Syllabus for American National Government Spring - 2012 S.J. Carney COURSE: 1113 TEXTBOOK: TESTS: GRADING PACKAGE: WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Government by the People by Magleby, Light, and Nemacheck; 2011 Brief Edition. Three objective exams will be administered. Bring scantrons. Make-up tests will be essay and only for legitimate reasons. Unpreparedness is not one of them! Exact dates to be announced. But see target dates in course outline to facilitate your planning. Student receives grade based on overall performance, including tests, "active participation" in the classroom, and outside research assignments, as indicated. There is a "kicker" for good attendance, and THERE WILL BE CREDIT LOSS DUE TO POOR ATTENDANCE! (one letter grade drop on course grade for every six absences). Good attendance advances your grade. "Buffer" points are also available, to be discussed in class. Deadline for buffer points is Thursday, March 29. Individual tests will be graded on a curve that groups similar numerical scores in the same letter grade, dividing them where scores have not been received. Total points accumulated for each student out of the total possible will be curved for student s course grade curve, not to be tighter than a standard curve. Letter grades will also be reviewed. Questions on grading will be fully addressed in class or see professor individually. Research Essay: All students must submit a typed, double-spaced, at least four-page paper on one of the following concepts: 1. Separation of Powers and checks and balances in comparison to Great Britain. 2. Federalism or Division of Powers in comparison to a unitary system. Paper must include definition, scholarly and your own, origin, justification, impact, comparison and your appraisal of the concept. Students must cite, use, and identify four sources -- one may be your textbook. A research style with an appropriate bibliography must be attached. This is worth a maximum of 50 points, due Thursday, March 1. NOTE: As part of this assignment, students must write a summary of their paper in class with no notes. Additional briefing 1
on this in class. This assignment is a requirement for the course! REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE: Three tests, "active participation" in the classroom, research essay and writing as assigned. Attendance and reading the text are critical. No phones, personal technology, etc is permitted class. COURSE OUTLINE: I. INTRODUCTION A. Model 1. Operation 2. Standard/Defects 3. Observations 4. Constitutional Elements (3) See V. II. GOVERNMENT - Four Basic Questions A. Definition B. Theories on Origin (5) C. Functions 1. Traditional - (3) D. Forms 1. Political Spectrum 2. Comparison 3. Economic Terms/Spectrum III. TERMS - Chapter 1-2 A. Government B. Democracy / Republic - 19 1. Greek Roots - 19 2. Premises - Values 20 NOTE 104 3. Processes - 21 4. Structures - 23 C. Liberty/Freedom/Equality 20-21 D. Politics E. Political Science F. Constitutional Government/Democracy - 20 G. Nation - State (4) IV. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE - Chapter 1-17 A. Mayflower Compact B. French and Indian Wars 2
C. Committees of Correspondence D. First Continental Congress (1) E. Second Continental Congress (2) F. Confederation - 14 1. Articles - description- 2. Weaknesses G. Constitutional Convention - 25 H. Nation Building 1. Consensus - 26 2. Conflicts/compromises - 27 (3) 3. Adoption - 30 4. Ratification 32 I. Constitution 32, 47 1. Articles (7) 2. Amendments (27) 3. Longevity and applicability 4. Review - BE FAMILIAR WITH CONSTITUTION! V. CONSTITUTIONAL ELEMENTS OR PRINCIPLES A. Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances- 35 1. Definition - 35 2. Origin 3. Examples- 36 a. Judicial Review - 37 b. Marbury v. Madison - 38 B. Popular Sovereignty Definition 1. Changing the Constitution - 39 2. Amendment Process - 41 C. Division of Powers - Federalism - Chapter 2-59 (Outline) In class. 1. Definition - 60 2. Origin and alternatives - 61 3. Comparison 4. Appraisal - 63 5. Specifics a. National layer powers (3) - 66 b. State powers - reserved - 10th Amendment - 68 c. Concurrent powers - 68 6. Vertical Federalism (6) 7. Horizontal Federalism - 70 (4) 8. Growth of National Role 9. Supremacy Clause - Implied Powers a. McCulloch v. Maryland (2) 70 b. National Supremacy and Reserved Powers 3
VI. BASIC FREEDOMS OF FIRST AMENDMENT - Chapter 11-321 A. Rights in Original Constitution B. Nationalization of Bill of Rights C. Religion (2) D. Speech 1. Standard Clear and Present Danger E. Nonprotected speech - Obscenity/Pornography F. Press - 388 G. Other Media and Messages H. Assembly I. CASES, GUIDELINES AND CONSTITUTIONAL TESTS VII. EQUAL RIGHTS - Chapter 12-349 A. Equality and Liberty Clash B. Citizenship 1. Definition, Acquisition, Rights, and Termination C. Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses 1. Rational Basis 2. Suspect Classes 3. Heightened Scrutiny D. Rights - Congressional and Judicial Responses 1. Voting 2. Education E. Employment, Housing, and Public Accommodations 1. Affirmative Action 2. Property Rights and Eminent Domain 3. Due Process (2) 4. Privacy Rights 5. Rights of Accused - 4th Amendment - Legislation and Cases 6. Cases, Guidelines, and Illustrations TEST #1 - Target date: Week of March 5. 100 questions over the above topics. VIII. POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY A. Ideology / Socialization - Chapter 3 87 1. American Political Culture a. Shared Values b. American Dream B. America's Diversity - Chapter 3 - Optional 1. Regionalism and Nationalism 2. Race/Ethnicity 3. Sex/Gender 4
4. Religion 5. Income Levels, Occupation, Class 6. Age 7. Educational Levels C. Political Parties and Interest Groups - Chapter 4-115 1. Political Parties a. Definition and History b. Functions c. Two-Party System d. Third/Minor Parties e. Structure and Organization-(3) f. Party Identification g. Unaffiliated 2. Interest Groups a. Definition and Terms - Movements b. Types of Groups c. Characteristics and Power d. Techniques e. Lobbying and Pacs f. Controls D. Voter Behavior - Public Opinion - Chapter 5-153 1. Public Opinion a. Characteristics and Ideologies 2. Political Socialization 3. Voting and Turnout 4. Voter/Non-voter Profiles 5. Voting Patterns and Trends - National and Electoral E. Campaigns, Elections, and Media Chapter 6-181 1. Election Rules 2. Electoral College 3. Running for Congress 4. Running for President (3) 5. Money in Elections 6. Media a. Power - Impact? b. General Observations and Roles/ Functions c. Historical development d. Factors which diminish media power e. Political influence TEST #2 - Target date: Week of April 2. 75 questions over the above topics. IX. POLICY-MAKERS A. Congress - Chapter 7-219 1. Composition/Qualifications/Structure 5
2. Gerrymandering 3. Functions/Powers 4. Comparison of Houses 5. Legislative Personnel - 3 Layers 6. Representation 7. Legislative Route 8. Committee System - Standing 9. Seniority 10. Other committees B. Presidency - Chapter 8-245 1. Descriptions and Qualifications-(3) 2. Electoral College-186 3. Constitutional Powers a. Commander-in-Chief b. Diplomat-In-Chief c. Appointment Responsibilities d. Veto Power e. Pardon Power f. Enforcement of Laws g. Inform Congress 3. Additional Powers and Roles a. Chief Bureaucrat b. Inherent Powers c. Convene Congress d. War Making Power e. Executive Privilege and Other Ambiguities f. Executive Orders g. Impoundment 4. Evolution of the Presidency 5. Tools and Assistants a. Executive Office of the President b. White House Office c. Cabinet d. Vice President 6. Roles 7. Congress and the President 8. Impeachment and Trial 9. Points of Conflict C. Bureaucracy - Chapter 9 - Optional 1. Structures (4) 2. Bureaucratic Executives A. Process B. Senior Executive Service 3. Jobs: Hiring and Policy 6
4. Functions A. Implementation B. Funding C. Accountability/Oversight D. Judicial Structures- Chapter 10-295 1. Judicial Power/ Jurisdiction 2. Federal Court System-Hierarchy a. Jurisdiction and Appointments b. Operations a. Chief Justice b. Solicitor General c. Conference -Chief Justice -Solicitor General -Conference 3. Decision-making -Opinions Test #3 - Final Exam: 150 questions 26645 Thursday,May 3, 7:00-8:50 am 26648 Tuesday, May 1, 9:00 10:50 am COURSE OBJECTIVES: This is an overview or survey course, and therein is the need for presenting a broad look at the American system of government. The student will need to understand how the Constitution came into existence, what rights Americans have, how Americans behave politically, and how the "decision-makers" function. Constitutional principles and their application must be mastered. 7
Additional chapters may be covered as time permits. Instructor: S.J. Carney Office: LA 102K Phone: 974-5513 Fax: 974-3823 Email: scarney@uco.edu Student Information Sheet can be found on the web: http://www.busn.ucok.edu/academicaffairs/forms/student%20information%20sheetspr08.pdf 8