Political Science 112
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Fall 2013
M W 2:00-3:15
169 McKenny
Instructor: Nevena Trajkov
Office: 601F Pray Harrold
Office Hours: M/W 10-11
Office Telephone: 734.487.3113
E-Mail: ntrajkov@emich.edu
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis.
The great point is to bring them the real facts."
- Abraham Lincoln
“Service, combined with learning, adds value to each and transforms both.”
- Honnet and Poulsen, 1989
“O I see flashing that this America is only you and me,
Its power, weapons, testimony, are you and me,
Its crimes, lies, thefts, defections, are you and me,
Its Congress is you and me, the officers, capitols, armies,
ships, are you and me . . .
Freedom, language, poems, employments are you and me,
Past, present, future, are you and me.
I dare not shirk any part of myself,
Not any part of America good or bad . . .”
-Walt Whitman (as cited in Barber, 1998)
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the study and analysis of American governmental institutions, political processes,
and public policies. Topics studied include the Constitutional foundations and evolutions of the American
governmental system, the structure and functions of major institutions, the policy making process, and a number of
contemporary policy issues.
Course Objectives
I have set three main goals for this course:
1. Learn the fundamentals about the American governmental system
2. Acquire the ability to apply what you learn in your “everyday” political life (which happens more often than
you think!)
3. Provide the knowledge to form educated comparisons of the American government with those of other nations
(i.e., Canada: a paddle away, but two very different systems)
Course Organization:
Culture: How did we build the foundations of government?
The Revolution, the Constitution, Values.
Structure: What forces effect the government and its ability to function?
Interest Groups, Political Action Committees, Citizen Socialization, Movement Groups, Justice, Political
Parties, Media, Elections
Institutions: How is our government administered? How does business get done?
Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Court Systems) and Executive (the Presidency)
Recommended Textbook
Wayne, S., Mackenzie, G.C., and Cole, R. Conflict and Consensus in American Politics. 2006 Wadsworth.
ISBN – 13: 978-0534249922; ISBN-10: 0534249922
Course Requirements
The course grade will comprise of two in-class exams, participation and a final exam. Grading breaks down as
follows:
Assignments
Exam I
7 Oct
Exam II
11 Nov
Final Exam
16 Dec
Participation All Semester
TOTAL
30%
30%
30%
10%
A
AB+
B
BC+
GRADING SCALE
92+
C
89-91
C86-88
D+
82-85
D
79-81
D76-78
F
69-75
67-68
64-66
60-63
55-59
<55
100%
Exams 90%
It is expected that you will be present for exams. Make-up exams will not be given under any circumstances.
All exams will be multiple choice/short answer essay. Due to the amount of information in the textbook, the
exams will not be cumulative but rather cover the material presented for the appropriate period.
The final exam is required. Students who chose not to take the final will receive a failing grade for the course.
The final for this course will be 16 December 2013, 1:30 – 3:00
Attendance Policy/Participation 10%
There is quite a bit of information to be covered and attendance to lecture is the best way to absorb and retain the
material presented. However, understanding life can sometimes bring disruptive events, you are each allowed 3
absences. More than three absences will result in a deduction of 1/3 a letter grade (e.g., you could have had an “A”
but it is now reduced to an “A-“). Each additional accumulation of 3 absences further reduces the grade (e.g., 6
absences results in a B+ for participation and so on) Any absences due to religious holidays should be made known
to me at the beginning of the semester and will not count.
Tardiness Tardiness in excess of 15 minutes will be regarded as an absence. If you have special circumstances or
a situation, please discuss them with me.
Participation is a portion of your grade and discussion is highly encouraged. That being said, there are a few
“rules” I would like to implement:
1. Arrive on time or endure the above mentioned consequences
2. Do not depart prior to the end of the discussion. Your attendance will not be honored.
3. Be respectful and open minded to other opinions (in political discussions, this can be a struggle!) In other
words, please behave civilized.
4. Side “chatter” is prohibited. This includes cell phone use and “texting”. Please have cellular phones
turned off.
Access to Course Material
All course material, including syllabi, PowerPoint slides and reviews, will be posted on my.emich.edu. Here’s how
to access our class:
1. go to www.my.emich.edu and log in using your EMU user name and password
2. click on the student tab
3. click on the “click here to:” link in the box titled “My Courses”
4. Select our class
Eastern Michigan University Code of Conduct/Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty of any sort (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) is strictly prohibited and is not tolerated. Violators
will be reprimanded appropriately. Please reference the University Academic Integrity website for unacceptable
behavior.
http://www.emich.edu/campuslife/myfy/academics/academicintegrity.php.
Special Needs/Accessibility
If you are registered with the EAS office and require special accommodations, please see me so that we can set up
appropriate arrangements.
Assignments
CLASS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
DATE
ASSIGNMENT
Introduction
4 Sept
Culture: Chapter 1 Introductory Discussions
9 Sept
Culture: Chapter 1 Introductory Discussions
11 Sept
16 Sept Culture: Chapter 2 Constitutions, Compromise and Resolutions
18 Sept Culture: Chapter 2 Constitutions, Compromise and Resolutions
Culture: Chapter 3 Federalism in Theory and Practice
23 Sept
Culture: Chapter 3 Federalism in Theory and Practice
25 Sept
Culture: Chapter 3 Federalism in Theory and Practice
30 Sept
Culture: Chapter 3 Federalism in Theory and Practice
2 Oct
Exam I
7 Oct
Structure: Chapter 4 Freedom, Equity and Justice
9 Oct
Structure: Chapter 4 Freedom, Equity and Justice
14 Oct
NO CLASS
16 Oct
Structure: Chapter 6 Political Interest Groups
21 Oct
Structure: Chapter 6 Political Interest Groups
23 Oct
Structure: Chapter 8 Campaigns and Elections
28 Oct
Structure: Chapter 8 Campaigns and Elections
30 Oct
Structure: Chapter 9 Media and Politics
4 Nov
Structure: Chapter 9 Media and Politics
6 Nov
Exam II
11 Nov
Institutions:
Chapter 10 Congress
13 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 10 Congress
18 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 11 The Presidency
20 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 11 The Presidency
25 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 13 The Judiciary
2 Dec
Institutions: Chapter 13 The Judiciary
4 Dec
9 Dec
Exploration: Chapter 14 Domestic Issues
11 Dec
Exploration: Chapter 14 Domestic Issues
FINAL EXAM IS 16 December 1:30 – 3:00
Please be advised that the syllabi dates, topics, readings, and related
activities, may be subject to change and readjustment at my discretion