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 D
Tuesdays/Thursdays, 12:30-1:50PM
California Baptist University
Spring Semester, 2009
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
Larry Berman & Bruce Allen Murphy, Approaching Democracy, 6th
edition (Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009)
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 / Introduction to “democracy” |
|
Week #2 |
The
Founding and the Constitution of the |
|
Week #3 |
Congress |
|
Week #4 |
Presidency /
Review and discuss ch. 5 (178-209) |
|
Week #5 |
Judiciary |
|
Week #6 |
Bureaucracy |
|
Week #7 |
Federalism Read and discuss ch. 3 (94-129) /
View and review one video clip on |
|
Week #8 |
Civil
Liberties |
|
Week #9 |
Midterms week [date
of midterm to be decided by class consensus or vote; |
|
Week #10 |
Civil Rights Read
and discuss ch. 14 (492-531) / View and review one video |
|
Week #11 |
Spring Break |
|
Week # 12 |
Domestic
& Economic Policy Read
and discuss ch. 15 (534-565) / View
and |
|
Week #13 |
Foreign Policy |
|
Week #14 |
Political
Parties Read and discuss ch.
9 (310-347) |
|
Week #15 |
Participation, Voting and Elections Read and discuss ch. 10 (348-379) |
|
Week #16 |
Review for final exam |
|
|
|
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% (6 @ 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 clips are on the DVD set that came with
your textbook. If you do not have them, copies have been placed on reserve in
the Library for your use.]
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 clip is set for week 4, Jan 27/29; so you should submit your review
no later than 11:59PM, Sunday, Feb 1). 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:
all are Thursdays, with dates in bold
type in schedule. Only your best 6
quiz results 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 Thursday. The quizzes are objective in nature (true/false, multiple
choice, fill-in the blank, matching, short answer), concerning
material covered that week. Quizzes cannot be made up.
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 24 scheduled class sessions, and you are expected to attend
at least 18 class sessions (~75%). Should you miss more than 6 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
Extra credit opportunities
will be made available during the semester, including on- and off-campus presentations
and online programs, about which you would provide a written review. I will make
occasional announcements in class about these opportunities as they arise. You
should speak with me for details before preparing and submitting a written
review for marking.
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.