Y103 Introduction to American Politics
Fall Semester 2009
8:00-8:50 a.m. – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
CM 212
Instructor: A. Downs
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Office Hours |
Contact Information |
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9:00 to 10:00 a.m. M, W, F |
Office: CM 221 |
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By Appointment |
Dept. Office: CM 209 |
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Phone: (260) 481-6691 |
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Dept. Phone: (260) 481-6686 |
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Email: downsa@ipfw.edu |
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Web address: www.ipfw.edu/pols/ |
Text: American Government, 10th edition by Theodore Lowi, Benjamin Ginsberg, and Kenneth Shepsle
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the government and politics of the United States. The topics covered include the founding of the United States, fundamental liberties, the executive branch, the legislature, the American legal system, voting and campaigns, and public policy. Both the formal institutions and dynamics of politics will be considered. While the primary focus of this course is the present, special attention will be paid to some of the important social and historical factors that shaped the present.
Course Objectives
Students who diligently pursue the work of this course will be better able to:
· Understand the American political system and its dynamic nature;
· Recognize the fundamental issues confronting the American political system;
· Appreciate and respect the multicultural diversity of American society;
· Synthesize information into a coherent whole;
· Distinguish between reasoned argument and unsupported opinion and ask intelligent and critical questions about political rhetoric and news reports; and
· Articulate and defend, with appropriate evidence, ideas, views, and opinions
This course fulfills the General Education requirement for Area III.
Course Requirements
Participation: Classes will include lectures and discussions. Students should read the assigned material before class and be prepared to participate in the discussions and to ask questions about things they do not understand. Students should not confuse quantity of participation with quality of participation. Also, it is possible that we will discuss sensitive and controversial subjects in this class and polite disagreement is welcome. The instructor and students are expected to be respectful of the opinions of others. The instructor may use a student’s attendance and participation to determine a final grade in very close cases.
Exams: There will be three exams during the semester and a final exam. Each of the first three tests will be worth 20% of the final grade (total of 60% of the final grade). The final exam will be worth 20% of the final grade. Exams must be taken on the scheduled date except in very unusual situations. Make-up exams will be permitted at the instructor’s discretion. Make-up exams may be different in form. In order to be considered for a make-up exam, a student must directly contact the instructor prior to the time of the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the instructor to arrange to take the make-up exam.
Writing Assignments: There will be two writing assignments. Students are expected to submit the writing assignment on or before the due date. Writing assignments submitted after the due date will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion. In order for a late writing assignment to be considered for anything other than a failing grade, a student must directly contact the instructor prior to the due date.
Writing Assignment One: Students will be writing a four-page examination of The Declaration of Independence. Additional information on this writing assignment can be found below. This assignment will be worth 10% of the final grade.
Writing Assignment Two: Each student will research whether non-voting matters and will write a four-page paper. Additional information on this writing assignment can be found below. This assignment will be worth 10% of the final grade.
Assistance for all writing assignments is available from the IPFW Writing Center located in Kettler Hall KT G19 (http://www.ipfw.edu/casa/wc/default.htm).
Cheating, plagiarism, or even facilitating academic dishonesty are serious offenses that may lead to failure on an exam, assignment, or course grade. Serious cases may result in suspension or expulsion from the university. (See IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibility, and Conduct [http://www.ipfw.edu/senate/STU_CODE.HTM])
If you have or acquire a disability and would like to find out what special services and accommodations may be available to you, contact Services for Students with Disabilities in WU 113 (481-6657, voice/TTY).
Important Dates
· August 24-28: Late Registration and Drop/Add
· August 30: Last Day for Full Refund (for full-term classes)
· October 30: Last Day to Withdraw from Classes (for full-term classes)
Schedule and Assignments
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Topic |
Reading |
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8/24 |
8/26 |
8/28 |
Introduction; 5 Principles; Constructing a Government |
Chapters 1 & 2 |
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8/31 |
5 Principles; Constructing a Government |
Chapters 1 & 2 |
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9/2 |
9/4 |
Federalism; Civil Liberties and Civil Rights |
Chapters 3 & 4 |
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9/7 |
NO CLASS |
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9/9 |
9/11 |
Federalism; Civil Liberties and Civil Rights |
Chapters 3 & 4 |
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9/14 |
9/16 |
Federalism; Civil Liberties and Civil Rights |
Chapters 3 & 4 |
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9/18 |
EXAM ONE |
Chapters 1 - 4 |
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9/21 |
9/23 |
9/25 |
Congress |
Chapter 5 |
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10/2 |
WRITING ASSIGNMENT ONE DUE |
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9/28 |
9/30 |
10/2 |
Presidency; Bureaucracy |
Chapters 6 & 7 |
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10/5 |
Presidency; Bureaucracy |
Chapters 6 & 7 |
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10/7 |
10/9 |
Federal Courts |
Chapter 8 |
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10/12 |
NO CLASS |
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10/14 |
Federal Courts |
Chapter 8 |
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10/16 |
EXAM TWO |
Chapters 5 - 8 |
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10/19 |
10/21 |
10/23 |
Public Opinion |
Chapter 9 |
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10/26 |
10/28 |
10/30 |
Elections |
Chapter 10 |
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11/2 |
WRITING ASSIGNMENT TWO DUE |
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11/2 |
11/4 |
11/6 |
Political Parties; Groups and Interests; Media |
Chapters 11 - 13 |
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11/9 |
11/11 |
11/13 |
Political Parties; Groups and Interests; Media |
Chapters 11 - 13 |
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11/16 |
Political Parties; Groups and Interests; Media |
Chapters 11 - 13 |
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11/18 |
EXAM THREE |
Chapters 9 - 13 |
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11/20 |
Economic Policy; Social Policy; Foreign Policy |
Chapters 14 - 16 |
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11/23 |
Economic Policy; Social Policy; Foreign Policy |
Chapters 14 - 16 |
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11/25 |
11/27 |
NO CLASS |
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11/30 |
12/2 |
12/4 |
Economic Policy; Social Policy; Foreign Policy |
Chapters 14 - 16 |
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12/7 |
12/9 |
12/11 |
Economic Policy; Social Policy; Foreign Policy |
Chapters 14 - 16 |
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12/18 |
FINAL EXAM (8:00 AM TO 10:00 AM) |
Writing Assignment Information
All writing assignments must be typed. Students are expected to use Times New Roman 12-point font and double-space the type. The margins are to be one inch on the sides, top, and bottom. Page numbers are to appear in the lower right-hand corner. Papers are to be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Cover pages are not necessary. Student’s name, course name or number, and the date can be typed in the upper left- or right-hand corner of the first page. The title of the writing assignment should appear centered and double-spaced above the first line of text. Students should not turn in assignments in folders. In order for a page to be included in the page count, at least half of the page must contain text. Cover pages and the reference page are not included in the page count.
Students must use a citation method and are encouraged to use a method with which they are comfortable.
Writing Assignment One
The Declaration of Independence is one of the greatest political documents of all time. In it Thomas Jefferson laid out a philosophical argument for breaking away from Great Britain and cited specific grievances against King George III, but the Declaration is much more than that. It was an appeal to the colonists’ friends and family members still living in England. It made the appeal for independence on a global basis. It built support for independence among the colonists and attempted to convince reluctant colonists that revolution was the best and only choice.
For Writing Assignment One you will have to read The Declaration of Independence (page A3 in your textbook) and answer the following question: Is The Declaration more effective as a philosophical basis for the formation of governments or as a document to rally people to the cause of independence for the colonies? To answer this question, students need to address the following related questions.
1. What is the philosophical basis for independence?
2. How many specific grievances are mentioned? What are the two best and two worst reasons for independence? Why?
3. How does The Declaration of Independence appeal to the colonists?
In addition to The Declaration of Independence, students must use at least four other sources. Regardless of the sources used, students should evaluate critically the source for its credibility. The grade will be affected negatively if the paper relies heavily on sources with questionable credibility.
Writing Assignment Two
Each student will write a four-page paper on whether or not non-voting matters. Students must use at least five sources and at least one source must come from a scholarly journal. Tables, charts, and other graphics should be included at the end of the paper and will not be included in the page count.
In very simple terms, elections are won by the candidate who has the most votes. This means that campaigns have to turnout their supporters. The cruel reality is that campaigns focus their efforts on people who vote. Does this mean that policy positions are slanted toward the interests of voters? Do the interests of voters differ from the interests of non-voters? Who votes and who does not vote?
The writing assignment should answer the following questions:
· Why should people vote or not vote?
· Are policy positions slanted toward the interests of those who vote?
· Would the outcome of elections be different if non-voters voted?
Helpful sources
· The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) http://www.civicyouth.org/
· American National Election Studies http://www.electionstudies.org/
· United States Elections Project at George Mason University http://elections.gmu.edu/voter_turnout.htm
· The Pew Center on the States http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/initiatives_detail.aspx?initiativeID=31670
· Many of the national newspapers (Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today) and news magazines have done interesting stories on voter turnout.
· This has been a popular research topic in political science for years. It should be easy to find articles in scholarly journals.