KING'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE at The University of Western Ontario POLITICAL SCIENCE 2244E, SECTION 570 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

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1 KING'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE at The University of Western Ontario POLITICAL SCIENCE 2244E, SECTION 570 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS September - May Dr. W.R. McKercher Class Time: Associate Professor, and Acting Chair Mon 2:30pm 4:20pm Room: W174 Department of Political Science Wed 2:30pm 3:20pm Room: W174 Office: SA059 Office Hours: ext Mon 1:00pm 2:00pm Thurs 11:30am 1:00pm wmckerch@uwo.ca Course Outline This Honors course is designed to provide a more thorough understanding of both the institutions and the political activism which characterizes national political life in the United States. As such, we shall concentrate on federal politics and federal-state relations within the context of American constitutional law. Since our purpose is to gain knowledge as well as understanding, we must strike a balance between the empirical evidence at hand (the Constitution, the Office of the President, etc...) and a normative assessment of politics in action (special interest groups, elections, etc...). This necessitates an attempt to discern the discrepancies between theory and practice as expressed by authors of diverse opinion and philosophy. We shall, as a consequence, approach the study of American political life with a critical as well as an evaluative objective in mind. Our perspective will be one of Canadians on the outside looking into the modern American State, attempting to understand its innovative and complex nature. This year special attention will be devoted to major constitutional issues, such as gun control and election financing, as well as focussing on the candidates in the hotly contested presidential election to be held on November 4, Required Texts: (sold as a single package) 1. S. Welch, J. Gruhl, J. Comer, & S.M. Rigdon, American Government, 11th edition, (Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, H. M. Levine, Point-Counterpoint: Readings in American Government, 7 th edition. (Belmont CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004). and 3. Wadsworth Group InfoTrac College Edition Student Guide for Political Science, (Belmont CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007). Recommended Supplemental Texts: (on reserve) 1. The Constitution of the U.S.A.: Analysis and Interpretation, (U.S. Government Printing Office, latest edition).

2 M. Adams, Fire and Ice: The United States, Canada and the Myth of Converging Values, (Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2003) 3. R.J. Art & K.N. Waltz, eds. The Use of Force: Military Power and International Politics, 6 th edition, (Toronto: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004) 4. J.C. Foster and S.M. Leeson, eds., Constitutional Law: Cases in Context, (N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1998). 5. S.J. Wayne, The Road to the White House 2004, (N.Y.: St. Martins 2004). 6. Finkelman, P., Ed., Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties, Vols. I-III, (NY: Routledge, 2006) Recommended Source Materials: These contain valuable information and analysis on the core material in the course. They are available in the libraries, whereas new editions can be found in bookstores. 1. D. M. O Brien, Constitutional Law and Politics, Volumes I & II. 6 th edition, ( New York: Norton, 2006) 2. Stanley I. Kutler, ed., The Supreme Court and the Constitution: Readings in American Constitutional History, (New York: W. W. Norton & Co., latest edition). 3. R.E. Neustadt, Presidential Powers, (John Wiley & Sons, latest edition). 4. H.W. Stanley and R.G. Niemi, Vital Statistics on American Politics, (C.Q. Press, latest edition). 5. I. H. Daalder and J.M. Lindsay, America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy, (Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution, 2003). 6. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, (any edition). 7. M. Barone, et al, The Almanac of American Politics 2006, (Washington D.C.: National Journal, 2006). 8. J.D. Barber, The Presidential Character, (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, latest edition). 9. E.R. Wittkopf et al., American Foreign Policy, 6 th edition, (Belmont CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2003) 10. M. Fausold and A. Shank, eds., The Constitution and the American Presidency (State University of New York Press, 1991). 11. J.A. Rosati, ed. Readings in the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy, (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1998) 12. S.M. Hartmann, From Margin to Mainstream: American Women and Politics Since 1960, (New York: Knopf, 1989). 13. H. Kissinger, Does America Need a Foreign Policy?, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001)

3 Z. Sardar & M.W. Davies, Why Do People Hate America? (Cambridge UK: Icon Books, 2002) 15. J. Stewart, B. Karlin, D. Javarbaum, eds., The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents: America (The Book): A Citizen s Guide to Democracy Inaction, (New York: Warner Books, 2004) The Media: The observation of the political process in action is an interesting and informative way to keep abreast of American politics. Over the next year we will have an opportunity to watch some major political events on the American scene: the election of a new president, changing foreign policy initiatives, executivecongressional conflict, and the realignment of the Supreme Court. Interest groups, congress and the president will be constantly at odds over many major issues which will continue to dominate during this election year. In order to keep informed about the changing nature of American politics, it is recommended that you keep abreast of the news, and monitor such television programs as Reliable Sources (CNN), "Washington Week" (PBS), "Meet the Press" (NBC), This Week with George Stephanopoulos (ABC), "News Hour (PBS), "Lou Dobbs Tonight" (CNN), BBC World News (CBC-NW) and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (COM). King's and Weldon Libraries are well stocked with newspapers. Among the best are The New York Times, The Washington Post and weeklies such as The Christian Science Monitor, Human Events, The Guardian Weekly and The Economist. Most of these can be accessed on line. Magazines and Monthlies also provide an up-to-date source of information. Depending upon your time and taste, sample some of the following and keep up to date via links provided on our web site. The Nation Rolling Stone The National Journal Time/Newsweek Harper's The New Republic Washington Monthly The National Review Vanity Fair Journals provide a more reflective and in-depth analysis of the issues and concerns of American academics. They cross all areas of the disciplines of political science, history, sociology, economics, law and business. They should be used as primary sources when research on essays or seminars is required. The following are a small example of these scholarly journals many are available via InfoTrac & American Politics Now, which are bundled with your book package. American Journal of Political Science Foreign Policy Foreign Affairs American Bar Review Congressional Digest Harvard Law Review Lecture Schedule: The course will progress in the manner set out in the Lecture Schedule. Each topic will be covered, although topics do not necessarily coincide with a single lecture hour. As we will deal with some topics at greater length than others, each section does not represent a fixed time period.

4 - 4 - I. AMERICAN POLITICS: FOUNDATIONS 1.1 The American Experiment: Ideologies in Conflict Chapter Democracy and Capitalism Chapter Political Culture: Conflict and Homogeneity Chapter 1 II. III. IV. THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 The Constitutional Structure Chapter The Separation of Powers Chapter Federalism: The Division of Power Chapter 3 CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS 3.1 The Supreme Court: Judicial Review and Interpretation Chapter The Rule and Role of Law: Civil Liberties Chapter Equal Protection: Civil Rights Chapter 15 GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY 4.1 Public Opinion Chapter The Media Chapter Pressure Politics: Changing the System? Chapter 6 V. THE PROCESS OF POLITICS 5.1 The Party System: Order Out of Chaos? Chapter Campaigns and Elections Chapter Money, Power and Politics: Equality versus Liberty Chapter 9 VI. VII. THE LEGISLATURE: CONGRESS 6.1 The House of Representatives: The People s House Chapter The Senate: State Representatives Chapter Lawmaking and Representative Government Chapter 10 ( ) THE EXECUTIVE 7.1 The President: Three Roles in One? Chapter Executive Application: The Bureaucracy Chapter The President: The Leadership Dilemma VIII. PRAGMATIC POLITICS IN THE USA 8.1 Economic Policy Chapter Social Welfare and Health Policy Chapter Foreign Policy Chapter 18 Evaluation and Assignments: 1. Constitutional Case (November 12, 2008) [Electronic and Hard Copy]... 20% 2. First Term Test (November 26, 2008) multiple choice/essay question).. 10% 3. Research Paper (February 11, 2009) [Electronic and Hard Copy]... 20% 4. Tutorial Attendance and Critical Review (various) [Hard Copy report].. 20% 5. Final Examination (Registrar)... 30%

5 Assignments All written assignments in hard copy (with the exception of the seminar critical review) must be submitted, on or before the due date (extensions granted), in class, and electronically to the class site link at on or before the date of hard copy submission. 1. Constitutional Case: A 2000 word paper which examines the constitutional principles, rationale, outcome, and ramifications of a particular Supreme Court decision. A list of cases will be made available in early October and will be related to the relevant topics and issues covered in the main text and its accompanying resources. Electronic submission required. 2. First Term Test: This will consist of fifty multiple choice questions on the text chapters covered to date OR one essay question, from a choice of three, on lectures and text chapters. It will be one hour in length. 3. Research Paper: A 2000 word essay which makes extensive use of primary source materials. The topics will deal with presidential foreign policy decisions, political parties and special interest groups. Topics will be distributed before the end of November. N.B. Internet (www) citation to be limited to 50% of total bibliography. Electronic submission required. 4. Tutorial Presentations and Critical Review: The second hour (3:30-4:20) on Mondays will be reserved for multi-media presentations and tutorials on Point-Counterpoint: Readings from American Government. Up to 5% will be forfeited for lack of attendance during this hour. Two or three persons will lead the discussion by addressing the questions in the Readings. Based on this each leader will submit a 750 word Critical Review, on the topic of their presentation, two weeks after the presentation. Hard copy only. 5. Final Examination: It will consist of two parts. Part One will consist of three questions, one of which is to be answered in the essay format. Part Two will be in a similar format. Each part is of equal value, over the course of two hours. Evaluation and Late Assignments: All essays are due on the dates specified in this handout and should be handed in, in class on that date, or before. Students will be granted extensions if they are requested up until one week prior to the due date, (see extension request as attached) in consultation with the instructor. All late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 10% per day including weekends. Office Hours: I shall be available for consultation at the following times: Mondays 1:00-2:00, and Thursdays 12:00 1:00. Outside of these hours, you should feel free to make an appointment. In general I am able to respond more quickly if you leave a telephone message at my office with a number where you can be reached.

6 - 6 - King s University College at the University of Western Ontario POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Policy Regarding Plagiarism Definition: Plagiarism is an intentional act of academic dishonesty and intellectual theft. Flagrant plagiarism occurs when complete portions of one or more written texts are copied, but no quotation marks are used to indicate that the words have been borrowed even if a citation of the source has, or has not, been included. Disguised plagiarism happens when the original text is disguised by changing only a few words, even if a citation is included. Whether flagrant or disguised, plagiarism is a serious academic offence. The texts and materials borrowed from others must be acknowledged. The acknowledgment must include quotation marks around the material used, and a notation giving specific source information. Web citations must include sources as well as the date and time of access. Procedures and Penalties: 1. Faculty Discretion: Instructors have the discretion to distinguish between plagiarism and errors in citation that appear to be harmless and inadvertent. If academic dishonesty is not suspected, the instructor may choose to give a verbal warning, or suggest a rewrite, with penalty, regarding the mistake. However, the instructor may also choose to seek consultation with the Chair of the Department to determine if formal reporting is appropriate. 2. Formal Reporting: If a faculty member believes that a student has engaged in plagiarism or related forms of academic dishonesty (such as submitting the same paper in two separate courses or submitting a paper completed in a previous course), the instructor will begin formal reporting procedures. a. The instructor gathers the evidence of academic dishonesty. b. The instructor notifies the Chair of the Department and the student of the suspected offence and schedules a meeting for the three parties to discuss the issue. c. Following the meeting, if the Chair finds that an offence has occurred, the Chair will write a recommendation outlining the case and the penalty to the Academic Dean. 3. Penalties: Penalties will reflect the severity of the offence. The instructor may recommend a penalty as light as a zero on the assignment, but instructors also may recommend course failure (even in first-offence cases) where gross and substantial plagiarism has clearly occurred. Penalties may include consequences as severe as expulsion from the College. See the UWO Academic Calendar under Academic Rights and Responsibilities. Prerequisites and Antirequisites: Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites. General Statement on Plagiarism: King s is committed to Academic Integrity. Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE SERIOUS SCHOLASTIC OFFENCES. All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com (

7 Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating. 5. Plagiarism Checking: UWO uses software for checking submitted work. Students may be required to submit their written work in electronic form. Addenda 1. Monitoring Plagiarism The University of Western Ontario uses software for plagiarism checking. Students will be required to submit selected written work in an electronic format for this class via Turnitin.com. A hard copy is also required on the due date. 2. Evaluation Procedures The policy of the University is that, when a course instructor wishes to change the evaluation process as outlined in his or her course outline at the beginning of the year, prior approval must be obtained from the dean of the faculty concerned. 3. Prerequisites and Anti-requisites Students are responsible for ensuring that their selection of courses is appropriate and accurately recorded, that all course prerequisites have been successfully completed, and that they are aware of any anti-requisite course(s) that they have taken (see N.B. p. 8). If the student does not have the requisites for a course, and does not have written special permission from his or her Dean to enrol in the course, the University reserves the right to cancel the student s registration in the course. This decision may not be appealed. The normal financial and academic penalties will apply to a student who is dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites. 4. Accommodation for Religious Holidays Please refer to the Senate Policy on Accommodation for Religious Holidays at (See Policy on Academic Rights and Responsibilities). 5. Statement on Use of Electronic Devices No laptop computers, PDA s, or cell phones shall be used during examinations except with the written permission of the Instructor and the Dean of Students Office. 6. Drop Dates for the Academic Year Monday, October 15, 2007 Friday, November 30, 2007 Friday, February 15, 2008 First-term half-courses Full courses and full year half-courses Second-term half-courses. 7. Support Services The web site for Registrar Service at King s University College is and Counselling and Student Development Services

8 - 8 - King s University College DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE Prerequisites and Antirequisites for Politics Courses New Course # Old Course # Course Title A=Anti-requisite P=Prerequisite 1020E 020E Introduction to Political Science A: 021F-026G 2202E 202E Selected Topics: Religion in the P: 020E Political Arena 2211E 211E Business and Government A: E 222E Politics and the Media in Canada P: 020E or MIT 024a/b 2230E 230E Canadian Government and Politics A: 103a/b, 130, 133a/b, 151F/G. P: 020E 2231E 231E International Politics A: 131E, International Relations 210E P: 020E 2235E 235E Politics of the Environment A: E 244E American Government and Politics A: 144E or 144 P: 020E The Politics of Childhood Education A: 216F/G if taken in or ; 2265F 265F/G or 215F/G taken in or P: 020E or CSI 020 The Family in Law and Politics A: 215F/G if taken in or ; 2266G 266F/G or 216F/G if taken in or , or 216G taken in P: 020E or CSI E 333E Canadian Foreign Policy P: 231E or 250E, or International Relations 210E, and either 230E or 245E 3338E 338E Political Parties and Pressure Groups A: The former 138, 238 P: 230E or 234E or 244E or 251E 3345E 345E International Law and Organization P: 231E 3350E 350E Canada and the US: Politics and the A: 485E if taken prior to Sept 2004 Mass Media P: 222E and 230E or 245E 3362E 362E Case Studies in Contemporary Ethnic P: 231E, enrolment in 3 rd or 4 th year Conflict honors Politics, or permission 3392E 392E Selected Topics: Federalism and P: Enrolment in 3 rd or 4 th year Politics, or Political Integration permission Nationalism and Secession A: 420E (570) taken in , and 430E 4423F 423F P: Enrolment in 4 th year Honors Spec or 4 th year Honors Politics, or permission 4424G 424G Nationalist Conflicts and Paths to Peace A: 420E (570) taken in , and 430E P: Enrolment in 4 th year Honors Spec or 4 th year Honors Politics, or permission 4444E 444E Constitutions of Canada and The P: 230E or 244E 4450E 450E United States United States Foreign Policy: Economic and Military Globalization A: 400E, 401F/G P: 020E and 230E, or permission NOTE: Unless you have either the requisites for a course, or written special permission from the Department to enroll in it, you will be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

9 McKercher - Pol. Sci. 2244E PERMISSION FOR EXTENSION King's University College at the University of Western Ontario Department of Political Science Today's Date Course Name Original Due Date Assignment Topic Extension Due Date All extensions are granted with the understanding that any assignment submitted after the agreed upon date shall be penalized at 10% per day including weekends. Essays should be deposited in the drop-box in Dante Lenardon Hall. The box is cleared twice per day (9:30 am & 4:00 pm), anything left in the box after 4:00 pm will be date-stamped the following day. Student Instructor (Student's Copy) McKercher - Pol. Sci. 2244E PERMISSION FOR EXTENSION King's University College at the University of Western Ontario Department of Political Science Today's Date Course Name Original Due Date Assignment Topic Extension Due Date All extensions are granted with the understanding that any assignment submitted after the agreed upon date shall be penalized at 10% per day including weekends. Essays should be deposited in the drop-box in Dante Lenardon Hall. The box is cleared twice per day (9:30 am & 4:00 pm), anything left in the box after 4:00 pm will be date-stamped the following day. Student Instructor (Instructor's Copy)

10 King s University College at The University of Western Ontario Statement on Academic Offences: King s is committed to Academic Integrity. Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE SERIOUS SCHOLASTIC OFFENCES All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com ( Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating. Additional Information: Support Services The web site for Registrarial Service at King s University College is and Counselling and Student Development Services are linked from Tests/Examinations Students are responsible for seeking accommodation with appropriate documentation, prior to writing tests/examinations, if they are of the view that their performance may be affected by extenuating circumstances. Mailbox: re Submission of Late Essays/Assignments ONLY: Late essays/assignments not handed in at class may be dropped off in the green mailbox, located on the 2 nd floor of the Dante Lenardon Building. The mailbox is cleared twice a day; once in the morning (9:30am) and in the afternoon (4:00pm). All essays dropped off after 4:00pm on Friday will be date-stamped the following Monday. Please ensure your professor s name is on the essay. Faculty Office Hours: Faculty office hours can be found on the King s website at: and are also posted on the bulletin board across from the Faculty Secretaries Office on the 2 nd floor of Dante Lenardon Hall. Unless otherwise noted by your Professor, the following policy is in effect: Use of Electronic Devices: You are not allowed to have a cell phone, or any other electronic device, with you during tests or examinations. July 2, 2008