LECTURE, DISCUSSION, AND READING SCHEDULE: Week 1 August 29th and 31stUNLV Instructor: Dr. Penny Pardoe PSC 101-011 Office: WRI A210 Fall 2006 E-mail: [email protected] 120, T Th 5-6:45pm Tel: (702) 895-3354 Office Hours: Monday 10:15am – 12:15pm and Wednesday 2:30pm-3:30pm Introduction to American Politics COURSE PURPOSE: The main purpose of this course, which satisfies the UNLV United States and Nevada Constitution requirements, is to provide a general understanding of, and appreciation for, the basic systematic framework of the Government of the United States and the state of Nevada. It does so by reviewing the values of the founding periods of both and outlining the functioning of the three main branches of government (the Executive, Legislative and Judicial), as well as other major governmental institutions and processes (such as the political party system, the bureaucracy, and elections). It is designed with the intention of helping students to: - develop the skills necessary for analyzing governmental processes and current political trends - develop good citizenship skills - understand and appreciate some of the basic methodologies and theories often used by American political scientists INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: The required texts for this course are: Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, and Margaret Weir, We the People, Fifth Edition (ISBN 0-393-92620-6) Bowers, The Sagebrush State, 2nd Edition (ISBN: 087417516X) **Further readings will be required. These materials will be available to you through library services. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES: This class will be conducted via a series of lectures and some class discussions. A schedule of lecture and discussion topics, as well as reading assignments, is provided below. However, be aware that additional reading and discussions sessions may be added to the schedule, and that the schedule itself may change due to time constraints. Any changes will be announced at least a week in advance. ASSIGNMENTS AND OTHER COURSE REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to complete the following: - 3 tests - 2 quizzes - and one final exam The due dates for the above mentioned are indicated in the schedule provided below. All tests will include a combination of multiple choice, identification, true and false, and short answer questions. All Quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice or true and false questions.STUDENT EVALUATION: Your final grade will be calculated in the following manner: Attendance: 10% Participation: 10% First Test: 15% 2nd Test: 15% Third Test: 15% Quiz 1: 5% Quiz 2: 5% Final Exam: 25% GRADING: All final numerical grades will be transcribed into letter grades as follows: 100-93= A 75- 73= C 92- 89 = A- 72- 69= C- 88- 86= B+ 68- 66= D+ 85- 83= B 65- 63= D 82- 79= B- 62- 59= D- 78-76= C+ 58- 0 = F CLASS POLICIES: 1. Attendance: Attendance is taken and counts toward part of your final grade. Anyone coming to class more than 30 minutes late or leaving more than 30 minutes early will be counted as absent. 2. Class participation: Class participation also counts toward your final grade. Discussion periods are specifically designed to evaluate your performance. Keeping up with your reading and preparing in advance for discussion will help you achieve a high grade in this area. 3. Exam and Missed Test Policy: If a student has an extraordinary, legitimate, and proven reason for missing a test (such as religious holidays or extracurricular activities), and the instructor is notified at least 2 weeks prior to the test date, arrangements for a make-up can be made during the semester. Otherwise, all students can make-up any missed tests on the last day of class. Note: that the format of the make-up tests will not necessarily be the same as that of the regularly scheduled test. The final exam must be taken at the scheduled date during finals week. No make ups or early final exams will be given. 5. Late Papers. For the purposes of fairness, students who do not turn in their written assignments on time will be penalized at the rate of 5 points per day (including weekends and holidays). 7. Academic Misconduct (Plagiarism, Cheating). Such instances may (and will most likely) result in a FAILURE for the entire course. See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” LECTURE, DISCUSSION, AND READING SCHEDULE: Week 1 August 29th and 31st Lecture: Introduction to American Government- Defining government and democracy and the Founding Period Assigned Reading- Ginsburg- Chapter 1Week 2 September 5th and 7th Lecture: The Founding Period continued and the Constitution Assigned Reading: Ginsberg- Chapter 2 and A10-A25, Blackmun, Harry, “Born of Struggle and Compromise.” Humanist, Nov/Dec91, Vol. 51 Issue 6, p5-8, and Ealy, Steven D., “The Common Sense of Political Life,” Society, Nov/Dec2004, Vol. 42 Issue 1, p42-48. Discussion Question: Why did some oppose and some support the constitution? How important was a Bill of rights to the Framers? What purpose do the Federalist Papers serve? Week 3 September 12th and 14th Lecture: Federalism Assigned Reading: Ginsburg- Chapter 3 Week 4 September 19th and 21st Lecture: Nevada- Early History and Statehood Assigned Reading: Bowers- Chapter 1 *Test on Thursday Week 5 September 26th and 28th Lecture: Nevada- Early History and Statehood continued and Public Opinion Assigned Reading: Bowers- Chapter 2, and Ginsburg- Chapter 6 Week 6 October 3rd and 5th Lecture: the Media, and Participation Assigned Reading:, Ginsburg Chapters 7 and 8, and Bates, Stephen, “Reinvigorating Citizenship,” Society, Mar/Apr99, Vol. 36 Issue 3, p80-85 Discussion Question: Should there be more media regulation? Why do some people choose not to participate in the political system? *Quiz on Thursday Week 7 October 10th and 12th Lecture: Political Parties and Campaigns Assigned Reading: Ginsburg- Chapter 9 and Bowers TBA Week 8 October 17th and 19th Lecture: Interest Groups and the Congress Assigned Reading: Ginsburg
View Full Document
Unlocking...