Political Science 101
Introduction to American Government
Dr. Pam Rodgers
Office:
421A Wimberly Hall
Office
Phone:
785-6645
E-Mail:
rodgers. pame@uwlax.edu
Political
Science 101 is an introduction to American federal, state, and local government.
The course stresses the analysis of reading assignments, lectures, and
class discussions which present concepts, questions, and factual material about
American national, state, and local politics.
The emphasis is on sharpening students' analytical skills so that they
can evaluate political events and public policy making.
The course is a requirement in the UW-L School of Education programs and
is part of the UW-L General Education program in the Self and Society category.
The
course will be taught in a lecture/discussion format. The emphasis will be on student interaction, discussion, and
class participation. In addition,
this course will utilize essay writing and small group discussions to stimulate
each student’s reflections on his or her own learning throughout the semester.
Very
early in the semester I will try to get to know each member of the class by name
and I will try to deal with any individual questions or difficulties you have
with the class. But I cannot help
resolve your problems unless you tell me about them. So please come up to the fourth floor of Wimberly Hall
(Office 421A in the Political Science/Public Administration main office suite)
during the first week of class so that you will know where to find my office.
Also I will be using your UW-L e-mail so that I can send the class
messages from time to time. When you have questions, comments, or suggestions for
improvements about this class, please tell me personally, use e-mail, or call
me. I try to be accessible to
students.
Please
note that scheduled office hours are not only after our class and on afternoons
on our Tuesday/Thursday class days, but also mornings on Monday and Wednesday as
well as Wednesday afternoons. I am
happy to meet with students at other times besides office hours.
Please feel free to drop by my office at any time.
You can leave me a message if I am not there and I will call you back as
soon as I can. Note
to new students: If you have other
classes during my office hours, simply ask me after class to schedule another
time that is convenient for both of us to meet.
Specific
Course Objectives:
-understanding
of American democracy, its strengths and weaknesses;
-knowledge
of the major American national government institutions, their
powers and responsibilities;
-understanding
of the constitutional framework organizing American national,
-developing
a personal conception of citizenship, choosing whether or not to
participate;
-developing
critical thinking skills important to analyzing American politics, institutions,
and the constitution;
-understanding
of the political process and how that process works;
-awareness
of how people can influence government;
-awareness
of current issues and problems;
-understanding
of American education issues at the federal, state, and local
evels;
-development
of oral and written communication skills.
-developing
an understanding of yourself as a learner since your assessment of
your learning is a key course goal.
Required
Books For The Course: (in Textbook
Rental)
Edward
S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page,
The Struggle For Democracy, Fifth Edition. (New York: Harper Collins Publishers,
2002)
Daily
reading of a newspaper
is a course requirement.
Course
Requirements:
Three in class mid-term exams each covering approximately 1/3
of the course material. These exams
will be primarily essay with a short answer section.
They will stress the analysis of course concepts and their application in
hypothetical and current political events and situations involving policy
making. Sample exam questions and
terms to study will be handed out prior to the first exam and students are
encouraged to review Pol 101 exams from previous semesters which will be
available in the Political Science/Public Administration Department office (421A
Wimberly) and on reserve in Murphy Library under "Rodgers' Pol 101
Exams." A portion of the final exam will be comprehensive involving the
utilization of material from throughout the semester.
The class is designed for a lecture/discussion format
and the emphasis is on student interaction in group work and class discussion.
Thus, 10% of the course grade will be based on class discussion credit.
Unannounced quizzes over newspaper current events and text readings may
also be part of the 10% discussion credit should the professor determine that
these reading assignments are not being met in a
In
summary, each exam will be worth 30% of your course grade.
Exams 1 & 2 will have the same format:
I.
Major Essay (50 points) - to be written in class on exam day in ink
in a blue examination
book provided by the instructor
II.
Take Home Essay (25 pts) - to be 4-5 pages, word processed in size 14 font with
a cover
page with your name on it (and no name on the inside pages) so I can
grade these anonymously. These
essays will ask you to apply the
concepts you are learning to outside activities like going to city
council or school board meetings or attending presentations by
speakers who come to campus.
III.
Short Answer Section (25 pts) - written in class (with some current
events, fill in the blank,
multiple choice questions, course readings,
political cartoons
and
class discussion information)
Exam
3 (also
worth 30%) - will consist of :
I.
Major in class essay (50 points)
II. Short Answer Section
over the last 3rd of the class (25 points)
III. Comprehensive Short Answer Section over all semester (25 points)
Summary
of Course Requirements:
30% Exam I - worth 100
points
30% Exam II - worth 100
points
30% Exam III - worth 100
points
10% Discussion Credit -
Self Assessment Essay
_____
Completion of our legislative simulation
100%
Total will take place
during our finals period
Grading:
93 - 100% = A
88 - 92% = A-/B+
83 - 87% = B
78
- 82% = B-/C+
60 - 72% = D
Below
60% = F
Attendance
Policy:
Students
are expected to attend all class meetings.
Studying
For Essay Exams (also see How to Study For Exam One):
Exam
dates are given far in advance to enable students to plan their study habits
accordingly. It is difficult to
cram for essay exams one or two days prior to the test. Try to keep current with class readings (approximately one to
two chapters per week). I will
schedule class discussions contrasting the Greenberg and Miroff book’s
differing interpretations to each chapter’s material each week and so it will
be important to pace your reading.
You
should begin reviewing and thinking about the reading, lecture, and discussion
material approximately a week in advance of an exam. I will distribute sample exam questions and make available in
the Political Science/Public Administration Department Office, 421A Wimberly and
in Murphy Library at the Reserve desk) copies of exams as well as student essays
from past exams so students can see what good essays look like.
Make-Up
Exam Policy:
Folks,
I schedule exams and put the dates on the syllabus so that you can study in
advance for my tests. If you are
sick or have a problem with too many tests scheduled on the same day, PLEASE make
arrangements ahead of time to reschedule an exam.
You have my office number (which has voice mail) on the front of this
syllabus. You can also always leave
me a message via e-mail if you cannot contact me personally.
If you can’t take an exam during the scheduled class period, you
must contact me in advance to schedule a make-up.
Thus, students who are excused from class due to a UW-L sponsored
activity (football, basketball, Model United Nations, debate, etc.) shall make
arrangements to take a make-up exam before the scheduled date.
Since
I give only essay exams and I try to return exams to students the next class
period following the test, a
make-up exam will be a completely different essay exam than the test taken by
the rest of the class. My
make-up exams involve more essay questions than my regular tests and require
more time. I will not take the time
to write up the make-up exam until after I have finished grading the tests that
were taken on time during the class period noted on this syllabus.
Since
our departmental secretary is only part-time, it is very difficult for me to
arrange to schedule make-up exams. Your
make-up will be scheduled at my convenience or at a time that our departmental
secretary is available to proctor it.
NOTICE:
In the event that the college is closed due to inclement weather when an
exam is scheduled, the exam will be given the next period that the class meets.
Pol 101 - Reading Assignments
Topic
I - Introduction to American Government
A.
Democracy
B.
Political Culture & Values
C. Constitutionalism
D. Federalism
E.
Civil Liberties
Readings:
Greenberg & Page, Chap. 1, 4, 2, 3, 15
Daily reading of a newspaper
First
Midterm Exam
Topic
II - The Political Environment
A.
Political Socialization
B.
Political Participation
C. Political Parties
D. Nominations, Elections and Voting Behavior
E.
Interest Groups
Readings:
Greenberg & Page Chap. 5,7,8 & 9
Daily reading of a newspaper
Second
Midterm Exam
Topic
III - The Structure of Governmental Policy Making
A.
The U. S. Congress
B. The Presidency
C. The Bureaucracy
D.
The U.S. Supreme Court
Readings:
Greenberg & Page Chap. 11,12,13,14 &
Afterword pp.669-671
Daily
reading of a newspaper
Third
Midterm Exam
LEGISLATIVE
SIMULATION/DISCUSSION SELF ASSESSMENT ESSAY
Simulation
conclusion
STUDENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pol
101
1.
_____________________________________________________________
(last name)
(first name)
2.
Local Address:_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
3.
Local Phone:_________________________________________________
4.
Hometown/State:_________________________________
5.
Probable Major Field__________________________________________
6.
Probable Minor Field_________________________________________
7.
FR SOPH
JR SR
OTHER______ (Circle
one)
8.
Briefly give any high school or college background in Political Science:
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9.
Can you tell me something that will help me remember your name?
______________________________________________________________
10.
Are there any special factors that I should take into account that may
affect your performance in the course (e.g. health problems)?
______________________________________________________________________