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Office telephone: 395-2219
Office hours:
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harbourwr@longwood.edu
Table of
Contents
Course
Description
Texts
Course
Objectives
Class
Schedule
Course
Requirements
Grading
Attendance
Policy
Honor
Code
Class
Discussion
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercises
Taking
Exams
Bibliography
Course
Description:
An introduction to
the American political system, with an emphasis upon the national political
institutions, processes, groups, public behavior, and issues which shape
contemporary society.
Texts:
George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and
Robert L. Lineberry. Government in America.
Twelfth Edition. New
York: Person/Longman Publishers, 2006.
Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd. Editors. The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. Fourth Edition. Baltimore, Maryland: Lanahan Publishers, 2006.
Other Reading:
Students will also be required to purchase a discounted subscription
to the New York Times from the Bookstore. Being aware of current
political developments is important to good citizenship. Each exam will
have at least one question requiring students to reflect on current political
news and relate such developments to the material we are studying about the
American political system.
Students may also keep up with current
political events and may follow the news through the following online
sites:
http://www.nyt.com/
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.britannica.com/
A useful site for checking on the facts presented by political
ads:
http//www.factcheck.org/
Many thoughtful students sometimes wonder how much they can trust
information about politics they encounter when viewing political ads and reading
political editorials. They also worry about the objectivity of media news
reports. Both conservatives and liberals complain about the distortion of facts
found in the political ads run by the other side and various websites sponsored
by opposition ideological groups. Distorting the views and positions of the
opposition to make them look as bad as possible is an all too typical campaign
technique. As a citizen and a student you not only should consider examining
many different perspectives and sources of information but also make use of the
above site sponsored by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. The experts at
this site checks out the factual accuracy of many political speeches, ads, and
news releases. They take on both the left and the right, finding errors put out
by democrats and republicans. This site is especially useful when elections
approach.
Students may also read the Online editions of CQ Weekly and The CQ Researcher published by Congressional Quarterly Inc. These may be found by going to the CQ Library site at: http://library.cqpress.com/
There will be specific assignments from the above and other Web sources.
Click HERE for the Study Guide which contains questions for reading and thinking about the assignments, links to useful web sties containing materials on the topics being explored, and suggestions on developing your research for the critical thinking writing assignments.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a capacity for critical and analytical thought about issues central to the American political system.
2. Demonstrate an ability to communicate in writing their knowledge and beliefs about the institutions and forces shaping the American political system.
3. Describe the essential features of the American political system.
4. Identify information regarding the American political system which is necessary for useful and responsible citizenship.
5. Discuss important philosophical and ethical issues associated with the practice of politics and the challenges facing this nation's system of government.
6. Describe the major ways in which political scientists have tried to understand American politics.
7. Discuss how American government and politics have shaped and been shaped by the dynamic social forces of the 20th century.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of persuasions and interests within American society.
9. Discuss elements of both continuity and change within the American political system.
Class
Schedule:
Click HERE for the Study
Guide which contains questions for reading and thinking about the assignments,
links to useful web sties containing materials on the topics being explored, and
suggestions on developing your research for the critical thinking writing
assignments.
Week 1 (Aug. 28-Sept. 1) Introduction to the
Study of American Politics; The Constitutional System
Read: Edwards, Chpts, 1, 2; Serow & Ladd, Part
Three
The Constitution
The Federalist, No. 51
Special Topics:
What is politics all about? How do political
scientists try to understand politics?
What are the most important features of the American
constitutional system?
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercise No. 1
First read The Federalist, No.
51 and carefully study the Constitution. Then write a three page essay
on what you believe to be Madison's understanding of the necessity,
requirements, and advantages of the system of checks and balances in the
constitutional system. Explain how the design of the Constitution reflects
Madison's basic objectives.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday, Aug.
31.
Week 2 (Sept. 4-8 - No classes on Monday,
September 4, Labor Day)
The Constitutional System;
Federalism
Read: Edwards, Chpts.
2, 3; Serow & Ladd, Part Four
The Constitution
Special Topics:
How have the rules governing American institutions and
politics been changed by amendments added to the Constitution?
What are the essential attributes of American
federalism?
Critical Thinking Writing
Exercise No. 2
This assignment is based upon your reading the
Supreme Court decision: McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819. You can read this decision
online by using the Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe at: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/
There you will find a summary and outline of the case, the arguments
presented to the Court by both sides, and the opinion handed down by the Court.
In your three page essay you should explain why this case was so important to
the evolution of the federal system.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on
Thursday, Sept. 7.
Week 3 (Sept. 11-15) Constitutional Liberties;
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Read:
Constitutional Amendments
Edwards, Chpts.
4, 5; Serow & Ladd, Part 9
Special Topics:
What are the most important rights protected by the Bill of
Rights?
What are the most important equal
rights issues facing this country?
Critical Thinking Writing
Exercise No. 3
This assignment is based upon your reading the article
"Controlling the Internet" by Marica Clemmitt found in the online CQ
Researcher in the May 12, 2006, Volume 16, Number 18 edition. You need to go to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
After you
login, click on The CQ Researcher (which is a valuable source for articles on
current political issues) where you then can do a search for the article.
You are to write an essay in which you explain the most important political
and constitutional issues involved in attempts to regulate the internet.
What dangers are involved and what sorts of regulations, if any, would be
justified?
(This week students can choose either the above essay assignment or the one
below.)
Alternative Assignment: You are to write a three page essay on the debate
over the teaching of intelligent design in public school systems. Explore
the issues involved in the debate over whether or not intelligent design should
be taught in our public schools and whether or not it violates the establishment
clause of the First Amendment. You must start by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online).
There you can find the link to an article on the teaching of intelligent design
in the July 29, 2005 issue by Marcia Clemmit. You may also want to read
newspaper accounts published since about how this issue is being fought out in
school boards, state departments of education, and the federal courts.
The assignment is due
by 4:00 on Thursday, Sept. 14.
Week 4 (Sept. 18-22) American Political
Culture
Read: Declaration of
Independence; Serow & Ladd, Parts One and Two
Special Topics:
What are the most important features of American political
culture?
First test
NOTE: You will
have your first test on Thursday, Sept. 21. This test will count for 1/5 of your semester
grade.
Week 5 (Sept. 25-29) Public Opinion; Political
Ideology; Political Participation
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 6; Serow & Ladd, Part 10
Special Topics:
What are some of the most important observations which can
be made about public opinion in American politics? What are the most important
observations one can make about citizen participation in American
politics?
What role does ideology play in
American politics?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 4
You are to write an essay about the political significance of blogging.
What are bloggers adding to American politics? What do you see as the good
and bad consequences of the blogging phenomenon in contemporary politics? You need to
begin your research on this topic by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
After you
login, click on The CQ Researcher (which is a valuable source for articles on
current political issues) where you then can do a search for the following
article: Kenneth Jost and Melissa J. Hipolit. "Blog Explosion."
The CQ Researcher, Volume 16, Number 22 (June 9, 2006).
This assignment is due
by 4:00 on Thursday, Sept. 28.
Week 6 (Oct. 2-6) Voters, Elections, and
Campaigns
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 9, 10;
Serow & Ladd, Part 12
Presidential
Election Results, 1789-2004
Special
Topics:
What are the most important
observations one can make about voting behavior in the United States?
How has research and knowledge about voting
behavior developed by political scientists influenced how political consultants plan campaigns? How are election
campaigns driven by the empirical knowledge developed by the social sciences?
What are the principal aspects of the
presidential selection process?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise
No. 5
You are to write a three page essay on cyberpolitics. How
are political activists using the internet and how is this technology changing
politics? You need to go to the Congressional Quarterly Library online at:
http://library.cqpress.com/
You need to read the following article as a beginning point for your research
and reflection: Price, Tom. "Cyberpolitics." The CQ
Researcher Online Volume 14, Number 32 (September 17, 2004). In your
paper you should discuss both positive and negative aspects of cyberpolitics.
How might democracy be advanced or diminished by cyberpolitics?
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday, Oct
5.
Week 7 (Oct. 9-13) Political Parties; Interest
Groups
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 8, 11;
Serow & Ladd, Parts 11, 13
The
Federalist, No. 10 and No.
51
Special Topics:
What are the most important of characteristics of
American political parties?
What is the
role played by interest groups in American politics?
Do interest groups advance or diminish democracy in
America? Do Interest groups advance or diminish the common good?
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercise No. 6
You are to write an essay about the role of lobbying in American
politics. What important issues about the nature of our political system
are raised in the debate about the role of interest groups and lobbying in
American politics? What are the good and bad aspects of lobbying in
contemporary American politics? Is the current lobbying system advancing
or diminishing democracy in our country? You need to begin your research
on this topic by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
After you
login, click on The CQ Researcher (which is a valuable source for articles on
current political issues) where you then can do a search for the following
article: Peter Katel. "Lobbying Boom." The CQ Researcher,
Volume 15, Number 26 (July 22, 2005).
This assignment is
due by 4:00 on Thursday, Oct. 12.
FALL BREAK OCTOBER 16-17
Week 8 (Oct. 18-20) Mass Media
Politics
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 7;
Serow & Ladd, Part 14
Special
Topics:
Fall Break (No classes on
Monday and Tuesday of this week.)
How has
the media influenced politics in the United States?
What does content
analysis (a method used by social scientists to analyze communication) employed
by political scientists tell us about important changes taking place in American
politics? How has the study of the media's impact on American politics modified
our overall understanding of the political system?
Week 9 (Oct. 23-27) The Congress
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 12; Serow & Ladd, Part
Five
Special Topics:
Second Test
The Congress
NOTE: You will have your
second test on Tuesday, Oct. 24. This test will count for 1/5 of your
semester grade.
What is the role of
Congress in the American political system? Who has power in Congress?
What is the role of political parties in
Congress?
Week 10 (Oct. 30 - Nov. 3) The
Congress
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 12;
Serow & Ladd, Part Five
Special
Topics:
What is the role played by
committees in Congress?
What processes
must a bill go through in order to become a law?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 7
Imagine that you have been asked to give a speech
to a group of foreign students or to lecture to your old high school civics
class on the most important steps in the legislative process in Congress, with
special emphasis on the key steps in the the House of Representatives.
This assignment requires that you write a three page essay that would serve as
the basis for such a speech. In order to become thoroughly familiar with
how bills make their way through the House of Representatives, you must read the
following: "HOW OUR LAWS ARE MADE" Revised and Updated by Charles W.
Johnson, Parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives, June 30, 2003. This manual may be found online by going to the Thomas website
at: http://thomas.loc.gov/
and going to: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html
In developing this essay you need to reflect
critically on the House procedures and write about what you regard as the most
crucial steps in the legislative process. Do not try to copy the manual;
rather, develop an essay that would allow you to explain the most important
aspects of the process.
This assignment is
due by 4:00 on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Week 11 (Nov.
6-10) The Presidency
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 13, 14; Serow & Ladd,
Part Six
Special Topics:
What functions are performed by the presidency in
the American political system? What are the key elements of presidential power?
What institutional forces shape the modern presidency? How
important is presidential personality to the office?
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercise No. 8.
One of the oldest debates in American
politics concerns the extent of presidential powers. Do they have too much
or not enough? This is especially controversial in times of war. You
are to write an essay about the debate over how far President Bush has push
presidential power since 9/11. Has he gone too far or are his actions and
policies justified by the war on terror? You need to begin your
research on this topic by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
After you
login, click on The CQ Researcher (which is a valuable source for articles on
current political issues) where you then can do a search for the following
article: Kenneth Jost. "Presidential Power." The CQ Researcher,
Volume 16, Number 8 (February 24, 2006).
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday, Nov.
9.
Week 12 (Nov. 13-17) The Bureaucracy; The
Judiciary
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 15,
16; Serow & Ladd, Parts Seven and Eight
The Federalist, No. 78
Special Topics:
What are the most important characteristics of the federal
bureaucracy?
What role does the judiciary
play in the American Political System?
Critical Thinking Writing
Exercise No. 9
This assignment deals with the
problems presidents face in dealing with the bureaucracy. Read this week's
assignment on the bureaucracy and reflect back on the material studied earlier
regarding Congress and Interest groups. You are to write a three page
essay in which you explain why presidents find dealing with the bureaucracy so
frustrating. What institutional tools are available to presidents in
dealing with the
bureaucracy? This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday, Nov.
16.
Week 13 (Nov. 20-21) Review &
Test
Read: Review previous material
for test.
Third test
NOTE: You will have your third test on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Thanksgiving Vacation November 22-26
Week 14 (Nov.
27-Dec. 1) Domestic Policy
Making; Economic and Budget Policies; Social Welfare Policies
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 14, 17, 18 ; Serow &
Ladd, Part 15
Special
Topics:
What are the major steps in
the policy making process?
What are the
principal forces shaping economic and budget policies?
What are the most important features of American social
welfare policies?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No.
10
You are to write an essay on the most important issues involved in the debate
over climate change. What policies should be adopted by the United
States? How do you evaluate the approach to climate change pursued by the
Bush administration? You need to begin your research on this topic by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
After you
login, click on The CQ Researcher (which is a valuable source for articles on
current political issues) where you then can do a search for the following
article: Marcia Clemmitt. "Climate Change." The CQ Researcher,
Volume 16, Number 4 (January 27, 2006).
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday,
Nov. 30.
Week 15 (Dec. 4-8) Policymaking for
Health Care; The Environment; Foreign and Defense Policies; Review
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 19, 20; Serow & Ladd,
Part 16
Special Topics:
What are some of the most important health care
and environmental issues facing the country?
What forces have shaped the
making of American foreign policies and defense policies since World War
II?
Classes end Dec. 8
Reading Day: Dec. 9
Exam Period: Dec. 11-15
Final Exam:
The final exam for section 03 will be on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 A.M. -
10:30 A.M. The final exam for section 05 will be on Thursday, Dec.
14 at 8:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. The final exam
will be worth 1/5 of your semester grade.
Course
Requirements:
Ten critical
thinking writing assignments
Three
tests
Final comprehensive
examination
Daily reading of the New York Times
Grading:
Your semester grade will be based on your
combined score for 10 critical thinking writing assignments, three tests given
during the course of the semester, and a final examination. Each of these will
count for 1/5 of your semester grade for the class.
Attendance
Policy:
The attendance policy for
this course is the college policy found in the College Catalog and Student
Handbook.
Honor
Code:
Students are expected to
live by the Longwood College Honor Code. All work done for the class must be
pledged. Your instructor will not tolerate any form of cheating.
Class
Discussion:
Your instructor values class participation. Those students
who make consistent contributions to class discussion will discover that if
their semester average is on the borderline between two grades that they will
receive the higher of the two grades. Students are encouraged to ask questions
and to express their knowledge and beliefs about the material and issues being
dealt with in class. Be prepared to relate what we are studying to current
political events.
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercises:
There
will be 10 critical thinking writing exercises.
These assignments will be three pages in length. They will be done in
Microsoft Word with a Font size 12 and double spaced. Any documentation for
these exercises will be done according to the Turabian format for a research
paper. A shorter version of that style manual can be found on the History style
manual at the following web address: <http://www.longwood.edu/history/HDPTSTS2.htm> All of these essays will also be turned in to
<turnitin.com>
Your essays also must demonstrate reading beyond what is required for class
assignments and must reflect knowledge of current political events.
Taking
Exams:
All tests and exams must be taken on time. You are expected
to provide proof for any legitimate reason (illness, participation in a college
sponsored activity, or recognizable emergency) you have for missing a test or
exam. Quizzes, critical thinking worksheets, and papers handed in past the time
they are due will lose points. You must be prepared in all the
exams to relate the material being studied to current political events.
Bibliography:
Required Reading:
The Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry and Serow & Ladd
texts required for the course
Online CQ
Library publications
Students will also be required to purchase a discounted subscription to
the New York Times from the Bookstore. Being aware of current political
developments is important to good citizenship. Each exam will have at
least one question requiring the student to reflect on current political news
and relate such developments to the material we are studying about the American
political system.
Current online
news sites
Any special assignments of web
based materials posted on Blackboard
Suggested Reading or Reference:
James David Barber. The Presidential
Character. 4th Edition. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, 1992.
Colin Campbell & Bert A. Rockman. Editors. The
Clinton Legacy. New York: Chatham House Publishers, 2000.
Thomas E. Cronin & Michael A. Genovese.
The Paradoxes of the American Presidency. New
York: Oxford University Press,
1998.
Byron W. Daynes & Glen Sussman. The American
Presidency and the Social Agenda. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2001.
Byron W. Daynes, Raymond Tatalovich, Denis L. Soden. To
Govern a Nation: Presidential Power
and Politics. New York: St.
Martin’s Press, 1998.
Robert E.
DiClerico. The American President. Fifth Edition. Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.
Robert E. DiClerico. Political Parties, Campaigns,
and Elections. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.
George
C. Edwards III & Philip John Davies.
New Challenges for the American Presidency. New York: Longman, 2004.
E.J. Dionne. Why Americans Hate Politics.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992.
James
M. Fallows. Breaking the News: How the MediaUndermine American Democracy.
New
York: Pantheon,
1996.
Abraham J. Henry and Barbara Perry.
Freedom and the Court. 5th Edition. New York: Oxford
University Press, 1994.
John S. Jackson III & William Crotty. The Politics of
Presidential Selection. Second Edition. New York: Longman, 2001.
Bruce W. Jentleson. Editor.
Perspectives on American Foreign Policy. New York: W.W. Norton
& Company, 2000.
Lance T. LeLoup &
Steven A. Shull. Congress and the The President: The Policy
Connection.
Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1993.
James P. Pfiffner & Roger H. Davidson.
Editors. Understanding the Presidency. Second Edition. New
York: Addison
Wesley
Longman, Inc., 2000.
Nelson W. Polsby and
Aaron Wildavsky. Presidential Elections. 10th Edtion. New York:
Chatham House Publishers, 2000.
Gerald M.
Pomper et. al. The Election of 2000. New York: Chatham House
Publishers, 2001.
Larry Sabato.
Editor. Overtime: The 2000 Election Thriller. New York:
Longman, 2002.
John Spanier and Eric
Uslaner. American Foreign Policy and the Democratic Dilemmas.
Sixth
Edition. New
York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1994.
Sidney Verba, Kay Lehman Schlozman, and Henry Brady.
Voiceand Equality: Civic Voluntarism in
American Politics. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 1995.
Shirley
Anne Warshaw. The Domestic Presidency: Policy Making in the White House.
Boston:
Allyn and
Bacon, 1997.
Martin P. Wattenburg. The
Decline of American Political Parties, 1952-1992. Cambridge, Mass.:
Harvard University Press,
1994.
Stephen P. Wayne. The Road to the
White House 1996: The Politics of Presidential Elections. New
York: St. Martin's Press,
1997.
Academic Journals:
American Political Science Review
Presidential Studies Quarterly
Journal of Politics
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