Introduction to
American Government and Politics
POLS 100: Section 9
Reference #- 5938
Spring '08
Instructor: Mr. Neil
Wright
Time : T,TH: 9:30-10:45am
Place: DU 252
Contact Information: Phone: 815.501.4181
E-mail: nwright3@niu.edu
Office Hours: T, TH: 11- 12:30 in DU 476
Course Goals:
This course will challenge students to consider the foundations of
American Democracy (its ideals, its institutions, its functional efficacy, etc. ) in a manner which encourages critical thought. Through this process, it is hoped that
students will come to understand how the American system functions and work to
develop a concept of their own role within it.
Required Text:
Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge of
Democracy.
Mifflin
Company, 2008.
Other Materials: At times, the instructor will
present videos, in-class readings, hand-outs, as well as readings from external
sources. The instructor will see to it
that all such readings are provided in class or are at
least easily accessible (either from the library or on the Internet).
Written Papers:
Students will complete 2 papers for this
course. These papers will address
pertinent topics chosen by the instructor.
The objective of this portion of the class is to allow students to apply
knowledge and concepts they have gained from the course. Students need to show that they have digested
this information and made it their own.
Excellent papers will include the concise and coherent development of a strong
thesis backed by compelling and relevant information.
The papers should be 3-4 pages long, 12 pt. Times New Roman,
double-spaced. Students should utilize
at least 2 scholarly
sources outside of course material. Cite
these sources properly! Do not fret, your instructor will make himself available for
guidance on these projects along the way.
Quizzes: 6 Quizzes will be given over the span of
this course. Only the highest 5 quiz
grades will count toward final grades.
Quizzes will cover the required text materials, material presented in
class / discussions, and all other supplementary material, including hand-outs
and videos. They will be administered on
dates to be determined by the instructor.
Although the weeks in which quizzes will be administered will be
provided, the exact class session in which they will take place will not be. There will be NO MAKE-UPS granted for
quizzes.
Exams: Exams
in this course MAY consist of any combination of multiple-choice, true / false,
short answer, and/or essay type questions.
Exams will cover required text material, material presented in class
lectures / discussions, and other supplementary material, including hand-outs,
and videos.
The FINAL EXAM
will not be cumulative and will
only cover material from the final portion of the semester. (It
will be administered on Thurs. May 8, 10-11:50 a.m in
our regular classroom, DU 252).
Participation and Attendance: Students are expected to attend
class regularly. Exams and quizzes
administered in this course will cover both required text materials and
information presented in class. Students
are responsible for any material missed due to an absence. Also, remember that your participation grade
is an important factor in your evaluation... and obviously, one cannot
participate in a class if they are not present in that class. ALL students are expected to participate in
class discussions.
In case of absence PLEASE call
or email BEFORE 7:00 a.m.
Make-up Policy: Make-up exams will be administered and
late papers will be accepted ONLY in case of EXTREME emergency. Prior arrangements should be made if at all
possible. Proof of the emergency will be
required from the student and the decision whether to administer a make-up exam
or accept a late paper will be made by
the instructor. NO MAKE-UP quizzes
will be given (keep in mind that the instructor counts only the highest 5 of 6
quizzes).
**All class assignments will be handed in at the BEGINNING of class on
the due date.
Point distribution:
3 Exams: 100 pts/per
6 Quizzes:
30 pts/per (only 5 count, I will drop your lowest)
2 Papers:
50 pts/per
Class Participation: 50 pts
Final Course Grades:
A = 540-600
B = 480-539
C = 420-479
D = 360-419
F = 0-359
University Policies
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 a paper
written in whole or in part by another; a paper copied word-for-word or with
only minor changes from another source; a paper copied in part from one or more
sources without proper identification and acknowledgement of the sources; a
paper that is merely a paraphrase of one or more sources, using ideas and/or
logic without credit even though the actual words may be changed; and a paper
that quotes, summarizes or paraphrases, or cuts and pastes words, phrases, or
images from an Internet source without identification and the address of the
web site.
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 an
impact on their coursework must register with the Center for Access-Ability
Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the
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, research career
options, tracking department events, and accessing important details related to
undergraduate programs and activities.
To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Tentative (TENTATIVE!) Course Calendar
|
Week 1 Jan. 15, 17 |
Introduction/Background Chapter 1: Freedom,
Order, or Equality? |
|
Week 2 Jan. 22, 24 |
Chapter 2: Majoritarian
or Pluralist Democracy? |
|
Week 3 Jan. 29, 31 |
Quiz #1 Chapter 3: The
Constitution |
|
Week 4 Feb. 5, 7 |
Chapter 4: Federalism Chapter 15: Order and
Civil Liberties |
|
Week 5 Feb. 12, 14 |
Quiz #2 Chapter 16: Equality
and Civil Rights |
|
Tuesday, February 19th |
TEST #1 |
|
Week 6 Feb. 19, 21 |
Chapter 5: Public
Opinion and Political Socialization |
|
Week 7 Feb. 26, 28 |
Chapter 6: The Media |
|
Thursday, February 28th |
PAPER #1 DUE |
|
Week 8 Mar. 4, 6 |
Quiz #3 Chapter 7: Political
Participation and Voting |
|
Week 9 Mar. 18, 20 |
Quiz #4 Chapter 8: Political
Parties Chapter 9: Nominations,
Elections, Campaigns |
|
Week 10 Mar. 25, 27 |
Chapter 10: Interest
Groups |
|
Thursday, March 27th |
Test #2 |
|
Week 11 Apr. 1, 3 |
Chapter 11: Congress |
|
Week 12 Apr. 8, 10 |
Quiz #5 Chapter 12: The
Presidency Chapter 14: The Federal
Judicial System |
|
Week 13 Apr. 15, 17 |
Chapter 18: Economic
Policy Chapter 19: Domestic
Policy |
|
Week 14 Apr. 22, 24 |
Quiz #6 Chapter 20: Global
Policy |
|
Thursday, April 24th |
PAPER #2 DUE |
|
Week 15 Apr. 29 |
Semester Recap |
|
Thurs. May 8, 10-11:50 a.m |
FINAL EXAM |