PSCI A180 Intro to U.S. Government Tuesday & Thursday 2:20-3:45 PM Scott Godfrey sgodfrey@occ.cccd.edu On the nature of this class: Though this is a survey class, designed to give you a general understanding of the American and Californian political systems, we will also focus on some of the more important theoretical underpinnings of not only the American government, but also American society and culture at large. Because we will be discussing some controversial topics, it is imperative that you understand the possibility that you will be offended either by the material, by your classmates, or by me. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that political beliefs can be extremely personal, and it is my hope to give equal time to students of varying ideologies. I aim to present this material in as apolitical a tone as possible, and it is essential that if we are going to have a positive learning experience together, we need to all remain equally respectful -- I will not tolerate personal attacks or bullying of other students by anyone. Reading assignments: If your aim is to do well in this class, it is crucial that you acquire the assigned texts. Exams will draw on both lectures and reading assignments. I acknowledge that certain reading assignments may be somewhat difficult, but the important point is that you try. It is my promise to you that I will do my best to make sure that you understand the material as best as I can explain it. It is not my goal to trick or confuse anyone, either by my lecture or by my exam or quiz questions. Please come and talk to me either after class or during posted office hours if you are confused about any of the material. On line reading assignments: Reading assignments listed as on line can be found at my website (http://occonline.occ.cccd.edu/online/sgodfrey/) under the link titled handouts. To be fully prepared for class, you must print the assigned documents and bring them to class with you. Exams and quizzes: As previously mentioned, any assigned material is fair game for exams, so I suggest keeping up with your reading and taking good notes. Exams will be compiled of multiple choice, short answer questions, and an essay question. Reading quizzes will be given most Thursdays at the beginning of class, and will consist of multiple-choice questions. Makeup policy: Makeup exams will only be given for medical emergencies (with the proof of a doctor s note), or for extreme family emergencies. Makeups for reading quizzes will not be offered, but I will drop the lowest score that you achieve on a quiz, so you can consider the zero you would receive on a missed quiz to be dropped -- that is, unless you miss more than one quiz. Plagiarism and Cheating: Neither plagiarism nor cheating will be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as using a direct quote, a copied passage, or a paraphrased passage without citing the source of the material. As plagiarism is a direct affront to academic integrity, I will take the most extreme measures afforded to me as an instructor to deal with any students who are found to have plagiarized. Cheating on an exam will be dealt with in a similar fashion. You will be immediately referred to the Dean of Students and campuswide policies will be enforced. Attendance: Since questions regarding lecture material (that is not in your books) will be asked on your exams, your attendance is greatly encouraged. You will be allowed three unexcused absences, but will be dropped five points from your final grade for each subsequent, unexcused absence. It will be extremely 1
difficult for you to pass this class if you miss five or more classes, and I will not withdraw students who fail to attend class. If you intend to withdraw, you must take the required steps to do so. Cellphones and Laptops: Phones must be turned off (not just the ringers) I have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to taking calls or texting during class, and I will ask you to leave if you do either. Also, I do not permit the use of laptops during class. I understand that some of you prefer to take notes on laptops, but the ever-present temptation of writing emails and/or checking Facebook status updates tends to distract not only online students, but those sitting nearby, which is unfair to them. Exceptions will only be made for those with permission from Student Services. Classroom Conduct: You must come to class on time, and unless I approve, stay for the duration. Also, you must attend class having done the assigned readings, and be prepared for discussion. If you don t understand any concepts discussed during class, it is important that you ask for clarification chances are that one of your classmates will have the same question. Moreover, as this is a political science class, there may be times that you feel passionately about the material (I hope this is the case!). This is only natural, but you must remain respectful of your classmates when they express divergent political leanings from you. Name-calling or bullying will lead to your unexcused ejection from the class as will the use of slurs (racial, ethnic, sexual, gender-based, religious, or otherwise). A Final Word: My role in this class is to help you understand material that is not only exciting, but at times challenging. My promise to you is that I will do my best to be available to answer any questions, or to address any concerns that you may have regarding this class. Ultimately, my goal is to provide you with the tools necessary to interpret and understand the American political system. It is not my goal to proselytize, recruit, or convince any of you that you should change your political beliefs. Student Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to: 1. Analyze the powers, limits thereof, and procedures of the national and state governments in theory and practice. 2. Determine the significance and compare and contrast the influence of the news media, political parties, and interest groups on government officials and public policy. 3. Identify how the public may influence government officials and evaluate the effectiveness of each. Assigned texts: Edward S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page: The Struggle for Democracy 9th Ed. Mona Field: California Government and Politics Today 13th Ed. On line readings are posted at: http://occonline.occ.cccd.edu/online/sgodfrey/ Grade breakdown: Three exams: 25% each (75%) Quizzes combine to make up: 15% Participation: 10% Semester schedule and reading assignments 8/31: Class introduction Thurs. 9/02: Democracy: (What does it mean? Who s left out? Who has power and why? What is power in a democracy?) Read: Text, Chapter 1 2
9/07: Historical events & ideologies leading to the creation of the United States: (What is the State of Nature? What is a social contract? What do liberal theorists tell us about the origins of the U.S.? What do the same theorists tell us about our current American ideology?) Read: Thomas Hobbes: excerpts from Leviathan (on line) John Locke: Two Treatises on Government (on line) Thomas Paine: Common Sense (on line) Thurs. 9/09: The founding of the US: ( Now that you ve read some of the authors who influenced the framers, what do you think of the Constitution? Who or what does it limit? Why? Does it grant power to anyone? How or how not? Who s left out? Is it complete, or should something be added?) Read: The Declaration of Independence (in text Appendix) The Constitution of the United States (in text Appendix) James Madison: Federalist No. 10 (in text Appendix) Text, Chapter 2 9/14: Federalism: State and Federal powers (Why federalism? Are we beginning to see a theme here? Whose power were the framers concerned about limiting? Whose power were they hoping to preserve?) Read: James Madison: Federalist No. 51 (in text Appendix) Text: Chapter 3 Field: Chapter 1 Thurs. 9/16: Congress: (Why a bicameral congress? What does this have in common with the idea of federalism? How was congress designed? Why was it designed to be inefficient?) Read: The Constitution of the United States, Article I (in text Appendix) John Adams: excerpts from Thoughts on Government (on line) Text: Chapter 11 9/21: Congress Continued: (What does congress do? Referring back to the Constitution, what are the powers and roles of Congress? Where does the action occur? What are some of the differences between the House and Senate?) Read: Text: Chapter 11 Thurs. 9/23: The Presidency: (How has the role of the president expanded over time? What can account for this change? What do we expect of our president? Is it realistic to expect what we expect from our president? What do you think is the most important role of the president?) Read: Text: Chapter 12 The Constitution of the United States, Article II (in text Appendix) 9/28: ****EXAM I**** Thurs. 9/30: The Executive Branch: (How has the scope and size of the executive branch expanded? Does this run counter to the Constitution? Is a large executive branch more or less efficient?) Read: Text: Chapter 13 3
10/05: The Judiciary: (What is the intended role of the judiciary? Has its role evolved? What are the predominant constitutional schools of thought? How are they different? Who benefits from either school?) Read: Federalist No. 78 (in text Appendix) The Constitution of the United States, Article III (in text Appendix) Text: Chapter 14 Thurs. 10/07: The California Justice System: (Is the system just? Why are Americans so willing to accept having such a large percentage of our population incarcerated? Is our large prison population the result of better police work, or something else? Why are the races disproportionately represented in prison populations?) Read: Field: Chapters 11 and 12 Adam Liptak: Inmate Count in U.S. Dwarfs Other Nations (on line) Adam Liptak: Rendering Justice, With One Eye on Re-election (on line) 10/12: Civil Liberties: First Amendment Issues (Freedom of Speech): (Why did the framers include the freedom of speech? Are all types of speech protected? When is it constitutionally acceptable to limit speech? Should all speech be free? Should there be limits on speech? If so, when?) Read: Text: Chapter 15 Schenck v. United States (National security vs. free speech) (on line) Texas v. Johnson (Symbolic speech) (on line) Thurs. 10/14: Civil Liberties: First Amendment Issues (Freedom of the Press): (Why did the framers include press freedom in the Constitution? When is censorship constitutionally acceptable? Should sources be protected? Why might a free press be important to democracy? Are we moving toward or away from more press freedom? What might be causing the shift?) Read: Text: Chapter 15 Branzburg v. Hayes (Protecting sources) (on line) Roth v. United States (Obscenities) (on line) 10/19: Civil Rights: (What is the difference between cilil liberties and civil rights? What should society s role be in protecting minority rights? What should the government s role be in protecting minority rights? What did Madison have to say regarding this subject?) Read: James Madison: Federalist 51 (in text Appendix) Text: Chapter 16 Field: Chapter 4 Thurs. 10/21: The News Media: (What is the news media? Who qualifies as members of the press? Should all news outlets receive the same level of constitutional protection and access? What is news? Does the 24hr. news cycle harm or help democracy?) Read: Text: Chapter 6 10/26: Public Opinion: (Who drives public opinion? Is it the public, or someone else? Is there a connection to the news media and public opinion? When was the last time you ve felt swayed by something you read, saw on TV, or heard? Did your opinion change?) Read: Text: Chapter 5 4
Thurs. 10/28: Social Movements: (What are social movements? Are they necessarily independent of government and corporation infringement? What are some of the more successful social movements? Do you consider yourself the member of a social movement? Where does the Internet come into play?) Read: Text: Chapter 8 11/02: ****EXAM II**** Thurs. 11/04: Political Parties: (What are political parties? What do political parties do? America has a two party system; is this helpful or harmful to democracy?) Read: Text: Chapter 9 11/09: Elections: (Is voting a necessary component of democracy? Who votes? What are some the more important factors in voting behavior? Do you vote? Why or why not?) Read: Text: Chapter 10 Field: Chapter 7 Thurs. 11/11: (No Class Veterans Day) 11/16: Interest Groups and Business Corporations: (What are some of the ways that business and elected officials are connected? How do they rely upon each other? Which entity seems more reliant upon the other? Should government and corporations remain connected? How is the relationship beneficial to average Americans? Is the relationship harmful to democracy?) Read: Text: Chapter 7 Field: Chapter 5 Thurs. 11/18: The Budget and Economic Policy: (Which branches of American government are responsible for creating the American budget? Who is responsible for American economic policy? Read: Text Chapter 16 Ronald Reagan: First Inaugural Address (on line) 11/23: The Global Economy: (Who benefits from globalization? Who is harmed by globalization? Is it in the best interest of the U.S. to spread democracy? Is capitalism a necessary ingredient for democracy?) Read: Text: Chapter 4 Watch: Commanding Heights (on line at PBS.com) Thurs. 11/25: (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY) 11/30: Foreign Policy: (What is a nationstate? Do countries have responsibilities to other countries? What is sovereignty? What should America s role be in securing the world?) Read: Text: Chapter 19 5
Thurs. 12/02: Foreign Policy: (What are some of the routes the U.S. has taken in securing the world? Have some worked better than others? What is the Bush Doctrine? Has it worked?) Read: Text: Chapter 19 12/07: Social Safety Nets: (What place is there for social safety nets in our self-help society? In other words, who, if anybody, deserves a safety net? Is it in our common interest to help other Americans, or should our country be more of an every person for him or her self kind of place?) Read: Text Chapter 18 Thurs. 12/09: California Politics: Legislature: (Should California redistrict? Who benefits from the current system? Who s harmed by the current system?) Read: Field: Chapter 2 Field: Chapter 8 Turs. 12/14: California Politics: Executive Branch and Budget Issues: (Why does California seem to have a particularly hard time passing a budget? What are the respective roles of the branches of California government in formulating and passing a budget?) Read: Field: Chapters 9 Field: Chapter 10 Thurs. 12/16: ****FINAL EXAM**** 6