American Politics and Government – Course Description - Spring 2009 | PSC 101 | Papers Local Government Studies

PSC 101 - Sections 050/059 AMERICAN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT – SPRING 2009

Instructor: Bobby Summers email: bsummers@harpercollege.edu

Phone: 847-925-6746 (I110) Division Office: 847-925-6311

NATURE OF COURSE:

The nature of the American political system is crucially important to every American. The way we lead

our lives, what we can do, and what we cannot are affect dramatically by government at every level.

Government concerns itself with a variety of questions that affect us on a daily basis. Will farmers get

subsidies? Will troops be sent to Columbia? Will minorities be given equal opportunity in American society?

How democratic should government be? Do defendants have certain protected rights?

This course is an introduction to American government and the American political system. This course

explores the issues of today as well as the challenges that confronted the founding fathers. This class will

consider the constitutional foundations of American government, the structure of federalism, as well as the

inner workings of the courts, the Congress, and the presidency. We will discuss the roles played by political

parties, special interest groups, public opinion, and elections. Finally, we will examine some of the policy

dilemmas confronted by American government today and yesterday, including civil liberties, civil rights,

foreign policy, and economic regulation.

COURSE GOALS

1. To gain an appreciation for the substance and process of the American political system.

2. To learn about challenges facing American democracy today and tomorrow.

3. To develop verbal and written communication skills.

4. To acquire a greater sense of our role in society and governing our lives.

DIVERSITY

The diversity of the individuals in the classroom and online is a cause for celebration. Any disparaging

remarks concerning race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, or disabilities will not be

tolerated. A college is a place of intellectual exploration. This requires an open mind. This course also deals

with content that is often controversial. It is not expected that all students agree with one another or with the

instructor. However, it is expected that students deal with one another in a respectful manner.

ACCESSIBILITY

If you have a documented disability and may require some accommodation or modification in

procedures, class activity, instruction, etc., please see me early in the semester. Documentation is provided by

the Access and Disability Services Center in D119, 847-925-6266. If you need additional information, please

contact the center.

REQUIRED TEXT

Cummings and Wise. 2007. Democracy Under Pressure: An Introduction to the American Political System, 10th

ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. (Must say with election update.)

Lynch, Keith, and Lee. 2007. Telecourse Guide for Voices in Democracy, 3rd ed. Dallas: Dallas County

Community College District. (Must say with election update.)

State of Illinois. 2007-2008. Illinois Handbook of Government.

Voices in Democracy, Lessons 1-26. Dallas, Dallas County Community College District.

GRADING

Absolutely nothing will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009.

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PSC 101 - Sections 050/059 AMERICAN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT – SPRING 2009 Instructor: Bobby Summers email: bsummers@harpercollege.edu Phone: 847-925-6746 (I110) Division Office: 847-925- NATURE OF COURSE: The nature of the American political system is crucially important to every American. The way we lead our lives, what we can do, and what we cannot are affect dramatically by government at every level. Government concerns itself with a variety of questions that affect us on a daily basis. Will farmers get subsidies? Will troops be sent to Columbia? Will minorities be given equal opportunity in American society? How democratic should government be? Do defendants have certain protected rights? This course is an introduction to American government and the American political system. This course explores the issues of today as well as the challenges that confronted the founding fathers. This class will consider the constitutional foundations of American government, the structure of federalism, as well as the inner workings of the courts, the Congress, and the presidency. We will discuss the roles played by political parties, special interest groups, public opinion, and elections. Finally, we will examine some of the policy dilemmas confronted by American government today and yesterday, including civil liberties, civil rights, foreign policy, and economic regulation. COURSE GOALS

To gain an appreciation for the substance and process of the American political system.
To learn about challenges facing American democracy today and tomorrow.
To develop verbal and written communication skills.
To acquire a greater sense of our role in society and governing our lives. DIVERSITY The diversity of the individuals in the classroom and online is a cause for celebration. Any disparaging remarks concerning race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, or disabilities will not be tolerated. A college is a place of intellectual exploration. This requires an open mind. This course also deals with content that is often controversial. It is not expected that all students agree with one another or with the instructor. However, it is expected that students deal with one another in a respectful manner. ACCESSIBILITY If you have a documented disability and may require some accommodation or modification in procedures, class activity, instruction, etc., please see me early in the semester. Documentation is provided by the Access and Disability Services Center in D119, 847-925-6266. If you need additional information, please contact the center. REQUIRED TEXT Cummings and Wise. 2007. Democracy Under Pressure: An Introduction to the American Political System, 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. (Must say with election update.) Lynch, Keith, and Lee. 2007. Telecourse Guide for Voices in Democracy, 3rd^ ed. Dallas: Dallas County Community College District. (Must say with election update.) State of Illinois. 2007-2008. Illinois Handbook of Government. Voices in Democracy, Lessons 1-26. Dallas, Dallas County Community College District. GRADING Absolutely nothing will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009.

Option #1 Option #

3 exams 30% 1. 3 exams 45%
2 essays 20% 2. 2 essays 20%
Paper 25% 3. 2 letters 5%
2 Letters 5% 4. final exam 30%
Final Exam 20% SCALE 89.5 and above – A 59.5 – 69.4 - D 79.5 – 89.4 – B 59.4 and below - F 69.5 – 79.4 - C EXAMS Exam 1 covers lessons 1-7. Exam 2 covers lessons 8-13. Exam 3 covers lessons 14-21. Final Exam covers lessons 22-26 and questions from exams 1 -3. DUE DATES Essay 1: February 28, 2009 Exam 1: February 23 – February 28, 2009 Essay 2: March 21, 2009 Exam 2: March 16 – March 21, 2009 2 Letters: April 25, 2009 Exam 3: April 20 – April 25, 2009 Paper: May 11, 2009 (Optional) Final Exam: May 04 – 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009 *The bolded dates indicate that the item must be completed by that date or it is late. All assignments and tests for the course must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Information The tapes for this course can be viewed in the library. Tapes may be checked out for 2 days and renewed 1 time. The entire set of tapes for the course may be rented from the bookstore. The cost is $25.00. There is also a refundable $35.00 deposit which is refunded if the tapes are returned by return date. The lessons also may be viewed on the Harper Education Access Channel. Please see the enclosed video viewing schedule for this option. Video stream access also may be purchased from the Harper bookstore for $35.00. Students will complete the exams for this course in the Assessment Center. The center’s schedule is enclosed. You will need a #2 pencil. You also must present a photo ID and remember the course number (PSC 101050). You will use a scantron for the test. Students will use a blue book for the short answer and essay portions of the test unless otherwise instructed. Read the instructions. Make sure that you place your name and ID on the scantron and the blue book. The letters and the papers should be turned in either at my office (I110) or the Business and Social Science Division office(J249). Assignments and exams must be completed on time or face a reduction in grade.
Read the Lesson Overview and the Lesson Goal in the telecourse guide.
Read over the Textbook Objectives, then read the assigned material in the textbook.
Read over the Video Objectives, then watch the video and take notes as needed.
Answer the Textbook and Video Objectives in the telecourse guide.
Complete the Practice Test and check your answers with the key found in the telecouse guide.

PSC 101 AMERICAN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Writing Guidelines Papers are typed, double-spaced, 12 Font with 1 inch margins and should include an introductory paragraph, which contains a) an enticement that encourages the readers to read on, b) a few sentences stressing the underlying importance of the subject, and c) the thesis sentence. The thesis statement directly relates to the essay’s title and explains the goal of the paper. For example, a paper considering the effects of television on American social values might incorporate the following thesis statement: This paper considers the impact of television on the social values of the United States. Each paragraph following the introductory paragraph should relate to the thesis statement. Each paragraph should have a main sentence and sentences that contain supporting material or information. Each and every paragraph should relate to the thesis sentence in the introductory paragraph. If the paragraphs do not relate to the thesis statement of the paper, then the paragraphs are in the wrong paper. Additionally, each paragraph should be at least three sentences long. The paper also must include a concluding paragraph which a) reiterates the introductory paragraph and the thesis statement, b) briefly summarizes the main points of the paper, and c) suggest the wider ramifications of the paper on the topic. Take great care in maintaining your intellectual integrity. If an idea comes from a particular source, the source must be cited. If a fact or a quote is used, the source must be cited and/or quoted. To test whether or not you are quoting a source directly or just using an idea, close or cover the source, wait 15 seconds, and then type the idea out. If you cannot do this without referring back to the source, they you are quoting and quotation marks and the appropriate page citation should be used. Citations should contain the necessary information so the reader can find the source in your reference page. For an idea -- The decline of the American family can be attributed to the growth in the television industry (Smith 1987, pp.57-59). For a quote--Television has led “to the death of the American family”(Smith 1987, p. 62). If you do not cite the appropriate source of the information, it is plagiarism. This is academic dishonesty and will be dealt with in the strictest terms. Grammar and Professional Guidelines No grammatical or spelling errors effect is a noun; affect is a verb Avoid the use of transitional phrases between two; among many Its is possessive; it’s is a contraction avoid I think, I feel, and I believe Contractions are forbidden do not use the second person - “you” Limit the use of first person - “I” avoid passive voice Their belongs to people, there is a place, and they’re is a contraction of they are Make sure you have your name, class, and title on the paper and proof your paper Attach a separate reference page with the sources that you either used or cited

Library Resources For Political Science The Harper College Library has a number of valuable resources you will need to complete your political science assignments this semester. Also, some of the information you need may be found on the Internet. This guide will help you find these resources when you begin your search. Begin at the library’s website: www.harpercollege.edu/library

The Library Catalog link – use the Library Catalog to find books and audiovisual materials. For example, try a search on “Comparative Political Systems,” or try the name of a country whose government you would like to research. CHECK THE DATE of the material. Do not use something that is outdated. Some examples of books in the library reference collection include: Encyclopedia of American Government REF JK9 .E52 1998 The Europa World Year Book REF JN 1 .E85 2003 The Oxford Guide to the United States Government REF JK 9 .P384 2001 Political Handbook of the World 1999 REF JF 37 .P6 1999 Political Systems of the World REF JF 51 .D467 1996 The Statesman’s Yearbook: The Politics, Cultures and Economics of the World REF JA 51 .S7 2003 World Encyclopedia of Parliaments and Legislatures REF JF 511 .W67 1998
Articles, Indexes and Databases link – This link will get you to many of the library’s online resources.  Ebscohost – this database will provide you with magazine and newspaper articles on topics like Democratic and Republican party issues. Also, use Ebscohost to find the Charles Krauthammer essay that you are required to use in your first essay assignment.  Newbank – this database is an excellent resource for full-text newspaper articles from across the country and locally.  Encyclopedia Britannica – this database has good general background information on governments, countries, and political science. A good place to get started.
The World Wide Web – many web sites provide political information.  Some web sites have a specific political agenda, such as endorsing one candidate or party.  www.deanforamerica.com  www.georgebush.com  Some web sites provide less biased information to voters.  www.vote-smart.org  http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm  www.library.ubc.ca/poli/compartind.html (Comparative/Foreign Governments)

Testing Schedule

For more information, contact the Assessment and Testing Center, Building A, Room A148, 847.925.6541 for more information. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Office Hours 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ALL TESTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY CLOSING TIME The Assessment Center adopted a “walk-in” schedule for its services. During the “walk-in” periods identified above, students may come in for tests without an appointment. The Assessment and Testing Center Exceptions: February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday – Closed April 10 – Reading Day – Closed April 11 – Closed During Spring Break the following hours apply – Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3 – 8:30-4: April 4 – Closed

American Politics and Government – Course Description - Spring 2009 | PSC 101, Papers of Local Government Studies

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PSC 101 AMERICAN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

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