POLITICAL SCIENCE 340: POLITICAL
ANALYSIS
Fall 2008
Northern
Illinois University
Faon
Grandinetti
Office: Zulauf 107
Phone: (815)753-1014
E-mail: fgrandinetti@niu.edu
Class Meetings: T, TH 11:00-12:15 AM
Classroom: DU 459
Office Hours: T, TH 9:20-10:50 or by appointment
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Concepts and
principal methods of research in political science: techniques of gathering,
analyzing, and interpreting data and reporting findings.
INTRODUCTION
The
first goal of this course is to help students learn to think about political
problems scientifically by considering topics such as concepts and hypotheses,
research design, and literature reviews.
We will focus on these topics for approximately one third of the course.
The second goal of the course, covered for approximately the last two thirds of
the semester, is to give students some specific tools that are commonly used in
empirical social research. These tools
include methods of measurement, measures of association, and regression analysis. The ultimate ambition of the course is to
provide students with a good knowledge and understanding of social scientific
research which will help them systematically address political questions in
their coursework at NIU and beyond.
REQUIRED TEXTS
You are
required to purchase two items for this course:
1)
The Essentials of Political Analysis, 2nd Edition + An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis,
3rd Edition package, by Philip
H. Pollock III (this includes the
student version of SPSS)
2) Political Science Research
Methods, 6th Edition, by Janet Buttolph Johnson, H. T. Reynolds, and Jason D. Mycoff
Additionally, a
fee was required to take this course.
That fee allows you access to the SOCQRL Computer Lab in DuSable
222. You will be able to do your
assignments in the SOCQRL Lab and have trained tutors available to help
you. You can visit the SOCQRL webpage
(ww.socqrl.niu.edu) for more information, including the specific times the lab
is open each week. If you have
questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
GRADED REQUIREMENTS
There are
three basic components of your grade in this course: weekly assignments, exams,
and participation. The first requirement, weekly take-home assignments, helps
me make sure all students understand all aspects of the course material while
giving students hands-on practice with the concepts and methods we address. Although I would in many ways prefer to
assign a semester research paper, the only way I can ensure all of the
information is thoroughly conveyed and comprehended is to have you think
through problems each week. I will
assign a set of questions or a section of the workbook for you to complete by
class time on Tuesdays. You will turn in
your responses as you enter class, and I will turn them back to you by Thursday
the same week. Please take note of the
comments I write in response to your work as well as the grade I assign for
that work. The weekly assignments will
comprise 50 percent of your final grade.
Second, there will be two written examinations, each worth 25
percent of the grade for a total of 50 percent.
The midterm will take place on October 14th. The noncumulative
final exam is scheduled for December 9th. The midterm and final examination will be
scored on a 0 to 100 percent scale and assigned a corresponding letter grade
(with plus and minus designations). The
exam material will be adapted from the questions I give you in your weekly
assignments, so there should not be any surprises.
The third requirement is participation. Although I have not assigned a specific
percentage of the course grade for participation, anything other than regular
attendance will lower your final grade.
Each student may miss two class periods without lowering his or her
course grade. However, each unexcused
absence past two will result in a 1/3 letter reduction in your final course
grade. Regular class attendance
and participation is important for understanding the material presented in this
course, especially because each lecture builds heavily upon the previous days
and weeks.
Grading Scale:
93%-100% A 90%-92.9% A- 87.5%-89.9% B+
83%-87.4% B 80%-82.9% B- 77.5%-79.9% C+
73%-77.4% C 70%-72.9% C- 67.5%-69.9% D+
63%-67.4% D 60%-62.9% D- Less
than 60% F
SUMMARY
OF GRADED REQUIREMENTS
Weekly Assignments (13 total): 50
percent
Midterm Exam: 25 percent
Final Exam: 25 percent
Participation: 1/3 letter grade reduction for each absence
after 2
COURSE POLICIES AND LOOSE ENDS
1.
Makeup Exams: Makeup exams will only be given in extraordinary
circumstances. If such circumstances
arise, please contact me 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 and a course grade of “F” as opposed to an
incomplete.
3.
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. If a
project is made available, every member of the class would be given the
opportunity to complete it.
4.
Handouts: Handouts 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.
5.
Classroom
Etiquette: Students are
to arrive at class on time. Two tardy arrivals are equivalent to one class
absence. Students are to remain for the
entire session unless excused by the professor beforehand or confronted with a
serious personal emergency. For instance, it is not acceptable for students to
walk in and out of class to answer cell phones, take casual bathroom and
smoking breaks, or attend to other personal matters. Cell phones, pagers, or
any electronic devices that make noise must be placed on vibrate during class unless the instructor has been
notified beforehand of a special circumstance (e.g., sick family member,
pregnant wife, special childcare situation, etc.). It is not acceptable to use
an iPod, read a newspaper, use a laptop for anything other than taking class
notes, or engage in other behavior that distracts one from the class
proceedings once the session has begun. No one should talk while someone else
is talking; this includes comments meant for a classmate rather than the entire
group. What may seem like a whisper or a harmless remark to one person can be a
distraction to someone else. Overall, classroom dialogue and behavior should always
be courteous, respectful of others, and consistent with the expectations set
forth by the university.
6.
10-Minute
Rule: Just as I expect you to arrive at
class on time each day, you can expect that I will do the same. However, if some extraordinary event occurs
and I am not in class within 10 minutes of the start time, you can assume that
class is canceled and leave the classroom.
7.
Incomplete
Requests: Such
petitions will be granted 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.
8.
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.
9.
Class
Participation: I recognize
class discussion comes more easily for some people than for others. By
temperament or habit, some individuals are “talkers” while others are
“listeners.” Learning to be both is an important subsidiary goal of this
course. Comments that are not relevant
to the ongoing discussion and off the point will not be rewarded. Remarks that
are disruptive to the discussion, insensitive to others, or attempt to dominate
the discussion will not be tolerated. I strongly prefer students to participate
on a voluntary basis. If you are particularly uneasy about talking in class, or
feel closed out of the discussion for another reason, please speak with me.
Remember: communication skills and self-confidence are extremely important
assets in the professional world. Thus it is better to develop these things in
the collegial environment of this class rather than under more difficult
circumstances later in life.
10.
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.
11.
Students with
Disabilities: 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 for which they may
require accommodations should notify the University's Center for Access-Ability
Resources (CAAR). CAAR will assist students in making appropriate
accommodations with course instructors. It is important that CAAR and
instructors be informed of any disability-related needs during the first two
weeks of the semester.
12.
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, tracking department
events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and
activities. To reach the site, go to: http://www.niu.edu/polisci/
13.
Undergraduate Writing Awards: The
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political
science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty,
must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by February 28. All
copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and one
without the student’s name. Only papers written in the previous calendar can be considered for the
award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible
for the following year’s competition even if the student has graduated.
14.
Amendments: This syllabus is subject to change with written
notice. However, I will not change any
graded components of the course.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week
of Material Covered Read Assignment Due (Tuesday)
Aug. 26 Studying Politics Scientifically PSRM Ch. 1&2 None
Sept. 2 Hypotheses, Concepts,
Variables PSRM Ch.
3, EPA Ch. 1 & 2 Handout
Sept. 9 Research Design PSRM
Ch. 5 Handout
Sept. 16 Research Design cont. &
Literature Review PSRM Ch. 6 Handout
Sept. 23 Making Empirical Observations PSRM Ch. 8 Handout
Sept. 30 Measurement Revisited, Trans.
Variables PSRM Ch. 4, EPA Ch. 1 Handout
Oct. 7 Review key concepts,
problematic materials SPSS
Companion Ch. 3
Oct. 14 Midterm Examination Study for Midterm
ØOct. 16 Comparisons EPA
Ch. 3
Oct. 21 Controlled Comparisons EPA Ch. 4 SPSS
Companion Ch. 4
Oct. 28 Sampling & Inference EPA Ch.
5, PSRM Ch. 7 SPSS
Companion Ch. 5
Nov. 4 Significance, Association EPA Ch. 6,
Skim PSRM Ch. 11 SPSS Companion
Ch. 6
Nov. 11 Correlation & Linear
Regression EPA Ch.
7, PSRM Ch. 12 SPSS
Companion Ch. 7
Nov. 18 Correlation & Linear Regression
cont. PSRM pp. 503-525 SPSS Companion Ch.
8
Nov. 25 Logistic Regression EPA
Ch. 8, PSRM pp. 526-549 SPSS
Companion Ch. 9
Dec. 2 Review key concepts,
problematic materials Handout
Dec. 9 Final
Exam, 10-11:50 am