Return to Dr. Harbour's Syllabi Page
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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 16th Edition. Election Edition. New York: Person/Longwman, 2013.
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 are expected to follow news items of national and international
importance found in The National Journal
(a good nonpartisan source of news found at: http://www.nationaljournal.com/ )
and other news sources found below.
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. 14-18) Introduction to the Study of American Politics; The Constitutional System
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 1, 2
The Constitution
The Federalist, No. 10 and 51
Special Topics:
T: What is politics all about? How do political scientists try to
understand politics?
R: What are the most important features of the American constitutional system?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 1
First read The Federalist, No. 10 and No. 51. 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. What are his key values? What are his goals? How does he hope to protect his most
important values?
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 2 (Jan. 21-25) The Constitutional System; Federalism
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 2, 3
The Constitution
The Federalist, No. 10 and 51
Special Topics:
T: How have the rules governing American institutions and politics been changed
by amendments added to the Constitution?
R: What are the essential attributes of American federalism?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 2
Write a three page essay on the competing views about the strengths and
weaknesses of the Constitution and how liberals and conservatives offer
different interpretations of its meaning.
Before writing your essay carefully read the article “Re-examining the
Constitution” by Kenneth Jost in the September 7,
2012, Volume 22, Issue 31 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=cqresrre2012090700
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 3 (Jan. 28-Feb. 1) Civil Liberties: Civil Rights
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 4, 5
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important rights protected by the Bill of Rights?
R: 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 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.
Week 4 (Feb. 4-8) Political Culture
Read: Declaration of Independence; Federalists 10, 51
Edwards, Chpt. 1
For good polling data on religious affiliation and political attitudes, you may
go to The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: http://www.pewforum.org/Unaffiliated/nones-on-the-rise.aspx
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/157685/americans-trust-judicial-branch-legislative-least.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
Special Topics:
T: What are the most important features of American political culture?
R: First test
NOTE: You will have your first test on Thursday, Feb. 7.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Week 5 (Feb. 11-15) Public Opinion; Political Ideology; Political
Participation
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 6
Article by Charlie Cook in the National Journal on the importance of
moderate voters: http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/off-to-the-races/holy-grail-of-voters-20130108
Special Topics:
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/
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/
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 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 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
Write a three page essay on the cultural, political, and economic changes
taking place in the country as a result of changing demographics. Before writing your essay carefully read the
article “Changing Demographics” by Bill Wanlund in
the November 16, 2012, Volume 22, Issue 41 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=cqresrre2012111600
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 6 (Feb. 18-22) Voters, Elections, and Campaigns
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 9, 10
Study the exit polls and results from the 2012 election at: http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/results/race/president?hpt=hp_inthenews
and http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/results/president/exit-polls
Presidential Election Results, 1789-2012 (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 2012 (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
Study the presidential election voting results in maps for 2008 and 2004 by
state and county at: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2008/
Study the presidential election voting results in maps for 2012 by state and
county at: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2012/
Gallup data on voting by different demographic groups in presidential elections
1952-2012:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/139880/Election-Polls-Presidential-Vote-Groups.aspx#1
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 on why and how Barack Obama was able to win the 2012
presidential election.
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
Week 7 (Feb. 25-March 1) 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 2012 (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
Check out election results and exit polls for the 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 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 importance of the internet and social media in
contemporary American politics. Be sure
to include observations about their importance in the 2012 presidential
election. Before writing your essay
carefully read the article “Social Media and Politics” by Tom Price in the October 12, 2012, Volume 22, Issue 36
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=cqresrre2012101200
This assignment is due by 4:00 on Thursday.
SPRING BREAK March 4-8
Week 8 (March 11-15) Mass Media Politics
Read: Edwards, Chpt. 7
Poll data on public distrust of the mass media: http://www.gallup.com/poll/157589/distrust-media-hits-new-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
and http://www.people-press.org/2012/09/27/in-changing-news-landscape-even-television-is-vulnerable/
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 14.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Week 9 (March 18-22) 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 25-29) 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 1-5) 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 8-12) 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 11.
This test will count for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Week 13 (April 15-19) 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
Here are a couple of videos about inequality: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/04/17/joseph-stiglitz-why-even-talk-about-income-inequal.aspx
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/
An article on the challenges of defining poverty and changes in poverty rates: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/us/experts-say-bleak-account-of-poverty-missed-the-mark.html?_r=1&hp
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 22-26) Health Care; The Environment; Foreign and Defense
Policies; State and Local Politics
Read: Edwards, Chpts. 19, 20, 21
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?
What forces have shaped the making
of American foreign policies and defense policies since World War II?
How is American foreign policy
evolving?
R: What are the most important aspects of state and local governments within
the American federal system of government?
What are the key features of
Virginia government?
Classes end April 26
Reading Day: April 27
Final Exam Period: April 29 – May 3
Your final exam is comprehensive and will be given on Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 –
10:30 A.M.
The final exam will be worth 1/5 of your semester grade.
Commencement: May 12
Course Requirements:
Ten critical thinking writing assignments
Three tests
Final comprehensive examination
Grading:
Your semester grade will be based on three tests, the combined score on 10
critical thinking writing exercises, and the final exam. Each will count
for 1/5 of your semester grade.
Grading: This course
uses the + and – grading scale.
The total
possible number of points to earn for the course is 500. Grades will be assigned according to the
following percentages:
A+ = 98-100%
A = 92-97%
A-
= 90-91%
B+ = 88-89%
B = 82-87%
B-
= 80-81%
C+ = 78-79%
C = 72-77%
C-
= 70-71%
D+ = 68-69%
D = 62-67%
D- = 60-61%
F = 59% and
below
Students with
Disabilities:
If you have
a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in
this course, please let me know at the beginning of the semester or when given
an assignment for which an accommodation is required. The Director of Disability Support Services
can be reached at x2391.
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.
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. For students majoring
in either history or political science, 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/philpolhist/resources.htm
Students majoring in other disciplines may follow the documentation style they
are use to employing in their disciplines.
All of these essays will also be turned in at: http://www.turnitin.com/ When you go to this
site you must first establish your own identification and password. You then go to this course entitled American
Government, use the course ID 5942686 and the course password posc150s13
Students will turn in a hard copy of the essay on the day the essays are due,
and must also submit an electronic copy to the turnitin.com site or receive a 0
on the assignment.
Your essays also must demonstrate reading beyond what is required for class
assignments and must reflect knowledge of current political events. Each essay is worth 10 points. There are 10 essays due during the semester.
Late papers will lose points.
Return to Table of Contents
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.
Robert A. Caro. The Years of Lyndon
Johnson: The Passage of Power. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012. (For Johnson’s earlier career there are in The Years of Lyndon
Johnson series: The Path to Power, 1982; Means of Ascent,
1990; and Master of the Senate, 2002.)
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.
Robert E. Diclerico.
The Contemporary American President. First Edition. New
York: Pearson, 2013.
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.
Glenn Hastedt.
American Foreign Policy: Past, Present, Future. 9th Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Person/Prentice Hall, 2011.
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
C. Pffifner and Roger H. Davidson. Understanding the
Presidency. Seventh Edition. New York:
Pearson, 2013.
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.
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
Return to Dr. Harbour’s
Syllabi Page
Return to
Department of History and Political Science Homepage