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Instructor: Dr. Harbour
Office: Ruffner 228
Office telephone: 395-2219
Office hours:
MWF 10:00-11:00 TR 9:30-10:30
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.
Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry. Government in America 15th Edition. New York: Person/Longwman, 2011.
Students will also be required to read assigned articles from the Online edition of The CQ Researcher published by Congressional
Quarterly Inc. The assigned articles will be listed in the
course outline of this syllabus and may be found by going to the CQ Library
site at: http://library.cqpress.com/
There will also be a good number of online reading assignments which will also be listed in the course outline.
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 essay question requiring students to reflect on current political news.
Other Reading:
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.washingtonpost.com/
http://www.foxnews.com/index.html
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5
A useful site for checking on the facts presented in public forums:
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 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 in examining current political
debates over public policy.
Students can also make use of Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and
Issue Briefs found online at:
http://www.opencrs.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.
This course satisfies Goal 8 of the new General Education requirements adopted by the University for students entering Longwood beginning in 2002-2003 as well as Goal 8 of the general education system existing for current students already in attendance prior to that time.
GOAL 8: An understanding of the forces shaping contemporary society as
revealed in the social sciences (three
credits).
Outcomes: Students will
Understand the major
methods of social science inquiry
Recognize and explain
major contributions of social science to our cultural heritage
Understand how social
science has been used to address significant contemporary issues
General Education courses will have at least nine characteristics in common,
reflected in the nine General Education course
criteria. Together, they define what a General Education course is at
Longwood. Courses satisfying all goals except Goals 12
and 15 will:
1. teach a disciplinary mode of inquiry (e.g.,
literary analysis, statistical analysis, historical interpretation,
philosophical
reasoning, aesthetic judgment, the scientific method) and provide students with
practice in applying their disciplinary mode of
inquiry, critical thinking, or problem solving strategies.
2. provide examples of how disciplinary knowledge changes through creative applications of the chosen mode of inquiry.
3. consider questions of ethical values.
4. explore past, current, and future implications
(e.g., social, political, economic, psychological or philosophical) of
disciplinary
knowledge.
5. encourage consideration of course content from diverse perspectives.
6. provide opportunities for students to increase
information literacy through contemporary techniques of gathering,
manipulating, and analyzing information and data.
7. require at least one substantive written paper,
oral report, or course journal and also require students to articulate
information
or ideas in their own words on tests and exams.
8. foster awareness of the common elements among disciplines and the interconnectedness of disciplines.
9. provide a rationale as to why knowledge of this
discipline is important to the development of an educated citizen.
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 (Jan. 17-21) Introduction to the Study of American Politics
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 1
The Constitution
Special Topics:
T: No classes at the University until after 4:00 – so this class does not meet
today.
R: What is politics all about? How do political scientists try to
understand politics?
Week 2 (Jan. 24-28) The Constitutional System
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 2
The Constitution
The Federalist, No. 10 and 51
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important features of the American constitutional system?
R: How have the rules governing American institutions and politics been changed
by amendments added to the Constitution?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 1
First read The Federalist, No. 10 and No. 51 and then carefully study
the Constitution. Then write a three page essay on what you believe to be
the core principles of Madison's political theory and what he hoped the system
of checks and balances in the constitutional system would both prevent and
achieve. Explain how the design of the Constitution reflects Madison's basic
objectives.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 3 (Jan. 31-Feb. 4) Federalism; Civil Liberties
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 3, 4
Special Topics:
T: What are the essential attributes of American federalism?
R: What are the most important rights protected by the Bill of Rights?
A federal political system raises questions about the powers and
responsibilities of the different levels of government. You should examine some of the debates
involving important aspects of American federalism by going to the
Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). Then go to the link to the article “States
and Federalism” by Kenneth Jost in the October, 15,
2010 Volume 20, Issue 36 at: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010101500
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. Be sure to identify the key constitutional
principles and doctrines articulated in this historic case.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 4 (Feb. 7-11) Civil Rights
Read: Edwards: Chpt.
5
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important equal rights issues facing this country?
R: First test
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 3
This assignment is based upon your reading the
Supreme Court decision: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954. 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 the constitutional
and public policy issues at stake in this case as well as the arguments used by
Chief Justice Earl Warren in overturning the doctrine used by the defenders of
government mandated segregation in education. In this essay you should also
explain how knowledge from different academic disciplines played a role in how
one could look at the practice of state mandated segregation in education.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Friday.
NOTE: You will have your first test on Thursday, Feb. 10. This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Week 5 (Feb. 14-18) Political Culture; Public Opinion; Political
Ideology; Political Participation
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 6
Special Topics:
Poll data on levels of trust and
distrust in different institutions: http://www.gallup.com/poll/141512/Congress-Ranks-Last-Confidence-Institutions.aspx
Poll data on levels of trust and distrust in the three branches of the
federal government:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/143225/Trust-Legislative-Branch-Falls-Record-Low.aspx
You may encounter debates involving some
important aspects of our political culture by going to the Congressional
Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). Then go to the link to the article
“Conspiracy Theories: Do they threaten democracy?” by Peter Katel
in the October, 23, 2009 Volume 19, Issue 37at: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2009102300
Also go to the link on the article “Government and Religion: Was the United
States founded as a “Christian nation?” by Thomas J. Billiteri
in the January 15, 2010 Volume 20, Issue 2 at: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010011500
There are excellent sites that do good
reports on public opinion.
You may access Gallup Opinion Polls at: http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
There are important think tanks on both the left and
right and each produce informative research on contemporary political issues.
You may read studies
representing contemporary liberalism by going to the online site of the Center
for American Progress at:
http://www.americanprogress.org/ and Brookings at: http://www.brookings.edu/
There are important political
magazines found on both the left and right that feature stories and editorials
on contemporary political issues.
You may read articles
representing different contemporary liberal views by going to the online
version of The New Republic at:
http://www.tnr.com/
You may read studies
representing contemporary conservatism by going to the online site of The
Heritage Foundation at:
http://www.heritage.org/ and the American Enterprise Institute For Public
Policy Research at: http://www.aei.org/
You may read articles
representing different contemporary conservative views by going to the online
version of The National Review at:
http://www.nationalreview.com/#
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important features of American political culture?
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?
R: What role does ideology play in American politics?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 4
After reading the text material on political ideologies and reading some of the
online articles dealing with debates taking place in the context of American
political culture, do some web-based research on the views advanced by these
different ideologies. Then write a three page essay in which you explain
the most important differences between contemporary liberalism and conservatism
in American politics. What really sets these two schools of thought
apart?
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 6 (Feb. 21-25) Voters, Elections, and Campaigns
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 9, 10
Presidential Election Results, 1789-2008 (Edwards text)
Study the exit poll and results from 2004 at: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/
and: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
Study the exit poll and results from 2008 at: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/
and: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1
Study the electoral vote map for 2008 (and access maps from earlier elections)
at: http://www.270towin.com/
Study the electoral vote maps for 2008 and 2004 by state and county at: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2008/
Gallup data on voting by different demographic groups in presidential elections
1952-2008:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/139880/Election-Polls-Presidential-Vote-Groups.aspx#1
If the above site is difficult to use, then the following one may do the job: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/elections.php
Check out election results and exit polls for last fall’s 2010 Congressional
elections at the sites below.
Check out election results at: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/main.results/#val=S
Check out exit polls at: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/polls/#USH00p1
Check out the change in
voting patterns seen in the 2010 election: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/03/us/politics/election-results-house-shift.html?ref=politics
Special Topics:
T: 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?
R: What are the principal aspects of the presidential selection process?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 5
Write a three page essay explaining why and how Barack Obama won the 2008
presidential election.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 7 (Feb. 28-March 4) Political Parties; Campaign Finance, and
Interest Groups
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 8, 11
The Federalist, No. 10 and No. 51
There has been an ongoing debate about the role of money in politics and
how campaigns are financed. You should examine
some of the debates involving important aspects of campaign finance by going to
the Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). Then go to the link to the article “Campaign
Finance Debates” by Kenneth Jost in the May 28,
2010 Volume 20, Issue 20 at: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010052800
You may find out more about campaign finance regulations and spending data by
going to the site of the Federal Election Commission at:
http://fec.gov/
To follow the role of money in political campaigns, go to the following site: http://www.opensecrets.org/
Data on Partisan Identification found at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/15370/Party-Affiliation.aspx
For information on the Democratic
Party go to the website of the National Democratic Committee at: http://www.democrats.org/
For information on the Republic party go to the website of the National
Republic Committee at: http://www.gop.com/
Study the electoral vote map for 2008 (and access maps from earlier
elections) at: http://www.270towin.com/
If the above site is difficult to use, then the following one may do the job: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/elections.php
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important of characteristics of American political
parties?
R: 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
Write a three page essay on the debate over campaign finance laws and the role
of money in politics. You need to read
and make use of the material from the CQ Researcher article listed above. Also make use of what can be found at the
Federal Election Commission site listed above.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 8 (March 7-11) Mass Media Politics
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 7
Poll data on public distrust of the mass media: http://www.gallup.com/poll/143267/Distrust-Media-Edges-Record-High.aspx
Poll data on public distrust of newspapers and TV news: http://www.gallup.com/poll/142133/Confidence-Newspapers-News-Remains-Rarity.aspx
Poll data on growing use of cable and internet news sources: http://www.gallup.com/poll/113314/Cable-Internet-News-Sources-Growing-Popularity.aspx
Read a debate about the media regarding its coverage of sex scandals by going
to the Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). Then go to the article “Sex Scandals: Do the
media pay too much attention to adultery?” by Alan Greenblatt
in the January 22, 2010 Volume 20, Issue 3 at:
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010012200
For balanced information on the role of the media in American politics and
useful public opinion polls, go to the PEW Research Center for the People &
the Press at: http://people-press.org/
There are popular websites on the left and right that carry links to stories
advancing left-wing and right-wing political agendas.
A popular site on the left is the Huffington Post found at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
A popular site on the right is the Drudge Report found at: http://www.drudgereport.com/
Special Topics:
T: How has the media influenced politics in the United States?
R: Second Test
NOTE: You will have your second test on Thursday, March 10.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
SPRING BREAK March 12-20
Week 9 (March 21-25) The Congress
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 12
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 John V. Sullivan,
Parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives, Presented by Mr. Brady
of Pennsylvania – July 24, 2007. 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
For extra information on the House of Representatives, go to: http://www.house.gov/
For extra information on the Senate, go to: http://www.senate.gov/
You may go to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) site at: http://www.cbo.gov/
You may go to the Government Accountability Office (GA0) site at: http://www.gao.gov/
You may go to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) site at: http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/about/
You may access many of the CRS reports at the following site: http://www.opencrs.com/
Special Topics:
T: 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?
R: What is the role played by committees in Congress?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 7
Write a three page essay in which you explain the political debate over Congressional
redistricting and gerrymandering. Take
note of what critics of gerrymandering Congressional districts have to say
about the consequences of those practices.
Be sure to explain the processes and legal issues involved. Before writing your essay carefully read the
article “Redistricting Debates” by Kenneth Jost in
the February 25, 2011 Volume 21, Issue 8 edition of the Congressional
Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). You
may 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). You may also be able to access the article
at:
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2011022500
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 10 (March 28-April 1) The Congress; The Presidency
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 12, 13
Congress has important agencies helping it to analyze public policy issues and
serve as a watchdog on the Executive Branch:
You may go to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) site at: http://www.cbo.gov/
You may go to the Government Accountability Office (GA0) site at: http://www.gao.gov/
You may go to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) site at: http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/about/
You may access many of the CRS reports at the following site: http://www.opencrs.com/
For extra information on the presidency go to the following White House site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
The President has a number of important offices and agencies assisting him:
You may go to the Executive Office of the President (EOP) site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop
You may go to the White House Staff site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/staff
You may find out information on the cabinet at the following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet
Special Topics:
T: What processes must a bill go through in order to become a law?
R: What functions are performed by the presidency in the American political
system? What are the key elements of
presidential power?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 8.
What factors account for the success or failure of presidents as they attempt
to lead the country?
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 11 (April 4-8) The Presidency; The Bureaucracy
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 13, 14, 15
For a balanced treatment of the debate over the level of pay given to Federal
workers, go to the FactCheck.org (http://factcheck.org)
article at: http://factcheck.org/2010/12/are-federal-workers-overpaid/
For extra information on the presidency go to the following White House site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
The President has a number of important offices and agencies assisting him:
You may go to the Executive Office of the President (EOP) site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop
You may go to the White House Staff site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/staff
You may find out information on the cabinet at the following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet
Special Topics:
T: What institutional forces shape the modern presidency? How important is
presidential personality to the office?
R: What are the most important characteristics of the federal bureaucracy?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 9
Write a three page essay on the debate over the level of pay for federal
workers. You must make use of the FackCheck article listed above and any other sources you
find useful in trying to explore the debate over whether federal workers are
paid too much or not enough.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 12 (April 11-15) The Judiciary
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 16
Federalist, No. 78
Check out extra information on the Supreme Court at: http://www.supremecourt.gov/
Students might find the following video rather funny. It was sent to me by a former student who is
very successful in her legal career, but it makes fun of going to law
school. Enjoy…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE
Special Topics
T: What role does the judiciary play in the American Political System?
R: Third Test
NOTE: You will have your third test on Thursday, April 14.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Week 13 (April 18-22) Domestic Policy Making; Economic and Budget
Policies; Social Welfare Policies; Health Care
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 17, 18
There has been an ongoing debate about the extent of economic inequality in the
United States. You should read about
that debate by going to
going to the Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). Then go to the link to the article “Income
Inequality” by Marcia Clemmitt in the December 3,
2010 Volume 20, Issue 42 at: Go to: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010120300
You may check out federal budget information at the following sites:
OMB: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
CBO: http://www.cbo.gov/
There is also a libertarian site at: http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/index.php
You may read about the Federal Reserve System at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/
Examine the links and data found on the federal budget at this site: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/budget-2010/
Special Topics:
T: What are the major steps in the policy making process?
R: What are the principal forces shaping economic and budget policies?
What are the competing values at stake in debates over
social welfare policies?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 10
Write a three page essay in which you examine the problems facing entitlement
programs such as Social Security and Medicare because of the aging of the
population.
The following study by Eugene Steuerle and Stephanie Rennane has a good analysis of the impact on the federal
budget created by the problems facing Social Security: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412095-social-security-budget.pdf
In addition to all you have been reading in the news this semester about this
issue, you should also go to the Congressional Quarterly Library online at: http://library.cqpress.com/
Go to the link on the Congressional Researcher (CQ Researcher
Online). Look for the October 19, 2007 article by Alan Greenblatt, "Aging Baby Boomers."
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2007101900
Also read the Nov. 21, 2008 article by Sarah Glazer, "Declining
Birthrates." http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2008112100
You may also want to examine the main issues involved in the debate over
national health care reform legislation passed by Congress in 2010. It may be
useful to read the article “Health-Care Reform” by Marcia Clemmitt
in the June 11, 2010 – Volume 20, Issue 22 edition of the Congressional
Researcher (CQ Researcher Online). 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). You may also be able to access the article
at: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010061100
Another good source to use in dealing with misleading claims about health care
reform is to go the following nonpartisan site: http://www.factcheck.org/
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 14 (April 25-29) Health Care; The Environment; Foreign and Defense
Policies
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 19, 20
Examine the following article on malpractice reform and health care costs at: http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/malpractice-savings-reconsidered/
Also examine the following article on the impact of cap and trade legislation
on jobs at: http://www.factcheck.org/2009/10/cap-and-trade-green-jobs-or-job-killer/
Special Topics:
T: What are some of the most important health care and environmental issues
facing the country?
R: What forces have shaped the making of American foreign policies and defense
policies since World War II?
Classes end April 29
Reading Day: April 30
Final Exam Period: May 2-6
Your final exam is comprehensive and will be given on
Friday, May 6th at 8:00 – 10:30 A.M.
The final exam will be worth 1/5 of your semester grade.
Commencement: May 14
Course Requirements:
Ten critical thinking writing assignments
Three tests
Final comprehensive examination
Grading:
Your semester grade will be based on the combined score for all your weekly
essays, 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
University Catalog and Student Handbook.
Honor Code:
Students are expected to live by the Longwood University 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.
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 University
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.
Bibliography:
Required Reading:
The Edwards text
Online assignments
Current online news sites
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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