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United States Politics: A Critical Introduction - Marcus D. Pohlmann, Exams of Political Science

Information about a university course titled 'united states politics' offered by professor marcus d. Pohlmann. The course aims to challenge traditional explanations of the us political system and analyze the political process and relationship between governmental policy and the individual citizen. Students are expected to attend all classes, participate, and complete readings from required texts. The course covers historical context, us national government and policy making process, and domestic and foreign policy. Grading is based on daily quizzes, class participation, midterm and final exams.

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Uploaded on 08/13/2009

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POLITICAL SCIENCE 151-4
UNITED STATES POLITICS
Marcus D. Pohlmann
Professor of Political Science
Office Hours:
TuTh 2:00 -- 5:00
or by appointment
_______________________________________
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The course is designed as a critical introduction to United States politics, challenging
many of the traditional explanations of the system’s functioning. In particular, it analyzes
the political process and the relationship between governmental policy and the
individual citizen. The central questions being addressed are: How does the political
system work, both by design and in reality? Are all interests served relatively equally as
a result? Is the U.S. political system a "democracy"? What, if anything, could make it
more democratic?
Hopefully, the student will come away with some essential knowledge of the political
process, its problems, and alternatives to the status quo. The course also attempts to
help stimulate and develop the student's creative thought, clarity of expression, study
habits, and interest in politics and political science. In addition, it is hoped that this
course will assist the student in coming to his/her own political self-awareness (where
he/she fits in politically) and activate pursuit of his/her interests in the political arena.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
:
Readings -- do them all carefully and critically prior to class.
Class Contribution -- attend all classes, come prepared, and participate.
Quizzes – daily
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
REQUIRED TEXTS
Edward Greenberg and Benjamin Page, America’s Democratic Republic (2007)
Howard Zinn, A Peoples’ History of the United States (2003)
note: you also are required to stay up with each day’s national news developments
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POLITICAL SCIENCE 151-

UNITED STATES POLITICS

Marcus D. Pohlmann Professor of Political Science Office Hours: TuTh 2:00 -- 5: or by appointment


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

The course is designed as a critical introduction to United States politics, challenging many of the traditional explanations of the system’s functioning. In particular, it analyzes the political process and the relationship between governmental policy and the individual citizen. The central questions being addressed are: How does the political system work, both by design and in reality? Are all interests served relatively equally as a result? Is the U.S. political system a "democracy"? What, if anything, could make it more democratic?

Hopefully, the student will come away with some essential knowledge of the political process, its problems, and alternatives to the status quo. The course also attempts to help stimulate and develop the student's creative thought, clarity of expression, study habits, and interest in politics and political science. In addition, it is hoped that this course will assist the student in coming to his/her own political self-awareness (where he/she fits in politically) and activate pursuit of his/her interests in the political arena.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS :

Readings -- do them all carefully and critically prior to class. Class Contribution -- attend all classes, come prepared, and participate. Quizzes – daily Midterm Examination Final Examination

REQUIRED TEXTS

Edward Greenberg and Benjamin Page, America’s Democratic Republic (2007) Howard Zinn, A Peoples’ History of the United States (2003)

note: you also are required to stay up with each day’s national news developments

GRADES

Daily Quizzes (25) 50% Class Participation 10% Midterm Examination 20% Final Examination 20% 100%

Exam Rule #1: NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. I will drop your 2 lowest quiz scores (2 of the 27). That allows you to miss two classes without penalty (one week’s worth of classes).

Exam Rule #2: You may take exams early but not late. Contact me ahead of the exam if you will miss it due to illness or other emergency! Otherwise, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.

Exam Rule #3: Looking at previous years' test questions or answers is not allowed and will be viewed as a serious violation of the Honor Code. When you pledge your quizzes and exams, you will be pledging in part that you have not seen any such materials.

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Introduction August 23

I. Developing Democracy

A. Defining Our Terms August 28 Read: Greenberg & Page, chap. 1

II. Historical Context: A “Peoples’ History” of the United States

A. Setting the Stage

  1. Discovering America August 30 Read: Zinn chaps. 1, 2 and 3
  2. The American Revolution September 4 Read: Zinn chaps. 4 and 5
    1. Westward Expansion September B. Establishing the Nation
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 6, 7 and
    1. The War in the South September
      • Read: Zinn chap.
    1. The War in the North September
      • Read: Zinn chap. 10 and
      1. Combating the Socialist Challenge September
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 13 and
    1. Early Internationalism September C. United States Foreign Policy
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 12 and
    1. WWII and Viet Nam September
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 16 and
    1. The Civil Rights Movement September D. United States Domestic Policy
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 17 and
    1. The 1970s and 1980s October
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 20 and
    1. Mounting Discontent? October
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 22 and
    1. Clinton, Bush and Beyond October
      • Read: Zinn chaps. 24 and
  • MIDTERM EXAM October
  • A. The U.S. Constitution October III. U.S. National Government and Policy Making Process - Read: Greenberg & Page, chaps. 2, 4,
  • B. Federalism October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • C. Public Opinion October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • D. News Media October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • E. Interest Groups November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • F. Political Parties November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • G. Campaigns and Elections November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • H. Congress November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • I. The Presidency November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • J. The Bureaucracy November
    • Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • K. The Courts November THANKSGIVING BREAK
    • Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • L. Domestic Policy November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
  • M. Foreign Policy December
    • Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.