Department of Political Science
American Government
PSC 111
Fall 2015
Hours: T-Th 3-4 pm
and by Appt.
Dr. Joel Lieske
Office: RT 1751
Phone: (216) 687-4547
Email: j.lieske@csuohio.edu
This course is an introduction to American government and politics. It has no prerequisite and
assumes no previous course work in political science. But some of the readings are intellectually
challenging. Therefore I expect you to spend an average of two hours of preparation outside of
class for every hour in class. I also expect you to keep abreast of political developments by
reading a good national newspaper (e.g. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington
Post) or magazine (e.g. Time, Newsweek, U. S. News and World Report).
The course is organized around five major topics: (1) the historical and cultural forces that have
shaped the American political system; (2) the political opinions, interests, and organizations that
structure American politics; (3) the major institutions of national government; (4) the politics of
key domestic and foreign policy issues; and (5) the American democratic experiment.
Required Readings
Thomas R. Dye and Ronald Keith Gaddie, Politics in America, 2014 Election Edition (Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2016). [Dye]
Patrick J. Buchanan, Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? (New York: St.
Martin’s Press, 2015). [Buchanan]
The Dye text and Suicide of a Superpower are available at the book store. You may also
purchase an electronic version of the Dye text online.
Course Responsibilities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Completion of all reading assignments.
Eighteen online chapter quizzes.
Six midterm online examinations: Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19.
Final in-class essay examination: Dec. 11.
Daily class attendance.
Participation in class discussions.
Courteous and respectful behavior.
For best results, read each assignment before class. The available dates for the quizzes and
exams can be found in the Assessments tab for this course in Blackboard. If for some reason you
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cannot take a scheduled exam, you must let me know in advance. If you are sick, leave a phone
or email message no later than the day of the exam. Extensions for students who fail to notify
me by the date of the scheduled exam will be given only in exceptional cases and must be
justified on the basis of compelling personal circumstances or supporting documentation (e.g. a
doctor’s excuse). Missed exams will be recorded as zeroes in my grade book. Each missed
exam will lower your final grade on average by a whole letter.
Grades
Your final grade in this course will be based on six midterm examinations, a final examination,
attendance, and class participation. Your test grade will be based entirely on your scores on the
examinations. But you can earn extra credit by regular class attendance and participation in class
discussions. Exceptional and sustained participation can raise your final grade by as much as a
whole letter.
Each midterm examination will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, while the final will be
entirely essay. Each midterm will be worth 14 percent of your grade. The final will be worth
another 16 percent. The final examination will test you on your knowledge and understanding of
the Buchanan text and be strictly essay. You do not have to agree with his views to get an A on
the final.
To help you prepare for the six midterm examinations, I have created 18 chapter quizzes that
draw upon the same test bank that is used to create the examinations. So you should do them, if
for no other reason, to learn the correct answers. You will probably see a large proportion of the
questions again on the midterm examinations.
All of the quizzes and exam will be taken on Blackboard Learn. But you can only take them
when they are scheduled. For the six midterms the quiz windows will be open until the day
before the exam. There is a one-day window for each midterm exam. Each will be scheduled for
the day following the completion of a three-chapter block.
All of the quizzes and the midterm exams can be accessed from the Assessments tab of this
course in Blackboard Learn. You can log on to Blackboard using your CSU identification
number and your password. Quiz results will be made available immediately upon their
completion. But you will not know your scores on the exams until the expiration of the
examination window.
Your test grade will be determined by where your total percentile score falls on the following
grade distribution:
A
AB+
94+
90-93
85-89
2
B
BC+
C
CD
F
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
50-59
<50
Your final grade will take into account class attendance and participation.
University grading policies require instructors to attach minuses and pluses in the A to C range.
After that, only whole letter grades are recorded.
Free Speech Policy
I believe free speech is absolutely essential to the democratic process and the academic
enterprise. I also believe in the Jeffersonian marketplace of ideas. Good ideas will ultimately
triumph over bad ones. In addition, I believe that free minds and free ideas will help create and
maintain a free society. Finally, I place a very high value on intellectual honesty. I do not
conform, nor do I expect you to conform, to the so-called canons of “political correctness.” So
feel free to challenge any idea, nostrum, or sacred cow that you wish, including those advanced
by the good professor. But I have “zero tolerance” for students who are disrespectful of others or
make unauthorized “grand exits” in the middle of class. If you need to leave for a scheduled
appointment, please let me know ahead of time and sit near a door so you can leave with minimal
disruption to the class. Hygienic emergencies are another matter. Other than checking for vital
class related information, I will not tolerate texting and the use of cell phones during class
meetings.
COURSE OUTLINE
Date
Topic
August 25
Overview of the Course
I.
Assigned Readings
THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
August 27
A. The Study of American Government
and Democracy
Dye, Ch. 1
September 1
B. American Political Culture
Dye, Ch. 2
September 3
C. The Federal Constitution
Dye Ch. 3
U. S. Constitution
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Declaration of
Independence
Madison, Federalist
Nos. 10 & 51
September 8
First Examination
September 10
D. American Federalism
II.
Dye, Ch. 4
POLITICAL PROCESSES
September 15
A. Public Opinion and Political
Participation
Dye, Ch. 5
September 17
B. The Media
Dye, Ch. 6
September 22
Second Examination
September 24
C. Political Parties
Dye, Ch. 7
September 29
D. Campaigns and Elections
Dye, Ch. 8
October 1
E. Interest Groups
Dye, Ch. 9
October 6
Third Examination
III.
INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
October 8
A. The Congress
October 13
Columbus Day Holiday
October 15
B. The Presidency
Dye, Ch. 11
October 20
C. The Bureaucracy
Dye, Ch. 12
October 22
Fourth Examination
October 27
D. The Judiciary
IV.
Dye, Ch. 10
Dye, Ch. 13
THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC POLICY
October 29
A. Civil Liberties
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Dye, Ch. 14
November 3
B. Civil Rights
November 5
Fifth Examination
November 10
C. The Economy
Dye, Ch. 16
November 12
D. Social Welfare
Dye, Ch. 17
November 17
E. Defense Policy
Dye, Ch. 18
November 19
Sixth Examination
V.
Dye, Ch. 15
THE DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT AND THE AMERICAN FUTURE
November 24
A. The Passing of a Superpower
Buchanan, Preface,
Intro. & Ch. 1
B. The Death of Christian America and
the Crisis of Catholicism
Buchanan, Chs. 2-3
November 26
Thanksgiving Day
December 1
C. The End of White America and
Demographic Winter
Buchanan, Chs. 4-5
D. Equality or Freedom? and
the Diversity Cult
Buchanan, Chs. 6-7
E. The Triumph of Tribalism and
“The White Party”
Buchanan, Chs. 8-9
F. The Long Retreat and the Last
Chance
Buchanan, Chs. 10-11
December 3
December 8
Final Examination 4-6 p.m.
University Commitment to Students with Disabilities
Educational access is the provision of classroom accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to
ensure equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of their disability. Any student
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who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
contact the Office of Disability Services at (216) 687-2015. The Office is located in MC 147.
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