American National Politics

POLS 101

Jocelyn Parkhurst, Ph.D.

Course Description and Objectives

            The politics of the United States influence individuals and groups domestically and internationally.  This course seeks to acquaint students with U.S. Government structures and institutions, as well as the theoretical basis for U.S. politics and the various actors that influence political decision making.  Students are encouraged to think beyond the text, to see how what they learn is actualized in their own lives.  Questions, critical thinking, and a synergistic acquisition of knowledge between students and instructor allow for the growth of a hands-on understanding of American Politics.

Course Requirements

           The instructor believes that people learn best when they interact with information, thus creating a solid knowledge base.  As such, the first step to each week is reading the chapter and taking a short quiz online.  Once an 80% has been achieved on the quiz, class notes are released to the student which can be used for note taking in class.  The classroom interaction will then focus on concepts, issues, and information that go beyond the text, involving discussions, simulations, videos, movies, games, etc.  In-class discussions are integral to the learning process and are a major part of the in-class participation grade.  In addition, the online discussions and activities have their own grading component.  The mid-term and final will both be take home exams. There will also be a paper on a chosen week’s readings with an oral presentation of 10 minutes on the week the material is discussed (a handout will be passed out for this assignment).  Each student will pick a day in advance that they will present their research, with a thesis, rough draft and final paper due date (see syllabus).  A sign up sheet will be made available online on a first come, first serve basis.  In addition, three short modules reflecting the integration of classroom knowledge and internet sources will be presented on an online platform in the form of short essays (4 fully developed paragraphs) based on prompts provided by the instructor with in-class discussions reflecting this information.  The final grade breakdown is as follows:

Midterm                                                                                             10%

                      Final                                                                                                    10%

Research Paper, Presentation, & Thesis                                      20%              

Modules                                                                                             15%

Class Participation                                                                            15%

Online Participation                                                                          15%

Online Quizzes                                                                                   5%

Required Text and Readings

There are multiple aspects to the readings for this course.  It is expected that the readings from the texts and/or other sources will be done prior to the class date for which it is assigned, enabling the students and instructor to enter into discussions reflecting information gleaned from the texts.  In addition, students are expected to read the New York Times (free online at www.nyt.com – can be delivered each morning to your email address) in order to be current with events.  Current Events will be an integral part of the classroom discussions, modules, presentations, and exams.

Texts: 

Required

            Welch, Susan, John Gruho, John Comer, and Susan Rigdon.  2006.  Understanding American Government.  Thomson/Wadsworth.

            McKenna, George and Stanley Feingold. 2005.  Taking Sides:  Clashing Views on Political Issues. McGraw Hill Publishers.

Expectations:

The instructor does not tend to allow changes in the take home exam schedule as students are given ample time to get the exam turned in.  If unforeseen circumstances deemed applicable by the instructor necessitate and extension, the student must inform the instructor before the due date of the exam.  Late papers, modules, thesis, etc., will be deducted 10% after the first day and an additional 10% for each subsequent week late.  Presentations must be done the week scheduled.  Attendance influences the participation grade, and a tendency to miss class will mean a low participation grade.

Academic Misconduct

            Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted according to university policy.  Don’t do it.  This means students should be sure not only not to use other people’s work, but when writing a paper, be sure to cite any information that is not your own thoughts or well known information, whether it is a quote or summarized information. 

Disability Accommodation

            Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of the course of any accommodations needed for the course.  Accommodations will be made according to university policy.

Course Outline

I. The Basics of U.S. Government

Week One – Introduction to course. 

Week Two   – The Theoretical Foundations:  Welch et al, Chpt. 1

Week Three – The Structure of U.S. Government:  Welch et al,  Chpts. 2 & 3.

Week Four & Five – Freedom, Protection, and Government:  Welch et al,  Chpts. 14 & 15.  Taking Sides, “Does the Patriot Act Abridge Essential Freedom?”

Module #1 week five.  Thesis for presentation/paper due week five.

II. U.S. Government Institutions

Week Six & Seven – Where’s the Power?  Congress and the Presidency:  Welch et al,  Chpts. 10 & 11.  Taking Sides, “Is the Filibuster of Judicial Nominees Justifiable?” Module #2.  Take-Home Midterm Exam Handed Out

Week Eight & Nine  –  Making Policy Without the Vote:  Bureaucracies and the Judiciary:  Welch et al, Chpts12 & 13.     

Presentation Group #1 week nine .   

III.  The Power of the People. . .and Other Interested Actors

Week Ten – Do People Influence, or are They Influenced:  Welch et al, Chpt. 4.  Taking Sides, Choose one to read:  Issue 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 17.   Midterm Take-Home Exam Due

Week Eleven – The CNN Effect or Government Controlled Media:  Welch et al, Chpt. 5.  Taking Sides, “Do the Media Have a Liberal Bias?”   Module #3.

Week Twelve – A Government Influenced by Factions:  Welch et al, Chpts. 6 & 7.  Presentation Group #4.

Week Thirteen – Getting Elected:  Welch et al, Chpt. 8.  Presentation Group #3.

Week Fourteen – Making policy for the people:  Social and economic policy making Welch et al, Chpt 9.  All rough drafts of papers due.

Week Fifteen — The US and the Word:  Influences on American Politics, Taking Sides, “Must America Exercise World Leadership?”

Week Sixteen:  Simulation.  All papers due.

Final Exam Week (Take-Home Finals due day of final)