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Dr. Robert Schneider Professor-Dept. Political Science and Public Administration

Office: 212 B.A. Building

Office Hours: 1-3 T and 1:30-3 MWF (and by appointment)

Voice: 910 521-6445 Fax: 910 521-6446

E-mail: robert.schneider@uncp.edu

Required Text:
Magleby, O”Brien, Light, Peltason, amd Cronin
O’Brien, and Light, GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will introduce the student to the study and analysis of American National Government. It will examine the ideals, the institutions, the functions, the political behavior, and the political process of our national governmental and political systems.
As American citizens, students will benefit from a thoughtful and analytical study of American Government. They will begin to see connections between themselves, their careers, their lives, and the politics of our time. At a time of important global challenge and rapidly escalating change, students will benefit from this course regardless of their major field of study.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed for “general education” or “basic studies” purposes. It will be conducted at a serious university level. Through the completion of class assignments students will, in addition to acquiring a practical knowledge of the American political system, have the opportunity to do three important things associated with any general education course in the discipline of political science.

1. Engage in critical thinking about the subject matter and consider its implications at the individual and the societal level.
2. Enhance analytical, reasoning, and communication skills generally applicable to informed and successful professional and personal lives.
3. Cultivate a foundation for effective and informed citizenship.

In addition to the content and skill related objectives, it is intended that this course provide students with the opportunity to participate in a quality dialogue about the culture and the society in which they live. Opinions are, as we all know, common (and I would add commonly misinformed). Informed thinking and insightful analysis are rare. It is intended that this course assist students to see the value and appreciate the true excitement of informed and thoughtful analysis. This could even be more FUN than silly opinions!

COURSE OUTLINE

Aug, 20	Introduction to Course
Aug. 22	The American Context (Chapter 1)
Aug. 25-27-29	The Living Constitution (Chapters 2-3)
Sept. 3-5	Culture and Politics (Chapters 4-5)
Sept. 8-10-12	Chapter 5 and Student Tracking Poll Journals Discussed
Sept. 15	EXAM ONE
Sept. 17-19	Political Parties (Chapter 7)
Sept. 22-24-26	Public Opinion (Chapter 8)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1-3	Campaigns and Elections (Chapter 9)
Oct. 6-8	Mass Media and Politics (Chapter 10)
Oct. 9-11	FALL BREAK
Oct. 13-15-17	Congress (Chapter 11)
Oct. 20	EXAM TWO
Oct. 22-24	The Presidency (Chapter 12)
Oct. 27-29-31	Discussion Election 2008: Issues, Polls, and Predictions
Nov. 3-5-7	Bureaucracy (Chapter 14): Student Tracking Poll Journals handed in on Nov. 7th
Nov. 10-12-14	Judicial Branch (Chapter 15)
Nov. 17	EXAM III
Nov. 19-21-23	First Amendment (Chapter 16)
Nov. 24-26	Equal Rights (Chapter 17)
Nov. 27-28	THANKSGIVING BREAK
Dec. 1-3-5	Summary and Review Week
Dec. 12 8;00-10:30	FINAL EXAM

 

EXAMS – There will be three multiple-choice and short answer exams in this course and a final exam that will be an essay examination. Note that the date for each exam is listed on the course outline. Makeup exams will not be given except in the case of rare and documented emergencies.

POLITICAL JOURNALS - Beginning the week of September 1st, each student will keep an “Election Tracking Poll Journal” recording each week’s presidential and congressional election samples and writing a brief analysis of the trends etc. The details of this assignment and the style guidelines will be distributed and discussed at length in class the week of September 8th. Each student will be required to provide an average of the weekly tracking polls and to write a brief analytical entry each week explaining the trends observed (word processed) each week. These entries will be the basis for class discussion as noted in the course outline. The completed journals will be collected for grading on November 7th.

GRADES - There will be a total of 100 points possible in this class. These will be assigned and translated into letter grades as follows:

PARTICIPATION – Class attendance and participation will be factored into your semester grade (see below).

ATTENDANCE POLICY – Class attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences will count against your participation grade.

EXAM I	20 points
EXAM II	20 points
EXAM III	20 points
FINAL ESSAY	10 points
POLITICAL “JOURNALS”	20 points
PARTICIPATION	10 points
TOTAL	100 points

 

94-100 =	A
90-93 =	A-
87-89 =	B+
84-86 =	B
80-83 =	B
77-79 =	C+
74-76 =	C
70-73 =	C-
60-69 =	D
59-less =	F

 

 

 

Updated: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

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