphere in that it unfolds in an intelligent manner and you must support your opinion with facts (that may mean research). Interruption, use of slurs and making fun of other students encounters strict prohibition. Participation also requires students to keep informed of current events. Students are required to read the New York Times (also reading the Christian Science Monitor is highly recommended). This information will assist in our day-to-day discussion of the various topics covered in POLS 110. Current events will gain even greater scrutiny on dates noted as “Debate/Quiz” (DQ) in the course and topic outline. On DQ days I will have formulated several quiz questions regarding events reported in the NYT since the previous debate/quiz day that relate to American government and politics (both domestic and foreign). And on DQ days, either this quiz will be administered, or I will choose from among the story topics particularly relevant items for debate. This debate period offers students the opportunity to increase their participation grade. In the event that debate indicates lackluster attention to reading the NYT, I will simply administer the prepared quiz. The final aspect of the participation portion of your grade involves the Moodle presence for this course. Students will be expected to interact with the course’s Moodle presence on a regular basis. Moodle will serve as: the course’s web presence, a blog and discussion forum, as well as access to E-reserves and other pertinent course information. 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 that day’s attendance score, and during test periods will be treated as cheating. In general, the use of laptops during class-time is prohibited. However, I may request that laptops be brought to class on occasion. |
| All work requires standard grammatical English and prompt attention to due dates. I cannot grade what I cannot read. If I cannot read an assignment I 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 DePauw University policy and procedure. |
| Course and Topic Outline:
Monday, 1/28/08 Introduction Wednesday, 1/30/08 Democracy and American Politics Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 1. Friday, 2/1/08 Theorizing the Political Society Read: O’Connor, Chapter 1; Read Also: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and Federalist #10 (Greenberg & Page Appendices). Monday, 2/4/08 The Constitution Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 2. Wednesday, 2/6/08 Federalism Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 3. Friday, 2/8/08 MucCulloch v. Maryland 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) Monday, 2/11/08 Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 4. Wednesday, 2/13/08 No Class – Instructor is attending MMUN Conference Friday, 2/15/08 No Class – Instructor is attending MMUN Conference Monday, 2/18/08 Debate/Quiz Wednesday, 2/20/08 TEST I Friday, 2/22/08 Public Opinion and Political Socialization Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 5. Monday, 2/25/08 The Media as Kingmaker Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 6. Wednesday, 2/27/08 Jaws, a.k.a. 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”) Document/Transcript Paper Due Friday, 2/29/08 Interest Groups and Corporations (Big $) Read: Greenberg and Page, Chapter 7. Monday, 3/3/08 It’s My (Political) Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To; Parties / Interest Groups (End of Liberalism?) Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 9; Read Also: O’Connor, Chapter 8. Wednesday, 3/5/08 Votin’ ‘n Other Forms O’Participatin’ Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 10. Friday, 3/7/08 A Responsible Electorate? Read: O’Connor, Chapter 6. Monday, 3/10/08 Social Movements Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 8; Wednesday, 3/12/08 TEST II Friday, 3/14/08 Congress Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 11. Monday, 3/17/08 Congress and the Washington Establishment Read: O’Connor, Chapter 4. Wednesday, 3/19/08 APLS Simulation Read: Simulation Handout. Money in Elections Paper Due Friday, 3/21/08 APLS Simulation Conference Committee Reconciliation Debate/Quiz Monday, 3/24/08 Spring Break – No Classes Wednesday, 3/26/08 Spring Break – No Classes Friday, 3/28/08 Spring Break – No Classes Monday, 3/31/08 The President Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 12. Wednesday, 4/2/08 Presidency Continued Friday, 4/4/08 No Class – Instructor attending MPSA Annual Meeting Monday, 4/7/08 The Power to Persuade Read: O’Connor, Chapter 3. Wednesday, 4/9/08 Debate/Quiz Friday, 4/11/08 Bureaucracy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 13. Monday, 4/14/08 Reflections of a Former Bureaucrat Wednesday, 4/16/08 Constitutional Flexibility Read: O’Connor, Chapter 5. Friday, 4/18/08 The Courts Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 14. Monday, 4/21/08 Civil Liberties Historically Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 15. Wednesday, 4/23/08 Civil Liberties Today Read: O’Connor, Chapter 10. Friday, 4/25/08 Civil Rights Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 16. Monday, 4/28/08 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Read: O’Connor, Chapter 9; Review: APLS Simulation Links. Wednesday, 4/30/08 Domestic Policy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 17. Friday, 5/2/08 Debate/Quiz Monday, 5/5/08 Foreign Policy Read: Greenberg & Page, Chapter 18. Wednesday, 5/7/08 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). Saturday – Friday, 5/10-15/08 Final Examination Period, TEST III |
| This syllabus remains subject to change at the instructor’s discretion, without prior notice.
Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. Please contact the ADA Coordinator at (765) 658-6267, and let me know so that appropriate accommodations may be made. |