Political Science 100-7
Andy Schott
American Government and
Politics
Spring 2005
Monday
Office: Social Science Research Institute at the corner of
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
What is the role of citizen?
What do citizens need to know? Who is responsible for the actions of 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.
The
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 through 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
www.parliament.uk
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. Attending 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 and will include the Doctor’s name and the office phone number.
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. Earphones are not allowed to be worn during class. Instructor will ask
those who are wearing ear phones to leave the class.
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 (80%): 100 points each. 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.
2 ESSAYS (10%) 25 points each. The Essay topics are listed on the syllabus or will be announced in class. 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.
5
QUIZZES (10%) 10 points each. 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
10% 50
Essays
10% 50
Exams 80% 400
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. All requests for
incomplete must be submitted in writing to the instructor by
9 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." This statement encompasses
the purchase or use of papers written by others. Since this course is offered
frequently, it is might policy to retain photocopies of student papers written
in previous years. In short, members of the class should do their own work and
learn the rules for quoting, paraphrasing, and footnoting.
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
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 year 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.
13. Appointments:
The instructor will make every reasonable effort to be available to students.
If you cannot come during scheduled office hours, please call me to schedule a
mutually convenient appointment.
14. Emails: Do not
notify me of absences or of reasons why you will miss or have missed class by
email. Email is not a reliable media for such notifications. Contact me
directly at my office telephone number 753-0961. I am in my office most days
from
IV. GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE
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: The Judiciary &
Civil Liberties Civil Rights
Unit
5:
IV. COURSE TOPIC AND READING OUTLINE
Wilson
Chapter 1
Declaration
of
Quiz 1
Wilson Chapter 3
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. Include word count! Due
Declaration
of
First
Essay assigned.
AFTER BREAK WE WILL BEGIN
WITH CHAPTER 4
Wilson
Chapter 4
Wilson
Chapter 5
First Essay Due
Quiz
4-5
Wilson
Chapter 5
Wilson
Chapter 6
Exam
2 WILL BE ON MARCH 21
NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
March 21
Exam
2
AFTER BREAK WE WILL BEGIN
WITH CHAPTER 4
Illinois
Handbook of Government (pages 73-77)
2nd
Essay: In an essay, answer the following questions: DO NOT JUST LIST NAMES
Essay Due
In
the
1. What
is the US Senate 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? What article of the US Constitution describes the Senate President’s
powers?
2.
What is the president pro tempore of the United States Senate 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? What article of the US Constitution describes the president
pro tempore powers?
3. In
4. 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?
5.
Are there party whips in the US Senate? What are their names and party
identification?
In
the
1. In
the US 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? What Article of the
Constitution describes the powers of the Speaker? Are his powers described in
the Constitution?
2. In
the
3. In
the
4. In
the United States House of Representatives who are the Whips? What are their
duties? What party are they a member of?
March 28
Wilson
Chapter 8
Wilson
Chapter 10 & 11
April 11
Wilson Chapter 9
Quiz 9
April 18
Exam
3
Wilson
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11
AFTER BREAK WILL CONTINUE
WITH
Illinois Constitution (pages 100-132)
Essay part of FINAL EXAM The essay will be handed
out after the exam and is the first part of your final exam. This part is worth
25 points out of 100 and is due
April 25
Illinois Constitution (pages 100-132)
Illinois Government (pages 4-19)
Quiz
May 2
Legislative Branch (Pages 14-19)
The Executive (Pages 4-10 and 55)
The Judiciary (Pages 68-71)
FINAL EXAM
Illinois Constitution (pages 100-132)
Illinois Government (pages 4-19)
Legislative Branch (Pages 14-19)
The Executive (Pages 4-10 and 55)
The Judiciary (Pages 68-71)