American National Government

Political Science 1113

Spring Semester 2005

Lecture Section:  MW 9-9:50am

Discussion Section:  Per your registration

Here is the Link to the Final Exam Study Guide.

I.  Course Description

Political Science 1113 is an introduction to the theories and practice of American national government, politics, and policymaking.

II.  Course Objectives

This course is a special section of American Government that is devoted not only to educating you about American politics but also to engaging you in civic activity.  To that end, throughout the semester we will feature prominent political actors as guest lecturers who will speak about what is going on in the “real world” of Oklahoma and national politics.  Furthermore, you will complete one or more writing assignments geared toward engaging you in civic activity.  It is hoped that from these activities you will gain meaningful personal insights and develop a greater appreciation of the role of public service in our democratic society. 

In the coming weeks, we will explore matters such as the nature of democracy in America; the forming of the Constitution; the design and operation of American federalism; the behavior of American voters; the election of public officials; the roles of mass media, political parties, and interest groups in linking the American people with government; the structures, processes, and impacts of the institutions of Congress, the Courts, and the Presidency; the nature of our civil liberties; and basic principles of domestic and foreign policymaking.  After taking this course you will be able to explain the processes of American politics and understand and describe how these phenomena operate and relate to each other.  Furthermore, this course should provide you with tools that will, in the future, permit you to analyze and participate in American politics on your own.

III. Required Book

Burns, Peltason et al. Government by the People, Brief 5th, UCO-ADP Edition.

The text is available at both Thompson’s bookstore and the university bookstore.

IV. Course Requirements

     A.  Attendance and Class participation.  In order to perform well in this class you will need to show up regularly and participate.  For those of you unfamiliar with the format of this course, note that attendance is required for both the lecture section (Mon/Wed @ 9am) AND the discussion section (during the time slot for which you registered).  Student participation and discussion makes for a more interesting class and aids the learning process.  Remember, this is COLLEGE—you are here to grow and mature intellectually.  Furthermore, many questions on the midterm and final exams will come from what is said during the lecture and discussion sections.  Attendance and participation will count for ten percent of your final grade.  

     B. Reading.  The majority of the reading assignments will come from the textbook, however, there will be additional handouts given to you, emailed to your UCO email address, or posted on our course website.  Reading assignments should be read prior to the class period for which they are assigned.  Be prepared to ask and to answer questions and to discuss the issues presented in the readings. All reading assignments are fair game for examination questions.  There is not sufficient time to lecture on all of the topics tested.  If you have difficulty understanding any of the concepts in the textbook, ask questions during your discussion section and visit your discussion section professor during his or her office hours.  The purpose of office hours is to give you the chance to pick your professor’s brain—take advantage of the opportunity.

      C. Exams. There will be 4 exams:  3 midterms and 1 final.  Your lowest MIDTERM EXAM grade will be dropped.  Everyone must take the final exam.  The midterm exams will be administered in your discussion section by your assigned professor.  Your discussion section professor will determine the dates of when your midterm exams will be given as well as the precise midterm exam format.  The final exam will be given Wednesday May 4th, from 9-10:50am in Mitchell Hall. 

      D.  Writing Assignment(s).  To get credit for the course you must complete the writing assignment(s). The assignment(s) will be turned in to your discussion professor who will notify you of the date(s) and provide you with handout(s) detailing the writing requirements.  

     E.  Use Your UCO Email Address.  You are responsible to check your UCO email account regularly because important communications from your professor will go to that address.  It is possible for you to forward your UCO email to a personal address if you choose to do so.  If you need information on how to do this contact the UCO Technology Support Desk at 974-2255.

F. Extra Credit.  There may be opportunities for extra credit involving volunteer work or other activities.  If these opportunities arise, a maximum of ten (10) percentage points may be earned.    

V. Make-up policy, missed notes, late writing assignments, academic honesty, questions about grading, students with disabilities, etc.

     A.  Make-up exams.  In order to be fair to everyone, all students are required to take exams at the scheduled times. MAKE-UPS FOR MIDTERM EXAMS ARE NOT PERMITTED—NO EXCEPTIONS  (that is why you are permitted to drop your lowest midterm grade). 

      Make-ups for final exams are not permitted unless there are exceptional circumstances (e.g. death in immediate family or incapacitating illness) and the student notifies his or her discussion professor BEFORE the final exam is to be given.  Exceptional circumstances will require written documentation of that circumstance.  The discussion professor reserves the right to determine what constitutes an exceptional circumstance and whether a make-up final exam will be granted.

     B.  Academic Honesty.  All of the work you do in this course is expected to be your own.  Absolutely no cheating or plagiarism (using someone else's words or ideas without proper citation) will be tolerated.  Any cases of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with harshly—i.e. you will fail the course.  See the attached Academic Integrity Statement.         

     C.  Notes for missed classes.  If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting notes from a classmate.  We professors cannot let you copy our notes.

     D. Late writing assignments. To be fair to the majority of the students who get their work in on time, late writing assignments will be penalized. 

     E. Questions or complaints about grading.  Questions concerning exam and paper grades should be discussed with your discussion section professor during his or her office hours or pursuant to a scheduled appointment—not during class.

     F.  Emergencies During Finals Statement.  If a university emergency occurs that prevents the administration of a final examination, the student’s final course grade will be calculated based on the work in the course completed to that point and the faculty member’s considered judgment.  Final exams will not be rescheduled, and a grade of “I” will not be given as a result of the missed exam.

    G.  Appropriate Classroom Behavior.  You are governed by the following rules: 

        1. No food or drink of any kind is allowed in Mitchell Hall:  Sorry, this is typically a performance theater—we are guests here and that is their rules. 

        2. No Tardiness:  Coming in late is disruptive and rude to the instructor/speaker and your classmates.

        3. No sleeping in class:  If you are sleeping in class we will give you one warning.  After that, we will ask you to leave.

        4. No reading in class:  With the exception of looking at the texts and readings assigned in this course, no reading is permitted during class. 

        5. No ringing phones:  Turn your phone off before you come to class.  If you answer a ringing phone in the classroom, you will be dropped from the course. 

        6. Raise your hand to ask a question or make a comment:  If you have a comment or question, you need to raise your hand, otherwise this class could become like the Jerry Springer show. 

        7. No conversations with your classmates during class:  An occasional comment whispered to your neighbor is o.k., but back and forth conversations are not.

        8.  No text messaging in class: Your girlfriend/boyfriend can wait to hear from you after class.   

        9. In general, be Polite:  Be polite to your instructors and your classmates and we will return that courtesy to you.  Some of your professors are good-natured smart alecks, but they are not malicious or rude.  We expect the same of you. 

VI. Grading Criteria

     Midterm                                          20%                

     Midterm                                          20%                

     Final                                                30%                

     Paper                                              20%

     Attendance and Participation            10%                

Scale:  A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: 59 and below

If the majority of your section scores lower than expected, your discussion professor may, at his or her discretion, adjust the scale to reflect the distribution of the scores. 

VII. Course Outline and Reading Assignments

Week 1:                       Introduction & Course Overview; Civic Involvement

Jan. 10-14                    “Bowling Alone:  Political Participation” (back of text, B3-B14)

Week 2:                       American Democracy  (NO CLASS JAN. 17—MLK DAY)

Jan. 17-21                    Chapter 1, pp. 1-10

Week 3:                       The Constitution

Jan. 24-28                    Chapter 1, pp. 10-47

Week 4:                       Federalism

Jan. 31-Feb. 4              Chapter 2, pp. 48-71

Week 5:                       Political Culture and Ideology

Feb. 7-11                     Chapter 3, pp. 72-94

Week 6:                       The Media and American Politics

Feb. 14-18                   Chapter 7 pp. 198-218

Week 7:                       Public Opinion Voting and Elections

Feb. 21-25                   Chapter 6, pp. 156-196          

Week 8:                       Political Parties and Interest Groups

Feb. 28-March 4          Chapter 5, pp. 120-154

Week 9:                       Congress

March 7-11                  Chapter 8, pp. 220-255

Week 10:                     (NO CLASSES—SPRING BREAK)

March 14-18               

Week 11:                     The Presidency

March 21-25                Chapter 9 pp. 256-283

Week 12:                     The American Political Landscape

March 28-April 1         Chapter 4, pp. 96-119

Week 13:                     The Judiciary

April 4-8                      Chapter 12, pp. 328-355

Week 14:                     Civil Liberties:  First Amendment Freedoms

April 11-15                  Chapter 13, pp. 356-377

Week 15:                     Domestic Policy

April 18-22                   Chapter 15, pp. 410-443

                                  Dr. Sharp's Powerpoint Presentation

Week 16:                     Foreign Policy

April 25-29                  Chapter 16, pp. 444-477

Week 17:                     FINAL EXAM: Wed. May 4th 9-10:50am in Mitchell Hall

                                    Study Guide

VIII.  Course Instructor Information:

The following list includes the names and contact information of the instructors for this course.  Please contact only the discussion section professor with whom you are enrolled as they can only respond to students enrolled in their sections.  Your discussion section professor will provide you his or her office hours at the first class meeting.      

Dr. Loren Gatch, lgatch@ucok.edu, 974-5543, 102C Liberal Arts Bldg.

Dr. Randall Jones, ranjones@ucok.edu, 974-5270, 102D Liberal Arts Bldg.

Dr. Greg Scott, grscott@ucok.edu, 974-5521, 102GLiberal Arts Bldg.

Dr. Brett Sharp, bsharp@ucok.edu, 974-5526, 102J Liberal Arts Bldg.

Tentative Schedule