POLS (CRN: 23794) Metro Campus Academic 410

Transcription

1 American Federal Government Tulsa Community College POLS (CRN: 23794) Metro Campus Academic 410 Spring 2015 TTh 10:00 11:20am Instructor: Dr. Julianne Romanello Office Hours: By Appointment Only Liberal Arts Division Associate Dean: Michael Hammer Office: MC 505 Phone: CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the principles, structure, processes, and functions of the United States federal government. Lecture 3-credit hours. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students should develop an understanding of the principles, institutions, and practical processes of the American Federal Government as they emerged during the Founding period and have evolved throughout the American experience. More specifically, students should: 1. gain knowledge of important historical and contemporary events and persons in the American political experience. In particular, student should become acquainted with the thought of 3 American Founders. 2. understand basic issues concerning constitutional interpretation including which competing ideas guide interpretation, the weight given to extra-constitutional factors, and how our evolving interpretation of the Constitution has impacted the daily workings of the government. 3. gain basic knowledge of the structure and operations of key institutions. 4. develop a foundation of insight from which students may evaluate current political issues in a more accurate and informed manner. 5. become proficient in reading and analyzing primary historical documents and scholarly commentary. 6. develop an appreciation for the contributions that the American experience has made to humanity s general understanding of the purpose and practice of politics. REQUIRED TEXT: Students should obtain copies of the following text, which is readily available for purchase online or from TCC s bookstore: Steffen W. Schmidt, Mack C. Shelley, II. and Barbara A. Bardes, American Government and Politics Today , Brief Version (Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning, 2015). ISBN: ** abbreviated in course schedule as Textbook OTHER ASSIGNED MATERIALS will be posted on Blackboard or distributed in class. IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of the student to see to it that he or she obtains handouts from the instructor. The best way of ensuring this is, of course, to attend class and to consult the syllabus often. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR SERIOUS STUDENTS: This volume contains primary source documents and provocative scholarly discussions, the best material for college-level inquiry. Also available in LRC. Mary P. Nichols and David K. Nichols, Readings in American Government, 7 th edition (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2004). ISBN:

2 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Students will be required to take 3 standard examinations and a comprehensive final examination. Examinations may include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of select class meetings in order to determine whether students have completed the assigned readings. Each student will be required to drop his or her lowest 3 quiz scores. Make-up quizzes will not be allowed. Participation will form a key component of this course and may be evaluated through quality of the student s contributions to class discussion as well as other indicators that the student has read and thought carefully about the assigned material. Deductions from the participation grade will be made for absences, excessive tardiness or early exits, and other distracting behaviors such as texting during class. In the interest of preserving the flow of discussion and lecture, the instructor will not necessarily inform the student when such deductions are recorded. Extra credit assignments will not be offered. First Exam 200 points (20%) GRADING SCALE: Second Exam 200 points (20%) A = % Third Exam 200 points (20%) B = 80-89% Final Exam 200 points (20%) C = 70-79% Quizzes 100 points (10%) D = 59-69% Participation 100 points (10%) F = below 59% Total 1000 points (100%) QUIZZES: 13 quizzes will be given throughout the semester. These quizzes will require the student to write a short essay (8-10 substantive sentences) that describe the main points of the reading assigned for the day on which the quiz is administered. The student s short essay should make it abundantly clear to the instructor that the student has completed and thought carefully about the assigned reading. Quizzes will receive one of the following grades, according to the quality and thoroughness of the student s effort: 10 points the student has clearly demonstrated his or her comprehension of the complete assigned reading by describing the overall themes or issues of the assigned reading and identifying specific facts or evidence that contribute to the development of those themes or issues. 5 points the student s essay identifies important themes or facts, but lacks completeness or precision, and does not demonstrate careful thought about the significance of the reading within the overall course structure. OR, the students essay addresses either themes or facts, but not both in conjunction. 0 points the essay is shorter than 8 sentences or contains sentences that do not address specific themes or facts, and does not clearly indicate that the student has read or thought about the assigned material. (If I have to guess whether or not you did your reading, you will receive a 0.) Again, you will be required to drop your lowest 3 quiz scores, and make-up quizzes will not be allowed. If you arrive to class after the quiz has begun, you will not receive extra time to complete your quiz. This requirement is in consideration of your fellow students. 10 quizzes (13 total minus 3 mandatory drops), with a possibility of 10 points each, is equal to 100 points possible. COURSE PARTICIPATION: Students should attend all lectures and course activities and be prepared to discuss the materials in class. The instructor will not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. Students may miss up to 3 meetings with no penalties. Students who miss 8 or more meetings will fail the course. SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in class and through TCC and/or Blackboard. Students should check their TCC daily in order to receive communications from the instructor. PLAGIARISM: Don t do it. You will fail the assignment and may be withdrawn from/fail the course.

3 MANDATORY INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION DISABILITY RESOURCES: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at or call (918) (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) INCLEMENT WEATHER: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website ( INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the Tulsa Community College Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: COURSE WITHDRAWAL: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed ¾ the duration of any class. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for the deadline that applies to the course. Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ( W grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of F, which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

4 COURSE CALENDAR: Here is a tentative list of due dates for various course activities. Wk. 1 Tuesday, Jan. 13 Welcome and Orientation to Course Thursday, Jan. 15 Textbook Chapter 1: The Democratic Republic, pp Wk. 2 Tuesday, Jan. 20 Handout How American Government Has Changed Thursday, Jan. 22 Textbook The Declaration of Independence, pp Wk. 3 Tuesday, Jan. 27 Textbook Chapter 2: The Constitution, pp Bb: Articles of Confederation (or download online) Thursday, Jan. 29 Textbook Chapter 2: The Constitution, pp Wk. 4 Tuesday, Feb. 3 Bb: James Madison s Preface to the Notes of the Constitutional Convention Handout/Bb: Madison, The Work of the Constitutional Convention Thursday, Feb. 5 Textbook: The Constitution of the United States of America, pp Wk. 5 Tuesday, Feb. 10 Handout/Bb: Centinel, The Small Republic Argument Wk. 6 Thursday, Feb. 12 Textbook: Madison, Federalist 10, pp Textbook: Madison, Federalist 51, pp Tuesday, Feb. 17 Textbook Chapter 3: Federalism, pp Thursday, Feb. 19 FIRST EXAM Wk. 7 Tuesday, Feb. 24 Textbook Chapter 10: The Presidency I, pp Wk. 8 Thursday, Feb. 26 Handout/Bb: Hamilton, On the Presidency Handout: Ceaser, et. al., The Rise of the Rhetorical Presidency Tuesday, Mar. 3 Textbook Chapter 9: Congress, pp Thursday, Mar. 5 Handout: Connelly, Jr. In Defense of Congress

5 Wk. 9 Tuesday, Mar. 10 Handout: Neustadt, The Power to Persuade Thursday, Mar. 12 Textbook Chapter 7: Interest Groups and Political Parties, pp Wk. 10 Wk. 11 Tuesday, Mar. 17 Thursday, Mar. 19 SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK Tuesday, Mar. 24 Textbook Chapter 12: The Judiciary, pp Wk. 12 Wk. 13 Wk. 14 Thursday, Mar. 26 Tuesday, Mar. 31 Thursday, Apr. 2 Tuesday, Apr. 7 Thursday, Apr. 9 Handout/Bb: Hamilton, The Role of the Supreme Court Handout/Bb: Brutus: The Problem of Judicial Review Handout/Bb: Marbury v. Madison Handout/Bb: Jefferson, Against Judicial Review Handout/Bb: Lincoln, The Authority of the Supreme Court THIRD EXAM Handout: Jefferson, The Natural Aristocracy Tuesday, Apr. 14 Textbook Chapter 4: Civil Liberties, pp Thursday, Apr. 16 Textbook Chapter 5: Civil Rights, pp Wk. 15 Tuesday, Apr. 21 Textbook Chapter 8: Campaigns and Elections, pp Thursday, Apr. 23 Textbook Chapter 6: Public Opinion, Socialization, and Media, pp Wk. 16 Tuesday, Apr. 28 Thursday, Apr. 30 Handout: Anastaplo, Self-Government & the Mass Media Handout: de Tocqueville, Why So Many Ambitious Men and So Little Lofty Ambition are to be found in the United States Final Reflections FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, May 5 th, 10:00am-11:50am (**verify once final exam schedule is posted**)