POLITICAL SCIENCE 235 Sections 09, 10
AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS II
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ADDENDUM
SPRING 2016
Adjunct Professor
DORRIS ELLIS ROBINSON
An open letter to the students in Political Science 235
Welcome to Political Science 235! What a wonderful time it is to study politics in a presidential
election campaign season. I hope that you are as eager to learn, as I am to teach and learn. I
am delighted to have been chosen as your instructor for this class. We will start the semester by
setting goals and standards for success. When you look around the classroom, I want you to
start together and end together. We can do this, if we work together, carry our own load, study,
stay focused, and enjoy the learning experience. I do not want any dropouts; fallouts or slide
through people in this class. I want us to begin with determination, dedication, and pride and
end with the same. Let us learn this material so you can make sound political decisions for our
nation and our world in the future. Once you learn this material, it will help you move to the next
level of excellence.
Yes, it is a lot of thinking, reading and writing. We will add real life experiences to the text to
make the subject live by inviting guest speakers, classroom discussion, and making student
presentations. You must purchase your book for PS 235. Your textbook is required so that you
can read a little where ever you go. Take notes as you read. Use APA style format as you write
your papers; it is on the www. Make use of the Internet and do not plagiarize. Class
attendance is mandatory! You must come to class, participate and we will learn from each
other. Be on time. Make a decision to become the best student you can be because someone is
paying real hard cash for you to be your best. It is you, your parents, the taxpayers, or a
scholarship coming from someone who cares about education and the future of our world. You,
the students of PS 235 are essential to a strong global world. Make use of the Library,
Blackboard, MindTap and the Internet. Sign up for MindTap today.
Hence, I want you to be responsible for your education, and we can have a successful semester
by raising our standards high and stretching to reach each goal we set. Let us get this semester
started! Think about what you would like to learn. Think about the grade that you would like to
earn. Now, let us put a plan to together to make it happen!
Today, we will start by setting our goals.
Sincerely,
Professor Dorris Ellis Robinson
CLASS FORMAT: Lecture with interactive student reports and discussion between the students
and Prof. Ellis Robinson. Exams are essay. Buy (2) two Blue Books.
COURSE OBJECTIVES & Text Book. The objectives of the course are listed in syllabus found
in the TSU customized texts of The Enduring Democracy text by Kenneth Datrich and David
A Yalof. Forth Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978=1-305-63388-9. Book is found in the
campus bookstore.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS. There will be three (3) examinations, including a comprehensive
final, which will account for 30 percent of the final grade. One page essays are valued at 10
percent. Key terms and Chapter Summaries are 20 percent. Ten percent of the final grade will
be based on a journal. Five percent will be based on two issue reaction statements and 10
percent for classroom participation and attendance. Ten percent will be based on the Group
Project and the remaining five percent will be based on class participation. Community Service
Volunteer Hours can be added for an additional 15 percent credit.
706-785= A
675-689=B+
596-611=C+
518-532=D+
454 and below = F
690-705=A628-674=B
549-595=C
471-517=D
612-627=B533-548=C455-470=D-
Americans with Disability Act. Any student with a documented disability who needs to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services. Faculty is
authorized to provide only accommodations requested by the Office of Disability Services.
Children in the Classroom. According to TSU policy children are not allowed in the classroom.
Cell phones, pagers and similar devices are to be turned off while in the classroom.
MAKE UP POLICY. There are no make-up examinations.
EXTRA CREDIT. Student will be given the opportunity to earn up to15 extra credit points over
the course of the semester.
READING ASSIGNMENTS. The reading assignments are in the syllabus found in the
textbooks. Students are expected to read before class so that you will be able to participate
during class.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS. Turn in your written assignments when you enter the classroom.
Place them on the instructor’s desk.
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT.
Guidelines
● Purchase a loose-leaf notebook.
● Date each entry; include time of day, sources required.
● Write in your most comfortable, informal style using standard English.
● Write at least three entries per week beginning January 28, 2016 and ending April 19, 2016.
Write entries of at least 15 lines. Journals are Due April 21, 2016.
● At the end of the semester, add a table of contents, introduction, and summary/conclusion.
What to Write
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
The first entry should be your political biography. How do you describe yourself politically?
What types of political activities are you or have you been involved in?
Observations about political events or political actors-- to include actions that could impact the
political system.
Descriptions of political events or actions or cultural events and actions that may have some
political significance
Responses and or questions about lectures, reading assignments, and class discussions. Notes
taken in class cannot be used as an entry
Statements concerning your political awareness and connecting daily events to political science
Proposed solutions to political and societal problems
One of the three entries per week may be an example of free writing whereby you choose what
you wish to write about.
Due Dates: The journals are due April 21. Journals cannot be submitted late. Students will be
called upon at random to make 3-minutes, in-class journal presentations beginning
Immediately!
*This assignment is modified from Arthur Biddle and Kenneth M. Holland, Writer's Guide
Political Science
Chapter Summaries, Key Terms’ Definitions, Reports and Essays
●
Chapter Summaries and Key words definitions are to be placed in the student’s journal as listed
on the syllabus. Students will be called upon at random to make 3-minutes, in-class
summary presentations beginning February 4, 2016!
●
Copies of all Assignments and Essays are to be placed in the student’s journal notebook as listed
on the syllabus.
●
Include a bio and photo in your journal as part of your cover page.
GUIDELINES FOR ISSUE REACTION ESSAY PAPER*
I. Introduction.
● Gains the reader’s attention and interest
● Clearly defines the issue addressed in the statement
II. Background
● Present any necessary background information, including pertinent personal narrative
III. Writer’s Position
● Clearly state your position on the issue
● Defend your position with sources
● Provide facts, statistics, testimony, and pertinent details when appropriate
● Present your case accurately, coherently, logically, consistently, and clearly
IV. Consideration of Opposing Arguments
● Examine opposing viewpoints and explain why you chose a different view.
● Use APA style. Go on line and download a copy of the 5th or 6th edition. Keep it in front of you
as you write.
● Paper must have three to five academic references from peer reviewed journals
V. Conclusion
● *Adapted from Scott and Garrison, the Political Science Student Writer’s Manual
VI. Recommendations
Students are encouraged to give your opinion with policy recommendations on the topic
Issue Statement Essay Options
Select one. Due Date February 28, 2016 (2-3 pages)
1. The United States Congress should not pass an immigration bill that criminalizes the foreign
nationals presently living in the United States without proper documentation.
2. The national and effected state governments are obligated to rebuild the Gulf coast
devastated by hurricane Katrina and the resulting flood guaranteeing a place for all victims who
wish to return.
3. The United States health care debate. Discuss the government’s responsibility in relationship
to the health of its' citizens.
4. The United States has the right and responsibility to stop Iran from developing nuclear
capability.
5. The USA Patriot Act restricts too many civil liberties of U.S. citizens.
6. In light of recent Tea Party's incendiary remarks and the Arizona's and Newtown shootings,
the First and Second Amendments of the US Constitution should be reviewed or should it not?
7. With the changing of public perception of homosexuality and public policy, what issues
should the nation’s public policy address relating to gay couples? Identify, discuss and explain.
Group Projects
Select group of five (5) members and choose (2) chapters from the textbook for your group
research project. Choose a leader, an assistant, and a public policy name for your group.
Exchange contact information and email your group information to me at
prof.dorrisellisrobinson@gmail.com by February 9.
Phase I Group Project
March 8 Week. 15 minutes preliminary presentations
Students will form groups of 2 participants, select two topics/chapters from the syllabus; one
chapter per textbook. Conduct research by selecting 6 scholarly academic journal sources per
person in the group, develop a PowerPoint/video presentation, and write a combined abstract
about each of your chapters. Abstract and PowerPoint is due when Phase I presentation is
made. Peers will review presentations. Select a leader and co-leader for your group. Group
Library Research Week is February 9. Group leader will submit journal articles to professor for
approval. Select a date for your presentation. Six academic sources per participant are
required. Each group member is required to participate in the presentation.
GROUP PROJECT Phase II Final Presentations—April 19 week. 20 minutes per
presentation. 15-page paper submitted. Email paper and PowerPoint to:
prof.dorrisellisrobinson@gmail.com. Bring copy of PowerPoint to class for the professor.
Students will keep same groups of 6 participants, and keep the same two selected
topics/chapters from the syllabus, complete the research, make a PowerPoint/video
presentation, and write a combined 15-page paper about the topic. Paper and PowerPoint are
both due when presentation is made. Presentations will be reviewed by peers and invited guest.
Use APA Style. Six academic sources per participant are required. Each group member is
required to participate in the presentation.
TENTATIVE TOPICAL OUTLINE
CLASS SCHEDULE, LECTURE TOPICS, READINGS and ASSIGNMENTS
Lecture Topics
Class
Schedule
January
26,
●
●
Introduction To
Course;
- -Overview and
Required
Readings
-Letter to the
Students
-Course
Assignment Due
first class of the
week
Goal Setting: 1
page
Outline
---
--President
Obama-Dr.
Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Comparison;
1page APA Style
US Constitution
Foundations
US
Constitution
Chapter 1: The
More Things
Change…The
More They
Stay the Same
Article I
From the
WWW
download and
Read:
APA Style
“If”
“Equipment”
"The Road
Less Traveled"
Download a copy
from the Internet
Bring to Class
January
28,
Select Project Groups
United States Congress
Chapter 2. The
founding and
the
Constitution
1-pages
Employment/Elec
tion Essay
Report
February 2
Foundations
Chapter 3.
Federalism
Key Terms
Chapters 1 & 2
February 4
Foundations
Chapter 4
Chapter
Expectations
● --U.S. Congress
Role of Government in
Employment --1 Page or
Election 2016 -- 1Page
Essay Obama-King1Page
Essay Research
Purchase 3-Ring 2”
Notebook for Your
Journal --can get them
from .$.99 Store
Formation of Project
Groups & Topic
Discussion
Presentation Planning
Robert Terry Library
Research Skills
Civil Liberties
Mr. Ronald
Keys
Summary
1- page
February 9
Hot Topics
Select Groups
Chapter 3.
Federalism
Key Terms
February
16
Presentation Planning
Group
Meetings
In RGT Library
Key Terms
February
23
Foundations
Chapter 5
Civil Rights,
Equality And
Social
Movements
Key Terms
Think
Watch CNN /
Watch CSPAN
Read
Newspapers
February
25
Cumulative Exam
Short Answers
Essay Exam
March 1
Institutions
Chapter. 6
Congress
Chapter
Summary
March 3
Institutions
Chapter 7.
The
Presidency
Chapter 14
Campaigns &
Elections
Key Terms
For both chapters
Stay
Focused
Achieve
Today
March 8
Institutions
Chapter 8
The Federal
Bureaucracy
Key Terms
For both chapters
March 11
Cumulative Exam
MID TERM
Blue Book
Required
March 1418
SPRING BREAK
Be Safe
Catch upon on
your work
March 22
Group Presentations
Group
Presentation
Chapter
Summary
1- page
Hot Topics
March 24
Group Presentations
Group
Presentations
March 29
Institutions
Group
Presentation
March 31
Institutions
Judiciary
Chapter
Summary
Key Terms
Chapter
Summary
April 5
Political Behavior
Chapter 10
Public Opinion
April 7
Political Behavior
Chapter 11
Interest
Groups
Key Terms
& Chapter
Summary
Political Behavior
Chapter 12
Media &
American
Politics
Key Terms
April 14
Political Behavior
Chapter 13
Political
Parties &
Voting
Key Terms
April 19,
2016
Group Presentation Planning
Do your Best!
Show me what you
know!
Revise your
Presentation
Prepare your
15-Page
Paper
Submit Paper
when you make
the presentation.
Submit your
presentation to
me online and
make 5 copies
for guest
evaluators.
April 12
April 22
Final Group
PresentationRound II
Presentations
Guest
Evaluators
Guest Evaluators
April 26
Final Group
PresentationRound II
Presentations
Guest
Evaluators
Guest Evaluators
April 28
Final Group
PresentationRound II
Presentations
Guest
Evaluators
Guest Evaluators
May 2
Week
Public Policy
Chapter 15
American
Domestic
Policy
Chapter 16
American
Foreign Policy
Public Policy
FINAL EXAM
You have prepared
yourself! You will
do well.
May 9,
2016
Thanks for
allowing me to
work with you.
Disclaimer: This syllabus may be changed at the discretion of the instructor