1PSC 101.002 Introduction to American Politics Fall 2006 Time: MW 10-11:45 Location: CEB HEA Instructor: Dr. David Damore Teaching Assistant: Don Mirjanian e-mail: [email protected] or via WebCt e-mail: [email protected] or via WebCt Office Hours: MW 9:30-10; 11:45-12:45 Office Hours: M 1-2:30, W 2:30-4 Office: WRI B213 Office: WRI A213 Phone: 895-3217 Phone: 895-5241 Scope and Purpose: This course offers students an overview of the American governing and political process. The course is divided into three parts. Part one examines the "rules of the game" by focusing on the founding and the subsequent development of our republican system of government. Particular attention is given to the philosophical underpinnings of our constitutional system, competing explanations of how the system should operate, and assessments of how well it meets its democratic ideals. Part two focuses on the conduits that link the governed to the government (i.e., political parties and interest groups, campaigns and elections, and the media); notable attention is given to analyzing how these linking institutions form and constrain popular input into the governing process. Part three covers the formal institutions of the government (e.g., Bureaucracy, Congress, the Supreme Court, and Presidency). Here, the powers of each institution are addressed with emphasis given to examining their development over time. Readings: Bowers, Michael W. 2002. The Sagebrush State, 2nd ed. Reno: University of Nevada Press. Dahl, Robert J. 2003. How Democratic is the American Constitution? 2nd ed. New Haven: Yale University Press. Lowi, Theodore J., Benjamin Ginsberg, and Kenneth A. Shepsle. 2006. American Government: Power and Purpose, Core 9th ed. New York: Norton. Course readings (available on the course WebCt site). Students also are expected to read a daily newspaper (either print or online; current event questions for the exams will come from the Las Vegas Review Journal and nytimes.com). Requirements: 1. Exams (75%) – Three exams, consisting of multiple choice and true/false questions. Exams draw on lecture, reading, and current events and each exam counts for 25% of course grade. Exams are open note and open book and are administered via the course WebCt site (details forthcoming).22. Classroom Contribution (20%) – Based upon students’ activity in the WebCt discussion threads, interactions with the instructor and teaching assistant, and participation in class discussions. Within WebCt three threads (Common Ground, Course Content, and Current Events) will be used to organize course discussions. Topics will appear within each thread throughout the week. After new topics are posted, old postings will be removed. Students’ postings are evaluated in terms of their depth, engagement with course content, and quality of writing (e.g., grammar and spelling). 3. Syllabus and Netiquette Quiz (5%) – A multiple choice quiz that covers the course WebCt site, the course syllabus, and Netiquette. Quiz will be available from 12:00 pm Monday August 28th until 10:00 pm Thursday August 31st. Course Goals: 1. Increase substantive understanding of the political process. 2. Motivate participation in the political process. 3. Increase newspaper readership. 4. Sharpen critical thinking and information gathering skills. Policies and Miscellaneous: 1. The honor code is strictly enforced. Any evidence of collaboration, plagiarism, or other violations of the honor code will be immediately referred to the university for investigation. 2. Make-ups are granted for documented illnesses or deaths in the immediate family (documented as well). If an exam conflicts with observance of a religious holiday students must notify instructor no later than week three of the semester. Students who represent UNLV at an official extracurricular activity may make-up missed assignments provided that official written notification is provided no less than one week prior to the missed classes. 3. Lecture begins at 10 and ends at 11:45. If you choose to attend lecture, do so for the duration. Disrupting class by showing-up late, leaving early, or talking will adversely affect your grade. 4. Learning Enhancement Services (LES) houses Disability Services, Tutoring Services, and Learning Strategies. If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you need to contact the LES for coordination in your academic accommodations. LES is located in Reynolds Student Services Complex, Suite 317. The phone number is 895-0866. You may also visit their website at http://www.unlv.edu/studentilife/les. 5. Cut-offs for final grades: A = 100–93.0 B = 86.9–83.0 C = 76.9–73.0 D = 66.9-63.0 A- = 92.9–90.0 B- = 82.9–80.0 C- = 72.9–70.0 D- = 62.9-60.0 B+ = 89.9–87.0 C+ = 79.9–77.0 D+ = 69.9– 67.0 F = 59.9-03Course Calendar and Reading Assignments Date Topic Reading 8/28 Course Overview and Introduction Reader: Class Action Part One: The Founding and Development of Our Democracy 8/30 Why Government? Lowi: Preface, chapter 1 Dahl: chapter 1 9/4 Labor Day Holiday 9/6 The Americanization of Democracy Lowi: A1-A44 Dahl: chapter 2 9/11 The U.S. Constitution Lowi: 36-64, 105-115 Dahl: chapter 3 9/13 Amendments Lowi: 65-75 Dahl: chapter 4 9/18 The Nevada Constitution Bowers: chapters 1, 2, and Appendix 9/20 Federalism Bowes: chapters 9 and 10 Lowi: 78-100 Dahl: chapter 5 9/25-9/27 Civil Rights Bowers: chapter 3 Lowi: 133-157 Dahl: chapter 6 10/2 Civil Liberties Lowi: 118-132 Dahl: chapters 7 10/4 Exam 1 Part Two: Political Processes and Participation 10/9 Political Socialization Lowi: 378-396 10/11 Public Opinion Lowi: 397-419 10/16 Participation and Voting Lowi: 422-451 10/18-10/23 Presidential Elections Lowi: 452-475410/25 Congressional Elections Lowi: 169-177 10/30 Political Parties Bowers: chapter 4 Lowi: chapter 11 Reader: “An Antiwar Campaign That Takes a Page from the G.O.P. Playbook” 11/1 Interest Groups Bowers: chapter 5 Lowi: chapter 12 Reader: “Hiring Federal Lobbyists, Towns Learn Money Talks” 11/6 The Media Lowi: chapter 13 11/8 Catch up and Election Round up 11/13 Exam 2 Part Three: The Formal Institutions and the Policy Process
View Full Document
Unlocking...