Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 201"
COURSE NAME: "American Government"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jackie Norris
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment. Please email me at [email protected] and [email protected] with questions (expect 24 hour response time) or text/call +39 329 495 5273 if timely.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the main principles of American government – democracy, federalism and the separation of powers – and the legislative, executive and judicial institutions that simultaneously embody and challenge them. Special attention will be paid to such topics as state and local governments, political parties and elections, the role of the people, civil rights, the role of the media, American political culture and foreign policy.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into six major sections.

1) constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government 2) institutions of national government 3) civil rights and civil liberties 4) political beliefs and behaviors 5) political parties, interest groups and mass media 6) public policy and current events (ongoing)

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

-Trace the origins of our democratic nation and the major influences which have shaped its development and current operation.

-Know the fundamental beliefs drawn from the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; which form the basic principles of our society.

-Understand the structure and organization of our federal republic, the role of the states, and the functions of state and local government.

-Develop practical, critical, and creative thinking skills that will help the individual become a responsible citizen in this democracy.

-Be able to utilize a variety of print and non-print sources in conducting research and report the work in written or oral form.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Political Institutions in the United States	Richard S Katz	Oxford University Press	978-0-19-928383

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity (5th Edition)	Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd	Lanahan Publishers, Inc.	1-930398-16-6

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
In-class exams, questions and written answers (2)	In-class exam on the knowledge, concepts and theory from PL 201 - American Government.	30%
Final exam, questions and written answers	Comprehensive exam on the knowledge, concepts and theory from PL 201- American Government.	15%
Participation	Attendance, active class participation and discussion. U.S. Constitution brought to each class and readings completed.	15%
2016 Presidential Candidate Memo	Strategy memo advising prospective 2016 presidential candidate on electoral strategy and public policy issues of concern to their election.	20%
Oral Presentation and Written Brief: Landmark Court Case	Concise presentation and written brief on significant judicial ruling.	5%
Oral Presentation and Written Analysis: Current Event	Concise presentation and written reflection on a significant U.S. current event.	5%
Public Policy Presentation (Group Project)	Concise presentation and written reflection on significant public policy topic.	10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required f
B This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
F This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory. Since the class discussions comprise an absolutely essential component of this course, course attendance is compulsory. In order to make participation a meaningful experience for everyone, and most importantly to you, you will have to read the assigned materials before class sessions and participate in class discussions. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Session	Session Focus	Reading Assignment	Other Assignment	Meeting Place/Exam Dates
Tuesday, September 1	Introduction
Thursday, September 3	Government in America	Text pp. 1 - 13	Democracy in America (Alexis de Tocqueville) pp. 3-6	Current Event Student 1 Due (Topic: "US Government")
Tuesday, September 8	Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government		U.S. Constitution
Thursday, September 10	Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government		U.S. Constitution, The American Political Tradition (Richard Hofstadter) pp. 45-50	Current Event Student 2 Due (Topic: U.S. Constitution)
Tuesday, September 15	Ratification of the U.S. Constitution		The Federalist 10 (James Madison) pp. 56-62, The Federalist 51 (James Madison) pp. 97-101, Anti-Federalist Paper by Centinel, #1
Thursday, September 17	The Living Constitution	Text pp. 13-33	The Constitution and America's Destiny (David Brian Robertson) pp. 102-110	Current Event Student 3 Due (Topic: U.S. Constitution)
Tuesday, September 22	Institutions of American Government: Presidency	Text pp. 113 - 140
Thursday, September 24	Institutions of American Government: Presidency	Text pp. 113 - 140	Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents (Richard Neustadt) pp. 211-217, The Imperial Presidency (Arthur Schlesinger) pp. 218 - 224	Current Event Student 4 Due (Topic: U.S. Presidency)
Friday, September 25	Institutions of American Government: Presidency		The Paradoxes of the American Presidency (Thomas Cronin / Michael Genovese) pp. 236-246
Tuesday, September 29	Institutions of American Government: Federal Bureaucracy	Text pp. 169-194	Locked in the Cabinet (Robert Reich), pp. 290-301, Bureaucracy (James Q. Wilson), pp. 302-307	Current Event Student 5 Due (Topic: Federal Bureaucracy / Cabinet)
Thursday, October 1	Test 1 and Current Event Discussion	All past materials		Test 1 and Current Event Student 6 and 7 (Topic: U.S. Congress)
Tuesday, October 6	Institutions of American Government: Congress and Public Policy Presentation Group 1	Text pp. 141 - 168		Public Policy Presentation Group 1
Thursday, October 8	Institutions of American Government: Congress	Text pp. 141 - 168	Congress: The Electoral Connection (David Mayhew) pp. 147 - 150, Home Style (Richard Fenno) pp. 151-156
Tuesday, October 13	Institutions of American Government: Congress		Stalemate (Sarah Binder) pp. 157 - 162, Filibuster (Wawro/Schickler) pp. 163-170	Current Event Student 8 Due (Topic: U.S. Congress)
Thursday, October 15	Institutions of American Government: Congress		Pork: A Time Honored Tradition Lives On (Paul Starobin) pp. 187-189, In Praise of Pork (John Ellwood/Eric Patashik) pp. 190-194
Tuesday, October 20	Institutions of American Government: Judiciary	Text pp. 195-219		Current Event Student 9 Due (Topic: U.S. Supreme Court / Federal Judiciary)
Thursday, October 22	Institutions of American Government: Judiciary		The Democratic Character of Judicial Review (Eugene Rostow) pp. 316-320
Tuesday, October 27	Civil Rights and Civil Liberties		You Can't Say That! (David Bernstein) pp. 409-416	Current Event EMILY Due (Topic: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties in US)
Thursday, October 29	Landmark Case Presentations			Landmark Case Presentations Due
Tuesday, November 3	Finish Up: Judiciary Branch
Thursday, Nov 5	TEST 2 and Political Beliefs and Public Opinion		The Opinion Makers (David Moore) pp. 440 - 448
Tuesday, November 10	Political Parties	Text pp. 88-112	The Second Civil War (Ronald Brownstein) pp. 563-569	MARA Current Event Due (Topic: U.S. Third Parties)
Thursday, November 12	Kris Current Event (Elections) Public Policy Presentation Group 2 and 3			Public Policy Presentation Group 2 and 3
Tuesday, November 17	Interest Groups		The Semisovereign People (E.E. Schattschneider) pp. 454-458, More than Money (Richard Skinner) pp. 459-466
Thursday, November 19	Mass Media		How the Mass Media Divide Us (Diana Mutz) pp. 604-609	PAIGE Current Event Due (Topic: US Media Bias)
Tuesday, November 24	Campaigns and Elections	Text pp. 58-87
Thursday, November 26 - NO CLASS
Tuesday, December 1	Campaigns and Elections	Text pp. 58-87
Thursday,December 3	America in a Changing World and Public Policy Dialogue Group 4	Text pp. 224-241	The Post-American World (Fareed Zakaria) pp. 689-698, Soft Power (Joseph Nye) pp. 706-714	Public Policy Group 4 Presentation
TBA: Optional Review Session	Final Exam Review
Saturday, Dec 5	Final Exam		Presidential Strategy Memo Due BY EMAIL BY END OF DAY	3:00 pm - 5:30 pm