Political Science 100-9
Andy Schott
American Government and
Politics
Fall 2003
MW
Office: DuSable 461 and SSRI 161 Phone: 753-0961
E-mail: aschott@niu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and
Wednesday 2-3:00 and by appointment
POLS 100: American
Government and Politics provides a college level introduction to the American
political system at the national level.
It also serves as a prerequisite for many upper level courses in
American Government. While it is an introduction course, it will be
challenging. The American political
system demands that its citizens be informed and knowledgeable on issues
concerning government, since the people are the government in the
All students are expected to have full access to a copy of the following text. It is available in both bookstores on campus.
American Government: Brief
Version, 6th edition, James Q. Wilson, Houghton Mifflin Co.,
2003.
Occasionally students may be
asked to do additional readings that may be found on the internet, on reserve
in the library or provided by the instructor.
NIU students have access to the internet from their assigned NIU.EDU
account. If you do not already have your Z-ID number and access to an NIU
account, you should make an early effort to acquire one (a personal account is
adequate). The instructor is working
under the assumption that everyone has access to the internet from some
source. If this is a false assumption,
it is the student’s responsibility to let him know.
Some Useful Websites: www.senate.gov www.house.gov www.fec.gov
www.whitehouse.gov www.supremecourtus.gov www.legis.state.il.us
III. COURSE POLICIES,
PROCEDURES, AND EXPECTATIONS
1. Classroom Behavior
and Attendance: Courtesy and regard for one another should
guide classroom behavior. Differences in
opinion will inevitably arise in good discussions. Absolute agreement is NEVER
required, but respect is ALWAYS required.
Attendance at each class is both expected and necessary for success in
this class. Being in attendance is defined
as being present at the beginning of class and remaining in class until the
instructor dismisses the class for the day.
Students who are having difficulty arriving on time may be barred
from class. Occasional difficulties
do arise and are understandable if an appropriate
explanation and apology are offered after class. If there are any scheduling problems that
cannot be avoided, please consult with the instructor immediately.
Students
are expected to be attentive to the lectures and class discussions. Students who sleep, read the paper,
persistently talk with other students or are otherwise inattentive will be
asked to leave the class and will be subject to administrative dismissal from
the course. All cell phones must be
turned off when class begins. If a
cell phone rings during class, the owner will be asked to leave and the absence
will be unexcused. Students who have
extended absences due to illness should notify the instructor as promptly as
possible during the absence and produce a doctor’s note indicating the nature
and duration of the illness. This note
should be presented at the first class upon returning. Extended absences are regarded as not
fulfilling course requirements and, unless justified with appropriate
documentation, will adversely affect the final grade.
The
instructor reserves the right to raise a student’s final grade if that
student’s attendance and participation has been exceptional. It can only help - do the readings, attend
class, and participate!
2. Class Preparation
and Note Taking: The best way to prepare for each class is to do the
readings at least once (some require more than one reading) prior to the first
day we begin each unit. You will be much
better able to participate in and to grasp the class discussions if you have
done so. Note taking is an important
ingredient to success in this course.
Learn to listen carefully to the arguments made and write them down as
best you can. Good discussions will move
beyond the readings and are likely to return on a test or quiz. Students’
questions frequently lead to important points and essential discussions. You will be evaluated on your understanding
of important material, regardless of who specifically brings it into the
discussion. In other words, if it is
discussed in class or in the readings, it is acceptable test material.
3. Class Participation: Participation in class is expected, required,
and rewarded. Participation means that
students demonstrate that they are trying to understand the arguments being
made both in the reading and in the discussions, by asking questions or making
comments, which show problems with the arguments and by responding to questions
which the instructor raises. Merely
talking does not fulfill the expectation set for participation. The kind of participation expected is one
which shows that you are trying to understand what the whole picture looks
like, what each part looks like, and how the parts fit into that whole.
4. Grading: Final grades will be based on a student’s
performance in the following areas:
FOUR
(4) EXAMS (60%): Exams may consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or
essay questions covering the reading and class discussions. Each exam will cover the chapters listed on
the date of the exam. There may be overlap and understanding material from previous
units may be required for a full understanding of later chapters. There is no comprehensive final, but the
fourth exam will be taken during finals week.
FOUR ESSAYS (20%) The Essay topics are listed on the syllabus. The essays must be typed using 12-point font. Your name, date assignment is due and word count must be printed in the top left hand corner of page one of the essay. Essay should be checked for grammar and for spelling mistakes prior to handing the essay to the instructor. Essays with more than one page must be stapled. No paper clipped essays will be accepted. Essays are due at the beginning of class. No late papers will be accepted without prior consultation with the professor.
Written Work Assignments should be handed to me personally or given prior to or upon
the due date to a department secretary to be time-stamped. Assignments placed
under my office door or sent with a friend tend to disappear at times. If a
student selects one of these modes of delivery, he or she does so at their own
risk. Students should also retain their work on paper and computer diskette in
the event the instructor requests an additional copy.
QUIZZES
(20%) Quizzes will be given as scheduled on the course outline. Each quiz will
be based on the reading assigned for that week. Quizzes cannot be made
up. The quiz will be administered at the beginning of the class. Ten minutes
will be allotted for the completion of the quiz. If you come
late to class no extra time will be given for completing the quiz.
Grade
percentage
Quizzes
20%
Essays
20%
Exams 60%
100%
EXTRA CREDIT: Extra credit
assignments will not be given on an individual basis to raise final course
grades. Like makeup exams, such projects raise serious questions of equity. In
the unlikely event such a project is made available,
every member of the class will be given the opportunity to complete it.
5. Syllabus:
The syllabus is a tentative schedule for the course. Each course progresses at a unique pace and
it is inevitable that changes will be necessary. The instructor will announce any changes in
class. In other words, one more reason
for regular attendance is to stay up to date on important assignment and test
dates.
6. Makeup Exams:
Makeup exams will only be given in extraordinary circumstances. If such
circumstances arise, please contact the instructor as soon as possible and
before the scheduled exam. To keep the process fair for everyone in the
course, students will be asked to support requests for makeup exams with
documentation. A missed examination without prior notification and a documented
excuse will result in a zero.
7 Handouts:
Handouts, including study guides, are a privilege for those students who attend
class on a regular basis. No student is entitled to supplemental materials
simply because they are registered for the course.
8 Incomplete
Requests: Such petitions will be granted rarely and only in
extraordinary circumstances. The instructor reserves the right to ask for
documentation to verify the problem preventing completion of the course by the
normal deadlines. If the student does not present documentation from a
university office or official, the matter will be left to the instructor’s
discretion.
Under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with
disabilities that may have some impact on their coursework and for which they
may require accommodations should notify the Center for Access-Ability
Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the
11. Department of
Political Science Web Site
Undergraduates are strongly
encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a regular
basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in
contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi,
exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking department
events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and
activities. To reach the site, go to http://www.niu.edu/acad/polisci/pols.html
12. Appointments:
The instructor will make every reasonable effort to be available to
students. If you cannot come during
scheduled office hours, please call or e-mail to schedule a mutually convenient
appointment.
IV. GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 1: Introduction to American Government, The Constitution, Federalism.
Unit 2: Public Opinion, Parties, Interest Groups,
Campaigns and Elections
Unit 3: Congress and the Presidency
Unit 4: Civil Liberties Civil Rights, Politics and Public Policy
Wilson
Chapter 1
Declaration
of
Wilson
Chapter 3
Declaration
of
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 4
Second
Essay
Write
a 300 word letter-to-the editor expressing your opinion on an action that a
governmental official has taken. Alternatively, you may want to write a letter
that urges the government to act or not to act. Due October 1
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 4
Essay
Due October 1
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 5
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 6
Exam
2
Wilson
Chapter 7
Third
Essay
In
an essay answer the following questions: DO NOT JUST LIST NAMES
In
the Senate:
1.
Who is the President of the Senate? What is the President’s name and party
identification? What Office is the President of the Senate elected to? What are
the duties of the President of the Senate?
2.
Who is the president pro tempore of the United States Senate? What is
the president pro tempore name and party identification? What state does
the president pro tempore represent in the Senate? What are the duties
of the president pro tempore of the Senate?
3.
Who is the Majority Leader in the United States Senate? What is the Majority
Leader’s name and party identification? What state does the Majority Leader
represent in the Senate? What are the duties of the Majority Leader of the
Senate?
4.
Who is the Minority Leader in the United States Senate? What is the Minority
Leader’s name and party identification? What state does the Minority Leader
represent in the Senate? What are the duties of the Minority Leader of the
Senate?
In
the
1.
Who is the Speaker of the House Representatives? What is the Speaker’s name and
party identification? What State and congressional district does the Speaker
represent? What are the duties of the Speaker of the House?
2.
Who is the Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives? What
is the Minority Leader’s name and party identification? What State and
congressional district does the Minority Leader represent? What are the
Minority Leader’s duties in the United States House of Representatives?
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 7
Essay
Due October 29
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 8
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 10
Exam
3
Wilson
Chapter 7, 8 and 10
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 11
Fourth
Essay Topic
will be announced during class November 19.
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 12 and 13
Essay Due December 3