American Politics Political Science 101 (Fall 2009) (Course # 35366) Class Meeting: MWF 2:30PM - 3:20PM Mahar, Room 108

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1 American Politics Political Science 101 (Fall 2009) (Course # 35366) Class Meeting: MWF 2:30PM - 3:20PM Mahar, Room 108 Professor Ray La Raja Office: 330 Thompson Hall Tel: laraja@polsci.umass.edu Office Hours: Tu 2:00-4:00, Wednesday 1-2 and by appt. Course Description This course offers an introduction to American government, politics and citizenship. In the first part, we explore the philosophical, cultural and ideological foundations of American democracy. In the second part, we look at the workings of the essential institutions of national government: the presidency, Congress, and judiciary. Lastly, we focus on how citizens influence and engage in politics through the media -- including the Internet -- and political parties, interest groups, elections and social movements. The course emphasizes the following major themes: the ongoing struggle to support values of liberty and equality; how concerns about national security and public order shape this struggle, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11; the enduring influence of the constitutional framework to resolve political issues; the patterns of conflict and cooperation among political institutions that share power; the evolving role of mediating institutions such as political parties, interest groups, and mass media in connecting citizens and leaders; and the scope and breadth of citizen participation in American politics and the degree to which government is responsive to citizens. This course fulfills a General Education requirement and, as such, pushes you to examine prior assumptions, broaden your knowledge of the world, sharpen your critical thinking, and engage you in intellectual dialogue with classmates. The course asks you to explore fundamental questions about politics and self-government. It encourages learning that makes you think broadly and deeply about how ideas, institutions, culture and leadership shape American society and the consequences for individuals in the U.S. and abroad. In particular, this course seeks to encourage your engagement in public affairs and make you informed citizens with the potential to be future leaders. Grading 12 online quizzes based on topic readings (12%) One in-class Quiz on US Constitution (4%) Midterm examination (25%) 2-page opinion essay (10%) 5-6 page strategy paper (20%) Final examination (30%) Updated 08/25/09 1

2 Class participation (4%) which includes participation with PRS during lecture Late assignments will be penalized one grade level for each day late (thus, an A paper becomes an A- if it is turned in within a day of the deadline; it becomes a B+ if turned in within 2 days of the deadline). If you have a problem meeting the deadline, you must discuss this with your TA well before the deadline (at least a week or more) or provide documentation of the problem afterwards. Plagiarism and cheating will be punished with an F possibly for the entire course and will be reported to the University s Academic Honesty Board. See the University Undergraduate Rights and Responsibilities handbook for further details. Students with special needs should contact me to discuss accommodations for this class. Readings and Materials for Course: 1. SPARK: this is the website for course information, schedules, assignments, grades and supplementary materials. You should view this site frequently for the latest information about course additions and changes. Your TA may choose to use the SPARK for mail, discussion & chat groups. Use your OIT account name and password to access the site at: 2. Textbook and Reader: Ginsberg, Lowi, Wier & Spitzer, We the People, Essentials Edition, available at the UMass Textbook Annex 3. Personal Response System-Radio Frequency (PRS-RF). We will use this device to poll class opinion and respond to questions posed during lecture. You should bring the PRS to every class because your responses with this device during lecture will affect your participation grade. It may seem expensive, but you can use this in other courses or sell it back to the Annex. Every student is allowed 4 missed PRS scores without any penalty, (for example, if you forget your PRS or if you miss class for some reason). Please do not provide explanations for not having your PRS just know that you have 4 free misses to use up during the year. After that, the PRS missed scores begin to affect your participation grade. 4. Newspapers: Read national political news, before every class, from one or more of the following: New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, or Boston Globe. I occasionally post timely articles at SPARK. These are required readings (i.e., some material might appear on a quiz or exam). Course Schedule There are NO course sections, although the Teaching Assistants will hold office hours and answer your questions via SPARK. I will also hold Q& A sessions outside of class for students (usually on Fridays after class if there are no classes that follow us). Updated 08/25/09 2

3 Teaching Assistants are assigned to you based on your last name: Student Last Name Abdelghany..DeSisto Dickey..Kotleski Kovats..Prowten Purchon Zhao Teaching Assistant Amanda Brule Audrey Kallenberger Brian Tucker Kate Mooney Wed Sept 9 Overview of Course Textbook: Chapter 1 The Citizen and the Government Assignments: (1) browse the SPARK site for course (2) take the Politics Survey at SPARK (3) choose your daily newspaper(s) and blogs for semester. Part I. Foundations of American Government Fri Sept 11 Democracy and American Political Thought SPARK: Declaration of Independence (also in Appendix of textbook); Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death" SPARK: Read about Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, whose writings influenced American political thought. For Hobbes go to and read section 3 (The State of Nature) and section 4 (The State of Nature is a State of War); For Locke go to and read section 3 (The Two Treatises of Civil Government) Mon Sept 14 Who Are Americans? Political Culture and Identity SPARK: Putnam, Bowling Alone; Tocqueville, Political Associations in the United States from Democracy in America. Wed Sept 16 The Founding and the Constitution Textbook: Chapter 2 Sept. 17 is nationally-recognized Constitution Day. See Fri Sept 18 The Constitution (continued) Textbook: U.S. Constitution and Federalist No. 10, 51 (Appendix) SPARK: Storing, What the Antifederalists Were For: read the sections called Conservatives and Conclusion. Mon Sept 21 The Constitution (continued) Updated 08/25/09 3

4 QUIZ on the U.S. Constitution at START of CLASS **Monday, Sept 21 is the Last Day to Add or Drop course with no record Wed Sept 23 The Constitution and Federalism Textbook: Chapter 3 Fri Sept 25 Federalism (continued) SPARK: Medical Marijuana Before the Supreme Court, San Francisco Chronicle; Rourke, Amending the Constitution to Bar Gay Marriage. Mon Sept 28 The Constitution and Liberty Textbook: Ch 4, pp SPARK: U.S. Supreme Court; Miller v. California, Levy, Assaults on Liberty Wed Sept 30 Liberty (continued) SPARK: Levy, The Right to Bear Arms Fri Oct 2 Mon Oct 5 Wed Oct 7 Fri Oct 9 In-class debate on liberty: Torturing Terrorists (see SPARK) Free speech (see SPARK) The Constitution and Equality Textbook: Ch 4, pp ; Christian Science Monitor, Has Equality in Sports Gone Too Far? Equality (continued) SPARK: U.S. Supreme Court, Brown v. Board of Education Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail Equality In-class debate on equality: Gender Pay Equity (SPARK) Affirmative Action Part II. The Institutions of American Government Mon Oct 12 Holiday Columbus Day (class rescheduled for Tuesday) Tues Oct 13 Congress (Mon sched) Textbook: Ch 9 Wed Oct 14 Congress (continued) Updated 08/25/09 4

5 SPARK: Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection; John F. Kennedy, The Legislator as Trustee Fri Oct 16 Mon Oct 19 Wed Oct 21 MIDTERM (in class) The Presidency Textbook: Ch 10 The Presidency (continued) SPARK: Neustadt, Presidential Power; Greenstein, The Leadership Style of Barack Obama: An Early Assessment **Oct 22 Mid-Semester Date (Last day to Drop with W ) Fri Oct 23 Mon Oct 26 The Presidency (continued) Bureaucracy Textbook: Ch 11 ** October 27 is the Mid-Semester Date and last day to drop with 'W Wed Oct 28 Fri Oct 30 Mon Nov 2 The Judiciary (federal courts) Textbook: Ch 12, and article to be posted at SPARK The Judiciary (continued) SPARK: Thayer, The Doctrine of Judicial Review; Marshall, Reflections on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution; Bork, The Tempting of America The Judiciary (continued) Part III. Influencing American Government Wed Nov 4 Fri Nov 6 Political Parties Textbook: Chapter 7, and article to be posted at SPARK Political Parties (continued) DUE at START OF CLASS: Short-Essay (2 pages, double-spaced) Mon Nov 9 Interest Groups Textbook: Chapter 8, Grossman, Who Gets What Now? Interest Groups under Obama Optional: Olson, The Logic of Collective Action. Updated 08/25/09 5

6 Wed Nov 11 NO CLASS Veterans Day **Nov 12, Registration begins for Spring 2010 Fri Nov 13 Public Opinion Textbook: Chapter 5 Mon Nov 16 Public Opinion (continued) Do Cell Phones Affect What We Know about Public Opinion? American Association of Public Opinion Research, Wed Nov 18 The Media Texbook: Chapter 6 Fri Nov 20 The Media (continued) SPARK: The State of the News Media: 2008 Trends (Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism) Mon Nov 23 Voting and Elections: Presidential Textbook: Chapter 7 SPARK: Kimberling, Strengths and Weaknesses of the Electoral College; Wed Nov 25 Voting and Elections: Presidential Fri Nov 27 Holiday -- Thanksgiving Mon Nov 30 Voting and Elections: Congressional SPARK: Abramowitz, Don t Blame Redistricting for Uncompetitive Elections. Wed Dec 2 Fri Dec 4 Mon Dec 7 Voting and Elections: Who Votes? SPARK: Samples, Three Myths about Voter Turnout in the United States Voting and Elections: How do People Choose? Brian Caplan, 5 Myths About Our Ballot Box Behavior. Political Participation and Political Influence SPARK: Schlozman, Brady & Verba. The Big Tilt: Participatory Inequality in America. Putnam, Bowling Together DUE at START OF CLASS: Papers (5-6 pages, double-spaced) Wed Dec 9 Making Public Policy Updated 08/25/09 6

7 Fri Dec 11 Summary of Course Topics and Themes FINAL EXAM (Date TBA) Updated 08/25/09 7