PSCI 1101-200: Course Syllabus
Download a copy of the course syllabus: PSCI 1101-200 syllabus, fall 2007.pdf
Important Dates and Assignments
Class Schedule and Reading Assignments
Reading and Other Course Materials
Course Requirements
Expectations
Class and University Policies
The purpose of this course is to introduce the institutions, processes and actors operating in the American political system. We will be critically examining the nature and quality of American democracy and evaluating the influence of these various factors on the development of public policy. No prior coursework in political science is necessary as a prerequisite for this course. At the end of the semester students should have a solid understanding of the American political system and be well prepared for more advanced coursework in political science.
IMPORTANT DATES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Thu, Sept 6 - Short paper #1 (7.5 percent)
Thu, Sept 20 - Short paper #2 (7.5 percent)
Tue, Oct 2 - Midterm exam #1 (15 percent)
Tue, Oct 16 - Short paper #3 (7.5 percent)
Tue, Oct 30 - Short paper #4 (7.5 percent)
Thu, Nov 8 - Midterm exam #2 (15 percent)
Thu, Nov 29 - Observing government paper (20 percent)
Tue, Dec 18 - FINAL, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm (20 percent)
CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Aug 28 Course overview
Aug 30 Introduction to American government and politics (August 30, 2007 Power Point)
- Chapter 2
- Constitution of the United States , Appendix 2
Sept 11 The U.S. constitutional framework (September 11, 2007 Power Point)
- Federalist No. 10, Appendix 3
- Federalist No. 51 , Appendix 4
Sept 13 Federalism (September 13, 2007 Power Point)
- Federalism: “Moment of Crisis—System Failure,” DVD 1, ABC News Student Library; Appendix 9 questions
Sept 20 Civil liberties (Short paper #2 due, beginning of class) (September 20, 2007 Power Point)
- Chapter 5
- Constitution of the United States , Appendix 2
Sept 25 Civil liberties (September 25, 2007 Power Point)
- Civil Liberties: “Life or Death Decision,” DVD 2, ABC News Student Library
- Civil Liberties: “Voices of Dissent,” DVD 2, ABC News Student Library
- Review questions for both video clips, Appendix 9
Sept 27 Civil liberties (September 27, 2007 Power Point)
- Civil Liberties: “Crime & Punishment,” DVD 2, ABC News Student Library
- Civil Liberties: “Church & State, and Pledge of Allegiance,” DVD 2, ABC News Student Library
- Review questions for both video clips, Appendix 9
Oct 2 Midterm exam #1 (MIDTERM #1 REVIEW SHEET)
Oct 4 Civil rights (October 4, 2007 Power Point)
Oct 9 Congress (October 9, 2007 Power Point)
Oct 11 Congress (October 11, 2007 Power Point)
- Congress: “Price of Victory,” DVD 1, ABC News Student Library; Appendix 9 questions Take a look at Thomas, the Library of Congress source for federal legislative information, available at: http://thomas.loc.gov/. Look at “public laws.” How many have been enacted to date in the 110 th Congress? What is the nature of the five most recent bills enacted into law?
Oct 16 Congress (Short paper #3 due, beginning of class) (October 16, 2007 Power Point)
Oct 18 Presidency (October 18, 2007 Power Point)
- Look at the White House “Presidential News and Speeches” webpage, available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/. What issues have been discussed over the past week?
Oct 25 Bureaucracy (October 25, 2007 Power Point)
Oct 30 Bureaucracy (Short paper #4 due, beginning of class)
Nov 1 Judiciary (November 1, 2007 Power Point)
Nov 6 Judiciary (November 6, 2007 Power Point)
Nov 8 Midterm exam #2 (MIDTERM #2 REVIEW SHEET)
Nov 13 Public opinion & media (November 13, 2007 Power Point)
- Chapter 9
- Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting: “Air Wars,” DVD 1, ABC News Student Library; Appendix 9 questions
Nov 15 Public opinion & media Chapter 10 (November 15, 2007 Power Point)
- Mass Media: “Q & A,” DVD 1, ABC News Student Library; Appendix 9 questions
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov 27 Interest groups (November 27, 2007 Power Point)
Nov 29 Voting & elections (Observing Government in Action paper due) (November 29, 2007 Power Point)
Dec 4 Voting & elections (December 4, 2007 Power Point)
Dec 11 Public policy
Dec 13 Public policy
Tues, Dec 18 FINAL EXAM, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
READING AND OTHER COURSE MATERIALS
There is one required textbook: Shea, Daniel, Joanne Green and Christopher Smith, Living Democracy,Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007.
In addition, the required textbook comes packaged with two ABC News American Government Student Library Video DVDs, providing example cases from news broadcasts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course is designed to engage students in the materials through a variety of assignments. Specifically, students will be graded on: three exams (two midterms and a final), four short written assignments, and one longer paper describing observations of government in action. Exams will cover material from the assigned readings and class lectures. Written assignments include many options to allow students to choose topics and opportunities of interest. A full description of all paper assignments follows the Class Schedule. Due dates and grading breakdown are as follows:
EXPECTATIONS
- Attend class and be prepared. This means reading each assignment prior to that class.
- Contact me early and often. Individual meetings are valuable to both of us. If you cannot meet during my office hours, I am easily reached via e-mail or telephone. You should especially talk with me as soon as possible when particular questions or concerns arise.
- Academic honesty. Any cheating is grounds for an automatic F, expulsion from the class, and referral to the College Committee on Academic Dishonesty. Cheating specifically includes use of unauthorized materials or others’ work during exams, plagiarism (which also covers the use of materials made available on the internet), and misrepresentation of someone else’s work or work from another course as your own. If you have questions about what is or is not permissible, ask first.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a disability should let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You may be required to provide documentation of your special needs to the Disability Services Office. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.edu/disabilityservices.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Let me know as soon as possible any schedule conflicts due to religious observances. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty members have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.
DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
The University of Colorado at Boulder policies on Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Amorous Relationships (found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html) apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.
