Introduction to American Government
PLSC 112, Section 14
Winter 2015
Monday-Wednesday 2:00-3:15pm
113 Marshall Hall
Bradley R. Jackson
bjacks53@emich.edu
601H Pray-Harrold Hall
Department of Political Science
REQUIRED TEXT:
The Logic of American Politics; 6th Edition; Kernell, Jacobson, Kousser, and Vavreck;
CQ Press
OVERVIEW: This course is designed to introduce students to the study of American
government. Students will learn about the basic principles of American political thought,
such as federalism, civil rights, and civil liberties, as well as about the key institutions of
American politics, such as the Congress, the Presidency, and the Federal Court system.
Students will also study the many extra-constitutional features that exert a large influence
on American political life, such as opinion polling, political parties, interest groups, and
the media. Students will be introduced to these topics using both historical examples and
the concepts of contemporary social scientific research.
GENERAL EDUCATION RATIONALE: This course provides students with critical
exposure to the methods used by social scientists in creating knowledge. Political Science
112 provides a thorough grounding in American government. It also provides a strong
introduction to the discipline of political science. In this course, students gain exposure to
how knowledge is generated in the social sciences through the lens of one content area,
that of American government. Through material covered in the course, students gain
practice in asking important questions about the political world and answering them using
the methods practiced in this social science discipline.
ASSIGNMENTS: Grades in this class will be determined based on the following:
(1) Two midterm exams consisting of multiple choice, short answer, and longer essay
questions. These exams will be given in class on Monday February 9th and Monday
March 23rd. Together, these exams are worth 50% of your final grade.
(2) One final exam consisting of multiple choice, short answer and longer essay
questions to be given on Wednesday April 22nd from 1:30-3:00pm. This exam will be
worth 40% of your final grade.
(3) Participation. This sort of class is improved by student participation. Questions and
comments are not only encouraged, they are also required and worth 10% of the final
grade.
GRADING SCALE:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
96-100
91-95
85-90
80-84
76-79
72-75
68-71
64-68
60-63
55-59
50-54
<50
4
3.7
3.3
3
2.7
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
0.7
0
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.
Failure to comply with the academic honesty policy will result in a failing grade on
the assignment in question as well as referral to appropriate university authorities
for disciplinary action.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities should contact the
Disability Resource Center to establish reasonable accommodations. For an appointment
with a disability specialist, visit http://www.emich.edu/drc/.
SCHEDULE:
January 5
7
12
14
19
21
26
28
February 2
Lecture Topic
Introduction
Natural Rights
Federalism I
Federalism II
MLK DAY-- NO CLASS
Separation of Powers I
Separation of Powers II
Separation of Powers III
Bill of Rights I
Assigned Reading
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
4
9
11
16
18
Feb 23 - March 1
March 2
4
9
11
16
18
23
25
30
April 1
6
8
13
15
20
Wednesday April
22
Bill of Rights II
Exam 1
The Theory of Elections
Early Party System I
Early Party System II
WINTER RECESS
Jacksonian Democracy
Lincoln and the Civil War I
Lincoln and the Civil War II
Progressivism and Conservativism I
Progressivism and Conservativism II
Progressivism and Conservativism
III
Exam 2
Congress as an Institution I
Congress as an Institution II
Congress as an Institution III
The Executive Branch I
The Executive Branch II
The Executive Branch III
Public Opinion I
Public Opinion II
Final Exam 1:30pm-3:00pm
Chapter 5
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Chapter 10