American Government Syllabus

American Government PS 101 Fall 2008 Montgomery College, Rockville Campus Department of History & Political Science Class Days: Tuesday&Thursday 9:30-10:45 am Classroom: HU 207

William Primosch, MA Office: HU 016 (Adjunct Faculty Lounge) Office Hours: 10:45 am-12:00 noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays william.primosch@montgomerycollege.edu Tel: (301) 493-9532

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Review the theoretical basis of the U.S. political system and practical considerations of the Founding Fathers in establishing governmental structures
2. Analyze the factors that enable the political system to continue and evolve over time in response to new challenges
3. Examine the structures and functions of the major institutions of the U.S. system of government—the presidency, Congress, judiciary, bureaucracy, political parties and interest groups
4. Discuss that fundamental political rights and liberties of citizens and their evolution since the founding of the nation
5. Explore different forms of political participation, including elections
6. Examine how the legislative, regulatory and policymaking process works
7. Assess how individuals and groups can influence the political process and decisions taken in Congress and the Executive Branch

COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS VIA INTERNET

I will communicate with all students in the class via the Montgomery College email system and also the course website. Please check your Montgomery College emails regularly so you can be informed of any changes in readings, new activities and other important course announcements. I will post all of my PowerPoint presentations on the course website. If you do not know how to access your Montgomery College emails or the course website, see me immediately after the first class.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any students with disabilities or any other special needs that require accommodation should discuss them with me so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

GRADING FORMULA:

1. Mid-term exam – 25 percent
2. Final exam—35 percent
3. Course paper—20 percent
4. Congressional member review—10 percent
5. Class participation—10 percent (5-point bonus for satisfactory participation in one of class exercises)

MID-TERM AND FINAL EXAMINATION: The two examinations may consist of the following formats: multiple-choice questions, short Identification answers, and short and medium-length essay questions.

CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW AND COURSE PAPER: Students will have two writing assignments for the course. For the Congressional Member Review, students will prepare a

1 ½-2-page (double space) summary on a member of Congress that includes: a short biographic sketch: a description of the demographic and economic characteristics of the member’s district (or state); and the member’s position on one issue important to his or her constituents. For the Course Paper, students should select a current policy or legislative issue being debated in Congress and write a 4-page (double space) analysis that cover the following: a description of the issue; why it is difficult to resolve; which important interest groups oppose and support the proposed legislation; and your assessment of the outcome of the debate. Sources for the course paper may include books on the subject, newspaper and magazine articles, and content from the websites of Members of Congress. Wikipedia should not be cited as a primary source although students may find it useful to obtain background information on their research topic.

CLASS EXERCISES: There will be two class exercises—a simulated presidential “town hall” meeting on the 2008 elections and a simulated Congressional leadership caucus on a key legislative issue. Students that volunteer for roleplaying in the exercise and perform satisfactorily will receive up to 5 bonus points towards their class participation grade. All students will have an opportunity to ask questions during the discussion.

KNOWLEDGE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS: Each student will select a member of Congress to become acquainted with his or her political views and the interests of the member’s constituents. Any member of Congress from Maryland may be selected. I will also provide a list of prominent members of the House of Representatives and Senate from other states whom students may find interesting to learn more about. Students will have an opportunity to earn extra credit on examinations and in class discussions for knowledge of their selected member and his or her views on policy issues.

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Students are expected to attend every class and participate in class discussions. More than three missed classes without a compelling reason for absence will result in a substantial reduction in grade. Attendance, attentiveness in class and participation in class discussions will count toward the “class participation” grade.

GRADING SCALE: A = 90-100      B =   80-89     C = 70-79     D =   60-69     F < 60 

READINGS:

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS:

Karen O’Connor and Larry Sabato, Essentials of American Government, 2008 ed. (Pearson Education, Inc.)

Selected articles and source documents: Articles on specific subjects and source documents will be provided to supplement the textbook. Among the required document readings are the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and Federalist Papers #10 and #51.

Daily newspaper readings:  Students are encouraged to read daily the New York Times or Washington Post, with a focus on articles related to course subjects and their political topics of interest. Both can be accessed free of charge on the Internet. Class discussions will reference current events.

GROUND RULES FOR PAPERS, EXAMS AND CHEATING/PLAGIARISM:

1. Writing assignments that are turned in past the deadline will be penalized with a substantial reduction in grade unless there is a compelling reason.

2. Students are expected to take their exams on the assigned dates. If students have a legitimate reason for taking an exam at an alternative time, they should discuss this with me in advance to make arrangements.

3. Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated.  The penalty for cheating is a failing grade for the course. Plagiarism includes copying word-for-word text from other sources to use in your papers and submitting the writing of others as your own. Plagiarism, which most instructors can easily detect, will result in an automatic failing grade for the assignment.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CLASS

Room HU 207

Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 a.m.

September 3-December 21, 2008

Thursday, Sept 4

Course Introduction and Requirements

An International Perspective on the American Political System—Democracy, Elections, Rule of Law, Civil Rights and Governance in Foreign Countries

Part I -- Origin, Foundation and Basic Elements of the American System of Constitutional Government

Tuesday, Sept. 9

Foundations of American Government/Roots and Culture

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter I, p. 3-22 and 29-30; and Declaration of Independence,

p. 442-443 (focus on first 2 paragraphs and last 3 paragraphs of the Declaration)

Thursday, Sept. 11

The Constitution—Evolution from “Articles of Confederation,” Compromise on Slavery and Strategic Rationale in the Federalist Papers

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 2, p. 25-35, 42-44 and p. 444-448 (Federalist Papers 10 & 51)

Tuesday, Sept. 16

The Constitution—Review of Basic Principles and Key Provisions

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 2, p. 35-50 and p. 53-65 (Focus in particular on the actual text of Articles I, II, III and V and the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution)

Thursday, Sept. 18

Federalism—Origins of the Federal System and Evolution from a Weak to a Powerful National Government

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 3, p. 82-94 and 99-103

Tuesday, Sept. 23

The Bill of Rights and Their Evolving Application to the Federal Government and States

Civil Liberties—Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Right to Bear Arms

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 4, p. 107-122 and p. 66-70 (Constitution Amendments I-X)

Thursday, Sept. 25

Civil Liberties—Rights of Defendants and Right to Privacy

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 4, p. 122-134 and Amendments IV, V, VI and VIII

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Civil Rights—Slavery, Abolition and the Long Quest for Equality & Universal Civil Rights for All Disadvantaged Groups

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 5, p. 137-162

Part II -- Principal Branches of Government—Congress, the Presidency and Federal Courts-- and How They Interact

Thursday, Oct. 2

--1^st Writing Assignment Due: Congressional Member Review

Congress—Constitutional Powers and How it is Organized

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 6, p. 166-180

Tuesday, Oct. 7

Congress—How Laws Are Made and Congress’s Relations with the President and Judiciary

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 6, p. 182-192

Thursday, Oct. 9

The President—Constitutional Authority and Historical Evolution of Governmental Role

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 7, p. 195-207

Tuesday, Oct. 14

The President—The Presidential Establishment, Policymaking Role and Public Opinion

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 8, p. 207-218

Thursday, Oct. 16

Class Exercise—Simulated Town Hall Meeting with Presidential Candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama

Exercise materials to be provided

Tuesday, Oct. 21

Review for Mid-Term Exam

Thursday, Oct. 23

Mid-Term Exam

Tuesday, Oct. 28

The Judiciary—Evolution of Powers in the Constitution, the American Legal System and the Federal Court System

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 9, p. 246-262

Thursday, Oct. 30

The Judiciary—The Supreme Court, Judicial Philosophy and Judicial Implementation

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 9, p. 263-274

Part III--Politics in Action—Political Parties, Campaigns, Elections, the Media & Interest Groups

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Political Socialization and the 2008 Elections—How Voters Decide

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 10, p. 278-286, p. 293-94 and other reading to be provided

Thursday, Nov. 6

Political Parties—Origin, Function and Structure

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 11, p. 316-334

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Political Parties—Differing Roles for Congress and President, Voter Affiliation and “Third” Parties

Excerpt on “Political Parties” from American Government by O’Connor and Sabato,

p. 434-455 (reading to be provided)

Thursday, Nov. 13

Voting and Elections—Voting for the President & Analysis of 2008 Presidential Election Results

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 12, p. 362-370 and other reading to be provided

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Voting and Elections—Congressional Elections, Voting Behavior and Calls for Reform, and Analysis of 2008 Congressional Election Results

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 12, p. 351-360 and 371-374 and other reading to be provided

Thursday, Nov. 20

The Campaign Process—Controversial Role of Campaign Financing and the Media in Shaping Political Views

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 14, p. 374-381 and other reading to be provided

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Interest Groups and Their Role in Influencing Legislation and Government Policy

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 11, p. 335-348

Thursday, Nov. 27

No class. Thanksgiving Holiday break

Part IV-- Policy Issues of a 21^st Century Government—What Should Our Government Do for Its Citizens?

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Public Policy—Who Decides on Policies and How Is this Done

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 17, p. 389-397 and 430-437

Thursday, Dec. 4

Class Exercise—Simulated caucus of selected House members and House leaders to develop position on key piece of legislation

Exercise material to be provided

Tuesday, Dec. 9

--2^nd Writing Assignment Due—Course Paper

Economic Policy—The Federal Budget, Federal Programs and Government Regulation of the U.S. Private Enterprise Economy

O’Connor and Sabato, Chapter 14, p. 405-412 and other reading to be provided

Thursday, Dec. 11

Review for Final Exam

Thursday, Dec. 18

Final Exam

NOTE: The scheduled exam time is 8:00-10:00 a.m.