INTRODUCTION TO U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
POLS 140-01
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS ~ 12:30 P.M. TO 1:45 ~ ROOM 2504
Spring 2015
Instructor:
Tiffany Bohm
Office Hours:
12 to 12:30 in the classroom and by appointment
Telephone:
(708) 709-7755, ext. 5081
Email:
tbohm@prairiestate.edu *This is the best way to reach me*
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the core concepts of political science that allow for a
better understanding of the principles and organization of government and politics in the United
States.
Required Text and Readings:
American Government: Brief Version, 11th edition, James Q. Wilson, Houghton Mifflin Co.,
2009, 2008.
*All students are expected to have full access to a copy of the text. It is available in the bookstore
on campus.*
Occasionally, students may be asked to do additional readings that may be found on Desire 2
Learn or provided by the instructor. The instructor is working under the assumption that
everyone has access to the internet and Desire 2 Learn from some source. If this is a false
assumption, it is the student's responsibility to let her know.
It is also the student's responsibility to familiarize himself or herself with Prairie State College's
Desire 2 Learn online education system. The use of this system supplements the classroom
discussions and lectures as well as supports the "Green" initiative by providing students with
electronic access to materials versus hardcopy that require using large amounts of paper.
Course Objectives:
•
Describe the constitutional framework of American government
•
Explain the functions of various levels of American government: national, state and local.
•
Be able to describe the key ideas found in the basic documents of American government:
the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution,
including the Bill of Rights
•
Define key ideas involved in polling, measuring public opinion, and running elections
•
Explain the key differences between conservative, liberal and radical approaches to social
reform
•
Explain the rights and obligations of American citizens
“Political authority cannot rest on tradition, but only on consent.”
– John Adams
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Written Assignments:
For this course, you will be required to write four (4) 2-3 page critical analyses for topics I have
assigned. These topics are listed in the syllabus (Assignment 1) and in the course outline.
To write these papers, you will need to draw upon what you have learned from our course
readings, class discussions as well as outside investigation as necessary. Each paper is worth 50
points for a total of 200 points.
The papers should be 2 to 3 pages in length, double spaced, 12-point font, with 1 inch margins.
The pages should be numbered and stapled in the MLA format. Prairie State College uses the
MLA or APA format for all research papers and the writing center will be happy to help you
with any questions on the MLA format. I strongly encourage you to have the PSC Student
Success Center review your paper prior to turning it in. The SSC may not be able to proofread,
but they will review for content, organization and coherency. It would be wise to have a peer
review for proofreading mistakes. I deduct points for grammar, format, punctuation, spelling and
citation errors. Papers are due by 11:59pm on the date listed. These will be submitted using
Turn It In on Desire 2 Learn. Late papers are not accepted – DO NOT ASK.
Handing in Written Work:
All written work will be submitted using Turn It In on the Desire 2 Learn classroom. There are
no exceptions to this rule. You must use Microsoft Word 2003, 2007 or newer – “Works”
doesn’t work. If you are unsure, please check the ending of the file to be sure it is a .doc or .docx.
Students will retain a copy of their work on paper and computer (jump drive) in the event the
instructor requests and additional copy. All work must be typed, be original (unless cited) and
meet assignment instructions for full credit. I will explain Turn It In further in class. You must
have access to Desire 2 Learn so be sure to log in at the beginning of the semester. If you need
technical assistance, the Help Desk phone number is: (708) 709-7999. I cannot help with
password or login information.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Your success in this class is important to me. If you have a disability (learning, physical,
psychological, or other) that may require some accommodations or modifications in procedures,
class activities, instructions, or requirements, please contact me early in the semester, so I can
refer you to the Disability Services Office (Room 1200) to register and arrange reasonable
accommodations. All discussions are confidential.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY: STATEMENT FOR STUDENTS
Prairie State College Faculty Senate
I.
Why is academic honesty important?
A.
Academic honesty is vital to the whole Prairie State College community. Our reputation and our selfrespect as a College depends on our commitment to academic honesty. All students, faculty and staff
participate in this commitment. Academic dishonesty undermines both our reputation and our shared
goals as a college community.
B.
Academic honesty is vital to your work as a student. The credit, certificate, and/or degree that you
earn must reflect the work that you do. If you commit an act of academic dishonesty, you will always
know that your grade, certificate and/or degree wasn’t honestly earned. In addition, academic dishonesty
is a very serious offense that could have damaging consequences for you as a student and later in life,
ranging from a lowered grade on one assignment to suspension from the College. For this reason,
professors will report cases of academic dishonesty to the Dean of Academic Services & Counseling.
II.
What do I have to do to be academically honest?
A.
Academic honesty means that:
1.
any work you hand in with your name on it is your own work.
2.
if you have used any outside sources, whether written sources or help from another person in writing your
assignment, you must cite them. Your professor may or may not require specific forms for citation of
sources, but it is never honest to omit this step.
B.
In order to practice academic honesty, it is important to:
1.
make sure you understand what is expected for each assignment.
2.
ask your professor when you don’t understand.
III.
How can I avoid academic dishonesty?
A.
The number one way to avoid academic dishonesty is by understanding what it is. All students are
expected to have read and understood the PSC Academic and Student Codes of Conduct (printed in the
Prairie Planner, the PSC Catalog, and online at www.prairiestate.edu under Board Policies). You are
responsible for understanding what is and is not honest college work.
B.
The two main kinds of academic dishonesty are the following:
1.
Plagiarism means handing in any work as your own which contains any part that is not your own and not
properly cited. It includes any copying or paraphrasing of others’ words or ideas, whether another
student’s, or printed or internet sources, without clearly and accurately identifying it and its source.
2.
Cheating means using any source not permitted on a particular assignment or test. Sources might include
someone else’s test or help, or printed, photographed, or written material when not permitted. Cheating
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also includes knowingly furnishing any false information (such as data or sources) to fulfill an assignment
or helping someone else to cheat.
C.
Too much help can lead to academic dishonesty. It is okay, and sometimes very useful, to study and
discuss assignments with your classmates, and to help each other edit and improve your work. It is also
useful to work with a tutor to improve your work. However, you have received too much help on an
assignment when another person has:
•
•
•
written or revised your homework for you rather than with you, or rather than helping you to do it
yourself
corrected your mistakes for you, rather than discussing them with you
lent you their homework for you to copy
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Assessment Criteria and Method of Evaluating Students:
Your success will be determined by your effort and work. Student work will be evaluated using
the following criteria:
Quizzes (5)
100 points
Essays (4)
200
Exams (4)
200
Total
500
A
D
90% - 100%
60% - 70%
B
F
80% - 90%
C
Anything below 60%
70% - 80%
I may add additional quizzes which will increase the total points possible in the class.
Course Policies:
All student regulations and policies as described in the student handbook apply to the learning
environments (classroom, computer labs & library). Of particular note, please refer to the
handbook concerning Academic Code of Conduct specifically instances on Academic
Dishonesty. If you plagiarize or cheat on any quiz, paper or other form of written work, you will
fail the course. NO VIDEO RECORDING, CELL PHONES, PAGERS OR TEXT
MESSENGERS WILL BE USED DURING CLASS - NO EXCEPTIONS!
Professor's caveat: Discussing political issues may be uncomfortable for some individuals. From
time to time, we will have discussions on current events. I ask that you respect each other during
these discussions and avoid any remarks that may be derogatory and avoid statements that may
be viewed as aggressive or attacking in nature. If a discussion appears to be bordering on
offensive, it will be ended immediately and any retribution against fellow classmates will be
prohibited. In order to have an open discussion, the environment must be protected to foster
willing debate.
Attendance:
Attendance is tracked throughout the semester and will be recorded at every class session. Every
effort should be made to contact the instructor and/or team members with as much prior notice to
an absence as possible. THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE WILL BE REDUCED 25 POINTS
FOR EACH ABSENCE OVER 4. If you have extenuating circumstances for multiple absences,
please see me immediately to discuss. You will need a doctor’s note for long term illnesses and I
will generally send you to the Academic Advising office in the event that a medical withdrawal
seems necessary. After you have missed a class, please be sure to get a copy of the lecture notes
from a classmate. Furthermore, if you do not take the final exam, you will fail the course. You
must show up to sit for the exam.
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Assignment 1:
This assignment must be typed and presented in a neat, professional manner. (This also refers to
every other assignment in the class.)
Assignment 1:
Your first assignment is to think about one issue or problem in the United States today. I would
like you to select something that you feel strongly about; perhaps this is the #1 problem in your
opinion. Be careful in your selection as this topic will be used for this assignment as well as the
final written assignment in the course. This must be a current topic and not something that
something that has already been resolved. If you think the problem was addressed, but not
resolved, then you may certainly discuss it in the paper.
Once you have selected a problem or issue, consider the following:
- Who is responsible for causing this problem? Is it one person or many?
- Who does this problem or issue affect?
- Who can solve this problem?
- In your opinion, what is the solution to the problem? Do you see the problem being resolved in
the future? Why or why not?
- What is needed to solve this problem?
Once you have considered the answers to the questions above, please write and discuss the
problem. Your assignment is to write a 2-3 page paper, double-spaced with 1 inch margins,
describing the problem. Then, provide the answers to each of the questions above in the paper.
Be sure to review your papers before turning them in to make sure you answer all of the
questions above as clearly as possible.
You will not be graded on your opinion, but you will be graded on how well you explain and
understand the problem. You will lose points for spelling, grammar and proofreading errors. You
will lose points if you do not provide a works cited/reference page for all outside sources used in
writing the paper. You will also lose points if you do not fully answer the questions above or it
appears you do not fully understand the problem that you are writing about. *Please see me if
you have questions.*
This assignment is worth 50 points. Late papers will not be accepted.
Due via D2L at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
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Course Outline (Please note, I may need to adjust as I see necessary)
Jan 12
Jan 19
Jan 21
Jan 26
Jan 28
Course introduction/Syllabus review
What is required of a citizen in democracy?
Declaration of Independence
Wilson, Chapters 1 & 2
Martin Luther King Day - No Class
*Paper #1 Topic Due - Email to Professor*
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Bill of Rights
Wilson, Chapter 3 & 4
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Bill of Rights
Wilson, Chapter 3 & 4
Review for First Exam
Feb 2
First Exam
The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers 10 &
51, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Wilson, Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4
Feb 4
The U.S. Constitution: Divisions of Power, Federalism
*first paper
due*
Wilson, Chapter 5
Separation of Power
Article I, Section 7
Feb 9
The U.S. Congress: Structure, Power and Limits
Wilson, Chapter 9
Article I of U.S. Constitution
Feb 11
The U.S. Congress: Organization - House of Representatives and Senate
Wilson, Chapter 9
The U.S. Congress: Congressional Leaders, Parties and Committees
Feb 16
Wilson, Chapter 9, focus: p. 219 & 221
The U.S. Congress: How a Bill Becomes Law
Wilson, Chapter 9, focus: p. 223-224
Wrap-up and Review for Exam #2
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Feb 18
Second Exam
Federalism and The U.S. Congress
Wilson, Chapters 5 & 9, U.S. Constitution, Article I
Feb 23
The Presidency: Structure, Power & Limits
Wilson, Chapter 10
Article II of the United States Constitution
Article I, Section 7
*second paper
due*
Feb 25
The Presidency: Public Policy & Program
Wilson, Chapter 10,
Mar 2
The Judiciary: Article III of the U.S. Constitution
Wilson, Chapter 12
Mar 4
The Judiciary: Article III of the U.S. Constitution, Marbury v. Madison
Wilson, Chapter 12
Mar 9
The Judiciary: Structure of the Federal Court System, Other
noteworthy cases
Wilson, Chapter 12
Mar 11
Third Exam
The Presidency and the Judiciary
Wilson, Chapters 10 & 12
Spring Break!
Third paper due Sunday, March 15, 2015
Mar 16-20
*third paper due*
Mar 23
Political Parties and Interest Groups: National, State and Local Party
Structure
Wilson, Chapter 7
Mar 25 & 30
Political Parties and Interest Groups: Interest Groups and Lobbyists
Wilson, Chapter 7
Apr 6 & 8
Campaigns and Elections
Wilson, Chapter 8 and “How Florida Won the Election” (handout)
Apr 13 & 15
Elections and the Media
Wilson, Chapter 8 & Chapter 10
Apr 20 & 22
Apr 27 & 29
May 4 & 6
May 4
The Electoral College
Wilson, Chapter 10, only pgs. 247-248
The Electoral College & Course Review
Handouts
Paper #4 due
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May 11-15
Your final exam is Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Finals Week!
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