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UNLV PSC 101 - Syllabus

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PSC 101, Section 12 Introduction to American Politics - Fall 2007 7:00-8:45 PM, Tuesdays & Thursdays BEH 111 Instructor: Melanie Young Office: Wright Hall A222. Office Hours: 4:00-5:00 PM & 8:45-9:15PM, Tuesdays & Thursdays; & by appointment. Phone: 895-5246 E-mail: [email protected]. Please note: You are urged to use e-mail if you should need to contact me. E-mail will be checked once a day, Monday through Friday. Phone messages will be checked Tuesdays and Thursdays. Course This course offers an overview of the activities and institutions of American government. The objective of this course is to increase your understanding of the foundations, organization, and functions of the national and Nevada governments. In so doing, we will study the main processes of decision-making, the administration of those decisions, and their importance to individual Americans. The course will be divided into three separate but related sections. The first section will examine the formal constitutional framework of American government. This will focus on the Constitution, the nature of democracy, and federalism in the United States. Limited government will be discussed, as well as civil liberties and civil rights. The second section will focus on informal institutions of American government. This section will examine the role of political socialization and ideology, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, and the media in American politics. The final section will focus on the institutions of American government. This section will provide an in-depth examination of the U.S. Congress, the American Presidency and Bureaucracy, and the American Judiciary. Interspersed throughout the semester at appropriate times will be readings and discussion of the Nevada Constitution and how our state system of government functions here in Nevada. PSC 101 satisfies both the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions requirement for non-PSC majors. 4 credits. Required and optional Materials for the Course Required texts: Patterson, Thomas E. We the People: A Concise Introduction to American Politics, 7th edition. 2008. Text. Bowers, Michael. The Sagebrush State: Nevada’s History, Government, and Politics, 3rd edition. 2006. Text. You will be responsible for any videos, handouts, or reserve readings assigned throughout the semester. Method of instruction The course will be taught in an informal lecture/seminar format with emphasis on student participation. Your contributions to the class through your attentiveness, the frequency and quality of your contributions, and the degree of your preparation will influence your grade. While the syllabus provides a structured path, current events may suggest some worthwhile detours. The contents and/or dates of this syllabus are thus subject to change.Class Attendance Attendance in this course is crucial. If you must leave class before it is over, please notify me before class and make the least possible disruption. The instructor reserves the right to institute pop quizzes if attendance becomes an issue throughout the semester and excessive absences are noted. Grading There will be 3 exams throughout the semester (including the final). The exams will be a combination of multiple choice questions, true/false statements, fill in the blank, and short essays. Exams will cover readings, lectures, videos, and any additional handouts/readings. The final exam is not comprehensive. Each exam is worth 1/3 (33.33%) of your final grade for the course. Each exam will consist of the following 2 parts: Part I will be a combination of multiple choice, true false statements, matching, and/or fill in the blank statements/questions valued at 85 points total; Part II will be a short essay valued at 15 points. No make-ups will be given unless extraordinary circumstances exist and, a legitimate excuse and adequate documentation are provided prior to the examination that will be missed. In other words, plan on showing up for exams. All make-up exams will be given during the last regularly scheduled day of class, Thursday, December 6th. Students must provide their own scantrons and blue (essay) books for exams. While student participation is not formally calculated into your final grade, students may improve their final score by ½ a letter grade (e.g., B+ to A- or A- to A) if the quality and quantity of their participation merits it. The standard university grading system will be used when issuing final grades: A=94+, A-= 90-93, B+=87-89, B=84-86, B-=80-83, C+=77-79, C=74-76, C-=70-73, D+=67-69, D=64-66, D-=60-63, F=0-59. Academic Misconduct and Copyright Violations Neither cheating nor plagiarism (using the words or ideas of another without citing the source) will be tolerated. Any attempt to cheat on an examination will be subject to the most severe penalty the University allows. Please review the University handbook for penalties. “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.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005, located at <http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html>). 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 violation 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, the University encourages you to visit its copyright website at: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright.Disability Resource Center 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


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UNLV PSC 101 - Syllabus

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