Political Science 100-10
Andy Schott
American Government and
Politics
Spring 2004
Tuesday Thursday 2:00- 3:15 (WZ 104)
Office: Social Science Research Institute at the corner of Third Street and Locust
Office 161 Phone: 753-0961
E-mail: aschott@niu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and
Friday 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 and an abbreviated introduction to the
structure of Illinois Government. 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 United States.
What is the role of citizen?
What do citizens need to know? Who is responsible for the actions of the United
States’ government?
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.
The Illinois Handbook of
Government 2003-2004 Jesse White Secretary of State (This handbook will be distributed to
you by the instructor.
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
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, text message, talk on
their cell phone, 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!
No electronic devices are
allowed to be operated during the class period. Please see the instructor for
exceptions.
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 Points
Quizzes
20% 100
Essays
20% 100
Exams 60% 300
100% 500
A =
450
B =
400
C =
350
D =
300
F =
299 and below
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. Extraordinary circumstances are considered those
circumstances that personally affect the student’s ability to take the exam
(Illness, sudden car trouble must be documented).
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 Health Services Building. 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.
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.
Unit 1: Introduction to American Government, The
Constitution, and Federalism.
Unit 2: Public Opinion, Parties, Interest Groups,
Campaigns and Elections
Unit 3: Congress and the Presidency
Unit 4: Illinois Government
Unit 5 Civil Liberties Civil Rights
Wilson
Chapter 1
Declaration
of Independence (Wilson, page 378)
Wilson
Chapter 3
Wilson Chapter 3
Illinois Handbook of Government 2003-2004 (Page 72)
Wilson
Chapters 1,2 and 3
Declaration
of Independence
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 February 26. Include
word count.
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 4
Wilson
Chapter 5
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 5
Wilson
Chapter 6
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 6
Exam
2
Wilson
Chapters 4, 5 and 6
March 9-11
BREAK
Wilson
Chapter 7
Illinois
Handbook of Government (pages 73-77)
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 US House of Representatives:
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?
3.
Who is the Majority Leader in the United States’ House of Representatives? What
is the Majority Leader’s name and party identification? What State and
congressional district does the Majority Leader represent? What are the
Majority Leader’s duties in the United States House of Representatives?
4.
Who are the Whips? What are their duties? What party are they a member of?
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 8
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 10
Essay Due April 1
April 6
Exam
3
Wilson
Chapter 7, 8 and 10
April 8-13
Illinois Handbook of Government 2003-2004
Illinois Constitution (pages 100-132)
Illinois Government (pages 4-19)
Fourth
Essay Topic will be announced during class April 8.
April 15, 20 and 22
Illinois
Handbook
Legislative
Branch (Pages 14-19)
The
Executive (Pages 4-10 and 55)
The
Judiciary (Pages 68-71)
Essay Due April 22 Include word count.
Quiz
Wilson
Chapter 12
TUESDAY MAY 4, 2004
FINAL EXAM
2:00 TO 3:50