GVPT 170 0101 0116 Spring 2006 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IN A GLOBAL ERA COURSE TEAM Dr Lois T Vietri Jonathan Brown David Garcia Tariq Karim Kimberly Karnes Steven Moore Sanchez Alexander Otruba Andrew Heck lvietri umd edu 1141 Tydings office hours M 3 5pm T 11 1pm jonald7811 yahoo com sections 0105 0108 0113 14 Math0409 dgarcia gvpt umd ed sections 0101 0106 0115 0118 Math0302 akarim gvpt umd edu sections 0109 0112 kkarnes gvpt umd edu sections 0110 0111 smoore sanchez gvpt umd edu sections 0102 0103 aotruba gvpt umd edu sections 0104 0107 awheck umd edu peer instructor and researcher COURSE OVERVIEW Welcome to our American Government and Politics Learning Community GVPT 170 is a team taught course that meets three times each week twice in a large lecture setting on Mondays and Wednesdays 121250pm and the third meeting is a 50 minute discussion session on Fridays Please consult your schedule for your discussion section number that designates time and classroom location The course team works closely to coordinate the weekly lectures and discussions Be advised that the syllabi topics readings guest speaker and special activities may be subject to change Consequently please be vigilant about checking for weekly updates to syllabi posted online at http www bsos umd edu gvpt syllabi index html This course is interdisciplinary in nature and theoretically and current events driven The course texts daily reading of the newspaper and the synthesis provided in lecture and discussion will facilitate your learning in this course We invite each of you to engage this semester in a continuous dialogue about the state of American democracy comparatively and globally COURSE GOALS We strive to work with you individually and collectively to achieve the following goals an appreciation for competing theoretical perspectives in the study of American government and politics an understanding of American political development from a comparative perspective the capacity to critically evaluate the news of the day the development of collaborative learning practices your maturation as a global citizen COURSE EXPECTATIONS We ask you in both lecture and discussion to help us create and sustain a learning community by respecting each other s opinions and differences valuing collaborative learning in lecture discussion and with special projects events maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity www umd edu honorpledge acknowledging the special nature of the large lecture classroom attending lecture and discussions on a regular basis meeting all deadlines and requirements in a timely manner COURSE TEXTS CLICKERS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS Cal Jillson American Government Political Change and Institutional Development 3rd edition William F Grover and Joseph G Peschek Voices of Dissent Critical Readings in American Politics 6th edition Turning Technologies RF Keypad AKA Clickers Juan Williams Thurgood Marshall American Revolutionary free copies distributed in class Daily reading of an internationally respected newspaper Daily viewing of BBC News PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer GVPT 170 0101 0116 page two GRADING AND EVALUATION Your grade in this course is based on the following 20 lecture discussion group quizzes both announced and unannounced 20 discussion group participation 30 hourly examinations 15 first year book activities 20 comprehensive final examination Thursday May 18 8 10am 0130 Tydings ATTENDANCE POLICY A fully functioning learning community depends on the presence and contributions of every one of its members in the large lecture class as well as the Friday discussion sections ACADEMIC INTEGRITY UMCP has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity administered by the Student Honor Council This Code sets standards for academic integrity at UMCP for all undergraduate and graduate students As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating fabrication facilitation or plagiarism For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council please visit http www studenthonorcouncil umd edu whatis html ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES We are happy to work with you if you need special arrangements Please note that a written request for accommodations is required Please have the appropriate paperwork for test taking at DSS given to Dr Vietri a week prior to all examinations Thank you If you have any questions or concerns regarding UMCP disability documentation please contact Disability Support Services at 314 7682 SCHEDULE OF LECTURE TOPICS READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS January 25 Welcome to Our Learning Community and Expectations January 27 No discussion group meetings this week January 30 Origins of American Political Principles and American Exceptionalism Reading Jillson chapter 1 Grover and Peschek pp 81 87 February 1 The American Revolution a Partial Revolution Reading Jillson chapter 2 pp 22 33 Williams chapters 1 3 February 3 Discussion group topic Constitutional Structures and Processes Reading Jillson chapter 2 pp 34 46 Grover and Peschek pp 88 110 February 6 The American Ideology and Political Culture Reading Grover and Peschek pp 46 59 Bring clickers to class from now on Please download the remainder of the syllabus at www bsos umd edu gvpt syllabi index html GVPT 170 page three February 8 American Federalism Reading Jillson chapter 3 pp 48 57 February 10 Discussion group topic Federalism Evaluated and Compared Reading Jillson chapter 3 pp 58 71 February 13 Political Socialization and Public Opinion Reading Jillson chapter 4 Williams chapters 4 6 February 15 The Mass Media Reading Jillson chapter 5 February 17 Discussion group topic The Politics of Mass Media in America Reading Grover and Peschek chapter 4 February 20 First Examination February 22 Interest Groups and Social Movements Reading Jillson chapter 6 Williams chapters 7 12 February 24 Discussion group topic Thurgood Marshall the Civil Rights Movement Reading Williams chapters 13 20 February 27 Political Parties in America Reading Jillson chapter 7 March 1 The Election Process in America Reading Jillson chapter 8 March 3 Discussion group topic 2006 midterm elections Reading Grover and Peschek chapter 5 March 6 Congress Reading Jillson chapter 9 pp 219 240 March 8 International Womens Day Reading Jillson pp 147 153 Grover and Peschek pp 308 312 March 10 Discussion group topic How representative is