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UNLV PSC 101 - Syllabus

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PSC 101-017 Introduction to American Politics Fall 2005; 4 Credit Hours Instructor: Joseph C. Bebel E-mail: [email protected] Location: WRI-C-151 Phone: 895-5246; Office: WRI-A222 Time: Fridays, 8:30 AM – 12 PM Office Hours: Fridays, 12:15 – 2:15 PM or, by appointment Scope and Purpose: This course has two main goals: (1) to impart a good understanding of both American and Nevada government and politics; (2) to instill skills necessary to achieve informed political participation and a willingness to use them. It is expected that after taking this course you will have a greater knowledge of the following course objectives: 1. Define democracy and demonstrate how it differs from other forms of government. 2. Explain the purpose of government, fundamental values, and political ideologies. 3. Define federalism and its relationship to the American governmental system. 4. Identify the various steps by which the Constitution was written and ratified. 5. Identify the powers of each branch of government. 6. Explain the process of a bill going through Congress. 7. Identify the major offices within the executive branch. 8. Provide a brief history of, and understand the chief players in, the bureaucracy. 9. Explain the importance of an “Iron Triangle.” 10. Explain the structure of the federal and state court system and explain its various jurisdictions. 11. Identify the various ways that a case can reach the Supreme Court. 12. Analyze the influence of public opinion on how government and politicians function. 13. Trace the process by which the media influences the political process. 14. Understand the role that lobbyists play in the American political process. 15. Explain the importance of political action committees in the campaign process. 16. Discuss the genesis of political parties. 17. Explain the difference between civil rights and civil liberties. 18. Understand the Bill of Rights and additional amendments to the Constitution. 19. Identify the major factors and the major players within foreign policy making. 20. Define the important elements within economic policy making. Lastly, this course supports the following political science department degree objectives/learning outcomes: (1) to enhance students’ ability to communicate orally and in written form; (2) to enhance students’ ability to think through and compare competing theories and information using logic and analytical means; (3) to enable students to become knowledgeable in one of the six sub-fields of the discipline (i.e., American Politics); (4) to help prepare the student for graduate study in political science or a related discipline. Required Textbooks: Patterson, Thomas E. 2005. The American Democracy—Alternate Edition, 7th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Bowers, Michael W. 2002. The Sagebrush State: Nevada’s History, Government, and Politics, 2nd edition. Reno, NV: University of Nevada Press. Fiorina, Morris P. 2005. Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America. New York: Pearson Education. Grading: Your final grade for the course will be determined based on the following criteria: First Exam: 20 A = 100-93 C+ = 79-77 D- = 62-60 Second Exam: 20 A- = 92-90 C = 76-73 F = 59-0 Third Exam: 20 B+ = 89-87 C- = 72-70 Final Exam: 20 B = 86-83 D+ = 69-67 Attendance/Participation 20 B- = 82-80 D = 66-63 100Class Policies: 1. Participation/Attendance: I am allocating 20 points for class attendance/participation. You will be awarded one point for each class you attend. Not counting the final exam day, we will meet 12 times (for 12 potential attendance points). You will have to earn participation points by being prepared for class, answering questions and getting involved in classroom discussions. I will award another half point per class for class participation. Discounting the first day of class and the four exam days, this means another potential 4 points (8 x .5 = 4). If you are not present for class you cannot earn the points. It is possible to earn bonus points for exceptional class participation. For example, each class begins with an opportunity for a student (or students) to present a current events article from a credible source germane to the topic for the week, to earn additional bonus points for class participation (see “Extra Credit Opportunities” below). The remaining 6 points towards class participation are attained as follows: a. Class debates (2 points). There is potential for up to 8 debate teams to be randomly formed by the instructor on any given class day. No prior notice will be provided to the students selected for debate. Every student will be given at least two opportunities to participate in a class debate. b. Fiorina critique (2 points). Choose a topic that interests you from the Fiorina text (partisan polarization, abortion, homosexuality, shifting of electoral cleavages, elite polarization, etc.). Find a related current article from a respected, credible source (major newspaper, news magazine, script of interview with an expert on the subject, etc.). Prepare a one page, bullet format explanation of how the article you chose either supports or challenges Fiorina’s position. E-mail both the article and your one-page critique to the instructor no later than the day prior to the date we are scheduled to address the issue in class (refer to “Class Schedule,” “Reading Assignment” below). You may present your article/critique to the class for additional credit. Please coordinate with the instructor prior to class when choosing to present in class. 2. Exams: There are four (4) scheduled exams, including a midterm and a final exam. The exams are not cumulative; however, the instructor reserves the right to include some important material from previous exams as appropriate. Ordinarily no make-up exams will be given. However, if extraordinary circumstances seem to require one, then students must do the following in order to qualify: (1) inform the instructor of the problem at some time prior to the scheduled exam time; (2) provide documentation as soon as possible afterwards. If an emergency occurs just prior to an exam, and you are unable to reach me, call the department office (895-3307/3324) and someone will take a message. The first and third exams include both multiple choice, true/false and short answer


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UNLV PSC 101 - Syllabus

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