| Political Science 105-03 & 05 | Spring Semester 2008 |
| Introduction to American Government | Charles Dannehl |
| Section 03: TTh 9:00-10:15 AM | Office: 426F Bradley Hall |
| Section 05: TTh 12:00-1:15 PM | Office Phone: 677-2478 |
| Both sections meet in 222 Bradley Hall | |
| Office Hours: TTh 10:30-11:30 AM; | |
| W 9:00-11:00 AM; and by appointment |
SYLLABUS
"Fool me once . . . shame on . . . shame on you. Fool me . . . you can't get fooled again."--George W. Bush
This course introduces students to the American political system--the institutions and processes of national government as well as the role of citizens in influencing the decisions reached by government policy makers. Special emphasis will be placed on assessing whether contemporary American government and politics remain true to the principles and designs of the Founders, and the relationship between capitalism and democracy in American political affairs. The course is divided into four parts. We begin with overviews of the philosophical and constitutional principles that undergird our system of government and of contemporary American political economy. The second part of the course focuses on the linkages between the people and their government, e.g., the media, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, and elections. The third part of the course involves an examination of the institutions of American government such as Congress, the presidency, and the judiciary. Finally, near the end of the course, we will explore selected issues of public policy. Ultimately, the goal of the course is to encourage students to become more informed and active participants in the American political system.
Required Text:
Edward S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page. The Struggle for Democracy, 8th edition, (ISBN: 0-321-42083-7).
Students should note that there is proportionately more reading for some topics than for others, especially during the first part of the course. It is critical that students stay current with the reading as class discussion will be based upon it and course lectures are designed to supplement and elaborate on the reading. Examinations will cover both lectures and reading, so students must utilize both sources to earn a satisfactory grade in the course.
Requirements: Your course grade will be determined by your performance on four examinations. Each exam will be worth 25 percent of your course grade. You must take all four exams in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
Grading: Each course assignment will be graded on a 100 point scale. The standard grading scale will be:
100-90 A 69-60 D
89-80 B 59 or less F
79-70 C
The course will not be graded on a curve. Students should not feel compelled to compete against one another, and there is no reason to condemn a fixed percentage of students to a failing grade regardless of their course performance. However, if the distribution of course grades is low, downward adjustment of the cut-off points may be made.
Academic Integrity: Students in this course are required to uphold the strictest standards of academic integrity. The University’s policy on breaches of academic integrity is discussed in the Student Handbook and Undergraduate Catalog. The instructor will follow the University policy to the letter. Any occurrence of cheating will result in a grade of zero (0) for that assignment and be reported to the Director of Residential Life and Student Judicial System. The instructor also will pursue charges against the student(s) involved in accordance with University procedures.
Simply put, the instructor has a zero tolerance policy regarding breaches of academic integrity and will seek the maximum possible punishment for any violator.
Attendance: Attendance will not be taken on the assumption that since you are responsible university students, you consider your academic career to be a full-time job, and therefore will attend class. Significant departures from this commitment will be viewed by the instructor with utmost disfavor. Class participation may be considered in the case of borderline grades at the end of the semester.
Makeup Exam Policy: Permission to make up an exam will be granted only under very specific or dire circumstances.
Any student who will miss an exam due to required participation in a University-sanctioned activity, e.g., membership on a University athletic team in scheduled competition, must notify the instructor in advance of the absence and provide documentation of the absence at that time. The date and time of the makeup exam will be determined at the time that the student informs the instructor of the impending absence.
If a student is unable to take an exam due to an emergency, the student or their responsible designee must notify the instructor in person or by telephone within 24 hours of the exam or paper submission deadline. E-mail notification is unacceptable.
The makeup exam must be taken prior to the graded original exam being returned to students in the class. In extreme circumstances, e.g., a student's prolonged absence due to hospitalization, the instructor may administer a makeup exam after the original exam has been returned. This decision is at the sole discretion of the instructor and his decision shall be final.
Proper documentation of the circumstances surrounding the student's absence from the original exam must be provided prior to the makeup exam being administered. Failure to provide proper documentation shall be construed as the student's failure to take the relevant examination and in accordance with the policy stated on the course syllabus shall result in the student receiving a failing grade for the entire course. Examples of proper documentation include the following:
· for absences due to medical reasons, a doctor's excuse specifically covering the time during which the exam was scheduled or paper was due;
· for absences due to funeral attendance, a copy of the relevant obituary;
· for court appearances, copies of court documents showing the required date and time of appearance;
· for automobile accidents, copies of relevant police reports and towing bills showing the exact date of the accident.
Any exception or change to this policy shall be at the sole and final discretion of the instructor.
Academic Accommodation: All students are expected to meet the requirements for this course. Students with learning disabilities who need accommodation must discuss the matter with their instructor during the first two weeks of class and provide documentation verifying need.
Copyright: All teaching materials, lectures, and exams are copyright © 2008 by Charles Dannehl. All rights are reserved. No person may record any class session, by electronic or other similar means, without the express permission of the instructor.
Anticipated Schedule:
PART I: PHILOSOPHICAL & CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES AND CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POLITICAL ECONOMY
A. Philosophical Origins
Chapter 1
B. Capitalism and Democracy
Chapter 4 and pages 213-216
C. Constitutional Development
Chapter 2,
The Constitution of the United States,
Federalist Paper Number 51D. Federalism
Chapter 3
E. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Chapters 15 and 16
FIRST EXAM TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
PART II: POLITICAL LINKAGES
A. Public Opinion and the Media
Chapters 5 and 6
B. Social Movements and Interest Groups
Chapters 7 and 8,
Federalist Paper Number 10C. Political Parties and Elections
Chapters 9 and 10
*** SPRING BREAK--3/17 through 3/21 ***
SECOND EXAM TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 27
PART III: INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
A. The Congress
Chapter 11
B. The Presidency
Chapter 12
C. The Bureaucracy
Chapter 13
D. The Judiciary
Chapter 14,
Federalist Paper Number 78
THIRD EXAM TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 17
PART IV: PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
A. Foreign Policy
Chapter 18
B. Domestic Policy
Chapter 17
SECTION 03 -- FOURTH EXAM SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 10, AT 9:00 AM
SECTION 05 -- FOURTH EXAM SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 10, AT 2:30 PM
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