POS 111 –American Politics
Meets August 23, 2012- December 6, 2012
Thursday, 5:30 -8:00 pm, Fall 2012
Instructor: Ryan W. McMaken
ryan.mcmaken@arapahoe.edu
Office Hours: After class until 9:00 and by appointment
call the cell phone any time between 8AM and 8PM.
Class web site: online at http://pos111.blogspot.com or at D2L
Text: Politics in America, Thomas R. Dye, 9th ed.
(Other reading may be required and will be made available by the
instructor.)
Meets August 23, 2012- December 6, 2012
Thursday, 5:30 -8:00 pm, Fall 2012
Instructor: Ryan W. McMaken
ryan.mcmaken@arapahoe.edu
Office Hours: After class until 9:00 and by appointment
call the cell phone any time between 8AM and 8PM.
Class web site: online at http://pos111.blogspot.com or at D2L
Text: Politics in America, Thomas R. Dye, 9th ed.
(Other reading may be required and will be made available by the
instructor.)
Course Description
American Politics is the study of American political
institutions, ideologies, trends and traditions. This course will examine the
foundations of American political thought, the basics of the Constitution and
American legal traditions, the lawmaking process, how it is influenced and
those who influence it. The course will include numerous historical case
studies that will help to illustrate important concepts. Original readings from
a variety of American political theorists and policymakers will also be
included.
Core topics:
1.
The background of the U.S. Constitution,
2.
The philosophy of American government,
3.
General principles of the Constitution, federalism, and
civil liberties.
4.
Public opinion and citizen participation,
5.
The structure, institutions and functions of the national
government.
6.
Fiscal policy, monetary policy and the political
economy of the United States
7.
Foreign policy and national defense
8.
Interest groups
9.
Political parties
10. Campaigns
and elections
Standard
Competencies:
I. Identify and
evaluate competing theories of American democracy.
II. Analyze theoretical,
historical and legal background of American democracy.
III. Examine the
Constitutional Convention and relevant historical events of the era.
IV. Identify basic
principles and philosophy of the Constitution and examine the impact of these
principles on the political system.
V. Examine the
constitutional, historical, legal basis of federalism and cover recent issues
of controversy in the federal system.
VI. Identify major
controversies and important Supreme Court rulings, based on the Constitution
and its Amendments, which affect civil rights and civil liberties, including
problems of women and minorities.
VII. Examine the nature of
public opinion, political socialization, changes in American democracy, methods
of measuring public opinion, and the media¿s impact on public opinion.
VIII. Analyze the roles and structures
of the party system and evaluate the development of the American two party
system.
IX. Identify the types,
functions, and operations of interest groups in the American political system.
X Examine the
purpose and process of the American electoral system.
XI. Describe and evaluate
the structure, powers, and functions of Congress.
XII. Describe and evaluate
the structure, powers, and functions of President.
XIII. Describe and evaluate the
structure, powers, and functions of Judicial System.
XIV. Describe and evaluate
the structure, powers, and functions of Federal Bureaucracy.
XV. Identify the
interrelations among the three branches of government.
XVI. Describe and evaluate
the content of selected foreign and domestic policies and the role of
institutions in shaping policy.
XVII. Write and speak clearly and
logically in presentations and essays about topics related to American
Government.
XVIII. Demonstrate the ability to select
and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile
information in the study of American Government.
XIX. Read, analyze and apply
to new situations, written material related to the study of American
Government.
GT Pathways Statement:
Colorado State Competencies: The requirements in this course meet or exceed the critical thinking and written communication competencies established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education for guaranteed transfer, general education courses in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Arapahoe Community College provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodation, contact Disability Services located in the Center for Academic Resources. M2710 (303) 797-5937
Academic Integrity Statement: Arapahoe
Community College is committed to academic honesty and scholarly integrity. The
College can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of the
highest ethical standards. All members of the College community are expected
and encouraged to contribute to such an environment by observing all accepted
principles of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty includes
but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, grade
tampering, misuse of computers and other electronic technology, and
facilitating academic dishonesty. Those found in violation may also be
subject to potential disciplinary sanctions under the Arapahoe Community
College Code of Conduct as well as academic penalties imposed by the class
instructor such as assignment and/or course failure.
Safety Statement: The safety and security of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance to the Campus Police Department. We rely on each of you to be an additional set of ears and eyes to help maintain campus safety. Please be diligent in your efforts to report suspicious or unusual behavior or circumstances to the Campus Police Department. Trust your instincts when something doesn’t look, seem or feel right and tell someone. The Campus Police can be reached at 303-797-5800 or in M2600 on the second floor behind Information Central. Additional safety information can be found on the website at htttp//www.arapahoe.edu/studentsvcs/campuspolice/index.html
Safety Statement: The safety and security of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance to the Campus Police Department. We rely on each of you to be an additional set of ears and eyes to help maintain campus safety. Please be diligent in your efforts to report suspicious or unusual behavior or circumstances to the Campus Police Department. Trust your instincts when something doesn’t look, seem or feel right and tell someone. The Campus Police can be reached at 303-797-5800 or in M2600 on the second floor behind Information Central. Additional safety information can be found on the website at htttp//www.arapahoe.edu/studentsvcs/campuspolice/index.html
Contact Information for Learning Support Services
Library: M2500 303-797-5090
Technical Support: 797-5700 x3199
Writing Center: M2720 303-797-5669
Advising/Counseling: M2010 303-797-5651
Instructional Testing Center: M2280 303-797-5993
Bookstore: M1200 303-797-5676
Computer Lab: M1650 303-797-5907
Tutorial Services: M2720 303-797-5669
Career Center: M2025 303-797-5805
eLearning: 303-797-5700 x6700
Peer Mentoring: M2720 303-797-5669
Online Course Evaluations: As this course nears completion, you will have the opportunity to complete a confidential evaluation of the class online. Login instructions will be sent to your ‘student.cccs.edu’ e-mail address. Your feedback is important, and ensures that ACC continues to offer quality instruction that meets your needs. Please take time to complete the survey – I appreciate your feedback.
E-mail Communication: Effective January 20, 2009 electronic correspondence from ACC employees will go to your student email account only. When you activate your account you can forward emails to an e-mail account that you already have. To activate your student e-mail account, go to http://www.arapahoe.edu and click on the “Activate Student E-mail” link. Questions? Please call 303-797-5621.
Course Requirements
4 Tests-These tests will be spaced throughout the semester and will be in written format and in multiple-choice. On the day that the essay portion is handed out, students will take the multiple-choice section in class. The multiple-choice section will be “closed note” and is designed to test the breadth of knowledge of students in the covered material. The essay portion will be take-home, and students may consult the text, the readings and notes for the take-home portion. The answers will be short essays. The font may be no larger than 12-point font in a type face similar or identical to Helvetica, Ariel or Times New Roman. Each test’s written portion will ask the student to examine a specified concept for a total of four (4) double-spaced pages. Tests will ask students to examine two sides of a concept or issue. The multiple-choice portion will be worth 40 percent of the total test score. The essay portion will be worth 60 percent. Overall, each test is worth 200 points for a total of 800 points.
Students will be given a sample test early in the course that will provide a model on which to base essay answers.
The short “pre-test.” To help students prepare for the full-size tests, the class will feature a “pre-test” early in the course. The test will be in the style and format of the full tests, but will be worth only 100 points total, and the written answers will be only 2 pages long. It too will consist of multiple-choice. Multiple choice and essays will be weighted the same as in the full-size tests, but the total value of the test is 100 points.
Nota Bene: Tests do not require the use of outside sources. However, a student may maximize his or her grade on the essay portion by using in-text citations to note where in the readings or in the text is featured a concept or fact that one has used in the writing of the essay.
Attendance and Participation – this course includes a participation grade worth 1/10 of the overall grade (100 points). After three absences, 25 points may be subtracted per missed day. Documented reasons for absence such as health will be accepted. If a student misses substantial portions of a particular class period, the instructor reserves the right to subtract points commensurate with the amount of time missed. Keep in mind that we meet only 14 times (not counting the final test day) so 4 missed class periods equal more than 25% of all class time, and 3 missed class periods equals more than 20% of all class time. Students who participate regularly in class discussions and have regular attendance will receive a full participation score.
Grading Scale
900-1000----------A
800-899-----------B
700-799-----------C
600-699-----------D
599 and below—Fail
Full tests = 800 points
“Pre-test” = 100 points
Participation = 100 points
***If you wish to drop, make sure and do so before the final withdraw date.
***Late assignments may be subject to deductions in points proportional to the number of days late. In general, 25 points will be deducted each day that an assignment is late. If you are unable to attend class the day an assignment is due, you may email your assignment to the instructor by class time.
Student Responsibilities
Library: M2500 303-797-5090
Technical Support: 797-5700 x3199
Writing Center: M2720 303-797-5669
Advising/Counseling: M2010 303-797-5651
Instructional Testing Center: M2280 303-797-5993
Bookstore: M1200 303-797-5676
Computer Lab: M1650 303-797-5907
Tutorial Services: M2720 303-797-5669
Career Center: M2025 303-797-5805
eLearning: 303-797-5700 x6700
Peer Mentoring: M2720 303-797-5669
Online Course Evaluations: As this course nears completion, you will have the opportunity to complete a confidential evaluation of the class online. Login instructions will be sent to your ‘student.cccs.edu’ e-mail address. Your feedback is important, and ensures that ACC continues to offer quality instruction that meets your needs. Please take time to complete the survey – I appreciate your feedback.
E-mail Communication: Effective January 20, 2009 electronic correspondence from ACC employees will go to your student email account only. When you activate your account you can forward emails to an e-mail account that you already have. To activate your student e-mail account, go to http://www.arapahoe.edu and click on the “Activate Student E-mail” link. Questions? Please call 303-797-5621.
Course Requirements
4 Tests-These tests will be spaced throughout the semester and will be in written format and in multiple-choice. On the day that the essay portion is handed out, students will take the multiple-choice section in class. The multiple-choice section will be “closed note” and is designed to test the breadth of knowledge of students in the covered material. The essay portion will be take-home, and students may consult the text, the readings and notes for the take-home portion. The answers will be short essays. The font may be no larger than 12-point font in a type face similar or identical to Helvetica, Ariel or Times New Roman. Each test’s written portion will ask the student to examine a specified concept for a total of four (4) double-spaced pages. Tests will ask students to examine two sides of a concept or issue. The multiple-choice portion will be worth 40 percent of the total test score. The essay portion will be worth 60 percent. Overall, each test is worth 200 points for a total of 800 points.
Students will be given a sample test early in the course that will provide a model on which to base essay answers.
The short “pre-test.” To help students prepare for the full-size tests, the class will feature a “pre-test” early in the course. The test will be in the style and format of the full tests, but will be worth only 100 points total, and the written answers will be only 2 pages long. It too will consist of multiple-choice. Multiple choice and essays will be weighted the same as in the full-size tests, but the total value of the test is 100 points.
Nota Bene: Tests do not require the use of outside sources. However, a student may maximize his or her grade on the essay portion by using in-text citations to note where in the readings or in the text is featured a concept or fact that one has used in the writing of the essay.
Attendance and Participation – this course includes a participation grade worth 1/10 of the overall grade (100 points). After three absences, 25 points may be subtracted per missed day. Documented reasons for absence such as health will be accepted. If a student misses substantial portions of a particular class period, the instructor reserves the right to subtract points commensurate with the amount of time missed. Keep in mind that we meet only 14 times (not counting the final test day) so 4 missed class periods equal more than 25% of all class time, and 3 missed class periods equals more than 20% of all class time. Students who participate regularly in class discussions and have regular attendance will receive a full participation score.
Grading Scale
900-1000----------A
800-899-----------B
700-799-----------C
600-699-----------D
599 and below—Fail
Full tests = 800 points
“Pre-test” = 100 points
Participation = 100 points
***If you wish to drop, make sure and do so before the final withdraw date.
***Late assignments may be subject to deductions in points proportional to the number of days late. In general, 25 points will be deducted each day that an assignment is late. If you are unable to attend class the day an assignment is due, you may email your assignment to the instructor by class time.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for completion of all required
reading. Tests will include information in the text and readings that is not
necessarily covered in the lectures.
Students are required to complete all assignments and have them to the instructor on the date due.
Students are required to complete all assignments and have them to the instructor on the date due.
Students will need to make use of personal computing
resources during the course. These especially include use of the internet for
accessing additional readings.
Participation is essential to learning in this class,
therefore, it is highly encouraged.
Do not leave class early unless you have made arrangements with the instructor ahead of time.
Do not leave class early unless you have made arrangements with the instructor ahead of time.
It is extremely unlikely that any classes will be cancelled without prior notice, but if that does happen, the office will be notified, and I will email the class.
A student’s grades or identification information will not be
discussed with or released to any non-college staff except the student himself
or herself.
Finally and most importantly, it is essential that each
student maintain a polite, professional, and non-threatening demeanor toward
the students and the instructor. Other members of the class—and certainly other
members of society—have radically different views on what is good/bad or
right/wrong in the political arena. Every issue should be looked at as
objectively as possible. Each student has a responsibility to alert the
instructor if he or she feels offended or abused by either another student or
the instructor himself. This classroom should be a safe arena for the sharing
of ideas.
Professionalism extends into classroom behavior: be on time,
turn off cell phone ringers, and keep excess noise (eating, drinking,
whispering, rustling, etc.) to an absolute minimum. Do not sleep.
Important Dates
Course Schedule
(This schedule may be subject to change.)
August 23: Syllabus, introductions, general overview.
Introduction: Classical liberalism and the foundations of American political ideologies.
Course Schedule
(This schedule may be subject to change.)
August 23: Syllabus, introductions, general overview.
Introduction: Classical liberalism and the foundations of American political ideologies.
Readings: Chapters 1, 2 in text. Short reading: Declaration
of Independence
August 30: American political ideologies continued, the foundations of the Constitution of 1787. Readings: Chapters 1-4, Short reading: The Articles of Confederation
August 30: American political ideologies continued, the foundations of the Constitution of 1787. Readings: Chapters 1-4, Short reading: The Articles of Confederation
September 6: The U.S. Constitution and its components.
Federalism.
Readings: Chapters 3-4. Short reading: Federalist #10
Pass out first “pre-test.”
September 13: The Constitution and Civil Liberties
Readings: Chapters 14-15. The Anti-Federalist: Speech by Patrick Henry
Readings: Chapters 3-4. Short reading: Federalist #10
Pass out first “pre-test.”
September 13: The Constitution and Civil Liberties
Readings: Chapters 14-15. The Anti-Federalist: Speech by Patrick Henry
Video: Commentary on
the 5th Amendment by James Duane.
“Pre-test” essay portion due. Multiple choice section taken in class
September 20: Civil Liberties, continued.
“Pre-test” essay portion due. Multiple choice section taken in class
September 20: Civil Liberties, continued.
Politics and the economy, fiscal policy
Readings: Chapter 16, selections from The Commanding Heights video
Pass out full test #1.
September 27: Politics and the economy, monetary policy and the Federal Reserve System.
Test #1 essays due Multiple choice section taken in class
October 4: Institutions of the national government: the Presidency and the Congress
Readings: Roosevelt’s speech on the court-packing scheme,
Chapters 10 and 11. http://www.wyzant.com/Help/History/HPOL/fdr/chat/
October 11: Judicial politics
October 11: Judicial politics
Readings: Chapter 13
Pass out test #2.
October 18: Political opinion and participation:
Readings: Chapter 5, Lysander Spooner, “No Treason, No.1” http://lysanderspooner.org/node/44
Video: Wag the Dog,
hour 1
Test # 2 essays due.
Multiple choice section taken in class.
October 25: Mass Media and politics
October 25: Mass Media and politics
Readings: Chapter 6
Video: Wag the Dog,
conclusion
November 1: Politics and national security. Domestic politics and foreign policy.
November 1: Politics and national security. Domestic politics and foreign policy.
Video: No End in Sight,
Hour 1
Reading: Chapter 18, “City Upon a Hill” speech by Ronald
Reagan http://reagan2020.us/speeches/City_Upon_A_Hill.asp
Pass out test #3.
November 8: Politics and national security. The United States in the international system. Video: No End in Sight, Hour 2
November 8: Politics and national security. The United States in the international system. Video: No End in Sight, Hour 2
Readings: Chapter 16
Test #3 essays due.
Multiple choice section taken in class.
November 15: Politics and social welfare, interest groups
November 15: Politics and social welfare, interest groups
Readings: Chapters 9 and 17
November 22: THANKSGIVING
November 22: THANKSGIVING
November 29: Campaigns and elections, political parties
Readings: Chapters 8 and 7
Test #4 essay portion
passed out
December 6: Review. Multiple choice section of test #4 in class. Test #4 essays due.
December 6: Review. Multiple choice section of test #4 in class. Test #4 essays due.
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