PLSC 201.001 American Government
Summer 2014: B Session
Winthrop University
Internet Course
3 Credit Hours
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
Dr. Meredith-Joy Petersheim
340 Bancroft Hall
TR 9:00-10:30am EST (via Blackboard chat room) or in-person by appointment
(803) 323-4665
petersheimm@winthrop.edu
Course Description
This course provides a general introduction to the basic political institutions and processes of American
government. Students will evaluate historical, economic, and social aspects of American government through
the eyes of both the individual and the state. The main areas covered in the course are: the foundation of
American politics, opinions, interests and organizations, and the institutions of government.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:
1)
2)
3)
4)
An understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of our constitutional republic
Familiarity with the U.S. Constitution
Familiarity with the concept of federalism
An understanding of the general structure of American National Government and the general functions
of the major branches
5) Knowledge of the American political system including political parties, public opinion, and elections.
Course Goals and Objectives
PLSC 201 American Government fulfills the University’s constitution requirement. PLSC 201 also fulfills the
Touchstone social science requirement and the following Touchstone Program goals: 1.1 (Read, write, and
speak standard English.), 3.1 (Identify sound and unsound reasoning), 4.1 (Analyze diverse world cultures,
societies, languages, historical periods and artistic expressions), 4.2 (Understand cultures in their own terms and
in terms the diversity of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles), 7.1 (Reflect on
the role played in their lives by school, work, leisure, and community involvement), 7.2 (Examine problems,
issues, and choices that confront citizens of the world), and 7.4 (Take responsibility for the consequences of
their actions and choices), and 7.5 (Articulate and assess their personal ethical principles).
Global Learning Initiative Component
The Global Learning component of this course is a comparison of the US Bill of Rights and the Universal
Declaration of Human Right. Students will read an outside article when we cover the topic of the Constitution.
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Required Readings (available for purchase at the Bookstore or by clicking on this link)
Wilson, James Q., John J. DiIulio, and Meena Bose. 2014. American Government (Brief Version- 11th
Edition). Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. (Referred to as Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose in the syllabus)
* Students may purchase the electronic/digital book. It is much less expensive than the print version and more
easily accessible. Students may also rent the textbook, which is another more affordable option.
Additional Readings
Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Federalist Papers
(http://www.usconstitution.net/articles.html)
(http://www.usconstitution.net/declar.html)
(http://www.usconstitution.net/const.txt)
(http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fedindex.htm)
You should also keep up-to-date with current events by reading The Wall Street Journal or The New York Times
every day. The New York Times can be accessed for free at www.nyt.com. There is one scholarly journal article
that you will be required to read that can be found on JSTOR through the Library’s website.
Grading Policy
A
93-100 = A
90-92 = A-
B
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
C
77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C-
D
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D-
F
0-59 = F
Course Requirements
Final grades will be based on the following:
40%
40%
20%
Final Exam
Weekly Quizzes
Discussion Board Responses
Final Exam: The final exam will be a take-home exam. The exam is an individual endeavor; group work is not
permitted. Students will have one week to complete exams. The final exam is due August 8th at noon EST and
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will be available online via Blackboard on August 1st. Final exams that are not handed in by August 8th at noon
EST will receive a ZERO.
Weekly Quizzes: Each week, students will complete an online quiz via Blackboard. Quizzes will be composed
of some combination of multiple choice and essay questions. If you have difficulty accessing the quiz, you may
contact me, but I suggest you also contact technical support at (803) 323-2400. Late quizzes will be penalized!
Discussion Board Responses: Every week the instructor will post a discussion board question on Blackboard
pertaining to that week’s readings. Each student is required to respond to four discussion board questions over
the course of the semester, and each discussion response should be ½ - 1 page in length. Responses should
reflect on the main points of the readings, as well as its relevance in the real world. Opinions must be expressed
in a diplomatic and thoughtful manner. Late responses will be penalized one point for each day they are late.
Attendance Policy
Since this is an on-line, asynchronous course, I do not have a formal attendance policy. However, if students do
not submit assignments by the assigned deadline, you will be penalized one full letter grade for each day that it
is late.
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific
accommodations to complete this course, contact:
Gena Smith,
Program Director
Services for Students with Disabilities
(803) 323-3290
Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Services for Students with Disabilities, please
inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Incompletes and Make-ups Policy
Incompletes will not be given for this course. I reserve the right to make exceptions for extraordinary
circumstances, such as extended illness or family emergency. Make-ups will not be given for any assignments
or final exam unless you have a documented and approved reason. Students MUST notify me in advanced if
they will be missing the deadline for an assignment, quiz, or exam for a documented and approved reason.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and cheating will be punished according the university’s policy on academic integrity. Please see the
student handbook for further information. In addition, the Department of Political Science has its own policies
on plagiarism and academic misconduct:
Academic Misconduct Policy: http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/politicalscience/default.aspx?id=19401
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Important Dates
Last Day to Drop:
S/U Deadline:
Withdrawal Deadline:
Final Exam Due:
June 11th
June 18th
July 15th
August 8th
Syllabus Change Policy
All readings and assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Course Schedule and Readings
Topic 1:
An Introduction to American Government
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapter 1 (pp. 1-10)
* Topic 1 Quiz and Discussion Response are June 20th at 5pm EST via Blackboard. To ensure all
students have a copy of the textbook in a timely manner, the assignments for Topics 1 and 2 will both be
due June 20th. Students may turn in assignments early, if they have them completed.
Topic 2:
The Constitution and Federalism
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 2 and 5 (pp. 11 -36 and pp. 81-101)
Hongju Koh, Harold. (2004). “International Law as Part of Our Law.” The American Journal of
International Law 98 (1): pp. 43-57. (JSTOR)
*Topic 2 Quiz and Discussion Response are June 20th at 5pm EST via Blackboard
Topic 3:
Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, and Public Opinion
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 3, 4, and 6 (pp. 38 -80 and pp. 102-135)
*Topic 3 Quiz and Discussion Response are due June 27th at 5pm EST via Blackboard.
Topic 4:
Political Parties and Elections
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 7 and 8 (pp. 138-213)
*Topic 4 Quiz and Discussion Response are due July 7th at 5pm EST via Blackboard. I have allowed
extra time for Topic 4’s assignments to be submitted due to the 4th of July holiday.
Topic 5:
Branches of Government: Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 9, 10, and 12 (pp. 214-287 and pp. 316-345)
*Topic 5 Quiz and Discussion Response are due July 18th at 5pm EST via Blackboard. Because extra
time was allotted for Topic 4, I pushed back the Topic 5 due date by one week.
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Topic 6:
The Bureaucracy and Making Domestic Policy
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 11 and 13 (pp. 289-315 and pp. 346-368)
*Topic 6 Quiz and Discussion Response are due July 25th at 5pm EST via Blackboard
Topic 7:
Foreign & Military Policy and Changes in American Government
Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose Chapters 14 and 15 (pp. 369-394)
*Topic 7 Quiz and Discussion Response are due August 1st at 5pm EST via Blackboard
Final Exam will be posted on Blackboard August 1st by noon EST.
Final Exam is August 8th by noon EST via Blackboard.
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