INTRODUCTION

TO

U. S.

POLITICS
21A

POLITICAL SCIENCE FALL QUARTER

2013
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A, I R V I N E

Professor Matthew N. Beckmann Department of Political Science 2253 Social Science Bldg., Plaza B (949) 824-6219 beckmann@uci.edu

Course Information Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 1:50 Biological Sciences III 1200 Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 2-2:30, & by appt.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

TA Andrew Colopy John Cuffe Lila Kooklan Eric Mosiner Brett Savage
COURSE DESCRIPTION

Email acolopy@uci.edu jcuffe@uci.edu lkooklan@uci.edu emosinge@uci.edu bsavage@uci.edu

Because resources are scarce and peoples opinions differ, policy disagreement is inevitable. Politics is the means by which people resolve such issues without resorting to violence. This course examines the history, theory, and practice of politics in the United States. We will first study early American democracy its philosophical bases and constitutional foundations. From there we will turn to examining the contemporary practice of American democracy, doing so by breaking up the overall picture into its constituent parts. Having carefully considered American politics from a variety of perspectives, we will conclude the course by bringing our informed insight to bear on some of the most important questions confronting scholars, leaders, and citizens alike: How representative is Americas representative democracy? What can we expect of ordinary citizens? What role should leaders play?
REQUIRED READINGS

George C. Edwards, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry, Government in America, 14th ed.

Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers

+ selections as we go

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

This course is designed to introduce you to American politics, and to help you develop the analytical skills necessary to be thoughtful, active political participants. I hope youll finish this course not only able to understand what politicians and pundits are talking about, but also to be able to assess and evaluate their competing proposals, claims, and evidence. In short, this course helps you become savvy political consumers.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

I take integrity issues very seriously, largely because I trust you to act honorably. Suffice it to say, you should abide by the highest standards in this course. I expect you to act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can thrive through the fruits of their efforts. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other violations of these principles will result in a failing grade for the course and a referral to the Deans office.
I>CLICKER

I really want this class to be more interactive than the typical large lecture, and to that end we will use i>clickers regularly. My hope is not just to quiz you for factual or conceptual reviews, but also to help us uncover more interesting illustrations. Bring it to every class.
ROCKETMIX MODULES (https://www.rocketmix.com/EnrollCourse.aspx?

CourseCode=67020)

Complementing the work we do in class, I have assigned a series of online modules related to course lessons. These modules offer a series of analytical exercises that offer students (and me) immediate, personalized feedback. The whole batch costs $25, which you pay when signing up at rocketmix.com. To get full credit, you must complete the module before lecture on the date it is due. The four modules for this course are. The Founding The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Pollsters Puzzle Presidential Elections
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Open Open Open Open

Date Date Date Date

10/3 10/15 10/31 11/26

Due Due Due Due

Date Date Date Date

10/11 10/22 11/5 12/3

If you have a special circumstance that affects your ability to meet the courses expectations e.g., a brothers wedding, a learning disability, or anything else contact me about it right away. So long as it does not compromise fairness for all, I am happy to help.

COURSE GRADING

(Ill provide more information about each as it approaches) Section Rocketmix Research Midterm Final 10 % 10 10 30 40 % % % %

U.S. Government in Theory Th T 10/1 9/26 Introduction Why Do We Need Government? - Kernell & Jacobson, Chapter 1 selection - Angier, Why Were So Nice in the NYT Th 10/3 What Kind of Government Do We Want? - E, W, & L, Appendix (Declaration; Federalist 10 & 51) - Ellis, Preface ROCKETMIX MODULE (THE FOUNDING) OPEN DUE 10/10 T 10/8 The U.S. Constitution The Ideals & The Politics - E, W, & L, Chapter 2 - Ellis, Chapter 1 Th 10/10 The Founding Fathers and Early American Democracy - Ellis, Chapter 2 - Zinn, Some Truths Are Not Self-Evident in Critical Voices T 10/15 Civil Liberties - E, W, & L, Chapter 4 - Gawande, Hellhole in The New Yorker ROCKETMIX MODULE (THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT 10/22 Th 10/17 T 10/22
OF

1964) OPEN DUE

Video: Spying on the Home Front (PBS, Frontline) Civil Rights & Southern Politics - E, W, & L, Chapter 5 - Ellis, Chapter 3 - MLK, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail, selection

Th 10/24

The Courts (esp. Supreme Court) - E, W, & L, Chapter 15 - Seidman, Lets Give Up on the Constitution in the NYT - Rosen, Supreme Leader in The New Republic

**Tuesday 10/29

Midterm (bring bluebook and pen)

U.S. Government in Practice Th 10/31 Research Assignment John F. Kennedys Presidency ROCKETMIX MODULE (THE POLLSTERS PUZZLE) OPEN DUE 11/5 T 11/5 Do The People Speak (Intelligently)? Th 11/7 E, W, & L, Chapter 6

Congress A Representative Body E, W, & L, Chapter 11

T 11/12

Congress A Decision-Making Body Kingdon, Consensus Mode of Decision in Congressmens Voting Decisions Arnold, Can Inattentive Citizens Control Their Elected Representatives? in Congress Reconsidered

Th 11/14

Money in Politics Lobbying E, W, & L, Chapter 10 Demott and Yang, Wow! Real Tax Reform! in Time 5/19/1986

T 11/19

The Presidency Decision-Making (w/ Data from Research) E, W, & L, Chapter 12 Mazzetti et al., Behind the Hunt for Bin Laden in the NYT, 5/2/11

Th 11/21

The Federal Budget Process E, W, & L, Chapter 13 Mettler & Sides, We are the 96 Percent in the NYT, 9/24/2012

T 11/26

Mass Media and Politics E, W, & L, Chapter 7 ROCKETMIX MODULE (PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS) OPEN DUE 12/3

Th 11/28 T 12/3

Happy Thanksgiving! Presidential Campaigns and Elections E, W, & L, Chapter 9 Issenberg, Victory Lab, chapters 6-7

Th 12/5

Representation and Leadership in American Politics Ellis, Chapter 4 - Angier, Of Altruism, Heroism, and Evolutions Gift in the NYT, 9/18/01

** Friday

12/13

10:30-12:30

Final (bring bluebook and pen)