POLS YI03-10: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS

MWF @ 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

CM 14

Instructor:

Dr. Susan B. Hannah, Professor of Political Science

Email: hannahs@ipfw.edu

Cell Phone: 260-417-4249

Office Phone: 260-481-0148

Office: CM 223

Office hours: MWF 1:00-3:00 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Course Description:  Introduction to the structure and dynamics of American government and politics.   POLS Y103 fulfills General Education Area III: The Individual, Culture, and Society requirements and is also an Indiana Core Transfer Library course.

Learning Objectives:  During the course, students will have the opportunity to

1. Increase their knowledge of the history, basic principles, institutions, and processes of American national government and politics.
2. Explore the impact of government on their lives.
3. Think analytically about current major national political questions and issues.
4. Learn how to use evidence to support ideas, views, and opinions.
5. Become more informed and responsible citizens.

Course Topics:

1. Definitions and principles of politics and government.
2. Foundations of American government.
3. Federalism and the separation of powers.
4. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights.
5. Congressional powers, organization, and operation.
6. Role and powers of the presidency.
7. Bureaucracy and democracy.
8. Judicial organization and function.
9. Public opinion, origins and impact
10. Election processes and issues
11. Political parties, functions and challenges
12. Interest group characteristics and influence
13. Media influence and responsibility
14. Citizen advocacy and participation

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION, AND POLICIES

Textbook:

Lowi, Theodore J; Ginsberg, B; Shepsle, Kenneth A, American Government: Power and Purpose: 10^th Core Edition. (2008) W.W. Norton & Company, New York.

            Student StudySpace: www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/lowi/lowi10

New York Times – U.S. Edition

Available on campus at selected locations, M-F, or at www.nytimes.com for a brief online version, or through Helmke Library for the full electronic version (access instructions below).

Course Requirements and Evaluation:

1.         Chapter quizzes/exercises - 25%

2.         Two exams during the semester - 20% each (40% total)

3.         Comprehensive final exam - 25%

4.         Class attendance and participation - 10%

Course Expectations:

1.         Interest in American politics and government.

2.         Willingness to learn and an open mind to other points of view.

4.         Civility and mutual respect in discussion and participation.

5.         Professionalism about preparation and completion of course requirements.

6.         Integrity in the pursuit and presentation of information and development of conclusions.

Course Policies:

1.         Regular attendance is strongly encouraged.

2.         Requests for exceptions to due dates or requirements must be approved by the instructor in advance.

3.         Elements of the Course Schedule may be changed as needed; any changes will be announced well in advance.

4.         Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting that person and will not be tolerated.   I recommend APA citation format for writing assignments.  See CASA handouts for instructions.

5.         Exam grades will be posted on the class website through the Gradebook function as soon as feasible.

COURSE COMPONENTS

Chapter Quizzes/Exercises:  Students must submit eight (8) chapter quizzes or exercises (out of a possible 15) during the semester. 

Students may select to:

• Go to the Norton Student StudySpace  (www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/lowi/lowi10) and answer the 15-question diagnostic quiz on the assigned chapter; only scores of 80% or better are acceptable, or
• Go to the Norton Student StudySpace  (www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/lowi/lowi10) complete the “Analyzing the Evidence” exercise on the assigned chapter, or
• Write no more than one typewritten, double-spaced page describing how a recent NYTimes (or other national newspaper) article illustrates at least one of the Five Principles of Politics on the topic of the assigned chapter, or
•  Write no more than one typewritten, double spaced page explaining how the material discussed by one of the Omnibus lecturers illustrates at least one of the Five Principles of Politics on any topic covered by the course.

Follow the instructions on the Norton Student StudySpace website to email your response to the quiz or to the “Analyzing the Evidence” exercise to Dr. Hannah at hannahs@ipfw.edu. Entries must be submitted through the StudySpace website to be accepted. 

Submit your NYTimes or Omnibus essays to Dr. Hannah via the mail function on the POLS Y103-10 course eLearning website through MyIPFW as follows:

• Go to www.ipfw.edu.
• Sign in on the MyIPFW webpage. 
• Click on eLearning.
• Sign in again.
• Click on INTRO TO AMER POLITICS Y103.
• Click on the MAIL icon in the far left column.
• Follow instructions for selecting recipient (Susan Hannah) and adding your attachment.

Assignments must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the dates indicated in the syllabus.  No assignments for that chapter will be accepted after the assigned date and time.  All eight assignments must be completed and submitted on time in order to earn the allotted 25% of the total course grade.

MidTerm Exams:   The exams will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.

            1^st Exam covers Chapters 1- 4 plus lecture and discussion material

            2^nd Exam covers Chapters 5-8 plus lecture and discussion material

Final Comprehensive Exam:   The exam will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions and will cover Chapters 1-13 plus lecture and discussion material.

NYTimes:  Students can access hard copies of the NYTimes available free on Monday-Friday in several locations across campus or online as noted below to find examples of the topic under discussion on the assigned dates.  Access to brief online version at www.nytimes.com.  Electronic access to the full edition as follows:

· Start from the IPFW Helmke Library’s homepage (http://www.lib.ipfw.edu)

·  In the upper right hand corner of the page click on the link:  Find Resources By…

· Select the letter "N" in the alphabetical list

· Scroll down the alphabetical list and click on the link for National Newspapers

· The database is now open, but to see only articles published in the New York Times, click on the green tab that says "Publications" and select "New York Times; Late Entire (East Coast)"

Lecture Materials:  Powerpoint or other lecture materials will be posted to the class Blackboard (elearning) website through MyIPFW.

Omnibus Lecturers:  Students will check in with an assigned class monitor for each lecture.

Class Participation: Students will be expected to come to class prepared to ask questions, discuss the assigned readings, and participate in in-class exercises on the topic under discussion. 

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

· Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. IPFW is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and access to programs and services to persons with disabilities.  If you have or acquire a disability, contact the Office in 113 Walb Student Union, 481-6657 or www.ipfw.edu/ssd/text-version/academics.shtml.

· Center for Academic Support & Advancement (CASA).  KT G23. 481-6817 or www.ipfw.edu/casa for student skills development, tutoring, STEPS short courses, and ESL.

· The Writing Center. KT G19. 481-5740 or www.ipfw.edu/casa/writing for peer tutors who can help with all phases of the writing process.

· Career Services. KT 109. 481-0689 or www.ipfw.edu/career for assistance with on and off-campus job placement and non-credit internships.

· Information Technology Services Help Desk. KT 206. 481-6030 or www.its.ipfw.edu/helpdesk for information on all aspects of computing at IPFW, hardware and software support (including Blackboard), and email accounts.

· Office of Multicultural Services. Walf 118., 481-6921 or www.ipfw.edu/odma for skills workshops, support groups, diversity training, counseling, mentoring, cultural heritage programs, and ASAP program.

· International Student Services. KT 104. 481-6034/6923 or www.ipfw.edu/iss for visa and immigration issues and help with housing, support, and counseling for internationals students.

· Mastodon Advising Center (MAC). KT 109. 481-6595 or www.ipfw.edu/mac for appointments with professional academic advisors to assist in selecting a major, help for Exploring Students, deciding students, readmitted students, and various student resources.

· Helmke Library Service Desk . Helmke Library. 481-6505 or www.lib.ipfw.edu for reference librarian help with information resources from books, journals, interlibrary loan, document delivery, and extensive online materials.

· Dean of Students Office. Walb 111. 481-6601 or www.ipfw.edu/dos for student health insurance, mentoring, complaints, grade appeals, short-term personal counseling and support.

· Student Code and Student Rights and Responsibilities. See Part 4 of the Student Bulletin at  http://bulletin.ipfw.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=23 .

Y103-10 FALL 2009 CLASS SCHEDULE

Date	Topic	Reading/Requirement
August 24	Introductions	Syllabus
August 26	Key Terms and Concepts	Lowi, Chapter 1
August 28	Five Principles of Politics	NY Times discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 1)
August 31	Foundations	Lowi, Chapter 2, plus Appendices
September 2	Foundations
September 4	Foundations	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 2)
September 7	Labor Day Recess	No Class
September 9	Federalism	Lowi, Chapter 3
September 11	Federalism	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 3)
September 14	Civil Liberties/ Library Resources	Lowi, Chapter 4
September 16	Civil Liberties
September 18	Civil Liberties	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 4)
September 21	First Exam	Chapters 1-4 plus lecture materials
September 23	Congress	Lowi, Chapter 5
September 25	Congress
September 28	Congress	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 5)
September 30	Presidency	Lowi, Chapter 6
October 2	Presidency
October 5	Presidency	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 6)
October 7	Bureaucracy	Lowi, Chapter 7
October 9	Bureaucracy	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 7)
October 12	Fall Recess	No Class
October 14	Omnibus Lecture in lieu of class on October 14	Attend James Galbraith Lecture, 7:30 p.m. Rinehart Music Center
October 16	Deconstructing Galbraith
October 19	Judiciary	Lowi, Chaper 8
October 21	Judiciary	Quiz/exercise due (Chap 8)
October 23	2^nd Exam	Chapters 5-8 plus lecture materials
October 26	Public Opinion	Lowi, Chapter 9
October 28	Public Opinion
October 30	Public Opinion	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 9)
November 2	Elections	Lowi, Chapter 10
November 4	Elections
November 6	Elections	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 10)
November 9	Q & A
November 10*	*Omnibus Lecture in lieu of Nov 11 class	Attend Andrew Sullivan Lecture, 7:30 p.m. Rinehart Music Center
November 11*	*No Class (see Nov 10)	No Class
November 13	Deconstructing Sullivan
November 16	Political Parties	Lowi, Chapter 11
November 18	Political Parties
November 20	Political Parties	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 11)
November 23	No Class	No Class
November 25	Thanksgiving Recess	No Class
November 27	Thanksgiving Recess	No Class
November 30	Interest Groups	Chapter 12
December 2	Interest Groups
December 4	Interest Groups	NYTimes discussion Quiz/exercise due (Chap 12)
December 7	Media	Lowi, Chapter 13
December 9	Media	Quiz/exercise due (Chap 13)
December 11	Exam Review
December 14	Final Examination	8-10 a.m.