Fall 2011                                                                     Professor Richard Robyn     

            POL 10100, Section 004                                         306 Bowman Hall, x. 28944

3 credits                                                                      E-mail: rrobyn@kent.edu

            TTH 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.                                     Website:http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rrobyn/

BOW    133                                                                Office hours: MW 2:00-4:00 p.m.

                                                                                                            TTH 1:00-2:00 p.m.

 

Course Syllabus*

 

AMERICAN POLITICS

 

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of American government and politics. We will examine the nature of democracy, and the institutions that were created during and after the American Revolution to fulfill that promise and how they have measured up since. We will look at the campaign process and especially discuss how the 2010 election unfolded and what might happen in the general election coming up next year. We will examine the basic institutions of our government; but we will go beyond that to investigate the decision-making process itself, how the system is designed to function and how it may not always do so to the benefit of most Americans. It is expected that students will gain an appreciation for the complex nature of the political process and from that how to make better informed evaluations of public policy. Finally, we will speculate on the likely future of American politics in the face of the many challenges that face our nation and the international system.

 

The course is generally lecture-type format, although discussions are encouraged. Readings include a basic text and various news articles that I may hand out in class. Four exams during the semester and a final are the primary means of assessment, along with a research project on a topic of your choice. POL 10100 may be used to satisfy both a Liberal Education Requirement (LER) and Diversity Course Requirement. LERs as a whole are intended to broaden intellectual perspectives, foster humanitarian values, and prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers. Diversity courses provide opportunities for students to learn about such matters as the history, culture, values and notable achievements of people other than their own national origin, ethnicity, religion sexual orientation, age, gender, physical and mental abilities, and social class. Diversity courses also provide opportunities to examine problems and issues that may arise from differences, and opportunities to learn how to deal constructively with them.

 

Course Requirements:

 

Attendance: You are required to attend classes.  You are permitted 3 absences -- after that your grade will suffer (please note: attendance is 5% of your final grade).  If you have an emergency that precludes your coming to class, please let me know as soon as you can.

 


Readings:  All readings listed in the syllabus are required and should be read before the class session for which they are assigned.  Lectures and class discussions will follow from, build on, or provide background for the reading material, but they generally will not duplicate it.  You are responsible for all material, whether from class or the readings.

 

Text:  The following required text is available in the college bookstore.

Ø     American Government: Roots and Reform, Karen O’Connor and Larry S. Sabato. 2011 Edition (New York: Longman). Paperback.

 

Assignments: In addition to attendance, there will be six graded assignments in this course.  You must complete all six assignments in order to earn a passing grade. 

 

Exams: There will be four exams during the semester and a final exam for this course, made up from material from readings and lectures (which do not always coincide).  Exams during the semester are usually multiple choice; the final exam will be a combination of multiple choice (for the final chapters in the semester) and identification/short answer/essay type (comprehensive of the entire semester), and so requires that you purchase and bring a blue book. (A blue book may be purchased in the Political Science office, although Undergraduate Senate has been offering them for free lately.) There may on occasion be a small quiz or two, particularly if participation in class seems to be flagging due to inattention to readings. 

 

The text for the course has a number of excellent exercises on-line that will help you better understand the concepts brought out in class.  During the semester you are strongly advised to search these out. They are found on the websites listed in the text.

           

Research Project. The research project will involve your exploring a topic of your choice in American politics. Suggested topics are on-line on my website <http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rrobyn/> at the “Topics” link. You don’t have to pick any of these if you prefer another, but clear that with me before you start your research. In the process of researching the paper, you will be translating what you learn into usable form to communicate your concerns to others. This will be in three steps: as a letter to the editor of a newspaper, as a letter to an elected official and as a final paper in which you will present your findings.

 

1) Letter to the editor.  This assignment is designed to encourage you to communicate your concern about your research topic and your suggested solution, to the editor of a newspaper. You are to write the letter to the editorial staff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Your letter-to-the-editor will require you to do a certain amount of research that should be evident in reading the letter. You should clearly state your opinion about the issue of your interest.

 

The letter-to-the-editor should be no more than one page in length and conform to the editorial guidelines of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (detailed on the editorial page of that newspaper).  Letters should bear the writer’s full signature.  All letters must have the writer’s address and daytime phone. You are required to hand in two copies of your letter: a) a letter to the editor ready to be mailed (sealed in a stamped envelope addressed to “Letters to the Editor, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1801 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114”); and b) a copy of the letter for me to read and keep in my files. The letter is due Thursday, October  20.  The letter will not be graded, but two points will be taken off the research paper for each day it is late.

 

2) Write an elected official. You are also required to write a letter to an elected official on your research topic. The official may be in national, state or local office. Find the address of the official, write your letter for delivery, and give it and a copy to me. The letter is due Tuesday, November 22. This letter also will not be graded, but two points will be taken off the research paper for each day it is late.

 

3) Research Paper. The paper is the final product of your research project. It should be at least 5 pages (typewritten and double spaced, with 1” margins) and have at least three sources of information (book, article or internet source). Pick a topic that relates to American Politics (suggested topics and the requirements for the paper are on my website [see above]); explore the issue; present at least two sides to the issue; then come to YOUR OWN conclusion about what should be done about this issue and present that. For another source for help in writing and researching papers, look on the web at http://www.researchhaven.com/Style/APSA.htm. The paper is due Thursday, December 8. Ten points will be taken off for each day it is late. Do not send the paper electronically; hand in a paper copy on the date due.

 

 

NB: If you must miss any assignment, you must discuss this with me in advance and receive permission to take a make-up.  Unless there are reasonable extenuating circumstances, failure to arrange this in advance will result in a failing grade for that assignment.

 

 

Since this course is built around investigations of American politics, much of which is in the daily news, it is expected that you will keep up with current events.  Most classes will begin or end with a brief discussion of what is happening in the world, especially as events relate to American politics.  Fairly regular reading of newspapers such as The New York Times or The Cleveland Plain Dealer or watching CNN or The Lehrer Hour on PBS are highly recommended.

 

NOTE: All Students (and especially Poli Sci majors) should subscribe to POLSCI-UG, the Political Science Department’s listserve. It is a forum to receive information on classes, scholarships, internship opportunities and jobs in the field of political science.  To subscribe, send an email to listserv@listserv.kent.edu with the subject line POLSCI-UG firstname lastname. You must subscribe yourself.

 

Grading: Course grades will be assigned on the following basis:

 

Attendance & Participation                 5 %

Exam #1                                              10 %

Exam #2                                              10 %

Exam #3                                              20 %

Exam #4                                              20%

Research Project                                 15%

Final exam                                           20 %

________________________________________

Total                                                    100 %


 

This is the total number of assessments available for your course grade.  I award extra-credit points only for the following:

¨      You may earn three (3) points extra credit if you provide proof that you are registered to vote or provide a copy of the guidelines for registering to vote in your home county.  If you want these extra credit points, you must obtain official documents from the Board of Elections in your home county (internet printouts will not be accepted). Bring a copy of this to me in class that I can keep for my files. See details of registering to vote and extra-credit requirements on my website <http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rrobyn/>.

¨      You may earn up to two (2) extra credit points for visiting one or more U.S. Presidential Sites in northeast Ohio. See details of the presidential sites and extra-credit requirements on my website <http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rrobyn/>.

                                                                         

The grading scale I use is:      

A         93-100            C           73-76

A-          90-92             C-          70-72

B+         87-89             D+         67-69

B           83-86             D           60-66

B-          80-82             F          Below 60

C+         77-79

 

Registration Requirement: The official registration deadline for this course is September 5.  University policy requires all students to be officially registered in each class they are attending.  Students who are not officially registered for a course by published deadlines should not be attending classes and will not receive credit or a grade for the course.  Each student must confirm enrollment by checking his/her class schedule (using Student Tools in FlashFast) prior to the deadline indicated.  Registration errors must be corrected prior to the deadline. The last day to withdraw from the course is September 12.

 

Students with Disabilities: University policy 3342-3-18 requires that students requiring accessibility be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content.  If you have a documented accessibility limitation and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments.  Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through the Office of Student Accessibility Services (330-672-3391, or visit www.kent.edu/sas for more information on registration procedures).

 

Student Cheating and Plagiarism: University policy 3342-3-01.8 deals with the problem of academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism. None of these will be tolerated in this class. The sanctions provided in this policy will be used to deal with any violations. If you have any questions, please read the policy at http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-8.cfm and/or ask.

 


Schedule of Events and Assignments

 

 

DATE                         ACTIVITIES & ASSIGNMENTS

 

          I.                   INTRODUCTION

 

Week 1.  8/30-9/1       Orientation to Course.  The Political Landscape.

                        Assignment: O & S[*], Ch 1.

 

Week 2.  9/6-9/8         Political Landscape (continued). September 11 Discussion.

Assignment: O & S, Ch 1.

                                    Examination 1. (Bring a #2 lead pencil to exam.).

 

 

II.                           FOUNDATIONS

 

Weeks 3-4.                  The Constitution.

    9/13-15, 20-22    Assignment: O&S, Ch 2.

                                    Examination 2. (Bring a #2 lead pencil to exam.)

DISCUSS: RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS

 

 

III.   WHO INFLUENCES HOW PUBLIC POLICY IS MADE?

 

Week 5.  9/27-29        Voting and Elections.

Assignment: O&S, Ch 13.

 

Week 6.  10/4-6          The Campaign Process.          

                                                Assignment: O&S, Ch 14.

                                               

Week 7.  10/11-13      The Campaign Process (continued). Campaign 2010.

                                                Assignment: O&S, Ch 14.

                                    Examination 3. (Bring a #2 lead pencil to exam.)

 

 

IV.       INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT

 

Week 8.  10/18-20      Congress

Assignment: O&S, Ch 7.

Thursday, October 20: Letter to editor due.

 

Week 9.  10/25-27      Congress (continued). The Presidency

                                                Assignment:  O&S, Ch 8.

 

Week 10.  11/1-3    The Presidency (continued). Judiciary.

Assignment:  O&S, Ch 10.

           

Week 11.  11/8-10   Judiciary (continued).

Assignment:  O&S, Ch 10.

                  Examination 4. (Bring a #2 lead pencil to exam.)

 

 

V.        WHAT PUBLIC POLICY EMERGES FROM THESE INSTITUTIONS?

 

Weeks 12-13.              Foreign and Defense Policy. America’s Impact on the World.

11/15-17 and 22          Assignment: O&S, Ch 19.

Tuesday, November 22: Letter to elected official due.

 

 

11/24-26           NO CLASSES.             HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Weeks 14-15.              Domestic Policy. Responsibility.

            11/29-12/1, 6-8            Assignment: O&S, Ch 17.

Thursday, December 8: Research Paper due.

 

T 12/13                       Final Exam Time (7:45 am – 10:00 am).  BOW 133. (Bring a #2 lead pencil and a blue book to exam.)

 

 



* NOTE: this syllabus is also on-line on my website. If you lose this copy, please download another from the website.

 

[*] O&S: O’Connor & Sabato: American Government