POLI SCI 101 Syllabus and Schedule Napoleon Dynamite Political Science 101 is an introduction to American politics. There are no prerequisites and the class is worth 3 credits. Do you know why the elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party and the donkey represents the Democratic Party? Did you know that political parties, candidates, and interest groups can determine how you will vote based on the food you eat, the soft drinks and beer you drink, and the vehicle you drive? This introductory class examines the basic principles of American and state government such as power, authority, legitimacy, and force. Current events, popular culture examples, documentaries, and Adjunct Professor Anthony Bandiero Anthony@post.Harvard.edu Mobile: 702-499-4879 Office Hours: By appointment Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 1
online and multimedia resources are used to complement the readings. The course will study numerous aspects of American government and key participants and influences in the political arena. Topics to be covered include: U.S. and Nevada Constitutions, the Presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, federal court system, voting, socialization process, political parties, interest groups, and the media. We will also be examining a number of current political events, governmental actions, and public policy decisions as part of the Bulletin Board Discussions (BBDs). At the beginning of each week, the following course materials will be provided: 1. Student learning objectives and outcomes for each chapter. 2. Chapter focus and main points. 3. Chapter summary. 4. Major concepts and key terms. 5. Lecture outline. 6. Chapter PowerPoints. 7. Online web links, resources, videos, and documentaries to supplement assigned readings. Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable. Bill Maher These materials are available to you on WebCampus under Modules, Discussions, and Goals. Ongoing emails and announcements will be made throughout the course. Required Textbooks Joseph Losco and Ralph Baker. 2015-16. AM GOV. New York: McGraw-Hills. (ISBN: 9781259284250). Bowers, Michael W. 2006. The Sagebrush State: Nevada s History, Government, and Politics (4th Edition). University of Nevada Press. (ISBN: 978-0-87417-923-1) Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 2
Recommended Materials The GBC Bookstore has quick study guides for: U.S. Government Political Science U.S. Constitution Grading and Point System The course consists of 5 BBD Discussions and 3 quizzes. Points will be assessed for each. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to complete 2 bonus assignments in order to increase their letter grade. Grading Scale 94-100% A 73-76% C 90-93% A- 70-72% C- 87-89% B+ 67-69% D+ 83-86% B 63-66% D 80-82% B- 60-62% D- 77-79% C+ <60% F Participation Participation is extremely important for any college class, not just this one. If you miss a class you cannot make it up since the material is primarily lecture based. Your grade is primarily based on your performance on the BBD Discussions and the quizzes. And your performance on those is measured in large part on your participation and attendance. If I observe a serious participation issue I will reach out to you. Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 3
Class Schedule Week Topic Reading(s) Available Due Losco-Baker Bowers Week 1 Citizenship in Our Changing Democracy Introductions Chapter 1 Chapter 1 BBD #1 2/1/2016 BBD #1 2/7/2016 Overview of Expectations Chapter 2 Week 2 The Constitution: The Foundation of Citizen s Rights Chapter 2 Nevada Constitution Appendices Week 3 Federalism: Citizenship and the Dispersal of Power Chapter 3 None BBD #2 2/8/2016 BBD #2 2/21/2016 Quiz #1 2/25/2016 2/28/2016 Week 4 Civil Liberties Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Week 5 Civil Rights: Toward a More Equal Citizenry Chapter 5 Chapter 3 BBD #3 2/22/2016 BBD #3 3/6/2016 Week 6 Public Opinion: Listening to Citzens Chapter 6 None Week 7 Political Participation Chapter 7 None Week 8 Interest Groups in America Chapter 8 Chapter 5 BBD #4 3/7/2016 BBD #4 3/20/2016 Quiz #2 3/10/2016 3/13/2016 Week 9 Parties and Political Campaigns: Citizens and the Electoral Process Chapter 9 Chapter 4 BBD #5 3/21/2016 BBD #5 4/3/2016 Week 10 Media: Tuning In or Tuning Out Chapter 10 None Week 11 Congress: Doing the People s Business Chapter 11 Chapter 6 BBD BONUS 1 & 2 4/4/2016 BBD BONUS 1 & 2 5/6/2016 Week 12 The Presidency: Power and Paradox Chapter 12 Chapter 7 Week 13 Bureaucracy: Citizens as Owners and Consumers Chapter 13 Chapter 9 Week 14 The Courts: Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting Chapter 14 Chapter 8 Week 15 Public Policy: Responding to Citizens Chapter 15 Chapter 10 Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 4
Week Topic Reading(s) Available Due Week 16 Foreign & Defense Policy: Protecting American Interests in the World Chapter 16 Chapter 11 Quiz # 3 5/2/2016 5/6/2016 Bonus Bonus BBD Discussions Bonus 1/2 5/6/2016 Bonus 1/2 5/6/2016 General Education Objectives General education objectives can be referenced on page 54 of the GBC Catalog. It is the goal of the faculty at GBC that all students that graduate with either an associate s or bachelor s degree from this institution have had the opportunity presented to them during their attendance to have acquired ability and awareness with the following objectives: Objective 1: Communication Skills Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form, embracing discussion, reading, listening, and accessing information. Objective 2: Critical Thinking Integrate creativity, logic, quantitative reasoning, and the hierarchy of inquiry and knowing in social scientific understanding. There are three elements to this objective: Quantitative Ability: Understand mathematical principles and integrate quantitative methods into problem solving. Reasoning and Independent Thought: Use logic and visual thinking in selecting, analyzing, and presenting information. Scientific Understanding: Understand the essential workings of natural systems, understand the hierarchy of scientific knowing and the use of the scientific method in its pursuit, and have the ability to use this knowledge predicatively. Objective 3: Personal/Cultural Awareness Understand the roles of individuals in society, the development of human societies, and the significance of creativity in the human experience. Sense of the Individual in Society: Recognize and respect the rights of the individual, and possess an appreciation of the complexity and variety of the divergent attitudes, values, and beliefs in society. Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 5
Sense of the Past: Understand the cultural and historical heritage of contemporary society, and be able to thoughtfully consider the implications of this heritage. Sense of Accountability: Appreciate the consequences of human actions in social and environmental contexts, and have the ability to consider the ethical and practical implications of those actions. Appreciation of Fine Arts: Recognize and value creative human expression. Objective 4: Personal Wellness, Growth, & Responsibility Develop knowledge, skills, and behaviors that promote personal well being. Objective 5: Technological Understanding Function effectively in modern society through the use of technology. Important College and Classroom Policies Policy of Academic Integrity Academic honesty is expected in this course and all college courses. Acts such as cheating and plagiarism are violations of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Code of Conduct as well as violations of the standards of intellectual dishonesty. All student work must be original and authentic. Any acts of cheating, copying, and/or plagiarizing are violations of the NSHE Code of Conduct and will be taken seriously. Students who cheat, copy another s work, or plagiarize from the Internet or other sources are subject to consequences ranging from dismissal from and failure of a class to dismissal from the college. Tutors are available in the GBC Academic Success Center for assistance with appropriate documentation and citations. Student Conduct Policy Messages, attitudes, or any other form of communication deemed to be outside the bounds of common decency/civility as judged by common standards of classroom behavior (determined, as they would be in a regular classroom, by the instructor) will not be tolerated. The behavior of GBC students, as a member of the NSHE, is governed by GBC and NSHE Code. Misconduct, as defined and established in the NSHE Code, Title II, Chapter 6, Section 6.2.2 and the above misconduct as defined by GBC, is subject to Disciplinary Sanctions as defined by NSHE Code, Title 2. Class Disruptions Cell phones and other multimedia devices disrupt class and need to be turned off, stored away, and out of sight. Text messaging is not allowed. Check with me if there are special circumstances that Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 6
require you to have your phone on during class. Coming to class late is also disruptive. Habitual lateness and leaving the classroom during the lectures is not acceptable and considered disruptive. Disruptive behavior will result in being removed from class. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (ADA Statement) Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, Julie G. Byrnes, will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271. Campus Security GBC is committed to the safety of our students and has a duty to promote awareness and prevention programs for violence on campus under the Jeanne Clery Act as well as the Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination Act) and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), which are amendments to Clery. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Acts of violence can occur on the physical campus or centers of GBC in addition to field placement sites, clinical practice settings, and other places where college or class activities occur. As well, the online environment at GBC is considered a GBC site. If you experience any incidence where your safety has been threatened or violated, or if you feel threatened or harassed, immediately report this to me, any center director, faculty, or staff member, or directly to the Director of Environmental Health, Safety & Security(775.753.2115) or the Vice President for Student Services(775.753.2282). Anthony Bandiero PSC 101 7