Political Science 100-9
American Government and Politics
Fall 2005
Monday and Wednesday
DuSable 246
Instructor: Brian Frederick
Office: DuSable 476
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday
Phone: (815) 753-1818
E-mail: bfrederi@niu.edu
Introduction: This
course will serve as an introduction to the fundamental aspects of American
government and politics. It will explore
the major issues, ideas, institutions, individuals and debates at the center of
American democracy.
Required
Text:
Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey M. Berry and Jerry Goldman. 2005. The
Challenge of Democracy: Government in
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 reserves the right to announce any changes in class.
Exams: There
will be three exams each accounting for 150 points or 15% of the overall
grade. Students who miss the exam will
be given a chance to make it up with a valid excuse determined at the
discretion of the instructor. 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.
Extraordinary circumstances are considered those circumstances that
personally affect the student’s ability to take the exam (Illness, sudden car
trouble must be documented).
Short Essays: Every student will be expected to write three essays of approximately 2-3 pages apiece. It should be stapled, typed and doubled spaced with 12 point font. Each essay will be worth 100 points or 10% of the overall grade. These assignments must be turned in on the due date listed in the syllabus. Late papers will be accepted but, with a penalty of a full letter grade reduction for every class day they are late.
Attendance: Attending every class is
mandatory. An attendance sheet will be
passed around at the beginning of every class period. It is the student’s
responsibility to make sure his or her name is on it. At the end of the semester the instructor
will calculate a percentage classes attended by the student which will make up
10% of the overall grade. Anyone with a
valid excuse for missing class should contact the instructor with a full
explanation and documentation of the circumstances for being absent. If the reason is deemed to be credible (such
as a medical appointment) the student will be granted an excused absence, which
will not be counted in the final attendance tabulation.
Participation and Quizzes: In order for this course to operate successfully class
participation from everyone is crucial.
This expectation requires that the student complete the assigned reading
prior to the day of class and be prepared to comment thoughtfully upon
them. To ensure that all students are
keeping up with the readings the instructor will periodically give unannounced
quizzes on the specified readings for that particular class day. The remainder
of the class participation grade will be based on the frequency, consistency
and quality of comments during class discussion. The instructor encourages and
expects questions and comments from everyone class and students who do so will
find that effort reflected in their grade.
Students can also gain participation credit by posting comments on
readings or other topics covered in class by using the discussion board feature
in Blackboard, http://webcourses.niu.edu/.
Overall class participation and the unannounced quizzes will account for 150
points or 15% of the final grade for the course. A student will not be allowed to makeup a
quiz unless documentation is provided.
Appointments:
The instructor will make every reasonable effort to be available to
students. If you cannot come during
scheduled office hours, please contact me to schedule a mutually convenient
appointment.
Grading:
Points Available
Exams: 150 points apiece
Essays: 100 points apiece
Attendance: 100 points
Class Participation and Quizzes:
150 points
Total: 1000 points
Grading Scale:
A = 900-1000 points
B = 800-899 points
C = 700-799 points
D = 600-699 points
F = 0-599 points
Classroom Behavior: All students must conduct themselves with respect for their
colleagues and the instructor. Free
expression of ideas is encouraged but in a manner that does not impugn the
motives or personally attack other members of the class. When someone else is speaking please wait
until they are finished and raise your hand before making a comment or asking a
question. All cell phones and pagers
must be turned off at all times. Failure
to do so will result in a ten point reduction in the student’s class
participation for each violation.
Students are expected to be attentive to the lectures and class
discussions. Students who text message, talk on their cell phone or
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.
Students with Disabilities: NIU abides by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which
mandates reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If
you have a disability and may require some type of instructional and/or
examination accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I
can help you obtain needed assistance. If you have not already done so, you
will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the
designated office on campus to provide services for students with disabilities.
The CAAR office is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services
building (753-1303). I look forward to working with you to enhance your
academic success in this course. It is
important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any disability-related needs
during the first two weeks of the semester
Extra Credit:
Without exception, extra credit is not an option. There are plenty of
opportunities to improve your grade with the course requirements and if you
find you are having trouble, please seek help early in the semester.
Efforts will be made to give extra help but it is generally assumed that you
will be responsible for the work in accordance with the stated deadlines.
Academic Dishonesty: Regarding plagiarism, the NIU
Undergraduate Catalog states: "students are guilty of plagiarism,
intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other
sources without identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on
an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course
involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university." The above
statement encompasses the purchase or use of papers that were written by
others. In short, students are advised to do their own work and learn the rules
for proper quoting, paraphrasing, and footnoting.
Withdrawal Policy: If you choose to stop attending class you, the student, are
responsible for withdrawing from the course. The instructor will not do
so for you. If you stop attending and have not withdrawn, a failing grade
will be entered.
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 access the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
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. All requests
for incomplete must be submitted in writing to the instructor by
Week 1:
August 22: Introduction and
Review of the Syllabus.
August 24: The Role of Government.
Read JBG Chapter 1.
Week 2
August 29: Continue Chapter
1.
August 31: Majoritarian or
Pluralist Democracy?
Essay 1 due: First Go to http://www.uspolitics.org and run IDEALOG
(do the readings and the survey you find there). Write a 2-3 page essay
describing what category you wound up in (liberal, conservative, communitarian
or libertarian) and why. Discuss whether
you wound up where you thought would have expected before taking the test.
Read JBG Chapter 2.
Week 3
September 5: Labor Day, class
does not meet.
September 7: Continue Chapter
2.
Week 4
September 12: The
Read JBG Chapter 3.
September 14: Read Federalist
10 and 51, A 17-20.
Week 5
September 19: Federalism.
Read JBG Chapter 4.
September 21: Go to: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=U10287&friend=oyez
Read the opinions of Chief
Justice Rehnquist and Justice Breyer in US v. Lopez. Be prepared to discuss in class.
Review for Test 1.
Week 6
September 26: Test 1.
September 28: The Media.
Read JBG Chapter 6.
Week 7
October 3: Public Opinion and
Political Socialization.
Read JBG Chapter 5.
October 5: Go to: http://www.pollingreport.com/
and pick an issue for which there is a public opinion poll. Be prepared to discuss in class.
Week 8
October 10: Political
Parties.
Read JBG Chapter 8.
October 12: Go to www.democrats.org and www.rnc.org and review the web sites of the two
major political parties. Be prepared to discuss in class.
Week 9
October 17: Nominations,
Elections and Campaigns.
Essay # 2 due. In a 2-3 page essay answer the questions: Do
you identify with a political party? If so why?
If not, why not? Which of the two
major political parties most closely reflects your views?
Read JBG Chapter 9.
October 19: Read Alan
Abramowitz "Terrorism, Gay Marriage, and Incumbency: Explaining the Republican
Victory in the 2004 Presidential Election." available in Blackboard. Be
prepared to discuss in class.
Week 10
October 24: Participation and
Voting.
Read JBG Chapter 7.
October 31: Read Michael P.
McDonald "Up, Up and Away! Voter Participation in the
2004 Presidential Election” available in Blackboard. Be prepared to
discuss in class.
Review for Test 2.
Week 11
October 31: Test 2.
November 2: Interest Groups.
Read JBG Chapter 10.
Week 12
November 7: Congress.
Read JBG Chapter 11.
November 9: Essay # 3 due. Go
to http://www.house.gov/ and click on the
list of committees. In a 2-3 page essay
explain what committee you would most like to sit on if you were a member of
the US House of Representatives. What kinds
of legislation does the committee deal with?
How would serving on this committee help you get reelected? How would serving on this committee enhance
your prestige within the House of Representatives?
Week 13
November 14: The Courts.
Read JBG Chapter 14.
November 16: Go to: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=5&page=137
Read Chief
Justice Marshall’s opinion in Marbury v
Week 14
November 21: The Presidency.
Read JBG Chapter 13.
November 23: Thanksgiving
break, no class.
Week 15
November 28: Civil Liberties.
Read JBG Chapter 15.
November 30: Civil Rights.
Read JBG Chapter 16.
Review for Exam.
Week 16
December 5: Final Exam,