INSTRUCTOR: JOHN DEDIE
PHONE NUMBER: 410-360-4467 (call before 9PM, do not call on Thursday)
E-MAIL: jdedie@starpower.net
This course analyzes the principles, structures and decision making in American Government with the principle players being the Executive (President), Legislative (Congress) and Judicial (Courts) branches of government.An examination of the processes and organizations inside and outside government, changing political relationships along with the beliefs and attitudes of the government leaders will be done.
BOOKS: Politics in America (PIA), Prentice Hall Publishing Company, Fourth Edition, Author: Thomas R. Dye.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student who completes this course should be able to:
Discuss the current political scene.
Develop an interest in political activities and events.
Understand the conflict and reason for it in American Government.
Understand the foundation, features and events leading to the development of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution.
Discuss the events of the Constitution Convention, including the Virginia and New Jersey Plans and the various constitutional compromises along with the ratification process.
Discuss the Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution along with the role of the judicial system in the process.
Discuss the role of Interest Groups and Political Action Committees in Government.
What are the roles of Political Parties in campaigns and elections?
What is the role of the Media in American Politics and Government?
Who votes and why in elections?
Who makes domestic policy in the US and how?
How US foreign policy changed over the last 200 years.
What role does bureaucracy play in government decision?
The classes will meet Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:45 PM in Room D305.Much of the class will be in lecture style.Attendance is necessary and part of your grade.Over the course of the semester there will be FOUR quizzes, one worth 50 points and THREE worth 100 points each.Each quiz will feature several True/False, multiple choice or fill in questions along with one essay question.Make up exams will be done at the test center at Essex in the Academic Support Center Welcome Center Building E.There will be a term paper worth 100 points due at week thirteen (13).If a paper is late one letter grade will be deducted for each week it is late.Plagiarism of a paper and cheating is an automatic F for the course.IF YOU FAIL TO TAKE A TEST IN THE GIVEN TIME FRAME YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO GRADE FOR THAT TEST, UNLESS YOU MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH ME.A DEATH IN THE FAMILY IS ACCEPTABLE.
4 Quizzes – 350 points (1/50 POINTS, 3 FOR 100 POINTS)
5 Article Reports/Assignments-25 points
1 Term Paper – 100 points
Class Participation – 25 points
A= 450-500
B= 400-449
C= 350-399
D= 300-349
E=BELOW 300
CLASS OUTLINE
Week one/February 5 – Introduction to the course, explanation of the syllabus and discussion of foundations of politics and government.Reading assignment Chapter 1 and 2 of PIA.
Week two - Discussion of American Colonies and Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and Constitution Convention of 1787 covering Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Reading Assignment Chapter 2 and 3 of PIA.Quiz one next week.
Week three – QUIZ ONE – 50 POINTS.Discussion of Public Opinion.Reading assignment Chapter 5 of PIA.
Week four – Discussion of Political Parties in America.Reading assignment Chapter 7 of PIA.
Week five – March 5 – Discussion of Campaigns and Elections and the role of the Media in society. Reading Assignment Chapter 6 and 8.Hand out term paper assignment.
Week six – Discussion of Interest Groups and Political Action Committees.
Reading Assignment Chapter 9 of PIA. Quiz Two next week.HAND OUT TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT.
Week seven – QUIZ TWO-100 POINTS.Discussion of the roles, duties and responsibilities of the President.Reading assignment Chapter 11 of PIA.Discuss term paper.
Week eight – Discussion of the roles, duties and responsibilities of the Congress and Bureaucracy.Reading Assignment Chapter 10 and 12 of PIA.
Week nine – April 9 – Discuss the roles, duties and responsibilities of the Courts.Reading assignment Chapter 13 ofPIA.
Week ten – Discussion ofCivil Liberties and the Constitution.Discussion of Civil Rights and the Bill of Rights.Reading assignment Chapters 14 and 15 of PIA.Discuss term paper.Quiz three next week.
Week eleven – QUIZ THREE – 100 POINTS.Discussion of Federalism and State and Local Government.Reading assignment Chapter 4 of PIA.
Week twelve – Discussion of Domestic Policy.Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 and 17 of PIA.
Week thirteen – May 7 – TERM PAPER DUE.Discussion of U.S. Foreign Policy.Reading assignment Chapter 18 of PIA.Quiz four next week.
Week fourteen – May 14th.QUIZ FOUR – 100 POINTS.