PLSI 200: Intro American Politics and Government Spring Class Meeting: W 4:10pm 6:55 pm HUM 133

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1 PLSI 200: Intro American Politics and Government Spring 2014 Prof. Jason A. McDaniel Assistant Professor San Francisco State University Office: HSS 132 Course Description Class Meeting: W 4:10pm 6:55 pm HUM 133 Office Hours: Wed: 2:00pm to 4:00pm Thurs: 5:00pm to 6:00pm This course provides students with an introduction to American politics and the institutions of government. The course is centered on an exploration of the Madisonian values and institutions that form the core of the American democratic system. After we establish a sense of the ideals and values inherent in American politics, we will examine whether the practice of American politics meets the promise of American democracy. What happens at the intersection of political practice and democratic promise? Does the American political system rise to the challenge laid down by the Framers in the Constitution? In other words, does the system work? Moreover, under what conditions does the practice of American politics and democracy tend to work, or not? Throughout the course we will use this debate as a lens through which to examine the major institutions of American government and their inherent institutional dilemmas and tensions. Is a strong president good for American democracy? What about judicial policy- making? What are the implications of having a national legislature, one that is charged with forming national policy, whose members are elected to represent local interests? Finally, we will study several of the ways in which people engage with government and make politics in America: interest groups, political parties, and voting. Does the growth and power of interest groups contribute to the health of American democracy, or is it a symptom of a greater political disease? Are the parties becoming more polarized in their politics, and if so, do voters respond positively, or do they respond with apathy? Course Goals: 1. Obtain an understanding of the Madisonian institutions of American politics and government. 2. Gain an introductory understanding of the ways that political scientists explore topics related to American politics and government. 3. Develop critical thinking skills related to the practical outcomes of American politics. 4. Develop written analytical critiques of the American Democratic Process, current political events, and other core concepts. Required Texts: Bianco and Canon, American Politics Today, CORE 3 Rd edition, New York: Norton Note on required reading: The required readings are essential to your success in this course, and should be read prior to the relevant lectures. The readings are designed to complement the lectures and will not always be reviewed specifically in class. Expect to be tested on all readings, regardless of whether they are reviewed in lecture. You are encouraged to ask clarifying questions in class or office hours about any of the reading assignments. 1

2 Course Requirements: Your course grade will be based on your performance on the following: 1. Midterm Examination (Essays) (30%) Due Date: Wed March Final Examination (Essays) (30%) Due Date: Wed May Reading Quizzes (30%) Reading Quizzes are related to the required reading, and are to be completed before the lecture for that topic. There are thirteen (13) Reading Quizzes. The lowest three (3) scores will be dropped from your grade calculation. The quizzes are multiple- choice, and are accessed through the course ilearn site. You will only have one (1) attempt at each Reading Quiz, and there is a 60- minute time limit for each Reading Quiz. The closing dates for each quiz are listed below. 4. Class Participation and Attendance (10%) You are expected to attend every lecture and to be prepared to discuss reading assignments, current events, and lecture material. Assignment Deadlines: All assignment deadlines are firm. Extensions will be granted only for good cause such as a documented medical emergency, and should whenever possible be arranged with the instructor or TA beforehand. Travel arrangements are NOT good cause for an extension. Late exams / papers will be marked down by one- third of a grade if turned in after class, and an additional third for every day a paper or exam is late. So, a paper due in class on Monday, but turned in on Tuesday will be penalized two- thirds of a grade (e.g. a B paper will receive a grade of C+ ). Note on Respect and Civility: A course on American politics can often evoke spirited discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, both partisan and ideological. Such discussion is encouraged, but it is essential that everyone strive to maintain an atmosphere of respect for differences of opinion and civility towards other members of the class. Note: This is a proposed course outline and syllabus. I reserve the right to make necessary and appropriate changes. Disability Services: Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/tty ) or by (dprc@sfsu.edu). 2

3 Academic Integrity: Students are expected to complete all exams and papers on their own. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Cheating includes inappropriate cooperation on exams, quizzes, and papers. Examples of inappropriate cooperation may include sharing answers for an online quiz or exam. This is separate from the act of studying together or exchanging notes prior to an exam. Writing a paper with a group and submitting the work as your own is considered plagiarism. Plagiarism is the most common form of academic dishonesty. The following passage, taken from Richard M. Eastman s book entitled Style, provides a cogent definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the offering of someone else s words, pictures, data, ideas, and even conceptions as if they were one s own. Writers are indeed encouraged to draw upon the information and wisdom of others, but in the spirit of intellectual inquiry they are expected to state such indebtedness so that (a) their own creativity can be justly appreciated and (b) their use of sources, like a scientist s experiment, can be verified by others. Plagiarism differs from this productive use of sources in that the similarity of the original to the borrowing is very close; it is acknowledged imperfectly or not at all; and it shows little or no creative application by the borrower. Plagiarism is a prime intellectual offense in that the borrower is faking discovery process. No community of writers and readers can thrive if its members counterfeit their achievements, deceive their critics, and take unfair competitive advantage of others. (Pages of Style by Richard M. Eastman. New York: Oxford University Press, 1984). Library & Research Resources Library Website: Research Assistance: Ask a librarian via online chat or in person at the 1 st floor Research Commons. PLSI Research Guide: Subject specific research consultations: Mira Foster, PLSI Librarian mira@sfsu.edu, Tel: (415) Tutoring Support Learning Assistance Center (undergraduate tutoring, writing, math, and study skills) HSS 348 (415) Campus Academic Resource Program (evening tutorial service for undergrads) HSS 344 (415)

4 PART I: Wed Jan 29 Fri Jan 31: Wed Feb 5: Wed Feb 5: Wed Feb 12: Wed Feb 12: Wed Feb 19: Wed Feb 19: Wed Feb 26: Wed Feb 26: PART II: Wed Mar 5: Wed Mar 5: PROPOSED COURSE SCHEDULE FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN POLITICS AND DEMOCRACY Understanding American Politics Bianco and Canon Chapter 1 Understanding American Politics Reading Quiz #1 (Understanding American Politics) The Constitution Bianco and Canon Chapter 2 The Constitution Reading Quiz #2 (The Constitution) Federalism Bianco and Canon, Chapter 3 Reading Quiz #3 (Federalism) Madisonian Democracy Madison, Federalist No. 10, in B&C, Appendix 16 Madison, Federalist No. 51, In B&C, Appendix 17 Reading Quiz #4 (Madisonian Democracy) Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Bianco and Canon Chapter 14 Civil Rights Bianco and Canon Chapter 4 Civil Liberties Reading Quiz #5 (Civil Rights & Civil Liberties) INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT The Congress Bianco and Canon Chapter 10 The Congress Reading Quiz #6 (Congress) MIDTERM EXAMINATION DUE: WED MAR 12 Wed Mar 12: Movie Screening: Lincoln (2012) Wed Mar 19: Wed Mar 19: The Presidency Bianco and Canon Chapter 11 The Presidency Reading Quiz #7 (Presidency) Wed March 26: Spring Recess (No Class) 4

5 Wed April 2: Wed April 2: PART III: The Supreme Court Bianco and Canon Chapter 13 The Courts Reading Quiz #8 (The Courts) PEOPLE, POLITICS, AND REPRESENTATION Wed April 9: Wed April 9: The News Media and American Politics Bianco and Canon Chapter 6 The Media Reading Quiz #9 (News Media) Wed April 16: Public Opinion Bianco and Canon Chapter 5 Public Opinion Wed April 16: Reading Quiz #10 (Public Opinion) Wed April 23: Political Parties Bianco and Canon Chapter 7 Political Parties Wed April 23: Reading Quiz #11 (Political Parties) Wed April 30: Voting and Elections Bianco and Canon Chapter 8 Elections Wed April 30: Reading Quiz #12 (Voting and Elections) Wed May 7: Wed May 7: Wed May 14: Interest Groups Bianco and Canon Chapter 9 Interest Groups Reading Quiz #13 (Interest Groups) Inequality and American Democracy To Be Announced 5