POLITICAL SCIENCE 1113
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
FALL 2012 SYLLABUS
POLS 1113: Section 012
Class Time: T-Th 12:30-1:45pm
Classroom: 035 Murray Hall
Professor: Eve M. Ringsmuth
Email: eve.ringsmuth@okstate.edu
Professor Office Hours: T and Th 9:30am-12:30pm
Office Location: 204 Murray Hall
TA: Nicole McAfee
TA email: nicole.mcafee@okstate.edu
TA Office Hours: W 1-3pm
TA Office Location: 222 Murray Hall
Description & Objectives: This course introduces students to American government and
politics. The core objectives of the class are to:
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View government and politics more objectively and analytically, to study government as
social scientists;
Develop a broad understanding of the theoretical and institutional development of
American democracy;
Understand the basic structure and functioning of American government, including the
Constitutional framework, linkage institutions, and political structures that guide our
democratic system;
Enhance political efficacy—the belief that government officials respond to public
demands and that citizens can and do invoke change in the political system; and
Interest students in the work of government as reflected in current events.
Course Structure: This course will consist of lectures and discussion using various video and
multimedia presentations. Grades are assigned based on exams and outside assignments.
Lectures do not always come directly from the book. I will discuss concepts and issues from
assigned readings, but will also provide additional information, which makes attendance in class
imperative for success. Each student’s initiative to take notes, engage in class discussions, and
read the required electronic text and any additional readings provided by the instructor will have
a tremendous impact on your success in the course. Readings are outlined in the course schedule
and should be read by the class that they are assigned. It is extremely important that the student
pay attention to the weekly readings as they will be a part of the exams. Students that do not
read the required text or take detailed notes will have extreme difficulty in passing the exams.
Be sure to check often the margins of the electronic text and/or D2L for any additional
assignments.
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Desire 2 Learn (D2L): Much of the course information will be provided to the students via the
web platform D2L. I will communicate with you about assignments and additional readings and
you will also be able to examine your grades. To be able to complete the course you will be
required to log into D2L using your user name and password. Using D2L is not an option,
it is a requirement. If you do not logon, you will miss crucial information that will assist you in
passing the course. To access D2L, go to: https://oc.okstate.edu/. If you have difficulties
accessing the D2L website, please contact IT at 405-744-HELP or helpdesk@okstate.edu. You
can also stop by the IT help desk in MSCS 113.
Course Communication and Professor Availability: All course e-mails will be sent to your
okstate.edu e-mail address, thus it is highly recommended that you check your okstate.edu email address on a regular basis. I encourage students to take advantage of office hours. If you
would like to speak with me outside of class time, you are welcome to stop by my office during
regularly scheduled office hours. If you are unable to meet during office hours, we can set up an
alternate appointment time via email or by talking after class. Email is the best way to reach me,
and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner. When you email me, please include the
course and section numbers as shown below:
To: eve.ringsmuth@okstate.edu
From: pistol.pete@okstate.edu
Subject: OSU 1113 (Section XX)
Teaching Assistant: A graduate teaching assistant has been assigned for this course. She will
hold office hours, which provides an additional opportunity for students to seek assistance during
the semester. As a graduate student in the Political Science Department she has vast experience
studying American politics. She will work in conjunction with Dr. Ringsmuth on all issues of
grading and student evaluation. I encourage you to get to know the teaching assistant.
Required Textbook: Schmidt, Steffen W., Shelley, Mack C., Bardes, Barbara A., American
Government and Politics Today: 2009-2110 ELECTRONIC Edition, Oklahoma State University
(Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2009).
The textbook for this class is an ELECTRONIC text. By using this electronic version of the
text, we are able to save you considerable money over the cost of a hardcopy text. ALL
students must purchase their own, individual passcode to the electronic text sold at the
OSU bookstore. This passcode will enable you to submit electronically assignments to the
instructor (see below). You CANNOT share your passcode with another student. Each
passcode is paired with a student’s name in D2L and an assignment can be only be “dropped” in
the student’s electronic D2L gradebook using their individual passcode. The decision to adopt
an electronic textbook was made by the faculty in the Department of Political Science to save
you money and provide you a powerful, sophisticated learning environment that is fully
integrated with D2L and the Internet. DO NOT ask the instructor to provide a hard copy of
the textbook. You must purchase an electronic copy, and then you may make a hard copy
of chapters if you so desire.
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Policies for Assignments and Grading: "Incompletes" will only be given in this course under
exceptional circumstances and are solely at the discretion of the professor. No extra credit will
be offered. Assignments and exams may be submitted only once. As a general rule, make-ups
for exams or other required deadlines will not be given. Students who miss exams or other
deadlines because of scheduled activities of an official University student organization, a
religious holiday, or an illness should contact the professor in advance of the absence, whenever
possible, so that alternative arrangements can be made. Be prepared to provide documentation of
an illness or reason for missing an assignment or exam. Make-up exams will be an all essay
format.
Exams: You will be required to take four exams. The first three exams will be worth 100 points
each and the final will be worth 150 points. Once you complete an exam, you must show your
instructor your picture ID as you turn in the exam. If you forget your picture ID, you will not
be allowed to take the exam. For each exam, study guides will be posted on D2L. After the
exam, a summary of your test performance will also be posted on D2L. I keep all original
exams, so if you want to see your original test, you must come and see it during office hours.
You will have one week from the time the exam grades are posted to contact me if you have any
issues, questions, concerns about the exam. Each exam will only include the material covered
since the previous exam, except for the final. The final is worth 150 points – 100 points over the
material covered since the last exam and 50 points of questions over previous exams.
Homework Assignments: You will have 150 points of outside assignments. They may be pop
quizzes, a writing assignment, and/or other assignments as specified by the instructor. It is
YOUR responsibility to check D2L for homework assignments. You may be required to submit
one or more of these assignments electronically using the unique password attached to your
electronic textbook and dropped into your D2L account. No late assignments will be accepted
for any reason and no hard copy of an assignment will be accepted in lieu of the electronic
copy. Be sure to start early in case the server goes down, you do not know how to access D2L,
you need to come to campus and use one the computers in a 24-hour lab because your computer
crashed, etc. Part of your experience in college is learning to follow instructions. This is one of
those experiences.
Due dates and detailed instructions for completing these assignments will be posted on D2L.
Grade Appeals: If you think your exam, assignment, or any class requirement has been graded
improperly you may appeal the grade to the professor. However, please note that final course
grades are not negotiable under any circumstances. The appeals process for class requirements
for which you received a grade is as follows:
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All grade appeals must be in writing and explain in detail where you think an error was
made
Appeals will not be accepted until 24 hours have passed after receiving the grade
Appeals must be submitted before 7 days have passed after receiving the grade
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Grading Scale
600 to 540 = A 539 to 480 points = B 479 to 420 = C 419 to 360 = D 359 to 000 = F
Homework assignments and/or pop quizzes
150 points
Exam 1
100 points
Exam 2
100 points
Exam 3
100 points
Final Exam
150 points
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Total Points Possible
600 points
Final Grades will NOT be curved. PLEASE DO NOT call, e-mail or come and see me at the
end of the semester and ask me to raise your grade because you were only a few points
away from the next higher grade. What you earned is what you get. I add your points up,
look at the grading scale (shown above), and assign a grade. Once again, I expect no emails
or call about this issue. Attending class and “trying hard” does not assure that you will
make a passing grade in this course. Your grade is determined on how well you master the
material associated with the class as demonstrated by your exam scores.
Academic Integrity: Oklahoma State University is committed to the maintenance of the highest
standards of integrity and ethical conduct of its members. This level of ethical behavior and
integrity will be maintained in this course. Participating in a behavior that violates academic
integrity (e.g., unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, multiple submissions, cheating on
examinations, fabricating information, helping another person cheat, unauthorized advance
access to examinations, altering or destroying the work of others, and fraudulently altering
academic records) will result in your being sanctioned. Violations may subject you to
disciplinary action including the following: receiving a zero on an assignment, examination or
course, receiving a notation of a violation of academic integrity on your transcript (F!), and being
suspended from the University. In cases of violations of the academic integrity policy, I reserve
the right to determine whether the case warrants a penalty on the assignment that is less severe
than a 0 on the assignment. Such penalties may include, but are not limited to, a deduction of
points from the assignment (up to a 0 on the assignment), and/or the completion of an additional
assignment. I will make this determination based on the extent of the academic dishonesty on a
case-by-case basis. If I determine that the academic dishonesty warrants a stronger response, I
will adhere to the procedures detailed in OSU's academic integrity policy. Either when
determining ht extent of any academic dishonesty, any resulting penalty, or whether to follow
OSU's academic integrity policy, the initial determination is strictly my own. I will meet with
the student to discuss any case of an academic integrity violation, and the student may indicate at
this meeting if he or she prefers to follow the procedures detailed in OSU's academic integrity
policy. You have the right to appeal the charge. Contact the Office of Academic Affairs, 101
Whitehurst, 405-744-5627, or academicintegrity.okstate.edu.
Student Disabilities: If you have any type of disability that you wish to identify, with the advice
and assistance of the Office of Student Disability Services we will create an appropriate learning
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environment. To ensure personal privacy, you should contact me at the beginning of the
semester in person during my office hours if you wish to make special arrangements to address
your specific condition.
Classroom Expectations
1. This classroom is a learning environment and preparation for your entry into the
workforce. It is not a place to display uncivilized, antisocial, racist, sexist, and/or
juvenile behavior.
2. During class discussions, please respect those classmates whose ideas might not align
with yours. Every effort will be made to give equal time to all points of view. I expect
appropriate class behavior.
3. Arrive on time for class; tardiness is a disruption to the class and the instructor.
4. Do not talk over your neighbors or the professor during class videos, lectures, and
discussions.
5. Do not sleep or lay your head on your desk during class. This is disrespectful and will not
be tolerated. If you are caught sleeping, you will be asked to leave. Do it twice and you
will be asked not to come back to class. If you are sleepy, stay at home.
6. Do not read or do work for other classes during class.
7. Turn off all cell phones and pagers. Failure to turn off pagers and cell phones is
disrespectful to the professor, fellow students, and a successful learning environment.
You are not to receive or send text messages during class.
8. If you need to leave during the middle of class, please notify the professor before class
starts and you will be instructed where to sit.
9. Laptops/personal computers/iPads are not allowed during class. If you require the use of
such a device due to a disability or any other reason, you must speak with the professor in
advance and provide documentation.
Violations of the classroom expectations listed above more than once may result in the loss of 20
points from a test score for each violation up to 40 points. After three strikes, the first warning
and two loss of point incidents, THE COURSE GRADE OF “F” WILL BE ASSIGNED AND
YOU MAY NOT COME BACK TO CLASS. Violations may also result in an immediate pop
quiz for the entire class even if only one student commits an infraction.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, ASK AFTER CLASS OR DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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Course Outline
I. Constitutional Framework
August 21 and 23
Read Chapter 1: The Democratic Republic and any other reading assignments as posted by
instructor in margins of electronic text or at D2L
August 28 and 30
Read Chapter 2: The Constitution, Appendix A: The Declaration of Independence, and any
other reading assignments as posted by instructor in margins of electronic text or at D2L
September 4 and 6
Read Chapter 3: Federalism and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
September 11 – EXAM 1
II. Political Institutions
September 13 and 18
Read Chapter 12: The Congress and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
September 20 and 25
Read Chapter 13: The President and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
September 27, October 2 and 4
Read Chapter 15: The Courts and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
October 9
Wrap-up of Political Institutions
October 11 – EXAM 2
III. People and Politics
October 16 and 18
Read Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Socialization and any other reading assignments
as posted by instructor in margins of electronic text or at D2L
October 23, 25, and 30
Read Chapters 9 and 10: Voting, Elections, and Campaigns and any other reading assignments
as posted by instructor in margins of electronic text or at D2L
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November 1 and 6
Read Chapter 7: Interest Groups and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
November 8 – EXAM 3
November 13 and 15
Read Chapter 8: Political Parties and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
November 20
Read Chapter 11: The Media and any other reading assignments as posted by instructor in
margins of electronic text or at D2L
November 22
No Class - Thanksgiving
IV. Public Policies
November 27, November 29, and December 4
Read Chapters 4 and 5: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and any other reading assignments as
posted by instructor in margins of electronic text or at D2L
December 6
Course Wrap-Up
December 11 (10-11:50am) – FINAL EXAM
I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus. Any changes will be posted on D2L.
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