syllabus_online_8_2

POLI 1: Introduction to American Government Fall 2007

Instructor: Cristina Ruggiero

Class web page: http://clpccd.blackboard.com//

Office info: Rm: 747, phone number: 723-6681

Introduction-What this course is about

This course is an introduction to American politics and government. The main purpose of this course is to understand and critically examine the development of American political institutions and politics. We will consider questions such as: Why have a republican democracy? Why do special interests play a large role in politics? How can the President authorize secret wiretapping? Why is voter turnout so low in the US as opposed to other democracies? Why do we only have two major political parties? Why is it possible that Social Security will go bankrupt by the time you retire? Why are federal student loan programs being cut by Congress? We will discuss how current political events relate to your daily concerns and the community you live in.

Course Goals

In brief, this course will introduce you to the basic institutions of our government in order for you to achieve four goals: (1) to understand how American government and politics works; (2) to assess why our current political system operates the way does; (3) to become more active and better informed citizens. Finally, my last goal is for you is (4) to enjoy participating in and attending this class. In addition, this course will enable you to work on your critical thinking and learning skills which you need to succeed in college and beyond.

Founding Principles, Rules of the Road, etc.

******You are responsible for knowing and understanding the contents of this syllabus, following its requirements and those of other class handouts*************. Since this will be a busy semester for all of us, the following is what you can expect from me and what I expect from you.

What you can expect from me:

** Encourage and challenge students to think. This means I will often follow up on your comments and sometimes challenge you. I will often ask you questions directly and expect you to have an opinion. I will do my best to make my remarks clear and constructive. If you have additional questions or need clarification please contact me directly.

**Treat you and your ideas with fairness and respect. While differing positions will inevitably come up during discussions over the course material, and discussions could become intense, do not be afraid to voice your opinions.

**Create a stimulating and open environment to allow all views to be heard and discussed.

What I expect from you:

**Do not disrespect the 'virtual' classroom, your fellow classmates or me. This means:

**Treat your fellow classmates and me with that same fairness and respect I give to you. You do not have to agree with the opinions of your fellow classmates, but you do have to be respectful.

** Complete your assignments on time. This class demands and depends on student participation, please make sure you submit your work in a timely manner so other students can respond.

Email:

Please do not hesitate to contact me, set up an appointment or contact me during 'virtual' office hours if you have questions or concerns.

FYI: I reserve the right to have a 36hr window in which to respond to emails. It is your responsibility to check your email or the class website regularly for updates and information about class.

Please use the internal mail system of our Blackboard course tool to send me mail AND read mail from me to you personally. This email system is under the 'Communications' link on the course menu. You will see another link to 'Messages'--- here you can send private messages to me or to other students in the course. Make sure to check your messages in Blackboard regularly. Alternatively, if the course system is ever unavailable or you have problems, please feel free to email me directly at my campus address: cruggiero@chabotcollege.edu.

Important Note: ALL email sent to my campus address MUST include a clear subject line that includes "PoliSci 1 On-Line". Without this subject line, your email may be treated by our campus system as SPAM, and may be automatically deleted without being received. It is your responsibility to ensure that email sent to my outside ID is clearly labeled.

***Please make sure to include your name in your emails and messages!****

Preparation: I expect you to take time to think critically about what you hear, read and view during the semester. Thoughtfully question what you hear, read or view. Take notes! Critical thinking and communication skills are two of the most valuable skills you can cultivate during your college career, and there's no better opportunity to do so than in this class. Course readings are to be completed before participating in class discussions. Think of your assignments as an opportunity to explore your ideas and beliefs about politics.

***In addition, you are to keep up on current events in American politics.*** The best way to do this is to read a major daily newspaper either on-line or in print. We will be discussing current events often and those discussions will be fair game on exams. Links to major news sources: New York Times Washington Post Chicago Tribune LA Times PBS Newshour--VIDEO

Due Dates: All assignments are due by the assigned date. Anything that is late will be marked down one 1/2 grade (ex: A to A-) each date it is late. Missed assignments or exams may be given a make-up with approved advanced notice or if an acceptable, documented emergency was the cause. Otherwise there are no other exemptions. It is your responsibility to insure your assignment gets to me on time. In Blackboard under 'My Grades' you will see a ! if an assignment is successfully submitted, and not yet graded. I will always accept late work and the lowest grade you can receive is an F (65), which is better than a 0, which you will receive if you never hand in the assignment.

Attendance Requirements: Our online class meets for 17 weeks times during the term. If you are pre-registered and do not post to the class discussion board or email me by the end of the first week of class (Sunday, August 26th 11:59pm), you may be dropped to make room for people wanting to add the class. This is consistent with the policy for on-campus classes where students who miss either of the first two days of a class may be dropped by the instructor. If you fail to post something to the homework or other class discussion boards for two consecutive weeks without prior notification to me, you may be dropped. If you will be unable to post or participate for a particular session, please notify me.

Dropping the Course: I do not automatically drop students if they have missed too many assignments or haven't logged in on a weekly basis; it is your responsibility to remove yourself from the course by the drop deadline.

Formatting Papers: Unless I tell you otherwise, assignments should always be typed, double spaced, have one inch margins on all sides, and use a 12 point font. Make sure all pages have your name clearly listed on the top of every page. Points will be taken off your if you do not follow directions.

Discussion Board Etiquette: Please make sure you carefully review and edit your comments PRIOR to posting on the discussion board. Your writings will be the vehicle in which you interact with and present yourself to other students, so you want your writings to be clear, respectful and free of error.

I strongly suggest you write your comments FIRST in a word processing program that allows you to spell check, edit, and save your comments. SECOND, you should copy and post your comments to the discussion board. This also helps in the event that your computer breaks down, or you accidentally delete your comments and you have to start over from scratch.

How to post to the Discussion Board: The Discussion Board will be a major component of our course. This Discussion Board (which is linked on the Course Menu) is organized by topics, or 'forums'. All messages related to that topic/assignment must be posted in the correct discussion board. You will be posting your homeworks and class activities to the discussion boards.

Here are instructions on how to post an initial message and reply message the discussion board:

Posting an Initial Message

1. In the appropriate form, click Add New Thread at the top of the page

2. A new window will open. Compose a subject line that a. indicates the subject of your post and b. has your name (very important!!)

Example of a subject line: "My Biography -Cristina Ruggiero"

3. Write or paste (from a saved document) your message in the space provided.

4. Click on 'Submit'. Your message will now appear in that forum.

Replying to an existing message

1. Open the message you want to respond to and read it.

2. Click on the 'Reply' button at the bottom of the message 3. A new window will open. Compose your message.

4. Click on 'Submit' Your message will now be listed under the message you replied to in the forum.

Rubric for Discussion Posts

I will use this guide to evaluate your discussion posts.

Content and Development	Mostly Yes	Almost	No
Post makes clear reference to reading assignment, activity and/or previous post (as appropriate for the assignment). detailed comments respond specifically to ideas/points raised in essay; clearly and thoughtfully presented her view, well-written
The post includes a clear response to reading/activity/question presented (your opinion/feelings) and provides specific evidence (details, arguments, examples) to support or explain your opinion/feelings.
The post meets or exceeds the minimum word requirement of the assignment, is well written, coherent and follows the netiquette presented for this course.

Technical Assistance for Blackboard If you have any problems with Blackboard, you can get help by filling out the online help request form available at the Chabot College Distance Education site: Chabot College Distance Education (http://www.chabotcollege.edu/DistanceEd/) The site will have answers to frequently asked questions, info on what to do if your forget your password and the on-line request form.

Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. An instance of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism, cheating on tests etc, will cause a failing grade on the assignment or exam, and at the instructor's discretion, failure of the course and notification to the Dean.

Accommodations: If any student in the class has special needs because of a learning or physical disability, please contact me at the beginning of the semester. Here is a link to Chabot College's Disabled Students Resource Center-- DSRC (http://www.chabotcollege.edu/DSRC/)

Questions about grades: Hopefully this will not be a concern, but if you feel you got a particular grade in error, you must contact me personally. Your overall course grade will be a full letter grade, A, B, C, etc. in accordance with state regulations.

Assignments and Grade Breakdown:

Assignments	Percentage of Overall Grade	Total Points	Due dates
2 Papers	25% (each paper worth 12.5%)	200 Points (Each paper worth 100 points each)	Throughout the semester
3 Exams	30% (Exams 1&2 worth 11% each Exam 3 worth 8%)	240 Points	1st exam. Week of October 1st 2nd Exam Week of November 12th 3rd Exam Week of December 17th
14 Homeworks	18%	144 Points (The two lowest homework grades will be dropped)	Due weekly
Class Activities	12%	96 Points	Due weekly
Final Exam	15%	120 Points (Each essay is worth 40 points)	Due December 20th, 5pm.

Total Points for the Course: 800

A=720-800 Points

B=640-719 Points

C=560-639 Points

D=480-559 Points

F=less than 480 Points

Details of Assignments

Class participation exercises/activities

Almost every week, you will have to complete exercises/activities relating to topics and issues raised in class. There will be information about these exercises in each section of the course.

Homework

The main purpose of this assignment is to read actively and to think critically about the arguments presented in the readings. This exercise gives you the opportunity to engage and respond to those arguments or ideas that you may or may not agree with. You will submit these homework assignments, as all assignments, on Blackboard.

Each homework is worth 12 points and consists of an initial post and a response post. 8 points-for initial post; 4 points -for response post

Your two lowest homework grades will be dropped from your overall homework grade point total.

Exams

Exams will be short answer/essay and will be open book/notes. You will have some choice in deciding what questions to answer. There will be 7-10 questions per exam.

Final Essay Exam

The final essay exam covers the entire course. It will be a take home essay exam that you submit on Blackboard. You will receive more info about this assignment later in the semester.

Papers

In each short(2-3pgs) paper you will present and discuss a specific current event/issue in American politics today as an example of/in relation to a particular issues/theories/concepts raised in a particular section of the course.

You will receive separate detailed instructions for this assignment. You will 'signup' for your papers. You will receive instructions about how to sign up and the assignment itself. Papers will be submitted on Blackboard.

Course Material:

The following books will be available at the bookstore and on reserve at the college library:

Living Democracy Custom Edition. Authors: Shea, Green, Smith and Clarke. 1st edition This is a custom version only including the chapters we cover in this class. It is far less expensive (and lighter) than a new copy of the standard edition. If you choose to try to find a standard edition on-line, you will need a comprehensive California or brief California edition of the book.

The Enduring Debate: Classic and Contemporary Readings in American Politics, 4th Edition. Edited by David T. Canon, et al. This must be the 4th edition.

There may be additional articles, videos, web links and other information that will be posted on the Blackboard website (or you will be directed to view/read on the internet) for the course.

Places to buy used textbooks online: www.half.com; www.campusbooks.com; www.cheapesttextbooks.com; www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com

Calendar of Assignments/Topics of Class

It is a student's responsibility to be informed of schedule changes. Make sure to ask or check the website for any changes, additions, alterations, bad jokes.

*****Note: All essays listed below, unless stated otherwise, are in The Enduring Debate, please make note of the author's names.

1. Introduction- American Government: Democracy in Action

Required readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 1

Essays: None

2. The Founding, the Constitution, and Democracy

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 2

Essays:

"Too much of a good thing: More representative is not Necessarily Better" Hibbing and Theiss-Morse (151-157) and "Power to the Voters"-Richard Parker (pgs. 336-344).

***Questions to think about: Does the US have a popular or elite democracy? Hw can we get more people to participate in politics (or should we)? Should we re-write the constitution? If so, what should we change or add?

3. Political Socialization

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 9 pgs. 349-375 Essays: All essays under Debating the Issues: Red vs Blue America: are we polarized?" (pgs. 409-419).

Questions to think about: Is the US really divided among 'red' and 'blue' states? Do 'red' and 'blue' Americans really have different values?

4. Public Opinion

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 9 pgs.375-385.

Essays: "Polling the Public"-George Gallup (293-300); "Choice Words: If you can't understand our poll questions then how can we understand your answers"--Richard Morin (301-305)

Questions to think about: What role should polls play in politics? In shaping people's opinions about politics?

5. The Politics of the Media

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 10

Essays: All essays under "Debating the Issues: Is an Objective Media Desirable or Possible" (311-320). ·

Questions to think about: Are the Media Biased, if so how so? Does it matter?

6. Interest Groups, Social Movements and Civil Engagement

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 11

Essays: "Associations without Members"--Theda Skocpol (pgs. 434-445); "The Hyperpluralism Trap"--Jonathan Rauch (459-467)

Questions to think about: Interest Groups and Social Movements--What role do they play the political process? Do they help or hinder this process; why or why not?

7. Political Parties

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 13

Essays: To be assigned

Questions to think about: How important are political parties in the political process today? What role should they play? Why do we only have two major parties?

8. Elections and Political Participation

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 12; Chapter 16

Essays: "The Unpolitical Animal: How Political Science Understands Voters" -Louis Menand (345-353); "Why Bush Won: A look at Numbers, What They Really Mean, and What Happens Next" (193-199).

Questions to think about: How do people make decisions about who to vote for? Do people really vote against their own interests?

9. Federalism

Required Readings: Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 3

Essays: To be Assigned

Questions to think about: Why do we have a federalism system? How does it benefit the people, the states, the federal government?

10. Courts

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 4, Chapter 19

Essays: All essays in "Debating the Issues: Interpreting the Constitution: Originalism or a Living Constitution" (268-276).

Questions to think about: How should the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution? Should the Supreme Court have the last word on what the Constitution means?

11. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 5

Essays: "In Defense of Prejudice"-- Jonathan Rauch (pgs. 116-124), "Objections to These Unions"-Jonathan Rauch (552-560); and all essays under "Debating the Issues: Fighting Terrorism and Civil Liberties" (pgs. 125-131).

Questions to think about: What are justifiable reasons for limiting our civil liberties? Should these limits change over time? What rights should be guaranteed to all citizens?

12. The Legislative Branch

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 6; Chapter 17

Essays: All articles under "Debating the Issues: Pork-Barrel Politics" (158-165). ·

Questions to think about: Does pork barrel politics help or hurt policy? What benefits does pork barrel politics provide to Congress, to the public, to interest groups?

13. The Executive Branch

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 7; Chapter 18

Essays: "The Power to Persuade"--Richard Neustadt (175-184); "Perspectives on the Presidency"-Charles O Jones (185-191).

Questions to think about: How does a president become 'powerful'? Does the President have (too much) more power than Congress?

14. Bureaucracy

Required Readings:

Textbook: Living Democracy Chapter 8

Essays: "Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why they do it"--James Q. Wilson (215-224); all articles under "Debating the Issues: Reforming the National Security Bureaucracy" (225-236).

Questions to think about: Why can't the government act like a business? Have changes to national security policy made coordination between government agencies easier?