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American
Government, CRN 34343 |
Prof. Thomas Goldwasser |
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Spring
2009 |
Office: Humanities 273 |
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Monday
& Wednesday, |
301-279-5178
(O) |
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Tech
233 |
202-686-0310
(H) |
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Office
Hours: M/W, |
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and
by appointment |
Required
Text: American Government, 10thh Edition, James Q. Wilson and John
J. Dilulio. Decision in
Attendance is required. The primary source of information will be class lectures. However, you must do the assigned readings before class. If you miss TWO or more sessions during the course without a legitimate approved excuse, you will be dropped from the course
This
is a survey course designed to enhance the students’ understanding of the
American political system and processes.
Students will be graded on their ability to analyze, interpret and
describe the material in the lectures and reading. There will be four exams. The average of the first exam and the midterm
will be your midterm grade and will be worth 20% of your final grade. The third
exam will count 20% of your final grade. Your final examination will count 60%
of the semester grade. All exams will
consist of essay questions. However,
“pop quizzes” will require short, objective answers. Class discussion is strongly urged and will
improve the grades of those on the borderline.
NO
MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE ALLOWED.
Grading Scale: 90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Below 60 F
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DATE |
SUBJECT |
CHAPTER(S) |
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JANUARY. |
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26, 28 |
Overview, Democracy |
1, 17, 22 |
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FEBRUARY |
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2, 4 |
Constitution, Federalism |
2, 3 |
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9 |
Federalism, Political Culture
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3, 4, |
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11 |
Political Culture, Public Opinion
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4, 7 |
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Monday, 16 |
Examination |
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18 |
Political Participation |
8 |
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23, 25 |
Political Parties, Elections, Campaigns |
9, 10 |
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MARCH |
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2 |
Interest Groups |
11 |
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4 |
Interest Groups |
11 |
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9 |
Media |
12 |
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Wednesday, 11 |
Midterm Examination |
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16, 18 |
Spring Vacation |
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23, 25 |
Presidency |
14 |
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30 |
Bureaucracy |
15 |
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APRIL |
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Wednesday, 1 |
Examination |
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6 |
Judiciary
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16 |
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8 |
Judiciary |
16 |
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13 |
Economic Policy
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18 |
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15 |
Foreign Policy |
20 |
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20, 22 |
State Government |
Online |
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27 |
State Government |
Online |
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APRIL, MAY |
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29, 4 |
Decision in
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6 |
Decision, Review |
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Monday, MAY 11 |
FINAL EXAMINATION
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