American Government Course Website
SYLLABUS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Lecture Notes:
Constitution and Federalism
Participation (ch 6) and elections (ch 9)
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Judicial Politics (Federal Courts)
President or try this one: President
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American Politics
Political Science 101 (Honors)
Office
Location: LAB 418
Phone: 601-266-4277
E-mail: troy.gibson@usm.edu
Hours: TR 9-11
The purpose of this course is to help students become familiar with the structures and processes that makeup American government. We will focus on the interaction between political participants and the political institutions fashioned to govern them. As an honors course, analytical thinking, writing, and political debate will be key focuses and features as well.
Course Requirements:
30% Midterm
30% Final
20% Issue Summary Assignments*
20% Daily Grades and Participation** (Includes quizzes and grades from the discussion days as well as “discussant duties”)
Grading:
A 10-point grading system will be used (i.e. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B… Below 60 = F)
Course Materials:
Attendance:
While attendance will not be taken daily, missed quizzes and assignments will result in a zero and can not be replaced. However, I will drop your lowest daily grade at the end of the semester. Missed exams will not be made up without a documented excused absence. If you must miss class, notify me in advance. Always consult the course website and contact me for any missed assignments.
Class Policies:
I strictly follow this institution’s standards with respect to academic dishonesty. Conviction will result in an automatic “F” in the course and may also involve an additional penalty from outside authorities. Consult your Student Handbook for details.
Also, please turn cell phones off during class time.
Course Schedule (week of)
Jan 18 – Introduction to Course
Jan 23 - Background of American Politics; Bardes Ch 1; Article: “Reformation roots of the Social Contract” Hall (see link on website)
Jan 30 – The Constitution and Federalism; Bardes Ch 2; Issue 1 Same-Sex Marriage (Friday)
Feb 6 – Political Participation: Public Opinion and Voting; Bardes Ch 6 and Ch 9
Feb 13 – Continue; Sub topic: What’s in a Worldview? James Sire; Reading: Charles Murray article; Divided America, Belmont and Fishtown
Mar 5 – (NO CLASS MONDAY; MARDI GRAS) Political Parties and Groups; Bardes (Ch 7); Bolce, L. “Our Secularist Democratic Party”
Mar 12 – SPRING BREAK
Mar 19 – Civil Liberties; Bardes Ch 4; Issue 2: Abortion (Friday)
Mar 26 – Federal Judiciary; Bardes Ch 13
Apr 2 – continue; Issue 3 What are the causes and solutions to poverty in America? (Wednesday)
Apr 9 – Congress Bardes Ch 10
Apr 16 – Continue; Issue 4 What needs to be done about the cost of healthcare and number of uninsured in America? Friday
Apr 23 – The President; Bardes Ch 11; Article: Does the faith of a president matter?
Apr 30 – Economic Policy (Bardes Ch 14; pp. 495-501)
*You will be expected to turn in “Issue Summaries” during this course. They are to be 2-3 single-spaced (12 point font). You must use at least three Think-Tank resources (see link). Make sure to cite with superscript numerals all of the references to which you are referring in text. At the bottom or on a separate page, list your references (by corresponding numeric superscript). In doing so, make sure to put the actual web address of the think-tank source, so that I can revisit that website if desired.
Your writing assignments will be graded based upon the following rubric:
If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with
Disabilities Act and requires accommodations, he/she should contact
the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA), for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Box 5128; voice telephone or TTY 214-3232.