Class Information
Sheet for Political Science 1
American Government
and Institutions
Semester: Fall 2006
Instructor: Dr. Matt Wetstein
Office: Cunningham 417
Office Phone: 954-5736
E-mail: mwetstein@deltacollege.edu
Web Page: http://www.deltacollege.edu/emp/mwetstein
Office Hours by
appointment and:
Monday, 9:00 – 10:00
Tuesday, 11:00 – 12:00
Wednesday, 9:00 – 10:00
Thursday, 11:00 – 12:00
Friday, 9:00 – 10:00
Catalog Description
This is an introduction to the fundamentals of government
and political processes at the national, state, and local levels. Included are
studies of basic issues confronted by the American people and their governing
institutions. The course fulfills the Social Science (Group A) requirements for
the AA degree, and applies toward the completion of the requirement in U.S.
History and
Required Texts
Christine Barbour and Gerald Wright. 2006. Keeping
the Republic: Power and Citizenship in American Politics, 3rd edition.
Ann Serow and
Purposes & Goals
General aims of the course include providing the student with:
1) a basic knowledge of the fundamental elements that comprise the American political system.
2) an understanding of how the major institutions in American society interact with the political system.
3) an awareness of the historical context which shapes and influences the political system and larger society.
4) a sufficient knowledge to enable the student to distinguish between the theory and reality of the political system.
5) an understanding and appreciation of the rights and privileges granted by the U.S. Constitution.
6) a continuing interest in public affairs and in government with the hope that such interest will result in direct involvement and political participation.
Specific Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1) distinguish between major and minor historical events and developments in shaping the American political systems.
2) analyze the relative merits of contemporary government policies.
3) evaluate the effectiveness of the various elements in the political system.
4) evaluate the relative success and effectiveness of American political institutions in fulfilling the goals of society.
5) analyze problems related to governing a pluralistic society.
6) examine
the structure and functions of
7) write a minimum of 1500 words in addition to examinations.
Student Obligations
The following responsibilities apply to all students:
1) Attend class sessions and take notes.
2) Read assigned chapters and readings from the books by the dates identified by the instructor.
3) Write one paper (totaling about 1500 words) on a topic to be determined by the instructor.
4) Complete unannounced quizzes, a mid-term and final examination.
5) Attend class on examination dates.
6) Participate in class activities and discussions.
Method of Evaluation
& Grading
Student grades will be calculated using the following criteria:
Quizzes & In-Class Activities 15 percent
Mid-Term Exam 30 percent
Paper Assignment 25 percent
Final Exam 30 percent
Grades are assigned using a 100 point scale (90 to 100 = A; 80 to 89.9 = B; 70 to 79.9 = C; 60 to 69.9 = D; under 60 = F). Late papers will be penalized 1/3 of a letter grade for each day that they are late (this includes weekend days). Thus, an "A" paper turned in three days late can earn a grade no higher than a "B." Copies of assignments that are handed in via electronic means must also be printed out by the student and turned in at the next class session in order to be graded.
Social Science
Division Classroom Expectations
It is expected that students in all Social Science Division classes will:
1) be attentive to, and participate in, all instructional activities.
2) be courteous to people with different perspectives and values.
3) be respectful of all persons.
4) be on time.
5) not leave early without instructor permission.
6) not disrupt class sessions by inappropriate behavior.
7) not cheat on assignments or examinations.
8) not engage in plagiarism.
9) not eat, drink, or smoke in classrooms.
10) make use of instructor office hours during designated times.
The following actions are deemed inappropriate behavior during class sessions: leaving a cell phone turned on, engaging in text messaging, applying cosmetics, doing homework for another class, sleeping, resting one’s head on a desk, whistling, making rude comments, and use of inappropriate language toward another student or the instructor. The instructor will ask students to leave the room if such activities occur too frequently.
Withdrawal from the
Course
Under college policies, students bear the responsibility of withdrawing from a class if they choose to stop attending class. Students who fail to drop the class and stop attending will receive an "F" for the final course grade. The final day to drop the class without a grade is Sept. 15, 2006. The final day to drop the class and receive a “W” grade is Nov. 17, 2006.
Plagiarism
Students should be aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic integrity such as cheating or plagiarism (turning in work that is not your own, without proper credit to the original author). Students who are found to have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary action under the College's Student Conduct Code. As an instructor, I will penalize any student guilty of plagiarism with an "F" for that assignment (A ZERO GRADE), and a 10-point deduction on the final semester grade. Depending on the nature of the violation, I may also refer the instance of plagiarism to the Vice President of Student Affairs for possible suspension from the College. Thus, any student found guilty of plagiarism will receive NEGATIVE points toward their semester grade, and may face a suspension. A student's continued presence in the class throughout the semester will be considered as acknowledgment of this plagiarism policy.
Schedule of Topics
& Readings
Week 1 Introduction: Citizenship & Politics
Aug. 17 READ: Chapter 1 in Barbour & Wright
Week 2 Ideology & Power in American Democracy
Aug. 21 READ: C. Wright Mills, “The Power Elite”
Robert Dahl, “Who Governs?”
Week 3 Structures & Forms of Democracy
Aug. 28 READ: Chapter 3 in Barbour & Wright
Week 4 The
Sep. 4 READ: Chapter 4 in Barbour & Wright
David Osborne, “Laboratories of Democracy”
NO CLASS on Monday, Sept. 4, Labor Day
Week 5 The Role of Public Opinion
Sep. 11 READ: Chapter 11 in Barbour & Wright
Walter Lippmann, “The Phantom Public”
Week 6 Interest Group Politics
Sep. 18 READ: Chapter 13 in Barbour & Wright
Week 7 Citizen Politics -- Linkages to Government
Sep. 25 READ: Robert Putnam, “Bowling Alone”
Week 8 Voting & Elections
Oct. 2 READ: Chapter 14 in Barbour & Wright
Piven & Cloward, “Why Americans Still Don’t Vote”
Ansolabehere & Iyengar, “Going Negative”
Week 9 The Presidential Campaign
Oct. 9 READ: Walter Dean Burnham, “Critical Elections and the Mainsprings of
American Politics”
MID-TERM EXAM, Monday or Tuesday, Oct. 9 or 10
Week 10 The Courts & Legal System
Oct. 16 READ: Chapter 10 in Barbour & Wright
Eugene Rostow, “The Democratic Character of Judicial Review”
Week 11 Civil Liberties
Oct. 23 READ: Chapter 5 in Barbour & Wright
David O’Brien, “Storm Center”
Week 12 Civil Liberties Part 2
Oct. 30 READ: Mary Ann Glendon, “Rights Talk”
Week 13 Civil Liberties, Part 3
Nov. 6 Anthony Lewis, “Gideon’s Trumpet”
NO CLASS, Friday, Nov. 10, Veteran’s Day
Week 14 Congress
Nov. 13 READ: Chapter 7 in Barbour & Wright
Week 15 Congress Part 2
Nov. 20 Richard Fenno, “Home Style”
Ellwood & Patashnik, “In Praise of Pork”
NO
CLASS, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24, Thanksgiving
Week 16 The Presidency
Nov. 27 READ: Chapter 8 in Barbour & Wright
Arthur Schlesinger, “The Imperial Presidency”
Cronin & Genovese, “The Paradoxes of the American Presidency”
PAPERS DUE: Wednesday or Thursday, Nov. 29 or 30
Week 17
Dec. 4 No readings scheduled
Week 18
Dec. 11 No readings scheduled
Week 19 FINAL EXAM WEEK
Dec. 15-21 Final for TTH 8:00 class: Monday, Dec. 18, 8:00 – 9:50
Final for TTH 9:30 class: Monday, Dec. 18, 10:00 – 11:50
Final for MWF 11:00 class: Tuesday, Dec. 19, 12:00 – 1:50