Y103 - Introduction to American Politics
Internet and Cable Access: Fall 2008
Elliot Bartky Office: CM 213
Office hours T, Th: 12:00-1:15 & by appointment
email bartky@ipfw.edu
Please be sure to read the Introductory Letter on the course Web Page!
http://www.ipfw.edu/pols/assets/SYLLABI/Bartky/HOMEPAGE.htm
NOTE: PROF. BARTKY DOES NOT USE
BLACKBOARD.
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
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 viewing the
lectures on the internet or TV.
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.
Reviews for the exam will be available on the course web
page.
You must take the exams through Testing Services:
Students should make individual appointments with the Office of Testing
services.
Call 260-481-6600 to schedule an appointment to take the test. See the Testing Services website: http://www.ipfw.edu/testing/distance/
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: The reading schedule is meant
to provide a guide assisting you in allocating the time necessary to complete
the course. You may take Exam 1, Exam 2, or Exam 3 on the scheduled date or one
week later than the suggested date. Exam 4 must be taken
by 12/17.
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- thru September 23-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 -thru October 16-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 – November 18- 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- December 15-17- Chapters 8, 4, 13, 14