US Politics Summer 2009 Overview Welcome Syllabus Review Contact Materials Requirements Course Outline Contact Info Office: K-636 fmoran@njcu.edu Phone: 201-200-3259 Materials Reading Materials: Harrison, Harris, and Tolchin: American Democracy Now New York Times •Our Website Requirements Exams 1 Midterms (30%) Take Home exam 4 to 8 pages 1 Final (30%) Take home, due 29 June Requirements Debates (3 at 10% each/ 30% of total grade) 3 debates on mutually agreed upon topics Class divided into 4 teams, randomly assigned Peer grades and faculty grade weighed together for each debate Participation (10%) Attend class regularly Be prepared and contribute Course Outline Founding Period Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Constitution Course Outline Participation Public Opinion Interest Groups Parties & Elections Voting Course Outline Institutions Congress Presidency Judiciary Course Outline Civil Liberties/Civil Rights Basic rights Major civil rights movements Course Outline Public Policy Economic Domestic Policy Foreign Policy Defense Policy Introduction Why Politics? Why Democracy? Billboard Top 100 (music) Nieson Ratings (television) New York Times Bestseller Lists