Download United States Politics: A Critical Introduction - Course Outline and Requirements and more Exams Political Science in PDF only on Docsity!
POLITICAL SCIENCE 151
UNITED STATES POLITICS
Marcus D. Pohlmann Professor of Political Science Office Hours: TuTh 12:30-2:00 Th 3:30-5: or by appointment
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The course is designed as a critical introduction to United States politics. In particular, it analyzes the functioning of 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 Election Research Project Midterm Examination Final Examination
REQUIRED TEXTS
Edward Greenberg and Benjamin Page, America’s Democratic Republic (2005) 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 (20) 40% Class Participation 10% Election Project 10% Midterm Examination 20% Final Examination 20% 100%
Exam Rule #1: NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. I will drop your 4 lowest quiz scores (4 of the 24). That allows you to miss four classes without penalty (two 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 24
I. Developing Democracy
A. Defining Our Terms August 29 Read: Greenberg & Page, chap. 1
II. Historical Context: A “Peoples’ History” of the United States
A. Setting the Stage
- Discovering America August 31 Read: Zinn chaps. 1, 2 and 3
- The American Revolution September 5 Read: Zinn chaps. 4 and 5
- Westward Expansion September B. Establishing the Nation
- Read: Zinn chaps. 6, 7 and
- The War in the South September
- The War in the North September
- Combating the Socialist Challenge September
- Early Internationalism September C. United States Foreign Policy
- WWII and Viet Nam September
- The Civil Rights Movement September D. United States Domestic Policy
- The 1970s and 1980s October
- Read: Zinn chaps. 20, 21 and
- Growing Discontent? October
- Read: Zinn chaps. 23, 24 and
- MIDTERM EXAM October
- A. The U.S. Constitution October II. U.S. National Government and Policy Making Process - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- B. Public Opinion October II. U.S. National Government and Policy Making Process (cont.) - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- C. News Media October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- D. Interest Groups October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- E. Political Parties October - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- F. Campaigns and Elections November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- ELECTION ANALYSIS (papers due) November
- Election De-Brief November
- G. Congress November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- H. The Presidency November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- I. The Bureaucracy November
- Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- J. The Courts November THANKSGIVING BREAK
- Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- K. Domestic Policy November - Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
- L. Foreign Policy December
- Read: Greenberg & Page, chap.
ELECTION RESEARCH PROJECT
You are to analyze the two (2) 2006 congressional elections assigned to you. Your analysis should include a brief description of the candidates and the area’s electoral history, as well as major events in this year’s campaign. It should culminate in an outcome prediction, including each candidate’s predicted percentage of the vote. Your write-up should include a bibliography of the sources you used (including e-sources).
Each election analysis should fit on one page, with 4 succinct paragraphs. Your total paper should be 3 pages in length.
Page One: Election Analysis # Paragraph 1: comparison of the viable candidates, including party affiliations Paragraph 2: partisan electoral history of the state (50 years) Paragraph 3: major events and issues affecting this year’s campaign Paragraph 4: your percentage predictions and explanation why
Page Two: Election Analysis # Paragraph 1: comparison of the viable candidates, including party affiliations Paragraph 2: partisan electoral history of the state (50 years) Paragraph 3: major events and issues affecting this year’s campaign Paragraph 4: your percentage predictions and explanation why
Page Three: Bibliography
RACES BEING ANALYZED (seats most likely to switch parties)
U.S. SENATE U.S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ( Rep.seats in italics )
Arizona Arizona 05 Iowa 01 Ohio 01 Connecticut Arizona 08 Kentucky 03 Ohio 15 Maryland California 11 Kentucky 04 Ohio 01 Michigan Colorado 07 Minnesota 06 Pennsylvania 06 Minnesota Connecticut 02 Nevada 03 Pennsylvania 07 Missouri Connecticut 04 New Hampshire 01 Pennsylvania 08 Montana Connecticut 05 New Hampshire 02 Pennsylvania 10 Nebraska Florida 13 New Jersey 07 Texas 17 New Jersey Florida 22 New Mexico 01 Texas 22 Ohio Illinois 06 New York 20 Virginia 02 Pennsylvania Indiana 02 New York 24 Washington 08 Rhodes Island Indiana 08 New York 29 Wisconsin 08 Tennessee Indiana 09 North Carolina 11 Virginia Washington Key Question : Will either house of Congress switch party West Virginia control? Democrats need 7 Senate seats, 15 House seats.
