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JMU GPOSC 225 - POSC 225 SYLLABUS
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GPOS 225 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTA. EKSTEROWICZDEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCEJAMES MADISON UNIVERSITYOffice: G12, Maury HallOffice Hours:Phone ext.: 568-3770 or 568-6149OVERVIEWThe purpose of this introductory course in United States Government isto examine and analyze the basic governmental institutions (courts,presidency, bureaucracy, congress) and processes (elections, politicalparticipation, freedoms inherent in the bill of rights, etc.). But theexamination and analysis of these elements, both individually and theirinteraction with one another, remains inadequate. The Americangovernmental system, as a whole, must also be examined.We are, as most of you implicitly understand, now living in times ofgreat governmental and economic uncertainty. This uncertainty coupled withthe declining trust in basic governmental institutions and the withdrawalfrom active participation in the political process of large numbers ofAmerican citizenry, presents our governmental system (and some wouldargue, our way of life) with profound complexities. These complexitiesthreaten our political system and seem to be increasing in the aftermath ofthe Watergate, Iran Contra, Whitewater, campaign finance and Iraq Warscandals.One of the major problems currently besetting our political system isthat of fragmentation. In recent years the rise of single issue special interestgroup politics has had an effect upon our governmental institutions andprocesses. Largely, this effect has been negative upon public policyformulation and implementation and political accountability. The Americanpolitical system is now confronted with many diverse and sometimescontradictory pressure groups placing demands upon our political institutionsand actors. All of this is occurring within a declining economic context. Insuch a context the battle for political influence, on the part of these pressuregroups, has become quite harsh and financially expensive.Our governmental institutions have the task of governing in the face ofthis increasing special interest fragmentation. In recent years the Congresshas become so torn by this fragmentation that more than a few scholars andcommentators have suggested that our Congress is a "paralyzed" institution.The effects of special interest group fragmentation and political influencealso extends to the executive branch of government. As we shall see, thePresident's response to this increasingly frustrating situation can, in the longrun, endanger the very freedoms ensconced in the Constitution. Presidentialattempts to cut through or defeat the effects of political fragmentation canand have led to extra-constitutional or illegal actions. Thus, in the recentpast, the office of the President has become a threat to the very civil libertiesits occupants are pledged to uphold. Watergate Iran Contra, Whitewater, thecampaign finance and Iraq War scandals are but examples of this trend. Weall should remember that the experiment in democracy initiated by theFounding Fathers over two hundred years ago remains a very fragileexercise. We, as Americans, may lose our democratic traditions at any time.The danger today appears all the more ominous for we may lose thesetraditions without actually realizing it.This potential danger highlights another task or objective of thecourse, that of cutting through conventional wisdoms which mythicallysurround governmental institutions, processes and actors. Conventionalwisdoms seem to currently reign in America. As we examine our politicalsystem it should become clear that all is not what it seems to be. Simpleblack and white solutions to complex problems may sound appropriate andappeal to the public but when these solutions are applied to the dingy greyworld of reality they can quickly lose their applicability. Our task is to cut ourway through the muck and mire of these conventional wisdoms. Only thencan we confront our problem in a realistic fashion. While we shall examine the above mentioned complexities or problemsthroughout the course and discuss or imply remedies, it should be noted thatthese remedies are not presented as panaceas. They are, rather, initialsuggestions which may be further developed, refined and even discarded byyou. In the final analysis this course deals with you and your responsibilityfor and to the political system. The course then presents two alternatives to students. First, one canrecognize the problems and complexities inherent in our system and acceptresponsibility for them. Second, one can either recognize the problems orrefuse to recognize them, but either way, decide not to accept responsibility.The choice is yours. Even if you accept responsibility you will be presentedwith frustration when confronting the "system." The way that you view and approach our political system is important.It will be argued that, in a larger sense, the way you view the political systemdepends upon your view of life in general. That is to state, your desires leadyou to expect certain results from the political system. Obviously, if theseresults are not achieved, frustration ensues. But one must view our politicalsystem in a fashion which does not exactly preclude frustration but renders itpalatable or understandable thus increasing one's frustration tolerance level.The American political system remains an incremental one.Nevertheless, political opportunities do exist. As the first chapter of your textrelates, Benjamin Franklin when questioned about the nature of our politicalsystem after the Constitutional Convention replied,".... it is a Republic.....ifyou can keep it." As we shall see, the maintenance of our republic requiresalmost constant vigilance.This United States Government course provides an interdisciplinaryintroduction to social and cultural processes through the study of Americansociety, history, and government. GPOS 225 (U.S. Government)encompasses the following: Institutions, processes, and relationships which comprise U.S.Government Social and cultural values that influence the American political


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