Political Science 110
American Political Systems
Spring 2005
John Reynolds
Comenius 113
Phone: 861-1408
E-mail:
mejvr01@moravian.edu
Office Hours: M 10:00 –
11:30, W 1:00-2:00, Th 10:30
– noon and by appointment
INTRODUCTION
This course is an introduction to the values, institutional structures, processes and
policies of the American political system. This introduction strives for three basic goals.
First, the course attempts to develop the students' basic understanding of the fundamental
characteristics of the American political economy and the forces that influence the
decisions of elites who direct the governing institutions in that political economy.
Second, the course tries to introduce students to a critical evaluation of the performance
of those institutions and elites and to encourage the student to examine the achievements
of the political system in comparison to the ideals of democracy. Third, the course aims
to help students recognize the positive and necessary role that politics play in the health
of any democratic political system. It is assumed that each of these goals represents a
necessary condition for participation in a democratic polity.
ATTENDANCE
Students are required to attend all classes. Attendance will be part of the instructor
evaluation grade. Students missing class for legitimate reasons will be excused but the
instructor reserves the right to judge the legitimacy of the excuse. Common courtesy also
requires that students inform the instructor as soon as when absences will be unavoidable.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
All students should be aware of their obligations under the Academic Honesty
Policy published in the Student Handbook.
EVALUATION OF THE STUDENTS' WORK
The student’s final grade will be based on a 400 point system.
Mid Term Exam
Final Exam
Washington Post quizzes
Response to Nickel and Dimed
Instructor Evaluation
100 points
100 points
100 points
80 points
20 points
BOOKS
Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed, (Henry Holt and Company)
Edward Greenberg and Benjamin Page, The Struggle for Democracy, (Harper Collins)
William Hudson, American Democracy in Peril, (Chatham House)
QUIZZES
Students will be given ten quizzes - one per week for ten weeks - based on
materials from the Washington Post National Weekly Edition, which is available, by
subscription through the Moravian College Book Store.
NICKEL AND DIMED
Students will submit a book review of Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed.
This response paper is due February 4. There will be no extensions. This paper should
be three to five pages typewritten and should engage the questions such as those listed
below. Some of the questions overlap or are otherwise related to each other. As such,
students might answer them simultaneously and should not treat them as a series of take
home essay questions. Rather, students should write an integrated essay reflecting on
what they have read. Students should also be aware that they need not address every
question listed below with a distinct answer.
•
•
•
•
What is the author attempting to do? What is the principal thesis of the book?
Does the author succeed? Does the material in the book make the case the author
intends? Is the argument clear and convincing? Why or why not?
What evidence in the book can be offered to support her conclusions? What
examples, data, or illustrations best represent the author’s thesis? {Note: the
material in the footnotes should be considered here}
What are the books strengths? What are the books weaknesses? What elements of
the book did you find most compelling? What element of the book did you find
least convincing? Why?
INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION
Te instructor will evaluate each student for his or her participation, involvement in and
contributions to the course. This portion of the grade will reflect all activities in the course that
are not otherwise specified in the syllabus including attendance and participation in class
discussion.
COURSE OUTLINE AND CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Date
1/10
Topic
Introduction to course
1/12-1/14
Political Economy:
Theory and Structure
Greenberg and Page, Ch.4;
Pierre Jalee, Production:How and with
What? ON RESERVE
1/19-1/21
Democracy Theory:
Models of Democracy
Hudson, Introduction;
Greenberg and Page, Ch.1
1/24
Reading
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (1) AND DISCUSSION
1/26
U.S. Constitution as
Political Theory
Greenberg and Page, Ch.2 and Federalist
No.10, 51 and 78, see Appendix in
Greenberg and Page
1/28
The U.S. Constitution:
Curing the Mischief of
Faction
Hudson, Ch. 1
1/31
Federalism in the
contemporary context
Greenberg and Page, Ch.3
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (2) (1/31)
2/2
2/4-2/7
Political Culture of
Individualism
Social Class and the
Distribution of Income
and Wealth
Hudson, Ch. 3
Hudson, Ch.7; Ehrenreich, Nickel and
Dimed, entire
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (3) (2/7)
2/9
Power and the Functions
of the State: Capital
Accumulation and Public
Policy
2/11
Capital Accumulation and
Fiscal Policy: Demand Side
2/14
Charles Lindblom, The
Market as Prison,
ON RESERVE
Greenberg and Page, Ch.17
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ AND DISCUSSION (4)
2/16
Capital Accumulation and
Fiscal Policy: Supply Side
2/18
Capital Accumulation and Monetary Policy
2/21
Interest Group Politics:
Group Representation and
Functions in the Policy
Process
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 7
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (5)
2/23
Interest Group Activities:
Problems of Organization and Information
2/25
Organizational Incentives
and The Privileged Position
of Business
2/28
Hudson, Ch. 6
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ AND DISCUSSION (6)
3/2
Citizen participation in
contemporary politics
Hudson, Ch. 4
3/4
MID TERM EXAM
3/14-16
The Organization and Functions
of Political Parties
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 9
3/18-3/21
Candidate Centered Politics
Hudson, Ch. 5
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (7) (3/21)
3/23
3/30
Introduction to the
Presidency: Constitutional
Roles and the “Public
Presidency”
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 12
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ AND DISCUSSION (8)
4/1
The Permanent Campaign
4/4
The President as Chief
Executive
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 13
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ (9) (4/4)
4/6
The Presidential Branch
4/8-4/13
The Presidential and Foreign Policy Greenberg and Page, Ch. 18
WASHINGTON POST QUIZ AND DISCUSSION (10) (4/11)
4/15
Introduction to Congress
4/18
Party and Leadership in Congress
4/20
Congressional Committees
4/22
Congressional Process
4/25-4/27 The Supreme Court
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 11
Greenberg and Page, Ch. 14; Hudson,
Ch. 2