American Government Course Syllabus
Student Objectives:
Scholars who successfully complete this course will:
1.
be able to read and comprehend important philosophical treatises, and key
political documents that have led to the Founding of the government of the
United States of America and its modification since its founding.,
2.
be able to articulate the meaning of these documents and their opinions
concerning them with clarity and grace, verbally and in writing,
3.
be acquainted with the philosophical ideas that led to the American Founding,
4.
understand why the Founders structured the government as they did, including
the debates and compromises in the Constitution’s formation,
5.
understand the various methods of Constitutional interpretation, and how
different methods have dominated different political eras,
6.
and understand the historical, political, and economics forces that have
facilitated fundamental changes to our form of government over time.
Texts:
The Republic, Plato, Translated by Allan Bloom.
Second Treatise on Government, John Locke
Democracy in America, Tocqueville
The Prince, Machiavelli
Readings Packet
America’s Founding: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 Game Book J Patrick Coby See
http://reacting.barnard.edu/curriculum/games-in-development
Political Philosophy Selections:
Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle, Politics, Aristotle, Writings, Polybius, On Spiritual and Temporal
Power, Galasius I, City of God, Augustine, The Prince, Machiavelli, Leviathan, Hobbes, Spirit
of Laws Montesquieu, Origins of Inequality & Social Compact, Rousseau, and others.
Key Documents & Speeches:
Mayflower Compact
John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity
The Divine Right to Occupy the Land, John Cotton
Declarations and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Federalist Papers 10, 15, 51, 68, 78-81, 84
Antifederalist Papers (Federal Farmer and Brutus Selections)
Washington’s Farewell Address
Debate on First National Bank (Jefferson & Hamilton)
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Missouri Compromise
Debates on Manhood Suffrage
Compromise of 1850
Kansas and Nebraska Act
A House Divided Speech, Abraham Lincoln
Cooper Union Speech, Abraham Lincoln
Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln
Progressive Party Platform
On Lend Lease, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Four Freedoms Speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Economic Bill of Rights, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Truman Doctrine, Harry S Truman
Evil Empire Speech, Ronald Reagan
Brandenburg Gate Address, Ronald Reagan
First Inaugural Address, Barrack Obama
Second Inaugural Address, Barrack Obama
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Dred Scott v Sanford (1857)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Suggested Movies (extra credit)
Luther
A More Perfect Union
John Adams (Part II)
Gods and Generals
Gettysburg
Twelve Angry Men
Assignments
Readings: READINGS ARE REQUIRED. Total readings are worth 200 points. Readings
are due by the date of discussion and may not be made up afterwards. Everywhere in the
syllabus where it says, “DISCUSS,” there is a reading that must be completed before the
discussion. Everywhere in the syllabus where it says, “LECTURE” or “READ,” no reading
before class is required, though we may read and discuss in that class. The readings are
found either in the required texts, or in the packet. I have allotted sufficient time in the
syllabus for the readings to be completed. However, the required readings come
sporadically throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to plan ahead so that you can
complete the readings by the discussion date.
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Journals: Each journal should consist of your interpretation of a key text. It should focus
on answering two questions. What is the author saying? And why do you agree or disagree
with him/her. The main focus of your journal should be on the first question. Each
journal is limited to 500 words and should be hand written in your commonplace book.
Journals are due immediately after class in which the reading was discussed. JOURNALS
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE. Journals will be evaluated primarily on how well they
exhibit your understanding of the text, however you must use proper grammar, word
choice, spelling and pronunciation. Also you must right legibly so that I can read it. Up to
10 points will be awarded for each journal. Thirteen journals are assigned and 10 required.
I will count any journal over the required 10 for extra credit.
Quizzes: Seventeen short answer quizzes will be randomly given throughout the semester of
which 15 will be recorded toward your grade. That is to say I will not count your two
lowest quiz scores. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. IF YOU MISS A QUIZ YOU WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT UP LATER.
Constitution (Compact) Analysis: Diagram a power structure of the organization. Where
does the power come from? What is the extent of the power? Who holds the power? How is
the power exercised? Are their any checks to the power? Up to 10 points will be awarded
for correctly answering each question for a total of 50 possible points. You will analyze the
US Constitution, League of Nations Covenant, and the UN Charter. YOU WILL NOT
BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN ANY ASSIGNMENT LATE, UNLESS YOU HAVE
PREVIOUSLY (BEFORE THE DUE DATE) ARRANGED THIS WITH ME.
Final Oral Examination: I will ask you questions covering the course material and you will
answer them verbally. I will provide you a list of possible questions, but the list will be
extensive. Each oral examination will last 10 minutes and will be worth 100 points.
Final Written Examination: Each student will take a written examination. The
examination will consist of 4 questions, each worth 50 points for a total possible of 200
points. You will have up to 500 words to answer each question. Answers will be based on,
logic flow of argument (40%), strength and accuracy of evidence provided (40%), and the
accuracy, beauty and clarity of expression (20%).
US Constitutional Convention Reenactment Game: You will be assigned a specific role
with specific objectives in the game. You will be grade on how well you perform your role,
and how well you achieve your assigned objectives. Total possible points are 200.
Movie Extra Credit: Watch a movie on my list and write a summery for an extra 10 points
per movie. Summery should include your interpretation and evaluation.
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Grade Scale: 1000 total points are possible. You will be graded according to the following
percentages.
94%-100% A
90%-93% A87%-89% B+
85%-86% B
80%-82% B77%-79% C+
73%-76% C
70%-72% C67%-69% D+
63%-66% D
60%-62% DBelow 60% F
Daily Schedule
Week 1
Aug 19
Aug 20
Aug 21
Aug 22
Aug 23
Week 2
Aug 26
Aug 26
Aug 28
Aug 29
Aug 30
Week 3
Sept 2
Sept 3
Sept 4
Sept 5
Sept 6
Week 4
Sept 9
Sept 10
Sept 11
Sept 12
Sept 13
Week 5
Introduction, Ancient Greece
Review Syllabus, Lecture Timeline
Lecture Plato
Read Plato’s Republic Book 8
Discuss Plato
Discuss Plato (Journal #1 due)
Ancient Greece & Rome
Lecture Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Lecture Aristotle’s Politics
Lecture Polybius & Roman Constitution
Lecture Middle-Ages (Two Powers, City of God, Aquinas)
NO CLASS
Renaissance & Reformation
NO CLASS, LABOR DAY
Discuss The Prince, chapters 17-19 (Journal #2 due)
Discuss The Prince, chapters 21, 24-26
Lecture Reformation (I highly recommend you watch the movie Luther
before this Lecture)
Discuss Mayflower Compact
Colonization
Lecture: Mercantilism and Colonization (Include Charters)
Discuss A Model of Christian Charity (Journal #3 due)
Discuss John Cotton, Divine Right to Occupy the Land
Lecture Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes & John Locke
NO CLASS
Locke and the Enlightenment
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Sept 16
Sept 17
Sept 18
Sept 19
Sept 20
Week 6
Sept 23
Sept 24
Sept 25
Sept 26
Sept 27
Week 7
Sept 30
Oct 1
Oct 2
Oct 3
Oct 4
Week 8
Oct 7
Oct 8
Oct 9
Oct 10
Oct 11
Week 9
Oct 14
Oct 15
Oct 16
Oct 17
Oct 18
Week 10
Oct 21
Oct 22
Oct 23
Oct 24
Oct 25
Week 11
Oct 28
Oct 29
Oct 30
Oct 31
Nov 1
Week 12
Nov 4
Discuss 2nd Treatise on Government Chapters 1-4, (Journal #4 due)
Read 2nd Treatise on Government
Discuss 2nd Treatise on Government, Chapters 5, 9
Lecture: Montesquieu and Rousseau
Lecture: Prelude to War (Watch John Adams part II.)
The Question of Independence
Lecture A Summary View of British Americans & Declaration and Resolves
Discuss Declaration of Independence (Journal #6)
Discuss Declaration of Independence
US Constitution: beginnings, convention, and ratification
NO CLASS (Watch, A More Perfect Union.)
US Constitution
Constitutional Convention Reenactment (U.S. Constitutional Analysis
Due before class)
Reenactment Preparation
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Read US Constitution Article 1
US Constitution
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Reenactment Preparation
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
NO CLASS
US Constitution
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Reenactment Preparation
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
NO CLASS
US Constitution
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Discuss US Constitution ANALYSIS DUE
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
Constitutional Convention Reenactment
NO CLASS
Setting precedent: Constitutional Interpretation
Precedent Continued, Democracy in America
Quiz Constitution Discuss Constitution
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Nov 5
Nov 6
Nov 7
Quiz Constitution; Discuss Constitution & Bill of Rights
Lecture on the formation and working of political parties.
Discuss Jefferson on 1st National Bank (Journal #7 due)
Nov 8
Week 13
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 15
Week 14
Nov 18
NO CLASS
Democracy in America
Discuss Hamilton on 1st National Bank
Lecture Washington’s Farewell Address
Lecture Marbury v. Madison. Teach how to read/write a legal brief.
Discuss Tocqueville’s introduction (Journal #8 due)
Discuss Social State of America and Sovereignty of People (chap 3-4)
Slavery Question
Discuss New England townships, counties, and administration (V1, B1, C5
first ½) (Journal #9 due)
Discuss State powers and decentralization (V1,B1, C5 second ½)
Discuss Equality, Individualism, Free Institutions, and Freedom (V2, B2,
C1, 2, 4)
Discuss Influence of democracy on American family (V2, B3, C8-12)
NO CLASS
Progressive Reforms
Discuss Democratic Despotism (V2, B4, C6)
Lecture: Dividing America Dred Scott v. Sanford
Discuss Lincoln’s House Divided & Cooper Union Speeches (Journal #10 due)
Lecture: Reconstruction and Amendments 13- 15
NO CLASS
Global America WWII
Lecture Progressivism
Lecture WWI
Discuss League of Nations Covenant (Diagram a power structure of the
League. Where does the power come from? What is the extent of the
power? Who holds the power? How is the power exercised? Are their any
checks to the power?)
Lecture FDR & The Great Depression
FRD’s Four Freedom’s Speech, Pearl Harbor Speech, Churchill’s Reaction.
Journal #11 due)
Cold War Politics
Lecture Economic Bill of Rights
Discuss UN Charter ANALYSIS DUE
Lecture on IMF and IRBD
Lecture WWII Accords
NO CLASS
Nov 19
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Week 15
Dec 2
Dec 3
Dec 4
Dec 5
Dec 6
Week 16
Dec 9
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Week 17
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
CHRISTMAS BREAK
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Week 18 Beyond the Cold War
Jan 6
Lecture: How did the Cold War Begin?
Jan 7
Discuss Truman Doctrine Speech, Truman (Journal #12)
Jan 8
Lecture Brown v. Board & Roe v. Wade
Jan 9
Discuss Reagan, Evil Empire, Brandenburg Gate Speeches (Journal #13
due)
Jan 10
Oral Examinations
Week 19 Review and Test
Jan 13
Oral Examinations
Jan 14
Oral Examinations
Jan 15
Written Final Examination
Jan 16
Written Final Examination
Jan 17
NO CLASS
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