Course Calendar and Reading AssignmentsDateTopicReadingPart One: The Founding and Development of Our DemocracyJune 5Course Overview and the Purpose of GovernmentLowi: Preface, chapter 1June 6The Americanization of DemocracyLowi: A1-A44June 7The U.S. ConstitutionLowi: 36-64, 105-115June 8Amendments and the Nevada ConstitutionLowi: 65-75June 12Federalism and Civil RightsLowi: 78-100, 133-157June 13Civil LibertiesLowi: 118-132June 14Exam 1Part Two: Political Processes and ParticipationJune 15Political SocializationLowi: 378-396June 20Public Opinion and Participation and VotingLowi: 397-419June 21Presidential CampaignsLowi: 422-451June 22Congressional ElectionsLowi: 452-473June 26Parties and Interest GroupsLowi: chapters 11, 12June 27The MediaLowi: chapter 13June 28Exam 2June 29CongressLowi: chapter 5July 3The PresidencyLowi: chapter 6July 4No ClassJuly 5The Federal Courts and the BureaucracyLowi: chapters 7, 8July 6Exam 3PSC 101.04 Introduction to American Politics Summer Session II 2006 Instructor: Dr. David Damore e-mail: [email protected] Location: WRI C311 Office Hours: M and W 6 to 7 pm Time: M – Th 7 to 9:30 pm Phone: 895-3217; Office: WRI B213 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 in many cases, limit popular input in to the governing process. Part three concentrates on the formal institutions of the government (e.g., the bureaucracy, Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidency). Here, the formal powers of each institution are addressed with particular emphasis given to examining how these institutions have changed and developed visa-a-via one another over time. Readings: 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. Students are expected to read a daily newspaper either printed or online (exam questions will come from the Las Vegas Review Journal and nytimes.com). Requirements: 1. Exams (90%) – Three in-class exams, consisting of multiple choice and true/false questions. Exams draw on lecture, reading, and current events (highest score counts for 35% of total grade; middle score counts for 30% of total grade; and lowest score counts for 25% of total grade). 2. Classroom Contribution (10%) – This component of the grade is based upon a combination of attendance, attention, and willingness to enter into discussions as they arise. Course Goals: 1. Increase substantive understanding of the political process. 12. 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 administration for investigation. 2. Make-ups are granted for documented illnesses or deaths in the immediate family (documented as well). If the exams for this course conflict with work in other courses you are taking, plan ahead and either adjust your schedule or study habits accordingly. If you need to miss class because of observance of a religious holiday you must notify me no later than week three of the semester. Students who represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity may make-up any missed assignments provided that official written notification is provided no less than one week prior to the missed classes. 3. Lecture begins at 7 and ends at 9:30. If you choose to attend lecture, plan to do so for the duration of the lecture. Do not disrupt class by showing-up late, leaving early, or talking. Violations will adversely impact on your final grade. More generally, if the subject matter is not of interest to you or you are unwilling to meet its expectations, do not enroll in this course. 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 are: A = 100–93 A- = 92–90 B+ = 89–87 B = 86–83 B- = 82–80 C+ = 79–77 C = 76–73 C- = 72–70 D+ = 69–67 D = 66-63 D- = 62-60 F = 59-0 2Course Calendar and Reading Assignments Date Topic Reading Part One: The Founding and Development of Our Democracy June 5 Course Overview and the Purpose of Government Lowi: Preface, chapter 1 Dahl: chapter 1 June 6 The Americanization of Democracy Lowi: A1-A44 Dahl: chapter 2 June 7 The U.S. Constitution Lowi: 36-64, 105-115 Dahl: chapter 3 June 8 Amendments and the Nevada Constitution Lowi: 65-75 Dahl: chapter 4 June 12 Federalism and Civil Rights Lowi: 78-100, 133-157 Dahl: chapter 5 June 13 Civil Liberties Lowi: 118-132 Dahl: chapters 6, 7 June 14 Exam 1 Part Two: Political Processes and Participation June 15 Political Socialization Lowi: 378-396 June 20 Public Opinion and Participation and Voting Lowi: 397-419 June 21 Presidential Campaigns Lowi: 422-451 June 22 Congressional Elections Lowi: 452-473 June 26 Parties and Interest Groups Lowi: chapters 11, 12 June 27 The Media Lowi: chapter 13 June 28 Exam 2 34Part Three: The Formal Institutions and the Policy Process June 29 Congress Lowi: chapter 5 July 3 The Presidency
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