Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD
Office: J266 / Office Hours per schedule
Tel: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
Web: http://www.calbaptist.edu/dskubik
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
American Government
POL 213
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 9:00-9:50PM
Fall
Semester, 2008
Course
Description
This course provides an introductory overview of the
American political system. It begins with the principles of the Declaration of
Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and develops their impact on the
nation. It also covers the avenues and means of democratic citizenship and
political influence in American politics. The course further examines the major
political institutions in the
This
course is a lower division requirement for majors and minors in political
science, and meets the
Course
Objectives
By the end of this course,
students should be able to:
1) Recognize and critically discuss the structure, powers
and limits of the federal government as a whole, and its constituent branches
2) Recognize and critically discuss the structure, powers
and limits of state governments in relation to the federal government
3)
Analyze and
discuss key public policy and citizenship issues concerning life in a
constitutional democracy
Required
Text
D. Magleby, D. O’Brien, P.
Light, J.W. Peltason & T. Cronin, Government By the
People, National Version, 22nd edition (Prentice Hall, 2008)
Other books, handouts
and websites also may be referenced throughout the term, contents of which all
students will be responsible.
Readings & Assignments Schedule
|
Week #1 |
Introduction to course, requirements and
expectations / Read and discuss |
|
Week #2 |
Constitutional
Principles |
|
Week #3 |
Federalism Read and discuss ch.
3 (58-87) / View and review one video clip on |
|
Week #4 |
Congress |
|
Week #5 |
Presidency Skim ch. 9 (242-279)
/ Read and discuss ch. 12 (344-377) /
View |
|
Week #6 |
Courts |
|
Week #7 |
13th – Bureaucracy Read
and discuss ch. 13 (378-405) |
|
Week #8 |
Midterms week [date of midterm to be decided by class consensus or vote; |
|
Week #9 |
Rights & Liberties (1st Amendment) |
|
Week #10 |
Rights & Liberties (Life, |
|
Week #11 |
Rights & Liberties (Equal Rights) |
|
Week # 12 |
21st
– Public Policy (Economic) Read
and discuss ch. 18 (516-547) / |
|
Week #13 |
24th – Public Policy
(Economic) Read and discuss ch. 18 (516-547) / |
|
Week #14 |
Public Policy (Social)
Read and discuss ch. 19 (548-575) / View and review |
|
Week #15 |
Public
Policy (Defense) |
|
|
|
Assessment & Grading Scale
|
Midterm Exam = 25% |
90 - 100 = A range (90-94 = A-) |
|
Final Exam = 25% |
80 - 89 = B range (80-83 = B-
/ 87-89 = B+) |
|
Quizzes = 30% (3 + 3 @ 5% each) |
70 - 79 = C range (70-73 = C-
/ 77-79 = C+) |
|
Video Clip Reviews = 15% (3 @ 5% each) |
60 - 69 = D range (60-63 = D-
/ 67-69 = D+) |
|
Participation/Attendance = 5% |
0 - 59 = F |
Video Clip Review
Video clips are available for viewing at four points during the semester. You are
to view any three of the four, and
submit a review for marking. The review should run ~1000 words in length,
analyzing the video news feature using the insights, concepts and terms we have
studied and discussed in class.
The review is due through Blackboard’s Assignment
section no later than 11:59PM, on the Sunday following the clip’s place in the
syllabus schedule (for example, the first clips are set for week 3, Sep 15-19;
so you should submit your review no later than 11:59PM, Sunday, Sep 21). Late
submissions will not be accepted for grading.
You may view the clips with others. Indeed, I
encourage you to do so, and then to talk amongst yourselves about what you
viewed—especially concerning the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the
issues highlighted—and how you might best analyze the story presented. In the
end, the review submitted for marking may be your own, individual work, or the
work of a group of 2-3 of you. If you do submit as a group, be sure to write
all names for whom credit is sought for the review; you will each share the
same mark for the submission.
Quizzes
There will be 10 quizzes
given during the semester: 5 before the midterm exam and 5 after the midterm
exam, on Fridays (Sep 12, 19, 26; Oct 3, 10; and Oct 31; Nov 7, 14, 21; Dec 5:
all dates in bold type in schedule).
Only your best 3 quiz results from each set of 5 (and so only 6 quizzes total)
will count towards your final grade for the course. Students will form small,
stable study groups of 2-3 students each by the second week of classes for the
duration of the term. Quizzes will be taken by each group as a group, with the
quiz mark shared by those present and taking the quiz on any particular Friday.
The quizzes are objective in nature (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the
blank, matching, short answer), concerning material covered
that week.
Midterm and Final Examinations
A midterm (date to be determined) and final
examination will be given, per the University schedule. The exams cover all materials
and discussions assigned during their set period (midterm = from beginning of
term / final = post-midterm to end of semester).
Specific guidance as to length and specific
requirements will be proffered before the test dates. Format generally will
emphasize short answer and essay questions, requiring application of terms,
concepts and principles in relation to the topics covered in class.
The exam is closed book/open notes. This means you
are permitted to bring to each exam one standard-sized page (8½” x 11”) of notes
you have personally prepared, front and back, without regard to print-size or
margins. Other materials, such as website printings or professionally prepared
texts or notes, are not permitted.
Participation
Although speaking in class, publicly putting and
defending a position or interpretation, can be daunting, you are strongly
encouraged to learn to think through your own and others’ experiences and
insights within the context of our discussions. In this context, you are not
being evaluated for reaching “right” conclusions, but for demonstrating your
facility in forming arguments for any conclusions put, given the material we
will cover in class.
To give direct incentive to
so engage, 5% of your mark for the course will be comprised of my assessment of
your classroom participation during the semester. Participation is to include
in-class discussions during the semester, and does include attendance.
Both because of the nature
of the course and its content, and the teamwork required to complete assigned
assessment items like quizzes, attendance is expected, with a simple threshold
requirement: we have 34 scheduled class sessions, and you are expected to attend
at least 26 class sessions (~75%). Should you miss more than 8 class sessions,
you must speak with me before you will be permitted to complete the course.
CBU Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)
have been asked to include the
following statement in all our syllabi. Do speak with your instructor if at any
time you have questions or concerns about this statement and its meaning for or
application in your classes.
Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, copying,
and other forms) will be reported to the Dean of Students. Judicial sanctions
for offense are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the seriousness of
the violation, prior violations and other factors. Judicial sanctions may
include, but are not limited to, loss of a letter grade or failure in the
course in which the offense occurred, suspension, and/or dismissal from the
University. A detailed discussion of academic dishonesty is located in the
Student Handbook.
Source: 2008-2009 Undergraduate University Catalog, at
p.51
Extra Credit
We will spend some time most
every Friday reviewing a variety of websites that deal with the American
politics and in particular the national election. You can earn up to 5% extra
credit by actively participating in some online games and analyses (such as
trading stock in the candidates and parties or blog participation). Details
will be provided as we review these sites in class.
Caveat
This syllabus schedule is
composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings and assignments that will
guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make
adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of
the course. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and
you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.