Kenyon Academic Partnership
Hilliard Davidson High School
Political Science 200/Liberal Democracy in America
Mrs. Rader (angie_rader@hboe.org)
Course Objectives
The aim of this course is to acquaint you with the basic institutional and conceptual framework
of the American political system and to analyze the principles and tensions underlying the
system. We will examine the foundations of the American system and the major institutions
and actors in American government.
Course Requirements
Students are expected to complete the readings in advance and come to class prepared to
discuss them. Active and valuable contributions to class discussion based on having read and
thought about the material can earn an improvement in your final grade. Excessive absences may
also result in the instructor dropping the student from the course.
There are three types of major assignments for this course: two 5-7 page papers, a mid-term
and final examination and two semester projects. The final will be held in the regularly
scheduled exam period and will be comprehensive. For the 5-7 page papers, I will pass out
topics two weeks before the paper is due. All papers must be typed and double-spaced. They
should be well-written, logically argued, and proofread. All papers must be in MLA style.
Failure to attribute and identify sources, words, and ideas properly (including page numbers),
will result in a non-negotiable grade of F for the paper grade. When in doubt, cite and do so
extremely accurately. Deductions will be made for typographical, spelling and grammatical
errors. Late papers will be penalized one full letter grade per day and no papers will be
accepted a week after the due date. Failure to complete any assignment for the class will
result in a failing grade. In addition, there will be unannounced quizzes on the readings.
I reserve the right to make changes in the syllabus should we fall behind or get ahead on
certain topics. These changes will be announced in class. The dates for the examinations and
papers will not change.
Students are expected to keep up with current events by reading a major newspaper (The New
York Times, the Washington Post or The Wall Street Journal). We will often discuss current
events in class. There will be an on going current events assignment.
Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. All students must follow the
College’s policies regarding academic honesty as outlined in the Student Handbook. Please
consult with me before submitting work if you have any questions regarding this issue.
Books and Readings: The following books are required for the course.
Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge
of Democracy. 7th. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. (Main Test)
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The Federalist Papers. Edited by Clinton
Rossiter.
Alexis de Tocqueville. Democracy in America. Vol. 1. New York: Alfred Knopf, Vintage Books,
1990.
Michael Nelson, ed. The Elections of 2004, Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2005.
David Mayhew. Congress: The Electoral Connection. New Haven, CT: Yale, 1974,
Richard Neustadt. Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents. New York, Free Press,
1991.
John Agresto. The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy.
Supplements:
In addition to the textbook readings students will sign out numbered copies of the supplemental
readings, which will be collected when completed. Supplemental readings listed below are
subject to change and do not include various newspaper articles that may be assigned
throughout the course:
Equality
De Tocqueville, Alexis
How Democratic is America?
Hook, Sidney and Zinn, Howard
Has Democracy a Future?
Schlesinger Jr., Arthur
Federalist #10
Madison, James
The Constitution as an Elitist Document?
Parenti, Michael
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
U.S. Supreme Court
Philadelphia Story
Simon, Robert
What Libertarianism Is
Hospers, J.
The Legislator as a Delegate
General Assembly of Virginia
The Legislator as a Trustee
Kennedy, John F.
The Legislator as Politico
Galloway, George
Cases on Presidential Power: Ex Parte
Nelson, Michael
Milligan (1866); Myers v. United States
(1926); Humphrey’s Executor v. United
States (1935); United States v. Curtiss
Wright Export Corp. (1936)
A Case in Limits on Presidential Problem
Carter, Jimmy
Solving
Presidential Greatness and Democratic
Landy, Marc and Milkis, Sidney M.
Leadership
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
U.S. Supreme Court
Federalist #78 by
Hamilton, Alexander
GRADES
A. Grades may be taken from objective tests, timed essays, research/analysis/position papers
and projects, quizzes/miscellaneous assignments, pop quizzes, chapter Internet activities,
current events and class participation.
B. Grading period grades will be calculated from points earned in the course of the grading
period.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
A. The course syllabus outlines the sequence of chapters and supplemental readings. Some
readings may not be discussed directly in class but may still be covered on a test.
B. You are expected to have read assignments, completed the accompanying study guides, and
be prepared for assessment activities by the due dates listed on the weekly schedule
board.
C. Be prepared to discuss topics, ask questions and analyze readings either verbally or in
writing.
D. Keeping up with current events is an expectation for this class. There will be an additional
rotating daily current events assignment. There will be an additional handout for
this.
UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE TESTS
A. Objective tests will cover one Chapter.
B. General information about tests:
1. Most questions, frequently all, will come from author's test bank.
2. Occasionally, I will add a few questions that cover supplemental readings.
3. Questions can be developed from class discussions and current events.
ESSAYS/ESSAY TESTS
A. May be based on text, supplemental readings, personal knowledge and analysis, and/or class
discussions.
B. These are similar in style to AP test questions; frequently will be questions from past A.P
tests.
C. Grades will be based on scoring rubrics of various levels reflecting degree of difficulty.
D. Essays will be subject to in class peer evaluations.
The following is a list of course units and chapters that will be covered in your textbook as well
as a list of readings that will be assigned to supplement the text.
FIRST SEMESTER
PART 1: DILEMMAS OF DEMOCRACY (CH. 1 & 2)
Objective: Students will be able to explain value conflicts and ideologies as well as
differing definitions of democracy.
Liberal Democracy
Tocqueville's Understanding of American Democracy
Democracy and Aristocracy: Tocqueville, Introduction and Chs. 9, 14, 13 (pp. 199
-219 and 225-36) and 18 (pp. 361-5 and 392-6)
The Dangers of Democracy: Tocqueville, Ch. 15
The American Solutions: Tocqueville, Chs. 16 and 17
Chapter 1 Freedom, Order, or Equality
Day
Reading Assignment
1
The Purposes of Government
2
Conceptual Framework of Government and
the Dilemmas of Government
3
“Equality“, de Tocqueville
4
Ideology and the Scope of Government,
American Political Parties and the Purpose of
Government
5
Timed Essay
6
Multiple Choice Test
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pages
1 to 10
10 to 18
Supplement
19 to 25
Chapter 2 Majoritarian or Pluralistic Democracy
Reading Assignment
Pages
The Theory of Democratic Government
29 to 38
Institutional Models of Democracy
38 to 47
Federalist # 10
A15
Democracy and Globalization
48 to 51
“How Democratic is America?” Sidney Hook,
Supplement
Howard Zinn
“Has Democracy a Future?” Arthur
Schlesinger Jr.
Timed Essay
Multiple Choice Test
PART 2: FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT/ CONSTITUTIONAL
UNDERPINNINGS (CH. 2 & 3)
Objective: Students will be able to describe the kind of government established by the
Constitution, with particular emphasis on federalism and the separation of powers.
The Founding of the American Regime
Before the New Constitution -- Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Vol. 1, Author's
Preface and Introduction and Chs., 2-4
The Constitutional Convention --Hamilton, Jay and Madison, The Federalist Papers,
Introduction and Nos. 1, 2, 37-38, 40 and 54.
The Political Ideas of the Founders -The Federalist Papers, Nos. 3, 6, 8, 9, 23 and 25
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 27, 42, 49, 58, 63, 70 and 73
The Federalist Papers, 10, 47-48 and 51
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 14, 33, 39, 64
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Chapter 3 The Constitution
Reading Assignment
The Revolutionary Roots of the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
From Revolution to Confederation
Articles of Confederation
From Confederation to Constitution
The Final Product
The U.S Constitution
Selling the Constitution
Constitutional Change
An Evaluation of the Constitution
“The Constitution as an Elitist Document”
Parenti, Michael
Timed Essay
Multiple Choice Test
Federalism: Theory and Practice
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 15-17
Tocqueville, Ch. 5, pp. 85-97
McCulloch v. Maryland, find a copy of the opinion on-line
Chapter 4 Federalism
Day
Reading Assignment
1
Theories of Federalism
Representations of American Federalism
Dual Federalism
2
The Dynamics of Federalism
3
The Developing Concept of Federalism
4
The Revival of Federalism
Other Governments in the Federal System
5
Federalism and Globalization
6
Timed Essay
7
Multiple Choice Test
Pages
54 to 61
AI to A2
62 to 65
A2 to A5
65 to 68
69 to 79
A5 to A 5
79 to 82
82 to 86
87 to 91
Pages
94 to 100
103 to 108
109 to 111
112 to 117
118 to 121
PART 3: LINKING PEOPLE WITH GOVERNMENT: POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS,
POLITICAL PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS, AND MASS MEDIA (CH. 5 – 10) Objectives:
Students will be able to 1) analyze the various beliefs that individuals hold about their
government, its leaders, and the U.S. political system; and 2) identify and describe the
mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their political interests and
concerns.
Chapter 5 Public Opinion and Socialization
Political Institutions and Processes in the American Regime
The Role of the Public in American Democracy: Public Opinion, the News Media, Interest
Groups, Political Parties and Elections
Reading Assignment
Pages
Day
1
Public Opinion and the Models of Democracy
124 to 135
The Distribution of Public Opinion
2
Political Socialization
136 to 147
Social Groups and Political Values
3
From Values to Ideology
147 to 155
The Process of Forming Political Opinions
4
Timed Essay
5
Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 6 The Media
The Media and Campaign Financing Nelson, Chs. 5 and 6
Day
Reading Assignment
1
People, Government and Communication
2
Modern Forms of Group Media
Private Ownership of the Media
3
Government Regulation of the Media
4
Reporting and Following the News
5
The Political Effects of the Media
Philadelphia Story
6
Evaluating the Media in Government
7
Timed Essay
8
Multiple Choice
Pages
159 to 166
167 to 168
171 to 174
175 to 180
181 to 184
Supplement
184 to 190
Chapter 7 Participation & Voting
Voting Behavior Nelson, Ch. 4
Day
Reading Assignment
1
All Figures and Graphs
Pages
193 to 226
NOTE: In conjunction with Chapters 8 & 9 students will be assigned a major researchbased project, most often relating to the election occurring at the time of the assignment.
You will be asked to compare and contrast candidates and examine poll data that has been
generated by our local newspaper or a national news source. We will examine election
statistics in various formats and various sources (maps, charts, and graphs) from both the
2004 presidential elections and the 2006 congressional elections and gubernatorial elections
to develop our predictions of the results for this election.
Chapter 8 Political Parties
Political Parties and Interest Groups Tocqueville, Chs. 10, 11, 12
Day
Reading Assignment
1
Political Parties and their Functions
2
A History of U.S Party Politics
3
The American Two-Party System
“What Libertarianism Is” J. Hospers
4
Party Ideology and Organization
The Model of Responsible Party Government
5
Timed Essay
6
Multiple Choice Test
Pages
228 to 233
234 to 241
242 to 248
249 to 259
Chapter 9 Nominations, Campaigns, and Elections
Campaigns and Elections Nelson, Chaps, 1-3
Elections and Governing Nelson, Chs. 7, 9
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
The Evolution of Campaigning
265 to 275
Nominations
2
Elections
276 to 282
3
Campaigns
283 to 290
4
Explaining Voter Choice
291 to 298
Campaigns, Elections, and Parties
5
Timed Essay
6
Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 10 Interest Groups
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Tocqueville, Chs. 10, 11, 12
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
Interest Groups and the American Political
304 to 310
Tradition
How Interests Groups Form
2
Interest Groups Resources
311 to 317
3
Lobbying Tactics
320 to 324
4
Is the System Biased
325 to 331
7
Timed Essay
8
Multiple Choice Test
SECOND SEMESTER
PART 4 INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT (CH. 11 – 14)
Objective: Students will be able to explain the organization and powers, both formal and
informal, of the major political and governmental institutions of the United States.
Chapter 11 Congress
Congress: The First Branch
The Role and Functions of Legislatures and Legislators
The Constitution, Article 1 and Amendment XVII
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 35, 52-53, and 62-63
Congressional Elections and Redistricting
Nelson, Chapter 8
Congressional Elections and the Character of Congressmen
Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection, Introduction and Chap. 1
Internal Structure and Processes: Party and Committee -Mayhew, Chap. 2
The Contemporary Congress
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
The Origin and Powers of Congress
336 to 345
Electing Congress
2
How issues get on the Congressional Agenda
346 to 354
The Dance of Legislation: An Overview
Committees: The Workhorses of Congress
3
Leaders and Followers in Congress
355 to 364
The Legislative Environment
Supplement
The Dilemma of Representation
“The Legislator as a Delegate” General
Assembly of Virginia (1)“The Legislator as a
Trustee” Sen. John F. Kennedy “The
Legislator as Politico” George Galloway
4
Timed Essay
5
Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 12 The Presidency
The Founders, the Constitution and the Presidency
The Constitution, Article II and Amendments XII, XX, XXII, XXIII and XXV
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 70-72
The Modern Presidency
Neustadt, Presidential Power, Preface, Part I, pp. 3-55, 68-99, 122-44
& 150-63
Revisionist Views of the Modern Presidency
Neustadt, Part II, pp. 167-169, 179-229, 269-94, and 308-18
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
The Constitutional Basis of Presidential
370 to 380
Power
The Expansion of Presidential Power
2
The Electoral Connection
381to 384
3
The Executive Branch Establishment
385 to 388
4
The President as National Leader
389 to 395
5
The President as World Leader
395 to 404
Cases: Ex Parte Milligan (1866); Myers v.
United States (1926), Humphrey’s
Executor v. United States (1935), &
United States v. Curtiss-Wright
Export Corp. (1936);” Micheal Nelson,
ed.
“A Case in Limits on Pres. Prob. Solving”
Jimmy Carter
“Pre Presidential Greatness and Democratic
Leadership” Marc Lindy and Sidney M. Milks
7
Timed Essay
8
Multiple Choice Test
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
Chapter 13 The Bureaucracy
Reading Assignment
Organization Matters
The Development of Bureaucratic State
Bureaus and Bureaucrats
Administrative Policymaking: The Formal
Processes
Problems in Implementing Policy
Reforming the Bureaucracy: More Control or
Less
Timed Essay
Multiple Choice Test
Pages
407 to 412
414 to 417
417 to 421
425 to 430
PART 6: THE COURTS, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND CIVIL RIGHTS (CH. 14 – 16)
Objective: Students will be able to explain the organization and powers, both formal and
informal, of the Courts of the United States and their role in the development of
individual rights and liberties
Chapter 14 The Courts
The Founding of the Judicial Branch
The Constitution, Article III
Tocqueville, Ch. 6
Marbury v. Madison
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 78 and 81
Judicial Review and the Dispute over Judicial Activism
Agresto, The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy, (pp. 9-40, 51-5, 84-107)
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
National Judiciary Supremacy
434 to 442
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Supplement
2
The Organization of Courts
442 to 456
The Supreme Court
3
Judicial Recruitment
457 to 460
“Federalist #78” Alexander Hamilton
Supplement
4
The Consequences of Judicial Decisions
461 to 467
The Courts and Models of Democracy
5
Timed Essay
6
Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 15 Order and Civil Liberties
NOTE: In addition to topical readings, students will be assigned various relevant Supreme
Court cases individually and/or collectively.
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 84, 85.
The Constitution, Amendments 1-10
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
The Bill of Rights
469 to 472
2
Freedom of Religion
472 to 480
3
Freedom of Expression
480 to 493
4
The Right to Bear Arms
493 to 500
Applying the Bill of Rights to the States
5
The Ninth Amendment and Personal
501 to 505
Autonomy
Roe V. Wade
6
Constitutionalizing Public Policy
506 to 508
7
Timed Essay
8
Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 16 Equality and Civil Rights
NOTE: In addition to topical readings, students will be assigned various relevant Supreme
Court cases individually and/or collectively.
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
The Concepts of Equality
512 to 515
The Civil War Amendments
2
The Dismantling of School Segregation
516 to 526
Civil Rights Movement
3
Civil Rights for Other Minorities
526 to 531
4
Gender and Equal Rights: The Women’s
532 to 536
Movement
5
Affirmative Action: Equal Opportunity or
537 to 445
Equal Outcome
7
Timed Essay
8
Multiple Choice Test
PART 7: MAKING PUBLIC POLICY (CH. 17 – 20)
Objective: Students will be able to analyze public policies as the results of interactions
and dynamics among people, interest groups, institutions, and processes.
Day
1
2
3
4
7
8
Chapter 17 Policy Making
Reading Assignment
Government Purposes and Public Policies
The Policymaking Process
A Multiplicity of Participants
The Nonprofit Sector
Issue Networks
Timed Essay
Multiple Choice Test
Pages
551
553 to 563
564 to 566
567 to 573
Chapters 18 – 20 Economic, Domestic, and Global Policy (Selected elements)
NOTE: Students will be assigned a major project in conjunction with these chapters.
Day
Reading Assignment
Pages
1
Selected
Pages TBA
2
Selected
Pages TBA
3
Selected
Pages TBA