UPDATED SYLLABUS

Political Science 100: American Government and Politics

Fall 2006

Instructor: Prof. Jax Jacobsen

Email: JSJacobsen@gmail.com

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to American Government and Politics. In this course, we will learn about the development of the American political system, understand the political philosophies of the Founding Fathers, and analyze contemporary political events in this framework.

This course is divided into four parts. The first section is devoted to understanding the foundational principles of American government. The second section deals with the politics of the American democracy, and who holds the power to effect change. The third sections concerns institutions in American government, and we will trace their development to the present day. Finally, we will learn how policy is made, both domestically and internationally, in the fourth section.

We will also be reading Richard Brookhiser's What Would the Founders Do? This book will serve as a starting point for our debates, on how contemporary policies concerning gun control, education, and the definition are reflected in the Constitution.

Required Reading

Barbes, Barbara, with Mack C. Shelley and Steffen W. Schmidt. American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.

Brookhiser, RIchard. What Would the Founders Do?: Our Questions, Their Answers. New York: Basic Books, 2006.

Recommended Reading

I strongly suggest that all college students read a quality newspaper such as the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, or The Washington Post. I'd also recommend reading a weekly newsmagazine, such as Time, US News & World Report, or Newsweek.

For students who are Political Science or Economics majors, I'd strongly recommend reading The Economist.

Also work a look are the Financial Times (www.ft.com) and The Globe and Mail (www.theglobeandmail.com).

These publications all offer free online services. Also, the library at CSI has many of

these newspapers on subscription and, these can be read on the premises.

Miscellaneous Items

Make-up Exams

Make-up exams are given only under exceptional circumstances - such as medical emergencies that can be verified with documentation.

Any assignment turned in late will be penalized 50% of its final grade for each day that passes between the actual due date and the day the assignment is turned in.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in class in any form (cheating on exams, plagiarism, etc.).

The course will rely heavily on in-class discussion and debate. To this end, it is crucial that students come to class each session with assigned readings and other assignments completed, and be ready to participate actively and enthusiastically.

Grading

The grading will be broken down as follows:

Midterm Exam: 25%

Final Exam: 30%

Paper I (Reaction Paper): 15%

Paper II (Research Paper): 20%

Participation: 10%

Exams

There will be two exams given for this class, the midterm and the final. The midterm will be given on Thursday, October 19, and we will have a mid-term review session on Wednesday, October 18. This exam will consist of short answer questions (multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank), and an essay portion. We will talk more about the structure and content of the final exam in December.

Papers

Paper I:

This first paper can be handed in any time before December 1st. This paper will be a reaction to something you have read during class that has piqued your interest. This assignment should be between 3-4 pages, and will be an opinion piece on the material we have covered. It is not a summary of what we have discussed in class. This paper will encourage you to analyze contemporary events and use what you have learned to form your own opinion.

Paper II:

Each student will write a research paper, numbering 5-7 pages, on a topic which has been introduced in the class. The papers should be written in APA Format, and should include five (5) references, one of which may be the textbook. These papers are due on Wednesday, December 6th.

***We will devote a class period to questions regarding these papers, and I will also conduct a writing workshop for any interested students.***

Participation

Participation is a vital component of this class. I expect you to learn as much from each other as you do from the course materials. Don't be shy!!

LECTURE AND READING SCHEDULE

I reserve the right to change or modify the lecture and reading schedule.

I. 8/30 and 8/31: The Democratic Republic

Bardes, Chapter 1

Brookhiser, Chapter 1

II. 9/7: The Constitution

Bardes, Chapter 2

Brookhiser, Chapter 2

III. 9/13 and 9/14: Federalism

Bardes, Chapter 3

Brookhiser, Chapter 3

IV. 9/20 and 9/21: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Bardes, Chapter 4 and Chapter 5

****Note: We will be discussing Chapter 5 first, so please read it first.

V. 9/27 and 9/28: Federalism Public Opinion, Political Socialization, and Interest Groups

Bardes, Chapter 6 and 7

VI. 10/4 and 10/5: Political Parties

Bardes, Chapter 8

Brookhiser, Chapter 4

VII. 10/11 and 10/12: Campaigns, Elections, and the Media

Bardes, Chapter 9

Brookhiser, Chapter 5

VIII. 10/18 and 10/19: Mid-Term Exam

IX. 10/25 and 10/26: The Congress

Bardes, Chapter 10

Brookhiser, Chapter 6

X. 11/1 and 11/2: The President

Bardes, Chapter 11

Brookhiser, Chapter 7

XI. 11/8 and 11/9: The Bureaucracy

Bardes, Chapter 12

Brookhiser, Chapter 8

XII. 11/15 and 11/16: The Courts

Bardes, Chapter 13

Brookhiser, Chapter 9

--THANKSGIVING BREAK--

XIII. 11/29 and 11/30: Domestic and Economic Policy

Bardes, Chapter 14

Brookhiser, Chapter 10

XIV. 12/6 and 12/7: Foreign and Defense Policy

Bardes, Chapter 15

Brookhiser: Chapter 11

12/13: LAST DAY/ FINAL EXAM REVIEW

FINAL EXAM: TBD

Bon semestre!!