PSC 304 Legislative Process WRI C237 TR 11 30 12 45 Spring 2008 Dr Dina Titus Office Hours WRI B216 TR 9 30 10 00 12 45 1 30 and by appointment Phone 895 3756 I Books 1 Playing Hardball Hernson 2 The American Congress Smith etal Reserve Readings II Requirements Midterm Final Book Review Class participation 35 of grade 35 of grade 20 of grade 10 of grade III Notes 1 Cell phones must be turned off during class 2 Only 2 unexcused absences before grade is negatively affected 3 Books must be approved by March 6 4 Book reports must be turned in to professor in hard copy not e mail in class 5 Last day to drop is April 4 IV Course Outline 1 IntroductionSmith Chapter 1 2 Constitutional BackgroundSmith Chapter 2 3 Congressional ElectionsSmith Chapter 3 Hernson Chapter 1 7 4 Members of CongressSmith Chapter 5 5 Women in CongressReadings on Reserve 6 Parties and LeadersSmith Chapter 6 Midterm Spring Break March 13 March 17 21 7 Rules of the GameSmith Chapter 4 8 8 Standing CommitteesSmith Chapter 7 9 Interest GroupsSmith Chapter 11 10 Congress and the PresidentSmith Chapter 9 11 Congress and the CourtsSmith Chapter 10 12 Congressional ScandalsReadings on Reserve 13 The Future of CongressReadings on Reserve Book Review due Oral Presentations Final Exam May 6 May 6 8 Thursday May 15 10 10am NOTE I do follow the university rules regulations and guidelines as spelled out in the System Code and UNLV Bylaws and as stipulated by the Faculty Senate and by the Executive Vice President and Provost Please note the following information and rules Academic Misconduct Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty trust respect fairness responsibility and professionalism By choosing to join the UNLV community students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV s function as an educational institution An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism Using the words or ideas of another from the internet or any source without proper citation of the sources See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy approved December 9 2005 located at http studentlife unlv edu judicial misconductPolicy html Copyright The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws The University will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under University policies To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies you are encouraged to visit the following website http www unlv edu committees copyright Disability Resource Center DRC The Disability Resource Center DRC coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex SSC Room 137 and the contact numbers are VOICE 702 895 0866 TTY 702 895 0652 FAX 702 895 0651 For additional information please visit http studentlife unlv edu disability Missed Class es Student As a general rule a student missing a class or laboratory assignment because of observance of a religious holiday shall have the opportunity to make up missed work Students must notify the instructor of anticipated absences by the last day of late registration January 28 2008 to be assured of this opportunity Faculty may give students an additional week but are encouraged to set a clear deadline NOTE Students who represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity shall also have the opportunity to make up assignments but the student must provide official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class es Rebelmail By policy faculty and staff should only e mail students Rebelmail accounts Rebelmail is UNLV s official e mail system for students It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after admission to the university Non admitted students should contact the Student Help Desk at 702 895 0761 in the Student Union Room 231 or by e mail studenthelp unlv edu See http rebelmail unlv edu for information UNLV Writing Center One on one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center located in CDC 301 Although walk in consultations are sometimes available students with appointments will receive priority assistance Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895 3908 The student s Rebel ID Card a copy of the assignment if possible and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation http writingcenter unlv edu