Instructor: Catherine Kane Office: Tydings 5133 Office hours: by appointment. Course Description

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1 Government and Politics 170: American Government Terp Young Scholar Program University of Maryland Summer 2016 II: July 11-29, 2016 Mon-Fri 10:00am-1:00pm 1114 Tydings Hall Instructor: Catherine Kane Office: Tydings 5133 Office hours: by appointment Course Description This course provides an introduction to the study of American government. We will discuss the institutions that comprise the American political system, as well as the way in which individuals and actors interact with these institutions. We will move beyond a mere description of American government to a discussion of why the contemporary American political system operates as it does, how it has changed over time, and how it compares to other systems. We will also discuss what role citizens play in the political system and the ways in which institutions and the political system might be improved. Course Requirements Attendance and participation in all class meetings is expected. Assigned readings are to be read in full before each class meeting and you are expected to come prepared to ask questions, answer questions, and discuss the readings. In addition to assigned readings, please review current events in American politics, as we will use class time to discuss recent developments, especially in light of the 2016 election. Lively, informed, and open discussion of relevant topics is encouraged, but at no point will personal attacks or derogatory comments be tolerated. Class will meet each day for three hours, but we will have a 15 (or so) minute break each day. Assignments and Grading The course grade is compromised for four components: Readings and participation, a short writing assignment, several in-class quizzes, and a final exam. The course grade breakdown is as follows: Participation (25%) Quizzes (20%) Writing Assignment (25%) Final Exam (30%)

2 Participation includes class attendance, readings, in-class discussion and activities. Participation also requires keeping up to date with news and current events for class discussion. There will be 5 quizzes, each being between 3-6 questions, including multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and short answer questions. Quizzes will cover material from lectures and readings covered since the last quiz (they are not cumulative). The lowest quiz grade will be dropped from the overall course grade. The writing assignment is a 3-page written response to a question provided in class. The question will be given out in class on Wednesday, 7/20 and the assignment will be due at the start of class on Monday, 7/25. The final exam is a cumulative exam that will cover material from the entire course. The final will include multiple choice, short answer, and an essay question. The final will take place in class on Friday, 7/29. Course Policies Class Absences: Absences will only be excused due to a family emergency, religious observance, or illness. Excuses must be sent via prior to class with documentation. Class attendance is required by Terp Young Scholars (TYS) and attendance will be taken each class meeting. According to TYS policy, students are not permitted to miss class, including arriving late and/or leaving early. Class will be from 10:00am to 1:00pm and students are expected to be on time. In the case of a class cancellation, including official University closing or delays or of emergency weather, students will be notified via the ELMS course website and by the instructor. Students can access the weather emergency phone line at Academic Honesty: Cheating or plagiarizing will not be tolerated. I expect you to work independently on your quizzes and exams and to use proper citations in your written work. The University standards for academic honesty apply in this class and academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to University policy. Please consult the University of Maryland Code of Academic Integrity and the Student Honor Code to familiarize yourself with the University s policies: Accommodation of Disabilities: If you need accommodation, please let me know as early as possible; I will need written documentation from the Disability Support Service. To obtain a letter of accommodation, contact the Disability Support Service office: Late Assignments & Exam Dates: All assignments must be turned in on time and the quizzes and final exam must be taken on the designated day. If assignments are turned in late, you will not be able to receive full credit for them. If turned in after the deadline, the highest grade achievable is 90%, which will be reduced at a rate of 10% each day. The only exceptions to this policy are serious illness and emergencies. If you are in either of these situations, please contact me before the exam or due date. Please note that the absence policy does not apply to days where we have scheduled exam, quiz, or paper due. Professionalism: Once class has begun, please refrain from texting, ing, talking on the phone, and other similar activities until class is over. In addition to being unprofessional and disrespectful, these activities will result in a penalty in your grade. Additionally, computers are only allowed in class for note-taking purposes. I reserve the right to revoke permission for

3 computers in the classroom if this policy is abused. Course Website: https//elms.umd.edu. On the website, you will find a copy of the syllabus, the readings, related news articles, and course announcements. Please check the website regularly (once a day recommended). Course Materials and Readings All course readings will be available online through the course website (ELMS, link above). You will not have to purchase any book for this class. Readings listed for each class are to be completed before class. All assigned readings will come from the books listed below. Coleman, John J., Kenneth M. Goldstein, and William G. Howell Understanding American Politics and Government. 3rd Edition. New York: Pearson. Kollman, Ken Readings in American Politics: Analysis and Perspectives. 3rd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton. We will watch several films and video clips in class which will be posted to the course website. News and Media Resources: FiveThirtyEight: Real Clear Politics: NY Times: The Wall Street Journal: The Washington Post: Economist: Vox Mischiefs of Faction: The Monkey Cage: Course Schedule Week 1: American Political Development 7/11: Introduction and Fundamentals of American Politics Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 1 Kollman Chapter 1 (1.1 and 1.2) 7/12: American Revolution and The Constitution Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 3 (3.1 and 3.2) Kollman Chapter 2 (2.1, 2.2, and 2.4) 7/13: Federalism Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 4 Kollman Chapter 3 (3.2) 7/14: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

4 Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 5 (5.1 and 5.5) and Chapter 6 (6.1) Kollman Chapter 4 (4.1 and 4.2), Chapter 8 (8.3) 7/15: Public Opinion and Political Culture Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 2 (2.3 and 2.4), Chapter 7 Kollman Chapter 9 Week 2: Political Institutions 7/18: Congress Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 9 ( ), Chapter 13, Chapter 18 (18.3) Kollman Chapter 5 (5.2 and 5.4) 7/19: The Presidency Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 9 ( , ), Chapter 14 (14.1, 14.2, and 14.5) Kollman Chapter 6 (6.4 and 6.5), Chapter 13 (13.1) 7/20: Bureaucracy Written assignment handed out Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 16, Chapter 14 (14.4), Chapter 18 (18.2) Kollman Chapter 7 (7.2) 7/21: The Courts Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 15 (not 15.3) Kollman Chapter 8 (8.1 and 8.2) 7/22: Political Parties and The Party System Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 11 Kollman Chapter 12 Week 3: Political Behavior 7/25: Political Participation and Voting Written assignment due Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 8 (to 286) Kollman Chapter 10 (10.1 and 10.3) 7/26: Campaigns and The Media Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell - Chapter 9 ( ), Chapter 10 (10.1, 10.4, and 10.5) Kollman Chapter 13 (13.2 and 13.3), Chapter 14 7/27: Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Political Organization

5 Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 12, Chapter 6 (6.3), Chapter 8 (257, ), Chapter 18 (18.4) Kollman Chapter 11 (11.1 and 11.3) 7/28: Policy Outcomes: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policy Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell Chapter 17 (not 17.5), Chapter 18 (18.1 and 18.5) Kollman Chapter 15 (15.1 and 15.2), Chapter 16 (16.1 and 16.2) 7/29: Review and Final Exam