PSC 101James BattistaIntro to American Politics201 Natural SciencesOffice hours: MW 1—3 or by apptAcademic integrityDecorum etcPlan of the coursePSC 101 James BattistaIntro to American Politics508 Park Hall201 Natural Sciences 645-2251 ext 508Office hours: MW 1—3 or by appt [email protected] course is an introduction to the political life of the US. We will explore how Americans think about politics, how Americans organize themselves politically, and how American institutions govern us. We will cover these topics with an eye towards showing how political scientists have dealt with them, which can be rather different from civics-book notions of political life.Requirements and grading:There are three parts of the course grade:- Two midterm examinations- A non-cumulative final examEach exam counts equally (1/3) towards the course grade.Attendance is not mandatory in the sense that I will not be checking up on it,but be aware that you will not be able to learn the material from the books. The readings are generally merely the base on which I build lectures, and poor attendance will create its own reward.If you have a disability requiring some accommodation, let me know early inthe course.Readings:- Lowi/Ginsberg/Shepsle, American Government: Power and Purpose (LGS)- Readings are to be done before the day listed. As I will generally not simply parrot the readings, this really does matter.Make-up exams:- To make up an exam, you must contact me either before the exam or as soon as humanly possible after the relevant event. Only the following reasons will result in a make-up exam:- Official university business, w/ documentation- Serious illness (w/ physician’s note)- Family emergency (death or critical illness), w/documentation- A legal obligation to be elsewhere, w/documentation- Religious holiday on the day of the exam, w/ note from clericAcademic integritySee the UB pages on academic integrity. Expect heavy retribution for misconduct, starting at an F in the course.Decorum etcPlease show up on time and be ready to start taking notes at the beginning of class – we have a huge amount of material to get through and little time to do it. My general approach to cell phones ringing in class is publicshame, but in the event that you are beyond shame, I will reduce your course grade.Plan of the courseNote that this is not a contract. It is subject to change at my discretion.DATE TOPIC READINGS (as in 9th Ed.)August 27/29/31IntroductionProblems in human interactionThe founding and ConstitutionLGS, Ch. 1, 2Sept 5/7 The founding and Constitution LGS, Ch. 2, Ch. 3 on separation of powersSept 10/12/14 Public opinion LGS, Ch. 9Sept 17/19/21 Campaigns and elections, participationLGS, Ch. 10Sept 24/26/28 Voting LGS, Ch. 10 cont.October 1EXAM 1October 3/5 Interest groups LGS, Ch. 12October 8/10/12Parties LGS, Ch. 11Oct 15/17/19 Congress LGS, Ch. 5Oct 22/24/26 Congress, Presidency LGS, Ch. 5 cont., Ch. 6Oct 29/31 Presidency LGS, Ch. 6, cont.November 2EXAM 2November 5/7/9Bureaucracy LGS, Ch. 7Nov 12/14/16 Courts LGS, Ch. 8Nov 19 Courts, civil liberties LGS, Ch. 8, Ch. 4Nov 21/23Fall breakNov 26/28/30 Civil liberties LGS, Ch. 4, cont.December 3/5/7Civil rights LGS, Ch. 4, cont.FINAL