ExamsNews MediaExam 2The Judiciary; Local Government; State & Local Finance;PSC 101, Section 1 Introduction to American Politics - Spring 2010 8:30 AM-12:00 PM, Saturdays WRI-C239 Instructor: Melanie Young Office: Wright Hall A206. Office Hours: 8:00-8:30AM and 12:00-1:00PM Saturdays; & by appointment. Phone: 895-0403 E-mail: [email protected]. Please note: You are urged to use e-mail if you should need to contact me. E-mail will be checked once a day, Monday through Friday. Phone messages will only be checked during office hours. Course Survey of United States national, state, and local governments with attention to unique aspects of Nevada government. This course offers an exploration of unique features of the American political system. Particular attention is paid to federalism and the role of states in the American polity using theoretical and analytical approaches. The objective of this course is to increase your understanding of the foundations, organization, and functions of the national and Nevada governments. In so doing, we will study the main processes of decision-making, the administration of those decisions, and their importance to individual Americans. The course will be divided into three separate but related sections. The first section will examine the formal constitutional framework of American government. This will focus on the Constitution, the nature of democracy, and federalism in the United States. Limited government will be discussed, as well as civil liberties and civil rights. The second section will focus on informal institutions of American government. This section will examine the role of political socialization and ideology, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, and the media in American politics. The final section will focus on the institutions of American government. This section will provide an in-depth examination of the U.S. Congress, the American Presidency and Bureaucracy, and the American Judiciary. Interspersed throughout the semester at appropriate times will be readings and discussion of the Nevada Constitution and how our state system of government functions here in Nevada. 4 credits. Satisfies the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement. Required and optional Materials for the Course Required texts: Patterson, Thomas E. We the People: A Concise Introduction to American Politics, 8th edition. 2009. Text. www.mhhe.com/pattersonwtp8eBowers, Michael. The Sagebrush State: Nevada’s History, Government, and Politics, 3rd edition. 2006. Text. You will be responsible for any videos, handouts, or reserve readings assigned throughout the semester. You are strongly encouraged to utilize your webcampus resources as well as those available via the website for your main text that is listed above. Online practice quizzes are available at this text website. Method of instruction The course will be taught in an informal lecture/seminar format with emphasis on student participation. Your contributions to the class through your attentiveness, the frequency and quality of your contributions, and the degree of your preparation are important to your success in this course. While the syllabus provides a structuredpath, current events may suggest some worthwhile detours. The contents and/or dates of this syllabus are thus subject to change. Course Objectives: The successful student will be able to: 1. Discuss the constitutional framework that shapes and controls the political process in the United States and the State of Nevada. 2. Identify how and why the United States and Nevada State Constitutions limit power, and how limited constitutional government benefits Nevadans. 3. Explain the origin, meaning and purpose of the basic principles of the American and Nevada political systems. 4. Provide a standard by which to evaluate the constitutional merits of public policies proposed and adopted by Congress and the President, and judicial opinions rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court. 5. Identify how the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions provide for separation of powers and federalism. Class Attendance & Participation Attendance in this course is crucial. If you must leave class before it is over, please notify me before class and make the least possible disruption. The instructor reserves the right to institute pop quizzes if either attendance or participation becomes a problem. While student participation is not formally calculated into your final grade, students may improve their final score by ½ a letter grade (e.g., B+ to A- or A- to A) if the quality and quantity of their participation merits it. The standard university grading system will be used when issuing final grades: A=94+, A-= 90-93, B+=87-89, B=84-86, B-=80-83, C+=77-79, C=74-76, C-=70-73, D+=67-69, D=64-66, D-=60-63, F=0-59. All grades will be posted on WebCampus. Exams There will be 3 exams throughout the semester (including the final). The exams will be a combination of multiple choice questions, true/false statements, and/or fill in the blank. Exams will cover readings, lectures, videos, and any additional handouts/readings from the previous weeks. The final exam is not comprehensive. Each exam is worth 1/3 (33%) of your final grade for the course. No make-ups will be given unless extraordinary circumstances exist and, a legitimate excuse and adequate documentation are provided prior to the examination that will be missed. In other words, plan on showing up for exams. All make-up exams will be given during the last regularly scheduled day of class, Saturday, May 1st. Students must provide their own scantrons for exams. Absolutely no extra credit is offered to individual students so please do not ask. Final day to drop the class is March 26th. Academic Misconduct and Copyright Violations Neither cheating nor plagiarism (using the words or ideas of another without citing the source) will be tolerated. Any attempt to cheat on an examination will be subject to the most severe penalty the University allows. Please review the University handbook for penalties. “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing tojoin the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with
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