Introduction to American and California
Government and Politics
POL S 102
Lecture M, W 11:00—11:50 a.m., AL201
Professor Carole Kennedy
Spring, 2013—San Diego State University
Office Hours: T, W, 1-2 p.m. and by appt.
Office Location: Adams Humanities 4123
e-mail: ckennedy@mail.sdsu.edu (please put 102 and your section number in subject line of
your e-mail)
Course Web Page: Blackboard
Official Course Description: "Political processes and institutions in the United States and
California. Considers a variety of public policy issues such as environmental quality, health,
education, relation between government and business, taxation, and foreign affairs as reflected in
the dynamics of national and state politics. When taken with Political Science 101 will satisfy
graduation requirement in American Institutions. Credit will not be allowed for both Political
Science 102 and 320."
This course is intended to acquaint you with the foundations, processes and institutions of
American and California government. If you intend to pursue studies in the political science
major/minor field, it will provide the necessary background for more advanced courses in
political science. If you are not pursuing studies in political science, the course will inform you
about how the federal and state governments work, both in theory and in practice. The
overriding goal of this course is to provide you with tools that will help you to be a more
intelligent consumer of political news and information and to better understand the civic
responsibilities that attend to American citizenship.
One particular goal of this course is to help you to understand how politics and
government affect you personally, and what means you have to influence your government.
Thus, we will do a great deal more than recite facts, figures, names, dates and places. We will
also investigate many of the major controversies surrounding the Constitution, our electoral
system, and our political institutions. This course will not be taught with a single point of view.
It will, however, if successful, help you to explore and understand your own political attitudes
and beliefs and how those beliefs are expressed and represented in the political process. Finally,
this course is designed to help you learn how to communicate your understanding of American
politics to others.
You will be required to utilize the SDSU E-services Web Portal
(https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/web_menu.login) so that you can utilize Blackboard for
important assignment and deadline information and to complete required course readings.
IMPORTANT DATES:
January 31
Last day to drop classes. No drops allowed after 11:59 p.m. on this date.
February 4
Last day to add classes or change grading basis. No schedule adjustments
allowed after 11:59 p.m. on this date.
First Examination – Wednesday, February 20th in class
Second Examination – Wednesday, March 20th in class
April 1-5
Spring recess.
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Third Examination – Wednesday, April 24th in class
Monday, May 13th, 10:30-12:30 p.m.—Final Examination
Learning Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will:
1. Develop critical thinking skills that are applied to both oral and written assignments.
2. Demonstrate the ability to take appropriate notes during lecture and utilize those notes to
prepare for examinations.
REQUIRED TEXT: (available at campus bookstores)
Harrison, Brigid, Jean Harris and Michelle Deardorff. 2013. American Democracy Now,
3rd edition. McGraw-Hill: Boston. Packaged with:
Giventer, Lawrence. 2008. Governing California. 2nd McGraw-Hill: Boston.
Please be sure to purchase the textbook from a campus bookstore because it is a
specially ordered package that has been designed specifically for this course. PLEASE do
not use previous versions of the text. This is a customized textbook for the course and it
includes access to on-line materials that will be required in the course.
If you don’t purchase the text and the access code you will be unable to complete
course assignments and you may not be able to pass the course.
Other reading material may be required as well, and will be available on reserve in the
library or accessible through the Blackboard. Additional video materials may be required and
will be available in the Media Center in the basement of Love Library.
GRADING:
Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Section Attendance, participation and assignments
20%
First Exam
20%
Second Exam
20%
Third Exam
20%
Final (non-cumulative) Exam
20%
Section attendance is MANDATORY. In class assignments may include work assigned on-line
and/or short written assignments.
All exams will be Multiple Choice and short identification questions.
Please bring a number two pencil, an 882 scantron and a blue book to all exams.
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COURSE OUTLINE:
All lecture reading assignments and due dates will be made in lecture and subsequently posted
on Blackboard. Please be sure to note what readings are assigned and when those readings are to
be completed.
I.
People, Politics, and Participation
Required Reading:
H,H&D, Chapter 1
II.
The Constitution
Required Reading:
H, H&D, Chapter 2, and Federalist 10 in Appendix B-1 and Federalist 51 in
Appendix C-1
III.
Federalism
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapter 3
IV.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapters 4 and 5
V.
Political Socialization and Public Opinion
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapter 6
VI.
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapters 7 and 8
VII.
Elections, Campaigns and Voting
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapter 9
VIII.
The Media
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapter 10
IX.
Congress
Required Reading:
H, H&D, chapter 12
X.
The Presidency
Required Reading:
H, H&D, TBA
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XI.
The Judiciary
H, H&D, TBA
XII.
California Government
Required reading:
Giventer, pgs. 1-9, Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
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Please note the following rules, which will be fairly but firmly enforced:
The professor reserves the right to alter the course outline as necessary, with advance
notice being given to all students through class announcement and announcement on the
class web site on Blackboard.
Make-up examinations will be given only in cases of illness, family emergency and
religious holiday and will only be given when students contact the professor in advance of
missing an exam. The professor reserves the right to request documentation of any excuse
submitted.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All written work must be your original work (i.e., not
previously submitted for credit in any other course, either at SDSU or at any other academic
institution). Please familiarize yourself with the University Policy regarding Academic
dishonesty and Plagiarism at:
http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/0809/webfolder/440-454_U_Policies.pdf#page=14
AND
http://csrr.sdsu.edu/conduct1.html
And also be aware of the Student Grievances procedure, available on-line at:
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/ombuds/process.html
Finally, please note that I am required by law to report all instances of academic dishonesty,
pursuant to Executive Order 969:
http://csrr.sdsu.edu/complaint3.html
If you need any help as a student, check out this website for recommendations and resources:
http://dus.sdsu.edu/helpforstudents/
Helpful Hints:
1.
Bring your syllabus to each course meeting.
2.
Check Blackboard on a daily basis for updated information.
3.
Do all assigned readings and come to section prepared to discuss course materials and
complete assignments concerning assigned materials.
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