American National Government and Politics
POLS 112, Spring 2012
Dr. Carly Hayden Foster
Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45, 1302 Peck Hall
Contact Information
cahayde@siue.edu
carlyhf@gmail.com
650-2358
3214 Peck Hall
Office hours Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-2:45, and by appointment
Welcome to class! In this course you will be introduced to the study of American National
Government and Politics. We will examine the US Constitution, political institutions (Congress,
the Executive, and the Judiciary), the American political environment (public opinion, the media,
political participation, and elections) and public policy. We will examine historical context, and
contemporary political issues. I hope to help you develop a basic working understanding of US
politics and the US government.
Readings
The Challenge of Democracy
Janda, Berry and Goldman
In addition to the textbook, I will assign articles linked to our course Blackboard site. Login
at www.bb.siue.edu. The Blackboard site will also contain the syllabus, writing assignment
guidelines, and other materials related to class.
*I will make frequent reference to current events in class. Lecture and discussion will be much
more meaningful to you if you find a source of news that works for you and keep yourself
informed. Plus, being informed about current events will make you look really smart!
Assessments
Participation
Exam 1
Exam 2
Paper proposal
Writing Workshop
Writing Assignment
Final
6%
20%
22%
1%
1%
25%
25%
ongoing
February 16
March 29
March 22
April 10
April 19
Thursday May 3 at 8:30AM
Details
Exams in this course are multiple choice. All information provided in course lectures and the
assigned readings is fair game for every exam. The final exam is comprehensive. If you miss an
exam for any reason, you will be required to take the Make-Up Exam. The make up exam is an
essay exam, and it is hard. You would be wise to avoid missing the exams.
The Writing Assignment will be a 6 page paper due at the beginning of class April 19. Detailed
guidelines for your Writing Assignment will be given later in the semester. Late papers will be
marked down by 10% per day they are late
A Paper Proposal is due at the beginning of class March 22nd. The Proposal is a one page
explanation of your project. This is an easy 1% of your grade if you turn in a proposal on time.
Participation is based on your participation in class discussions, group activities, in class
response papers, quizzes, and all other in class activities (including generally paying attention:
please see Electronic Distractions below). Please be on time so that your entrance does not
disrupt class. Attendance, when taken, will be taken at the beginning of class. If you are late, you
will not be counted. Being present in the classroom is only one small part of participation. If you
are reading the newspaper, doing homework for another class, attending to electronic gadgets, or
engaging in any other activities not related to class, you lose participation points.
Electronic Distractions
Put your phone away. It is annoying, distracting, and disrespectful when students attend to social
media during class. Laptops can be used in class only to take notes. You distract the students
sitting behind you when your screen displays materials not related to class. Students using
electronic devices for purposes not directly related to class will be asked to leave. Repeat
offenders will be dropped from the course.
Academic dishonesty: Cheating or plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course. Please
see the course Blackboard site for additional information, and a link to University policy on
academic dishonesty.
Disability Support Services: Students needing special academic accommodations are
encouraged to visit the SIUE Disability Support Services Office located in the Student Success
Center (MUC) room 1270. You should also meet with me to discuss accommodations as early in
the semester as possible.
Please help to ensure a respectful and productive classroom environment. This is a course
about government and politics. We will discuss controversial issues. Disagreements are to be
expected, and we will handle them in a respectful manner. Please do not interrupt each other.
Please keep discussions focused on the ideas themselves, not the persons introducing the ideas.
The Schedule below is subject to change. It is your responsibility to come to class and keep up
with our progress. Please make sure you complete the assigned readings before each class.
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Political Science 112 Schedule
January
10
Welcome and Introduction
12
Chapters 1 and 2
17, 19 The Constitution
Chapter 3, the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution (see appendix)
24, 26 Federalism, Chapter 4
31 and February 2
Civil Liberties, Chapter 15
7, 9
Civil Rights, Chapter 16
14
16
Catch up and review
Exam 1
21, 23 Congress, Chapter 11
28, March 1
The Presidency, Chapter 12
Spring Break Week of March 5th
13, 15 Bureaucracy, Chapter 13
20, 22 Courts, Chapter 14
Paper Proposal due at the beginning of class on the 22nd
27
29
Catch up and review
Exam 2
April
3, 5 Public Opinion, Media, and Political Participation, Chapters 5, 6 and 7
10
12
Writing Workshop. Bring a draft of your writing assignment to class.
Class will not meet. Dr. Hayden Foster will be at a political science conference.
17, 19 Elections, Political Parties, and Interest Groups, Chapters 8, 9 and 10
Writing Assignment is due at the beginning of class on April 19.
24, 26 Public Policy, Chapters 17, 18 and 19.
Final Exam Thursday May 3 at 8:30am.
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