Political Science 112
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Fall 2014
T Th 12:30-1:45
103 Marshall
Instructor: Nevena Trajkov
Office: 601F Pray Harrold
Office Hours: M/W 12:30-1:30, and by appointment
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
18 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 18 December 2014, 11:30 – 1:00
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 the syllabus, PowerPoint slides and reviews, will be posted on EMU-Online.
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
Culture:
Chapter
2 Constitutions, Compromise and Resolutions
16 Sept
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
Structure: Chapter 4 Freedom, Equity and Justice
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 10 Congress
20 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 11 The Presidency
25 Nov
Institutions: Chapter 11 The Presidency
2 Dec
Institutions: Chapter 11 The Presidency
4 Dec
9 Dec
Institutions: Chapter 13 The Judiciary
11 Dec
Institutions: Chapter 13 The Judiciary
FINAL EXAM IS 18 December 11:30 – 1:00
Please be advised that the syllabi dates, topics, readings, and related
activities, may be subject to change and readjustment at my discretion
Getting to Know Supplemental Instruction (SI)
Hello Everyone!
My name is Zach Koenig, I’m an undergraduate student here at EMU and I will be your Supplemental Instructor this
semester for American Government! Before I introduce myself, I’m going to quickly run through what Supplemental
Instruction is all about.
 Supplemental Instruction is a FREE academic support service for undergraduate students enrolled in
traditionally difficult courses, gateway courses, and/or general education courses.
 SI gives student the opportunity to discover how to learn in combination with what to learn.
 An SI leader attends all lectures for their assigned course and is trained in group facilitation methods and in
study techniques.
I, as your SI, will hold two, 1 hour, weekly “study sessions” each week designed to help you better engage with the
material covered in lecture and to help prepare you for the exams.
*Please Note: These sessions DO NOT take the place of lecture, they are meant to help build on what you learned,
so be sure to attend lecture.*
Students who regularly attend these SI sessions achieve ½-1 full letter grade higher than students who do not. I will be
sending out weekly emails on Monday mornings reminding you of the days, times, and locations of these sessions as
well as any interesting events taking place on campus that week. In addition to these study sessions, I will also be
holding office hours for 2 hours each week for “drop-in” tutoring in the South Commons of Halle Library, and I will let
you know what hours those will be once my schedule has been finalized.
Getting to Know Your Supplemental Instructor
Here’s a little about me:
 Senior (4th Year) here at Eastern Michigan University
 Studying Secondary Education-Social Studies/Political Science
 Been doing SI for over 2 years now, worked with PLSC 112 that entire time so I really know what I’m talking
about.
 And as a fun fact, I enjoy Doctor Who and Harry Potter.
How to contact me:
The quickest and easiest way to contact me is through email at ZKoenig@emich.edu. I respond to any and all emails I
receive usually as soon as I get them but I typically will not reply between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am, but I do reply
on weekends. So if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me and I will do my best to assist you.