Semester: Spring 2017 Course: POLS U101-Section 3

Class Time: Monday & Wednesday 2:00pm-3:15 p.m. Place: Library 227
Instructor: Scott Harris Instructor Email: sharris8@uscupstate.edu
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (or by appointment)

AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

This course is an introductory course in American government and politics. In this course we will
cover many different aspects of the American political system. First, we will examine the history of the
founding of the United States and the 18th century debate regarding the US Constitution. Next, we will
study the particular institutions that make up American government (Congress, the presidency, the
judiciary, etc.). Third, we will examine democracy in action and see the role of citizens, interest groups,
the media, and more. Finally, we will examine particular public policies (domestic and foreign) and begin
to understand the parameters of the current debate on these issues.

Course Goals and Learning Objectives:

I believe that understanding context is crucial to understanding American Government. Therefore, in

addition to learning about American politics, this course will also touch on issues of history, economics,
sociology, psychology, international politics, and other social sciences. While these concepts from other
fields will not be the focus of the course, we will spend some course time explaining why these other
fields can be influential on the American political process. Upon successful completion of this course
students will be able to describe and explain:

1. Politics and the purpose of government.

2. The principles and motives shaping the creation of the US Constitution.
3. The relationship between the U.S. states and the national government.
4. The historical development & contemporary parameters of civil liberties and civil rights.
5. The role of Congress & the Presidency as institutions of representative government.
6. The role of an unelected bureaucracy and unelected federal judiciary in a representative government.
7. The institutions and processes that filter the relationship between the individual and government, most
notably: parties, elections, the media, and interest groups.
8. Some particular public policies (domestic and foreign) of interest in our country and where conflict
exists among these policies today.

Required Text
a) OConnor, Karen, et al. 2014. 2014 Election Edition. American Government: Roots and Reform.
Pearson
b) additional required readings will be available on Blackboard or otherwise posted/provided.

Requirements and Grading

Attendance (*more than 7 absences results in failing grade) =10 (10 points)
Student of the Day =10 (10 points)
Other Class Participation =5 (5 points)
3 Exams (25 points per exam) (*4 exams but lowest is dropped) =75 (75 points)

Total =100 (100 points)

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Attendance (10 points)
Attendance will be mandatory in this course. You will be permitted two unexcused grace absences
(although I do not recommend this for exam purposes). After that, each additional absence will result in a
2 point deduction in your final grade. However, if you miss more than 7 class sessions (3 1/2 weeks of
class instruction), you will receive an automatic F for the course! Excused absences will not penalize
you if and only if you give me notice of the absence PRIOR to the missed class and you provide
documentation verifying the reason for the absence. After the fact excuses will still count against you. If
you arrive more than 5 minutes late for a class session, you will be counted as absent.

Students of the Day (10 pts)

Participation is a crucial aspect of my teaching philosophy. Your participation grade is divided
between 10 pts for Student of the Day and 5 pts for other class participation. For students of the
day, every student will have a notecard with their name on it. Every class, students notecards will be
selected at random. Do not fear.you will not be asked questions on the day that your notecard is
selected. Instead, you should read and prepare thoroughly for the following class when you will be asked
questions and prompted to participate in discussion on class material for the pertinent day. This gives you
the opportunity to plan ahead and prepare yourself to participate. You will receive two (2) out of a
possible five (5) points for simply being in attendance on both class days. The remaining three (3) points
will be determined by your level of participation (ability to answer questions on the subject-matter,
evidence of reading, engagement with the material, etc.). Some of the readings are editorials or other
articles expressing the opinion of the author. Be prepared to state whether you agree or disagree with the
author and to justify your position. I will ensure that over the course of the semester, each student is
selected twice, giving all students the ability to earn ten possible points. Do not ask me after the fact for
student of the day points if you are not in attendance the day your notecard is selected. If you arent
there, you receive a 0. I will consider excused and verified absences only if you have cleared them with
me IN ADVANCE, and there is evidence (doctors note, etc.) of your excuse

Other Class Participation (5 pts)

The remainder of your participation grade will be calculated by your other class participation on days
you are not selected as student of the day. I pose many questions and encourage lots of class discussion.
Essentially, if you consistently attend class, show interest, and participate commonly, you will be
considered for additional points. If you rarely raise your hand in class, you will not be able to earn these
points. Indeed, one or two comments all semester is not sufficient to earn any points. While infrequent
participation will only earn partial points. I reserve the right to adjust participation grades for activities
that are disruptive during class, such as being on ones cell phone, talking, or not treating other students
with respect.

Exams (75 points)

Exams make up 75 points of your grade. There will be three exams, plus a cumulative Final, for four
(4) total. The Final, though cumulative, is treated exactly the same as other exams for grading purposes.
Your grade will be calculated by adding your three best exam grades. Thus, your lowest exam grade will
be dropped. Exams will be multiple choice and short essay. You will receive a study guide for every
exam. Each of the first three tests will cover the subject matter in that particular section (since the last
examination), and the Final Exam will be cumulative. The Final Exam will cover broad issues from the
entire course. Failure to take an examination will result in a grade of 0 for that exam. Excused absences
for missed exams will be considered, but you MUST provide evidence of your excuse PRIOR to the day
of the exam (or in the case of emergencies, on the day of the exam), in order to be granted a makeup.
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 As to exam material, while the lectures will cover the most important materials, there is simply not
enough time to cover everything you need to know. Anything from the textbook, or other assigned
readings, is fair game for examinations. However, I make every effort to emphasize the most important
points in lecture. We will have a brief review the class before each exam.

Academic Integrity Statement

The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its
mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will enforce
rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course. The USC Upstate
Code of Academic Integrity can be found in the USC Upstate Student Handbook. Please refer to pages
134-143 of the Handbook at http://publications.uscupstate.edu/201516_Student_Handbook/#/40/ if you
are unfamiliar with the Code. Should you have any questions about possibly improper research citations
or references, or any other activity that may be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please
see me before the assignment is due to discuss the matter.

Diversity and Disability

USC Upstate supports the ongoing development of an accessible university that embraces
diversity through educational programming, services, resources and facilities that are usable by all
members of the campus community. In keeping with University policy, any student with a disability who
requests academic accommodations should contact Disability Services at 503-5199 to arrange an
appointment with a Disability Services staff member. Students are encouraged to seek an appointment as
early in the semester as possible, as accommodations are not provided retroactively.

Course Outline (Schedule & Readings Subject to Change)

*Denotes readings provided on e-campus, via email, or via the internet.

Week 1. (January 9, 11): Intro & A Little History: Pre-United States Years
OConnor, et. al chpt. 1
Declaration of Independence*
Articles of Confederation*

NO CLASS MONDAY JANUARY 16: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

Week 2. (January 18): A Little More History, the Constitution, and the Ratification Debates
OConnor, et. al. chpt 2.
Constitution of the United States*

Week 3. (January 23, 25): The Federalist Papers & Federalism

Federalist Papers No. 10, and 84*
Anti-Federalist Paper No. 84, by Brutus*
OConnor, et. al chpt. 3

Weeks 4. (January 30, Feb 1): Federalism & Civil Liberties

OConnor, et. al chpt. 4
Leon Friedman The Myth of States Rights.*
Edward Glaesar Federal Mandates Are Almost Always a Bad Idea*
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Week 5.: First Exam: Monday, February 6

Week 5. (contd.) (February 8) Civil Rights

OConnor, et al, chpt. 5

Week 6. (February 13, 15) Congress

OConnor, et al, chpt. 6

Week 7 (February 20, 22): The Presidency

Review: OConnor, et. al chpt. 7

Week 8 (February 27 & March 1) The Bureaucracy & Judiciary

OConnor, et. al chpt. 8
OConnor, et. al chpt. 9

SPRING BREAK, NO CLASS March 6-8

Week 9 (March 13): The Judiciary (contd.)

OConnor, et. al chpt. 9

Second Exam: Wednesday, March 15

Week 10 (March 20, 22): Public Opinion

OConnor, et. al chpt. 10

Week 11 (March 27, 29): Political Parties & Voting and Elections
OConnor, et. al chpt. 11-12

Week 12 (April 3): The News Media

OConnor, et. al. chpt. 14

NO CLASS: WEDNESDAY APRIL 5

Week 13 (April 10): Interest Groups

OConnor, et. al chpt. 15

Third Exam: Wednesday, April 12

Week 14 (April 17, 19): Domestic, Economic, & Foreign Policy

OConnor, et. al. chapt. 16-18

Week 15 (April 24): Foreign Policy & Review

OConnor, et. al. chapt. 18

Cumulative Final Exam: Monday May 1, 3:00 p.m.

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