THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
PSC 120 Winter 2005
| Dr. Wayne Steger | Office: 990 West Fullerton, Rm. 2204 |
| Office Hours: TTh. 12:00-1:00, & by appointment | email: wsteger@depaul.edu |
| 773-325-4240 | http://condor.depauledu/~wsteger/ |
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course surveys the American political system, with focus on the constitutional origins and framework of American government, the major institutions, the public, and processes that select leaders. The goal is to help you develop an understanding of the structures and processes of the American government. By focusing on the political culture, structures of government, and the processes of elections and governance, you will gain a basic ability to analyze issues and institutions and how they operate.
Through this course, you should gain a basic understanding of several fundamental principles of the American political system. In the first part of the class we will evaluate the purposes of government and discuss how and why the structure of American government fits with these goals. Emphasis will be given to the pluralistic aspects of our political system in which multiple groups contend for satisfaction of their needs and wants. We will examine how the American political system operates to balance majority and minority interests. We conclude this part of the course with an examination of the constitutional structures of American government, civil liberties and civil rights. In the second part of the course, we will look at how the major political institutions operate and interact with each other. Particular attention will be given to issues of representation and biases built into the system, which enable some groups relative to others. In the third part of the course, we will study how the socioeconomic, religious, and racial composition of the United States affects the political system and how the political system operates to mediate conflict between groups in society. We will explore how groups seek to influence the political system through political participation, with attention to the inequalities among groups and what this means for democracy in the United States .
TEXTBOOKS:
Theodore Lowi, Benjamin Ginsberg & Kenneth Shepsle, “American Government: Power and Purpose.” Core, 8th edition, Norton Publishers, 2004. (noted in the reading list as LGS)
David Cannon, John Coleman, and Kenneth Mayer, eds., “The Enduring Debate.” 2nd edition, W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. (noted in the reading list as CCM)
Additional readings will be assigned from the internet or handed out in class.
I also recommend that you read a major newspaper to keep current with state and national political events. I recommend the New York Times or the Washington Post. You may also access both of these and others on-line through my web-site (use links, and then click on media links). I will periodically assign current events papers, which will require you to read and analyze current events in terms of what we are covering in class.
GRADING POLICY: Your final grade will be based on your performance on quizzes, assignments, participation, two mid-term exams, and a final exam. I give quizzes randomly through the quarter, but at least two can be expected. The format of the quizzes will include multiple choice and short answer essays. Make-up quizzes will be given ONLY if you have an excused absence (see below). You are expected to contribute to in-class discussion, which means that you should prepare to discuss the readings for the week. The quizzes are intended to give you an incentive to be prepared for class discussions. The midterm and final exams will consist of objective questions and essays.
| Attendance & Participation | 10% | based on a sample of classes. |
| Quizzes & current event assignments | 15% | quizzes and assignments at any time |
| Midterm I: | 25% | Tues., January 25th |
| Midterm II: | 25% | Thurs, Feb. 17th |
| Final Exam | 25% | Tuesday, March 17th, 8:45-11:00 |
OTHER CONCERNS:
Attendance and Participation: Attendance is required. You will be granted three absences— excused or unexcused. Beyond that you must have a very good reason (e.g., a medical emergency). After three, you will lose one-third of your participation grade (the difference between a plus or minus in your overall course grade) for each absence. If you must miss class, you are responsible for the material covered that day. I will not provide you with lecture materials during my office hours. Only with an excused absence would you be able to make up a quiz or exam.
Tardiness: Be on time. I mean it.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheat and I’ll flunk you! That is my policy. There are several activities that constitute cheating. Copying material from another source (e.g., a book or other student) without proper acknowledgment is cheating. So is the use of crib sheets during an exam. Talking during an exam, looking at another student’s exam, or exchanging notes may also be construed as cheating. So be warned. Come see me if you have any questions.
Learning Disabilities: Students with special learning needs are encouraged to discuss them with the instructor early in the course. Every attempt will be made to accommodate students with such needs.
Deadlines & Make-up quizzes: I’ve learned that once I get flexible with deadlines, things tend to unravel quickly. Therefore, I am going to be strict and insist that you turn in assignments on time. There are few valid excuses (e.g., medical reasons) for missing deadlines. You must provide documentation for your absence if you miss a deadline. I mean this, don’t expect to be the exception. Without an excused absence, you will NOT be allowed to make up a quiz or turn in an assignment late.
STANDARDS FOR GRADING: Your work will be evaluated according to the following criteria.
A designates work of extra-ordinarily high quality; reflects thorough and comprehensive under-standing of the issues at hand; and arguments are clearly organized with supporting ideas. Participation indicates that the student is prepared at all times if asked to provide a summary of the assigned readings, asks thoughtful questions, and volunteers in class.
B designates work of high quality; reflects a clearly organized but less than comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand; presents organized arguments that are supported by ideas. Student participates as above about 75% of the time, and attends nearly all class periods.
C designates work which meets the minimal requirements of the assignment; written work reflects adequate organization and development of ideas, but arguments are communicated in a superficial or simplistic manner. Student does not volunteer, but responds to direct questions, often remains silent during group discussions, and often cannot summarize readings if called upon.
D designates work of poor quality which meets the minimum requirements of the assignment, but demonstrates poor organization of ideas and/or inattention to development of ideas, grammar, and spelling; treatment of material is superficial and/or simplistic; may indicate that the student has not read assignments thoroughly. Student does not volunteer, cannot respond to direct questions, keeps silent during class discussions, and is unable to summarize readings if called upon.
F designates work of poor quality that does not meet the minimum requirements of the assignment or task; fails to reflect an understanding of the issues at hand; fails to present organized arguments or fails to adequately support arguments with ideas; or which is not handed in on time. Student fails to participate even minimally in class or group discussions. Student may be frequently absent and participation is inadequate (silent) when student attends.
LECTURE TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
| Tues. Jan. 3: What is politics? government? Why should we study it? |
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| Thurs. Jan. 5: Principles of Politics & the American Political System. |
LGS ch. 1 |
| Tues., Jan. 11: US Constitution: origins, purpose and contents | LGS ch. 2; CCM 1-5 Federalist 10 & 51 handouts |
| Thurs., Jan. 13: Federalism and separation of institutions & powers | LGS ch. 3, CCM 6,7,8 |
| Tues., 18: Civil Liberties—freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights | LGS 114-127, CCM 11, 16 |
| Thurs., Jan. 20: Civil Rights—equity of rights | LGS 128-151, CCM 12, 13 |
| Midterm 1: Tues., January 25th |
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| Thurs., Jan. 27: Overview of American Institutions |
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| Tues., Feb. 1: Congress: representation, elections | LGS 158-174, CCM 17-20 |
| Thurs., Feb. 3: Congress: organization, processes & operation | LGS 175-215, CCM 21, 22 |
| Tues., Feb. 8: Presidency | LGS, 223-68 |
| Thurs., Feb 10: Presidency | CCM 23, 26 |
| Tues., Feb 15: Courts & judicial policy | LGS ch. 8, CCM 34, 35, 37, 38 |
| Midterm Exam II: Thurs, Feb. 17th |
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| Tues., Feb. 22: Social-Economic Context of American Politics | handout |
| Thurs., Feb. 24: Public Opinion | LGS, ch. 9, CCM 38, 39, 41 |
| Tues., Mar. 1: Elections | LGS, ch. 10, CCM 45, 46, 47, 51 |
| Thurs., Mar. 3: Political Parties | LGS, ch. 11, CCM, 52, 56, 57 |
| Tues., Mar. 8: Media: what are we being informed of | LGS ch. 13 |
Thurs., Mar. 10: Is our political system democratic? Responsive? Final Exam: Tuesday, March 15 th at 8:45 |