POLS 100: Introduction to American Government and Politics
Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
Semester
Section:
3
Time:
Monday 6:30-9:10
Location:
Dusable 246
Instructor:
Jessica H. Jones
Office:
Dusable 476 (Political science TA office)
Office
hours: T and TH 1:30-3 or by
appointment
Contact info:
jjones7@niu.edu or 815-753-1818 (TA office #)
Mailbox: Zulauf
415, outside of political science departmental office
Department
Web Site: http://polisci.niu.edu
Required Readings
Janda, Berry, Goldman
and Hula, The Challenge of Democracy, Brief 6th edition, 2006.
There
are also other required readings that must be accessed online. These
readings are listed in the syllabus along with where they can be
located. The online version of this syllabus, available on
Blackboard, contains links that will be helpful in accessing those
readings.
Course Goal
The goal of this class is
for you to improve your understanding of the American democratic
process. Beyond memorizing facts, the course will also focus on
critical thinking about American politics and government. By the end
of the semester, you will be able to continue to apply skills you
have gained by looking at politics in a more analytical manner.
Classroom Procedures and Decorum
This class will
combine lectures, discussion as well as other in-class activities. Be
prepared by coming to class having read and being able to discuss the
readings for each session. If there is something you do not
understand or have questions about, please do ask questions. If you
have a question, many others may have the same. This will help us all
understand the material better and can make the class more
interesting and enriching.
To foster a better learning environment, please act courteously by not disturbing others in the class. Please keep disruptions to a minimum. This includes using cell phones or other electronic devices, reading the newspaper, having side conversations or engaging in other unrelated activities during class. It is important for everyone to feel comfortable taking turns participating in class. Please raise your hand to participate when appropriate and give others a chance to participate as well.
Heated topics may arise during class. Even when
you strongly disagree with another individual, it is important to
listen, respond and act in a civil manner. Above all, it is
imperative in our class to treat each other with respect.
Religious
Observances
The University asks instructors to make students
aware of the following policy. “Northern Illinois University as
a public institution of higher education in the State of Illinois
does not observe religious holidays. It is the university’s
policy, however, to reasonably accommodate the religious observances
of individual students in regards to admissions, class attendance,
scheduling examinations and work requirements. Such policies
shall be made known to faculty and students. Religious
observance includes all aspects of religious observance and practice
as well as belief. Absence from classes or examinations for
religious observance does not relieve students from responsibility
for any part of the course work required during the period of
absence. To request accommodation, students who expect to miss
classes, examinations or other assignments as a consequence of their
religious observance shall provide instructors with reasonable notice
of the date or dates they will be absent.” The instructor is
respectful and fully supportive of students who wish to participate
in religious observances. Excused absences will be provided, but
students must understand and follow the above policy with respect to
reasonable notice and making up work
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 Health Services Building (753-1303). CAAR
will assist students in making appropriate instructional and/or
examination 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.”
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 acknowledgment 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.
Please consult NIU’s Academic Integrity webpage at http://www.ai.niu.edu/ai/ for further information
Graded Components of Class
Exams- There will be two multiple choice
exams during the semester covering both the assigned readings as well
as information disseminated in class lectures.
Quizzes-
There will be 5 quizzes over the course of the semester which may
include various styles including fill in the blank, short answer,
multiple choice, or true/false. These are noted in the syllabus, so
please be prepared for them. They are meant to assess basic
understanding of concepts before we get to exam time.
Journals-
This component of the class involves applying your knowledge of a
subject we cover in class. The purpose of the journal assignments is
writing a piece using your own critical thinking skills. These
journals must be 2-3 double spaced pages in Times New Roman, font
size 12. These must be a hard copy turned at the beginning of the
class period in which they are due. It is important to bring this in
to class because they will be the basis of discussion. To earn credit
for these assignments, the instructor also requires that students
upload papers on to the safe assign tool on the course Blackboard
website. This is in addition to, not in lieu of, turning in a hard
copy of the assignment. Further direction will be given in
class.
Attendance and Participation- Although points
will not be deducted specifically for failing to attend class,
attendance will be taken into consideration when points are assigned
for participation at the end of the semester. Since we meet only once
a week it is especially important to avoid absences. Please discuss
with the instructor any extenuating circumstances that may result in
an excused absence and be prepared to furnish appropriate
documentation if requested. To work towards full attendance and
participation points it is necessary to arrive punctually and stay
for the entire session. If there are circumstances that require you
to come in late or leave early, please make arrangements with the
instructor prior to class.
Participation and discussion are
always important, so be sure to always read ahead of time. During all
sessions, as part of participation, be able to answer questions
during the lecture, understand what is going on, ask questions, and
volunteer as appropriate. During days that journals are due we have
more time set aside to discuss the assignment so please be ready to
participate through discussing the journal accordingly. The last
weeks of class there will also be a chance to participate by giving
informal presentations.
Extra Credit- The instructor
does not give extra credit. No exceptions. The best way to do well in
the class is through the assigned activities. This is what is fair to
everyone. If you are not pleased with your performance during the
course of the semester, there are many chances to improve.
Missed
and Late Work- Late work and missed quizzes will not be accepted.
In serious, unforeseen circumstances that result in excused absences
where appropriate documentation furnished if requested, the
instructor may use her discretion to make arrangements to fulfill
assignments. If you have a concern about this, please consult with
the instructor as soon as possible.
Grade Calculation
Exams 2 X 25% = 50
%
Journals 4 X 5% = 20%
Quizzes 5 X 3% = 15%
Attendance/
= 15%
participation
Total = 100%
Grading Scale
A: 100-90
B: 89-80
C: 79-70
D: 69-60
F:
59 or below
Class Schedule
The following schedule is tentative and the instructor reserves the right to amend it as necessary
January 12
*Topics:
Introduction, Syllabus; Public Opinion and Ideology
*
Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 1, pp. 12-17; Ch. 4 up to 102
January
19 NO CLASS- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January
26
*Topics: Government; Democracy
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 1
John Locke, Chapter 9 from The Second Treatise
of Civil Government (1690); locate at:
http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/l/locke/john/l81s/chapter9.html
W. Saletan, "What Reagan Got Wrong," locate at
www.slate.com/id/2101835
Federalist
Paper #10; locate at :
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/federal/fed.htm
*Journal 1 due and discussion: Idealog
February
2
*Topic: The Constitution
*Readings:
JBGH,
Ch. 2
Declaration of Independence, in JBGH, pp. A1-A3
*Quiz
1: Government and Democracy
February 9
*Topics: Constitutional Principles; Federalism
*Readings:
JBGH Ch. 3
Federalist Paper #51; locate
at : www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/federal/fed.htm
*Quiz 2: Constitutional Origins
February
16
*Topic: Bill of Rights: First Amendment and
Civil Liberties
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 12
Amendments
1-10 & 14, p. A12-A15.
*Journal 2 and discussion:
Federalist 51
February 23
*Topic: Bill
of Rights: Civil Rights
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 5, pp.
127-130 and Ch. 13.
Loving v. Virginia (1967); locate at
www.oyez.org.
March 2
MIDTERM EXAM
March 9 SPRING
BREAK
March 16
*Topics: Media and
Politics; Interest Groups
*Readings:
JBGH Ch. 4 p.
102- end
JBGH, Ch. 7
March 23
*Topic
: Political Parties
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 6
V.O. Key,
A Theory of Critical Elections, Journal of Politics (1955), pp. 3-8
only.
*Journal 3 due and discussion: Interest
Groups
March 30
*Topic: Presidential
and Congressional elections
*Readings:
Ch. 8, pp.
205-210.
Federalist Paper #68 ( locate at
www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/federal/fed.htm)
Jack Rakove, The Accidental Electors,. NY Times (12/19/00).
*Quiz 3: Political parties and critical elections
April
6
*Topic : The Presidency; Bureaucracy
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 9 and Ch. 10
*Quiz 4: electoral
college
April 13
*Topic: The Supreme
Court
*Readings:
JBGH, Ch. 11
C. Krauthammer, "From
Thomas, Original Views," locate at:
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/09/AR2005060901726.html
*
Journal 4 due and discussion: The Presidency
April
20
*Topic: U.S. Congress
*Readings:
JBGH,
Ch. 8
*Quiz 5: The Supreme Court
*Assignment:
Choose committee and present
April 27
*Topic
: Catch up and Review
*Assignment: Bring in review
questions
May 4 FINAL EXAM
Time:
6:00-7:50pm. Location: Dusable 246