Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 201"
COURSE NAME: "American Government"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jackie Norris
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
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 teh 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	Active class participation and discussion. U.S. Constitution and readings brought to each class and readings completed on due dates.	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%
Landmark Court Case Brief and Oral Presentation	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 1 Pager	Concise presentation and written reflection on significant public policy topic.	5%
Personal Ideology Assessment	Introspection and analysis of individual personal ideology.	5%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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 require
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:
Since the class discussions comprise an absolutely essential component of this course, course attendance is strongly recommended. 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, January 19	Introduction
Thursday, January 21	Ideology, Political Beliefs and Public Opinion		The Opinion Makers (David Moore) pp. 440-448. Select Presidential Candidate to Research	Personal Ideology Assignment Due https://www.idealog.org/en/quiz/201569e3d
Tuesday, January 26	Political Parties	Text pp. 88-112	The Second Civil War (Ronald Brownstein) pp. 563-569	Student 1 Current Event Due (Topic: Political Parties)
Thursday, January 28	Interest Groups		The Semisovereign People (E.E. Schattschneider) pp. 454-458. More than Money (Richard Skinner) pp. 459-466
Tuesday, February 2	Mass Media and Bias + Iowa Caucus Results Discussion		How the Mass Media Divide Us (Diana Mutz) pp. 604-609	Student 2,3 and 4 Current Event Due (Topic: Iowa Caucus Results) Student 5 and 6 (Topic: Find article with media bias)
Thursday, February 4	Campaigns and Elections	Text pp. 58-87
Tuesday, February 9	Campaigns and Elections		Politicians Don't Pander (Lawrence Jacobs/Robert Shapiro) pp. 433-439
Thursday, February 11	Campaigns and Elections and NH Primary Election Results Discussion		La Gran Oportunidad/Up for Grabs/The Hispanic Opportunity (Joe Garcia) pp. 480 - 489	Student 7 Current Event Due (Topic: New Hampshire Primary Election Results)
Tuesday, February 16	Test 1		Mock Primary or Caucus Election. Be prepared to speak on behalf of your assigned candidate.
Thursday, February 18	No Class (Class Made Up By US Embassy Visit)
Tuesday, February 23	Government in America	Text pp. 1 - 13	Democracy in America (Alexis de Tocqueville) pp. 3-6	Student 8 Current Event Due (Topic: U.S. Constitution in the news)
Thursday, Feb 25	Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government		The Federalist 10 (James Madison) pp. 56-62 (Use Guided Reading Questions)
Tuesday, March 1	Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government		The American Political Tradition (Richard Hofstadter) pp. 45-50 (Use Guided Reading Questions)	Presidential Candidate Strategy Memo DUE
Thursday, March 3	Arguments in Favor/Opposition of Ratification of the U.S. Constitution		The Federalist 51 (James Madison) pp. 97-101, Anti-Federalist Paper by Centinel, #1 (Use Guided Reading Questions)
Tuesday, March 8	The Living Constitution	Text pp. 13-33	The Constitution and America's Destiny (David Brian Robertson) pp. 102-110 (Use Guided Reading Questions)
Thursday, March 10	Institutions of American Government: Judiciary	Text pp. 195-219	Pursuit of Justices (David Yalof) pp. 326 - 332	Student 9 Current Event (Topic: U.S. Supreme Court / Federal Judiciary)
Tuesday, March 15	Institutions of American Government: Judiciary		The Democratic Character of Judicial Review (Eugene Rostow) pp. 316-320
Thursday, March 17	Civil Rights and Civil Liberties		You Can't Say That! (David Bernstein) pp. 409-416	Student 10 Current Event Due (Topic: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties)
Tuesday, March 22	Landmark Case Presentations			Landmark Court Case Brief DUE
Thursday, March 24	Test 2 (material since last test)
Tuesday, March 29	NO CLASS
Tuesday, March 31	NO CLASS
Tuesday, April 5	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
Thursday, April 7	Institutions of American Government: Congress		Stalemate (Sarah Binder) pp. 157 - 162	Student 11 Current Event Due (Topic: U.S. Congress)
Tuesday, April 12	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
Thursday, April 14	Institutions of American Government: Congress		Filibuster (Wawro/Schickler) pp. 163-170	Student 12 Current Event Due (Topic: U.S. Congress)
Tuesday, April 19	Institutions of American Government: Presidency	Text pp. 113 - 140		Public Policy 1 Pager Due. Student 13 Current Event Due (Topic: U.S. Presidency)
Thursday, April 21	Institutions of American Government: Presidency		Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents (Richard Neustadt) pp. 211-217, The Imperial Presidency (Arthur Schlesinger) pp. 218 - 224
Tuesday, April 26	Institutions of American Government: Presidency		The Paradoxes of the American Presidency (Thomas Cronin / Michael Genovese) pp. 236-246
Thursday, April 28	Institutions of American Government: Federal Bureaucracy	Text pp. 169-194	Bureaucracy (James Q. Wilson), pp. 302-307	Student 14 Current Event Due (Topic: Federal Bureaucracy / Presidential Cabinet)
TBA	Final Exam Review Session (Optional)
TBA	Final Exam
TBA	US Embassy Visit	Submit security information (Full name, date of birth, passport/identification number)	Tour of US Embassy and Conversation with Minister Counselor John Norris, USUN