POLS State Government: Spring 2017 MW: 1 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Rassman 112

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1 POLS State Government: Spring 2017 MW: 1 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Rassman 112 Instructor: Dr. Deanna J. Watts deanna.watts@angelo.edu Office Hours: Mon. & Wed.: 10 a.m. - Noon; 3-5 p.m. Phone: Tues.: 2-4 p.m. Office: #223 Rassman All other meetings by appointment only. Course Description: This upper-level course focuses on the various political actors within the American system and how they use various tactics to achieve their political goals. Topics will include, but are not limited to, campaign strategies, agenda-setting, message framing, crisis management, and strategic political communications. This course will also utilize simulation exercises to allow students the opportunity to practice the application of these strategies. Program for this class: Be advised, this course is a reading intensive and applications-based. It is essential that everyone reads and critically thinks about the assigned material before class. We will begin with an examination of the organization and political strategies of election campaigns. The course will conclude with a survey of governing and policymaking strategies and decision-making, presidential administration, bureaucratic politics, and crisis management. Time permitting; we will have a brief discussion regarding political scandals. Objectives for the course: First, this class should promote your ability to think critically about the political environment and strategic behaviors of various political actors. Thinking critically means more than the ability to memorize facts. Second, this course will help you gain an understanding of the contexts that shape and influence political decision-making. Required Texts: Please note that I reserve the right to modify or change reading assignments. The textbooks you are required to purchase are: Feltus, Goldstein, and Dallek. Inside Political Campaigns: Elections Through the Eyes of Political Professionals. Thousand Oaks: CQ Press. Shambaugh and Weinstein. The Art of Policy Making: Tools, Techniques, and Processes in the Modern Executive Branch. Thousand Oaks: CQ Press. Additional readings will be provided in class. Blackboard: This course has a Blackboard page and it will be your primary source for course announcements and copy of the syllabus. Please note, I will not respond to inquiries that could be answered simply by reading the syllabus or by checking Blackboard for general announcements or updates (schedule changes, due dates, my office hours, etc.). The syllabus is subject to change due to university cancellations, instructor illness, time limitations, etc. You should regularly check Blackboard and your ASU for any changes to our class schedule. POLS 3317 attendance policy: You are required to attend all classes throughout the semester. Each day an attendance sheet will be passed around the class. It is your responsibility to sign this sheet. If you were in class but failed to sign the attendance sheet, you will be counted as absent for that date. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture material from the class you missed because I no longer post my PowerPoint slides on Blackboard. Likewise, I no longer allow students to borrow course materials such as DVDs or books so I suggest that you make prior arrangements with a classmate to get their lecture notes if you anticipate missing class for any reason. No make-ups will be permitted for absences on days reserved for in-class assignments or movie; exceptions only for students committed to university-related activities whose involvement can be confirmed by a faculty advisor or coach.

2 ASU Attendance Policy as outlined in the ASU Student Handbook: Responsibility for regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is expected and the university reserves the right to deal with individual cases of non-attendance. You are responsible for coming to class prepared to discuss the material and for completing all assignments per the instructions provided in the syllabus. Also, do not wait until the end of the semester to address any concerns over your grade or the material. Lecture Outline, Assignments, and Exams: You should note that not all readings will be incorporated into lecture and discussion due to time constraints. All readings are meant to serve as background to the lecture. I strongly advise you to bring all assigned readings to class. Exam dates will not change unless there is an unforeseen event. Again, it is important that you attend class in order to know the progression of the course in case class discussion causes us to go off schedule. Whether or not they are discussed in class, all assigned readings are fair game for exams. My policies for examinations: Once an exam begins, you must put everything away - this applies not just to notes and books, but also to any electronic device - cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. If you are caught with any of these items in the open, you will forfeit your exam. Accommodations: Any student who feels that s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability or difficult life event should contact the Office of Student Affairs, Room 112 in the Houston Harte University Center to request accommodations. Please contact them early in the semester so that arrangements can be made. For more information please visit their Angelo State webpage. Please speak with me privately about any arrangements that have been made. Excuses: The professor is the sole judge of all excuses. No excuse will be accepted after the fact for something that you know about beforehand. No excuse will be accepted for matters of personal convenience. For emergencies, an authoritative written excuse (e.g., a doctor s excuse) may be required. An excuse must be presented soon after you return to class from a legitimate absence. The Office of Student Affairs, located in Room 112 in the Houston Harte University Center, can also assist you with notifying your professors and advisors of any illnesses or family matters. It is the prerogative of the individual faculty member to set attendance policy for each individual course, and it is the responsibility of the individual faculty member to inform students of that policy in the course syllabus or other written document within the first week of the semester. Incompletes: Decisions will be made after consulting with the Office of Student Affairs. Policy on Makeup Exams: With the exception of the final exam, no make-up exams will be offered in the class unless approved by the instructor at least one week before the exam date or proper documentation verifying illness or unforeseen event. You are expected to take the final exam on the day it is due. Angelo State University sets the final exam date and time, not the instructor. Per the university, if a student cannot take the final exam on the scheduled date an Incomplete will be their assigned grade and a make-up exam will be scheduled at the beginning of the next semester. Student Responsibilities First, read the assigned material before class and be ready to discuss the main points of the articles and relate the material to the broader political system or current issues. Second, it is also your responsibility to see me as soon as possible if you do not understand the assignments or performing poorly in the class. Do not wait until the end of the semester to discuss problems or issues. If you have computer-related issues or problems contact the IT Department first, not your professors. This includes access-related issues involving Blackboard. In instances when your personal computer or internet service is down, remember, there are many computers available to students on campus in the library and computer labs.

3 Assignments and Exams Exams All exams will consist of two parts; short answer and fill-in-the-blank. Exams 1 and 2 are worth 50 points each. The Final Exam is comprehensive and worth 70 points. The short answer portion will feature select terms from the assigned reading material. For each term, students must provide its definition and explain how it relates to the political system. Your work must demonstrate an understanding of the material. The Final Exam will feature terms selected from the previous exams and the new material covered during the last weeks of class. Since feedback on your short answers was provided in the margins of your previous exams I will expect stronger responses on the Final Exam. Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an F for that exam. In-Class Simulations: 100 points each Everyone will be assigned to a group for the simulations. Everyone is expected to apply and explain the strategies used during decisions using the concepts and respective terminology from the assigned course material. Because each group member will be assigned a specific role, you will be evaluated by both your peers and your professor. Again, your work must demonstrate that you understand and apply the concepts and strategies addressed by the authors. Prior to the in-class simulation, each student will be provided with peer evaluation sheets and an envelope for each member of their group and will be required to conduct a review for each person within their respective group. Completed evaluations sealed in the envelope are due the day of the in-class simulation and are confidential-instructor s eyes only. I expect everyone to assess the contributions of the group members fairly and objectively. Identical assessments within a group will be questioned by the professor. Anyone who is absent on the day of an in-class simulation will receive a 0. No makeups will be allowed for unexcused absences. If you have questions after reviewing the scenario, please contact me as soon as possible. If you wait until the day of a simulation, it will be too late to claim that you did not understand the assignment or the directions that will be provided for each simulation. Pop Quizzes: Pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester and the questions will be based on the assigned reading. Quizzes can only be taken in/during class; no makeups. The lowest pop quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the course. However, all cores will remain visible on Blackboard. Extra Credit Opportunities: Do not ask for extra credit opportunities. You will be told No. Instructor Absences: There may be times when I will have to cancel the class. In some instances, I will know the day in advance and list it in the syllabus (conferences, etc.). However, there could be a time when I have to cancel class due to an unforeseen event so please check Blackboard and your every day before class. Technology: Computers will be permitted in the class but if it becomes apparent that they are being used for purposes other than taking notes I reserve the right to prohibit their use by anyone. Anyone using a laptop in class is required to take a seat in one of the first two rows at the front of the class. Texting in class is prohibited. Anyone caught texting will be asked to leave the classroom.

4 Academic Integrity and Fairness in the Classroom: the Department of Political Science and Philosophy is committed to support the learning of all students, irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, handicap condition, or sexual preference. Students should be able to expect that their learning environments are free from any form of prejudice. If you have not done so, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the University s policies toward academic dishonesty, attendance, and student conduct. These rules will be strictly enforced. It is your responsibility to maintain the decorum of the classroom and to behave in a responsible manner. I will not tolerate ad hominem attacks when discussing the material in class. Thus, any student who is disruptive in the class will be removed. Likewise, responses and discussion should be thought out and not based on personal prejudice. Academic Honor Code: ASU s Student Handbook discusses the details and parameters of academic integrity and student responsibility. Plagiarism will not be tolerated: Plagiarism is taking credit for another person s work such as omitting proper citations or omitting the use of quotation marks. Anyone caught plagiarizing on an assignment will be penalized. First offense, the student will receive and F for that assignment. Revised work will not be accepted to make up for lost points. No exceptions. Second offense, the student will receive and F for that assignment and will be required to meet with the department chair and me about the violation. Third offense, the student will receive an F for the course. Student resources: The Writing and Tutoring Centers are located on the third floor of Porter Henderson Library in room C305. Course Outline It is your responsibility to regularly check the class site on Bb and your Angelo State University account for announcements or course updates. Some lectures may take longer so it is also important that you note where we are in the syllabus. Exam dates will not be moved. No exceptions will be made around planned activities or obligations unless approved by the university. In the case of a documented medical or family emergency it is your responsibility to contact me as soon as possible to schedule a make-up. Read the assigned material BEFORE class so you are prepared to discuss the material and ask questions.

5 Part I: Political Campaign Planning Wednesday, January 18th: First Day Review of the syllabus Monday, January 23rd-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 1 Wednesday, January 25th-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 2 Monday, January 30th-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 3, pgs Wednesday, February 1st-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 3, pgs Lecture wrap-up and review Monday, February 6th: Exam #1 Part II: Political Campaign Strategies Wednesday, February 8th: Campaign Memos-copies will be provided Group Assignment for Simulation #1 Monday, February 13th-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapters 4 and 5 Wednesday, February 15th-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 6 Monday, February 20th-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapters 8 and 9 Wednesday, February 22nd-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 10 Monday, February 27th: Lecture wrap-up Wednesday, March 1st: Simulation #1 Monday, March 6th: Simulation #1-continued Review for Exam #2 Wednesday, March 8th: Exam #2 No Class - Spring Break: March Monday, March 20th: Movie-TBA

6 Part III: Policy and Governing Strategies Wednesday, March 22nd-Before Class Read: FGD: Chapter 7 SW: Chapter 1 Monday, March 27th-Before Class Read: SW: Chapters 2 and 3 Group assignments for Simulation #2 Wednesday, March 29th-Before Class Read: SW: Chapters 4 and 5 March 31st-Last Day to Drop Monday- and Wednesday; April 3rd & 5th: No Class-Departmental trip to Austin for the state legislative session. However, this date is subject to change. Anyone not traveling to Austin is expected to work on Simulation #2. Monday, April 10th-Before Class Read: SW: Chapters 6 and 7 Wednesday, April 12th-Before Class Read: SW: Chapters 8 and 9 Monday, April 17th-Before Class Read: SW: Chapters 10 and 11 Wednesday, April 19th: Lecture wrap-up White House Policy Strategy memos-copies will be provided Monday, April 24th: Simulation #2 Wednesday, April 26th: Simulation #2-continued Monday, May 1st: Movie, TBA Wednesday, May 3rd: Last day of class Movie followed by discussion Final Exam Review POLS 3317 Final Exam: Wednesday, May 1-3 p.m. Final Grades will be assigned on the university s A thru F system: A: ; B: 89-80; C: 79-70; 69-60; F: 59 or lower I DO NOT CURVE GRADES. All work must be completed accordingly.