Y103 - Introduction to American Politics
Fall 2008-Elliot Bartky
Office: CM 213
Office hours T, Th 12:00-1:15 & by appointment
email: bartky@ipfw.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introductory inquiry focusing on the ideas, institutions, processes, policies and people shaping the American Republic. Particular attention will be directed to the historical development of the American political order and the problem of establishing justice and securing liberty in the United States.
COURSE TEXTS
1. American
Government: Power and Purpose Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle
2. Sources of American Founding (SAF) see course web page Sources
of the American Founding
3. You are also required to be informed about contemporary American politics by reading a national daily newspaper or through other news sources. The internet provides access to many fine news sources and tools for political research. The Department of Political Science Web page- www.ipfw.edu/pols - provides access to many fine sources of political information.
COURSE GOALS
Course Goals: The course is designed to further the students’ ability to:
a) think about the problem of establishing justice and securing liberty in the USA;
b) enter debates about fundamental political issues;
c) think, speak, and act in accord with the unity amidst the diversity of American culture;
d) better prepared to increase their earning potential;
e) better prepared to find and maintain a mate;
f) better prepared to contribute to the well being of society;
g) better prepared to establish a record appropriate for securing a position in the world to come
This course fulfills the General Education requirement for Area Three: The Individual, Culture, and Society.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
Regular Attendance is required
A large share of each test is based
on class lectures, you must attend class in order to do well on the
tests. If you need to leave class early, inform me prior to the beginning
of class. The use of computers is not permitted in this course except
under special circumstances requiring prior approval. Cell phones must be
turned off or put on a silent mode.
Reading
Assignments
Follow the reading assignments on the course syllabus "Course Reading and
Lecture Schedule." Your understanding of the lectures and performance on
the tests will benefit by your having read the materials prior to attending
class. It is especially important that you are able to integrate the reading
material with the course lectures.
Exams
There are four exams. Each exam will count for one-fourth of the final grade.
The first three exams consist of multiple choice, short answer and essay
questions that indicate your progress integrating and comprehending course
readings, lectures, and discussions. The final exam will focus on the last part
of the course but include basic materials from throughout the course. The final
exam will not include essay questions.
For students to demonstrate their proficiency they will need to acquire a basic knowledge of the dynamics and mechanics of American politics, as well as knowledge of the ideas and controversies that shape the way Americans think, speak and act in the political order.
A
Note on Academic Honesty:
Students should familiarize themselves with and abide by the IPFW Code of
Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.
Students who violate the Code through cheating, plagiarism or other misconduct,
or who assist others in engaging in prohibited conduct, will be subject to
appropriate disciplinary action.
COURSE READING AND LECTURE SCHEDULE: Note that the reading schedule does not follow the order of the chapters established by the authors of the course text. Required readings are marked with an asterisk *
1.
INTRODUCTION: THE TWO FOUNDINGS OF THE REPUBLIC
Introductory lecture
August
26
2. FROM PURITAN FOUNDING TO THE CONSITUTION
*Ch. 1 August 28
*Excerpts from Winthrop and Locke (see SAF)
*The Declaration of Independence (Appendix A 3-5)
3. The Constitution and the American Founding
*Ch. 2 September 2, 4
*The Constitution (Appendix 7-27)
*Federalist 10, 51 (Appendix 21-25)
4. FEDERALISM & THE PROBLEM OF POLITICAL ORDER
*Ch. 3 September 9, 11
*Tocqueville (see SAF)
Exam 1: September 16 - Chapters 1, 2, 3
5. THE CONGRESS
*Ch. 5
September 18, 23
6. THE PRESIDENCY
*Ch. 6
September
25, 30
7. BUREAUCRACY
AND DEMOCRACY
*Ch. 7
October 2, 7
Exam 2: October 9 - Chapters 5, 6, 7
8.
POLITICAL PARTIES
*Ch.
11 October
16, 21
9.
CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS
*Ch. 10
October 23, 28
10.
PUBLIC OPINION AND THE MEDIA
*Ch. 9
October 30
11. INTEREST
GROUPS
*Ch.
12 November
4, 6
Exam 3: November 11 – Chapters 11, 10, 9, 12
11. FEDERAL COURTS
*Ch. 8 November 13, 18
*Bill of Rights (Appendix A 16)
12. CITIZENSHIP, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT & THE WELFARE STATE
*Ch. 4 November 20, 25
13. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC
POLICY
*Ch. 13
December 2, 4
14. FOREIGN AND DEFENSE
POLICY
*Ch. 14
December 9, 11
Exam 4- Chapters 8, 4, 13, 14