POLS
100-9, SPRING 2007
T
& TH 9:30 - 10:45 a.m., DU 459
Instructor:
Sara Reed
Office: DuSable Hall 476
Hours: T & TH 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.,
TH 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.,
& by appointment
E-mail: sjreed@niu.edu
Phone: 630-776-1906
I. Course Description
Affecting nearly every part
of our lives, the American political system is exciting and complex. Government often regulates our health and
safety, our economic opportunities and our ability to choose how we express
ourselves. Competing interest groups
and limited resources create an especially challenging climate for politicians
and policymakers as they attempt to resolve pervasive problems such as terrorism,
poverty and global warming. Advances in
technology and our changing cultural norms often add to these challenges.
This course aims to
demystify the complexities of the American political system by providing a
college-level introduction to the foundations, institutions, and processes of
American government. At the beginning
of the course, we will discuss key philosophies on the scope and nature of
government, followed by an overview of democracy, the Constitution, civil
liberties and civil rights. We will
subsequently explore political participation and the mass media. We will examine American political
institutions, such as Congress and the presidency and conclude with an analysis
of how public policies shape our lives.
Ultimately, this course provides students with the opportunity to gain a
greater understanding of how and why the American political system has evolved
into its present state.
II. Course
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course you will be
able to:
1. Identify and discuss the major philosophical perspectives on
government.
2. Explain the basic legislative and policymaking processes within
the United States.
3. Understand the importance of key Supreme Court cases within
historical and contemporary contexts.
4. Think critically about presidential power.
5. Participate in informed debates about civil liberties and/or
civil rights issues.
6. Reflect upon how you may enrich your life through political
participation.
III. Course
Requirements
A. Textbook
Your textbook is American
Government and Politics Today: The
Essentials 2006-2007, by Bardes, Shelley, & Schmidt, 12th
ed., Thomson Wadsworth. The ISBN number
is: 0-534-64733-2. You may purchase this text new or used from
the NIU bookstore, the VCB (Village Commons Bookstore) or your favorite on-line
bookseller.
B. Articles and Cases Summaries
In addition to reading the assigned textbook chapters, students are
required to read supplementary articles and case summaries. Please refer to the Course Calendar and
Supplementary Reading List for details.
C. Blackboard and NIU E-Mail Accounts
You are required to utilize
your Blackboard and NIU e-mail accounts.
Blackboard will be used for making important announcements, giving
helpful hints, using interactive study tools and posting grades throughout the
semester. For instructions on getting
started, go to:
http://www.helpdesk.niu.edu/its/helpdesk/blackboard_support.shtml. Student e-mail accounts will be used for
communication on an individual basis.
D. Attendance and Participation
Attendance and participation
are considered to be very important aspects of this course. As such, you will be evaluated according to
the following guidelines:
Attendance:
You will earn one (1) point
for each full class period that you attend.
One (1) point will be deducted for each class that you are either
partially or fully absent without prior approval from the instructor. Excused absences for either part or the full
class period will be given only with a legitimate excuse such as a documented
illness or emergency, jury duty, military service, or participation in required
athletic or other university sponsored activities.
Participation:
In addition to attendance,
students are expected to actively participate in the course. I will consider individual differences
regarding comfort levels with participation; however, please note that little
or no participation throughout the course will be reflected in your final
grade.
E. Quizzes
The quizzes serve as an opportunity
for you to gauge your progress and understanding of the course material on a
regular basis. In addition, the quizzes
are designed to give you an opportunity to earn extra credit points. Note that it is possible to obtain more than
a total of 100 percentage points in the course.
Administration of Quizzes
There will be a total of
twelve (12) quizzes during the semester.
Quizzes will not be cumulative and will be administered at the
end of class on Thursdays. The quizzes
will be administered as a closed book/closed notes test, and for most weeks
will cover lectures and readings from the Tuesday of the current week and
Thursday of the previous week. Please
refer to the Course Schedule for specific dates. Each quiz will have a total of fifteen (15) questions, one point
per question. However, each quiz will
only be scored out of ten points. Ten
correct answers will result in a score of 100%. Students who receive at least ten of the fifteen questions
correct will then have the opportunity to receive one bonus point for each
additional question answered correctly.
It is possible, therefore, for someone who receives fifteen out of ten
for all quizzes to earn an additional 10% at the end of the semester. Whereas the quizzes include the
opportunity for extra credit, students should note that they are required, not
optional.
F. Issue Paper
Students will write one (1) issue paper. Detailed instructions will be
provided in-class and will be posted on Blackboard.
G. Final Exam
The final exam will be cumulative and will consist of fifty
multiple-choice questions.
The exam will be administered as a closed book,
closed notes test. All students are
required to take the final exam on the assigned
day and at the assigned time.
Students who have extenuating circumstances, along
with a legitimate and documented
excuse, should consult with the instructor as soon
as possible before the final exam date.
IV. Course Evaluation
Students
will be evaluated based upon the following obligations and grading scale:
Attendance
& Participation 20%
Quizzes 25%
Issue
Paper 25%
Final
Exam 30%
Total: 100%
Grading
Scale:
A =
90 – 100%
B =
80 – 89%
C =
70 – 79%
D =
60 –
69%
F = 0
– 59%
Please note that in order to
pass the course all required items must be turned in. A missing quiz, paper or exam will result in
an “F” for the course. A student who
has a legitimate, documented excuse will be allowed to make-up an item
for full credit. Students without a
legitimate, documented excuse will still be required to make up the missed
item(s) in order to pass the course, but will receive a grade no higher than
65% on the make-up assignment(s).
V. Announcements
and Policies
Statement
Concerning Students with Disabilities
NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, which mandates reasonable accommodations be provided 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 provide or
facilitate in providing accommodations you may need. 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 and administer exams with accommodations for students with
disabilities. The CAAR office is located
on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (815-753-1303). I look forward to talking with you soon to
learn how I may be helpful in enhancing your academic success in this course.
Department
of Political Science Website
Students are encouraged to consult the Department of
Political Science web site on a regular basis.
This central source of information will assist students in contacting
faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring
graduate study and researching career options.
Undergraduates may find this website especially useful for tracking down
department events and for accessing important details related to undergraduate
programs and activities. To reach the
site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
Undergraduate
Writing Awards
The Department of Political Science will recognize,
on an annual basis, outstanding 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 of $50.00.
Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied
in triplicate to the department secretary by the end of February. 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.
Classroom
Behavior
Please turn off all electronic devices and
refrain from side conversations during class. Because this course will necessarily involve
the discussion of controversial issues, students are expected to exhibit mutual
respect and tolerance for each other’s opinions. Likewise, it is expected that students will demonstrate courteous
behavior throughout each class period. Please
note that students in violation of this policy may be asked to leave the class
and will not be given credit for attendance or assignments due that day. Repeated violations will result in formal disciplinary
action, which may include expulsion from the course.
Cell
Phones and Cameras
The
use of a cell phone, camera or any other communication device during
class-time, a quiz or a test is prohibited.
Cheating
& Plagiarism
Cheating and plagiarizing in any form will not be
tolerated. The instructor reserves the
right to fail (for an assignment and the course) a student who cheats or
plagiarizes. Students found in violation
of this policy will be referred to the appropriate university judicial board
for disciplinary action.
Make-up Quizzes
Make-up quizzes will be
given for those with a legitimate excuse, such as a documented illness
or emergency, jury duty, military service, or participation in required
athletic or other university sponsored activities. Students without a legitimate, documented
excuse will also be required to make-up a missed quiz in order to pass the
course, but will receive a grade no higher than 65% on the make-up quiz.
Incomplete Grade Policy
Incompletes are given at the discretion of the
instructor and only when it is possible that the completion of the
remaining work could result in a passing grade. Incompletes will only be given in rare circumstances, such as
illness, death in the immediate family, or other extreme
and unforeseeable circumstances.
The instructor reserves the right to change assignment and examination
formats. An incomplete must be resolved
within the appropriate time limit or it will automatically be changed to an
F. The student is responsible for
seeing that incompletes are made up before the expiration date.
VI. Course
Calendar
The following schedule is tentative. Any modification to this schedule will be
announced in class. If you are absent from
class, you are responsible for becoming informed about any changes made during
your absence. The syllabus posted on
Blackboard will be the most current. Readings
and assignments are due on the calendar date listed.
|
Day |
Topic |
Assignments
Due |
|
1/16 |
Welcome
Course
Overview |
None |
|
1/18 |
The
Purpose & Scope of Government Political
Socialization & Culture |
Bardes,
Ch. 1 Bardes,
A4 - A9 (Federalist
#s 10 & 51) |
|
1/23 |
Democracy
|
James Q. Wilson, "American
Exceptionalism"* |
|
1/25 |
The
Constitution: Creation
& Ratification |
Bardes,
Ch. 2 Ch.
2 Appendix (skim) Quiz
#1 (1/18 & 1/23) |
|
1/30 |
Constitutional
Principles: Federalism |
Bardes,
Ch. 3 |
|
2/1 |
Civil
Liberties & The Bill of Rights |
Bardes,
Ch. 4 Quiz
#2 (1/25 & 1/30) |
|
2/6 |
Civil
Liberties, Cont. |
"The
Mount Soledad Cross Controversy, " San Diego ACLU* |
|
2/8 |
Civil
Rights |
Bardes,
Ch. 5 Quiz
#3 (2/1 & 2/6) |
|
2/13 |
Civil
Rights |
"Albertsons,
Inc. v. Kirkingburg"* (1999) "Timmons
v. Twin Cities Area New Party"* (1997) |
|
2/15 |
Interest
Groups |
Bardes,
Ch. 7 Quiz
#4 (2/8 & 2/13) |
|
2/20 |
Political
Parties |
Bardes,
Ch. 8 |
|
2/22 |
Political
Parties |
Bardes,
Ch. 8 Quiz
#5 (2/15 & 2/20) |
|
2/27 |
Public
Opinion |
Bardes,
Ch. 6 |
|
3/1 |
Public
Opinion |
Bardes,
Ch. 6 Quiz
#6 (2/22 & 2/27) |
|
3/6 |
Campaigns
|
Bardes,
Ch. 9 |
|
3/8 |
The
Media |
Jonathan
Last, "The Not-So-Swift Mainstream Media" (ED,
pp. 306-310)* "Bresler,
Myrick and Cunningham, "Is Objectivity in Media Desirable or Possible," (ED, pp. 311-329)* ISSUE
PAPERS DUE Quiz
#7 (3/1 & 3/6) |
|
3/13 |
Spring
Break - No Class |
None |
|
3/15 |
Spring
Break - No Class |
None |
|
3/20 |
Elections
& Voting Behavior |
V.O.
Key, Jr., "A Theory of Critical Elections," (Feb. 1955)* |
|
3/22 |
The
Courts |
Bardes,
Ch. 13 Bardes,
A9 - A11 (Federalist #78) Quiz
#8 (3/8 & 3/20) |
|
3/27 |
The
Courts |
Bardes,
Ch. 13 |
|
3/29 |
Congress
|
Bardes,
Ch. 10 Quiz
#9 (3/22 & 3/27) |
|
4/3 |
Congress
|
Bardes,
Ch. 10 |
|
4/5 |
The
Presidency |
Bardes,
Ch. 11 Quiz
#10 (3/29 & 4/3) |
|
4/10 |
The
Presidency |
Bardes,
Ch. 11 |
|
4/12 |
The
Bureaucracy |
Bardes,
Ch. 12 |
|
4/17 |
Public
Administration |
Charles
Lindblom, "The Science of Muddling Through," (ED,
pp. 469 - 477) |
|
4/19 |
Economic
Policy |
Bardes,
Ch. 14 Quiz
#11 (4/12 & 4/17) |
|
4/24 |
Social
Policy |
Bardes,
Ch. 14 |
|
4/26 |
The
U.S., Public Policy & The Life Sciences |
Julia Keller (Chicago Tribune) "Are
We Hardwired for War?" Frans de Waal (audio interview) "The
Ape and the Sushi Master" Quiz #12
(4/19 & 4/24) |
|
5/1 |
The
U.S. & Foreign Policy |
Bardes,
Ch. 15 |
|
5/3 |
(Last
Day of Class) Civic
Engagement Final
Exam Review |
Robert Putnam, "Tuning
In, Tuning Out: The Strange Disappearance..." * |
|
5/10 |
FINAL
EXAM |
DuSable
459, 10:00 - 11:50 a.m. |
VII. *Required
Supplementary Reading List
|
Due |
Title/Author |
Location |
|
1/23 |
"American
Exceptionalism," (2006) James Q. Wilson |
NIU
Library: On-line search |
|
2/6 |
"The
Mount Soledad Cross Controversy"
The San Diego American Civil Liberties Union |
http://aclusandiego.org/pdf/SoledadCrossHistory0706.pdf |
|
2/13 |
"Albertsons,
Inc. v. Kirkingburg" The
written summary is required (podcast
is highly recommended) "Timmons
v. Twin Cities Area New Party" The
written summary is required (podcast
is highly recommended) |
www.oyez.org www.oyez.org |
|
3/8 |
"The
Not-So-Swift Mainstream Media," Jonathan Last "Is
Objectivity in Media Desirable or Possible?"
Bresler, Myrick and Cunningham |
NIU
Library Reserve: Book
- (ED) The Enduring Debate:
Classic & Contemporary Readings in American Politics, pp.
306 - 329 |
|
3/20 |
"A
Theory of Critical Elections," (Feb. 1955) V.O. Key, Jr. |
NIU
Library: JSTOR database |
|
4/17 |
"The
Science of Muddling Through," Charles Lindblom |
NIU
Library Reserve: Book
- (ED) The Enduring Debate..., pp. 469 - 477 |
|
4/26 |
"Are
We Hardwired for War?," (2003) Julia Keller "The
Ape and the Sushi Master," (May 31, 2001), Frans de Waal |
On-line
search or NIU Library - Chicago
Tribune, April 18, 2003 Chicago
Public Radio (audio interview - May 31, 2001) http://www.wbez.org |
|
5/3 |
"Tuning
In, Tuning Out: The Strange Disappearance of Social Capital in
America" |
NIU
Library: JSTOR database Dec.
1995 (Author: Robert Putnam) |