Nevada Constitution PSC 100 – OM7 5:00-7:30PM, Wednesdays (March 25 – April 29) WRI C151 Instructor: Melanie Young Office: Wright Hall A206. Office Hours: 1:00-2:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; & by appointment. Phone: 895-0403. 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. Course This course is designed for students who have met the American Constitutional requirement with a course that includes no information about Nevada. It will include a brief history of Nevada prior to statehood, discussion of the Nevada Constitution, and analysis of the political, economic, and social characteristics of the state today. In so doing, we will study Nevada’s position within the federal system, the institutions of state government, the main processes of decision-making, and the administration of those decisions. There are no prerequisites for this course. 1 Credit. Course Objectives: The successful student will be able to: 1. Explain the state government’s role within a federal system. 2. Discuss the constitutional framework that shapes and controls the political process in the State of Nevada. 3. Identify how and why the Nevada State Constitution limits power, and how limited constitutional government benefits Nevadans. 4. Explain the origin, meaning and purpose of the basic principles of Nevada’s political system. 5. Provide a standard by which to evaluate the constitutional merits of public policies proposed and adopted by the Nevada legislature and the Governor, and judicial opinions rendered by the state courts. 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 may 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. Required Materials for the Course Required 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. Grading There will be 3 quizzes valued at 20%, a writing assignment worth 20%, and a final exam valued at 60%. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. 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. All grades will be posted on WebCampus.Quizzes The quizzes will consist of multiple choice questions and/or true/false statements. Quizzes will cover the previous week’s readings, lectures, videos, and any additional handouts/readings. For example, quiz 1 will cover Chapters 1 & 2 in the Bowers text as well as the lecture material from the first week of class. No make-ups will be given unless a legitimate excuse and adequate documentation are provided prior to the quiz that will be missed. In other words, plan on showing up for quizzes. All make-up quizzes will be given during the last regularly scheduled day of class, Wednesday, April 29th. Students must provide their own scantrons for quizzes. Writing Assignment You are required to complete a brief writing assignment valued at 20%. The topic of the assignment is a current event of your choice that pertains directly to politics or government in the state of Nevada. Please cite two sources and include copies of the articles you cite with your paper. The paper should be a minimum of 2 full pages double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with 1 inch margins. In addition to the 2 typed pages, you will need to include a bibliography/works cited page. You must use the MLA style guide for formatting the paper. This assignment is due the third week of class. It must be submitted to me during class. No papers will be accepted via e-mail or other electronic format. Papers turned in after the third week of class will not be graded. Grading of the writing assignment will be based on the following: 1) Presentation of opposing arguments and/or discussion of significance of chosen topic to current Nevada politics: No persuasive/opinion papers. 2) Correct use of the MLA style guide, including bibliography/works cited layout and citations (use footnotes or in-text citations). 3) Attachment of 2 cited articles. 4) Grammar and style. 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/ 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