Winthrop University
Spring 2018
Political Science 201-004: American Government
Three credit hours
Mon./Wed., 5:00-6:15 PM, Owens 202
Dr. John Holder
Bancroft 340
(803) 323-4665
Office Hours: MW 3:30-4:45, TR 2:00-3:15, or by appointment
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/holderj/plsc201004.html
Turnitin class ID: 17121370, enrollment key: holder201
This class will examine the structures and processes of the American
governmental and political systems. We will study the Constitution and the
philosophical basis of the American republic; the institutions of American
government; institutions outside government such as political parties, interest
groups and the media; the election process; and the public policy process, which
involves all of these ideas and institutions. The objective is for you to learn
more than you already know about how the government and political systems of the
United States work, and why you should care about it, both of which are
necessary for the development of informed, responsible, politically empowered
and effective members of society. You will be exposed to a wide variety of
issues and political viewpoints – from the readings, from the lectures, and from
your peers in class discussions. I ask that you consider them with an open mind
and respond to them respectfully even when you disagree. Whatever your political
beliefs are, or whatever they may become, the successful completion of this
class will give you a better understanding of how governmental decisions affect
you, and will make you a more knowledgeable and better-informed citizen, and a
more articulate advocate for your viewpoint.
Political Science 201 satisfies Winthrop University’s Constitution requirement
and General Education requirement in Social Sciences. This class also
contributes to student achievement of Winthrop University Level Competency 3:
Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the
time in which they live; and Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate
effectively.
Reading materials:
Susan Welch, John Gruhl, Sue Thomas and Maryanne Borrelli,
Understanding American
Government,
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 14th edition (2014). This is available
for your choice of purchase or rental in print or as an e-book through the
Winthrop University Bookstore, or online. Please bring this book (or have access
to it) to every class meeting.
The Articles of Confederation:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/artconf.asp.
Jennifer E. Manning, “Membership of the 115th Congress: A Profile,”
Congressional Research Service,
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44762.pdf
United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml.
Additional readings may be assigned throughout the semester and posted on the
class Webpage.
This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Grading:
The course will use Winthrop University’s +/- grading system. Final grades will
be assigned as follows. (I reserve the right to round up if you are less than
half a point from a higher letter grade.)
93-100 = A
90-92 = A-
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C-
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D-
59 or below = F.
Grading factors:
20% each: Two midterm exams, in class on Mon., Feb. 12 and Wed., Mar. 7.
30%: Writing assignment, due to turnitin.com before the beginning of the last class on Mon., Apr. 23.
30%: Final exam, Sat., Apr. 28.
Writing Assignment:
Visit
http://usa.abalancingact.com/.
Compose a balanced budget proposal for the next fiscal year, through some
combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. Write an essay (minimum 1500
words) discussing your policy choices (for example, if you choose to cut
Medicaid, discuss the impact of that choice).
The exams will include a combination of multiple choice questions, short
answers/definitions, and essay questions. A review guide for each exam will be
posted approximately one week in advance, and the last class before each exam
will include time for review. Makeup exams will not be given without
documentation of extenuating circumstances. The final exam is not cumulative,
but assumes knowledge of concepts covered earlier in the semester.
Administrative announcements:
Class cancellations, changes in schedule, guest speakers, etc., will be
announced via the class listserv, to which you will be automatically subscribed
through your winthrop.edu e-mail address if you register for the class before
the beginning of the semester. If you register after classes have begun, you
will need to manually subscribe to the listserv using the instructions at
http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081
The class is plsc201004. Check your WU e-mail frequently. You may use the
listserv for discussion or to share information with classmates, review for
exams, or ask questions about course material. Note that anything you post to
the listserv will be seen by everyone in the class.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken by means of a sign-in sheet circulated at the beginning
of each class meeting. In accordance with Winthrop’s attendance policies, if you
are absent without excuse from seven of the 28 class meetings, you will
receive an N or an F, as appropriate. In this class, signing in an absent
classmate is considered an act of academic dishonesty. I do not require
documentation for absences unless you miss an exam or want to submit a paper
late without penalty.
Technology:
You are welcome to use a computer to take notes in class. However, this class
follows the College of Arts and Sciences policy on use of technology in the
classroom. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic communication
devices during class meetings, except when authorized. If you need to leave your
phone on during a particular class for emergency reasons, please let me know in
advance.
The use of any kind of electronic device, including a phone, iPod or Internet
access, during an exam constitutes academic dishonesty.
Academic Honesty and Integrity:
Any act of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the class. This
class follows the policies of Winthrop University and the Department of
Political Science, which are linked below, on academic misconduct and
plagiarism. Please be aware of these policies and abide by them.
In addition to the failing grade imposed by the instructor, academic misconduct
of any kind will result in referral to the Dean of Students for possible
additional sanctions.
Political Science Department policy statement:
http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/politicalscience/default.aspx?id=19401
Office of Academic Affairs policy statement:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/public/policy/fullpolicy.aspx?pid=252
Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access:
Winthrop University is committed to providing access to education.
If you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access
academics and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to
complete this course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290,
or, accessibility@winthrop.edu. Please inform me as early as possible, once you
have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Accessibility.
OA Staff:
Tina Vires – Program Director, extension 6174; virest@winthrop.edu
Shardae Nelson– Assistant Coordinator, extension 6188; nelsons@winthrop.edu
Hope Williams – Administrative Specialist, extension 3290;
accessibility@winthrop.edu
Susan Sistar – Coordinator for Testing Program and the Test Center, extension
6173; sistars@winthrop.edu or testcenter@winthrop.edu
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
(This schedule is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.)
Mon., Jan. 8: Introduction to the Course
Wed., Jan. 10/Mon., Jan. 22: The Purpose of Government; American Political Thought (Welch, Introduction and Ch. 1); Declaration of Independence (Welch, pp. 503-504); Articles of Confederation (online)
Mon., Jan. 15:
No Class - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Wed., Jan. 17: Class cancelled due to weather.
Week of Jan. 22: The Constitution (Welch, Ch. 2 and pp. 505-513); Federalist Papers #10 and #51 (Welch, pp. 514-518)
Week of Jan. 29:
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (online, linked above)
Week of Feb. 5:
The Presidency; The Bureaucracy (Welch, Chs. 10-11).
Mon., Feb. 12: First
Exam.
Wed., Feb. 14:
The Judiciary (Welch, Ch. 12)
Week of Feb. 19:
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (Welch, Chs. 13-14)
Week of Feb. 26:
Political Parties, Campaigns, Elections, and Voting (Welch, Chs. 7-8)
Mon., Mar. 5:
The Media (Welch, Ch. 5)
Wed., Mar. 7: Second
Exam.
Week of Mar. 12: No
Class - Spring Break.
Week of Mar. 19:
Public Opinion; Interest Groups (Welch, Chs. 4 and 6)
Week of Mar. 26:
State and Local Government (Welch, Ch. 3)
Week of Apr. 2:
Health Care, Economic and Environmental Policy (Welch, Focus On...Health
Care Reform”, "Focus On...Spending and Taxing” and “Focus On...Environmental
Policy”)
Week of Apr. 9:
Social Security and Welfare Policy (reading TBA)
Week of Apr. 16: Foreign
Policy (reading TBA)
Mon., Apr. 23:
Last class. Papers due. Class evaluation administered in class
(please bring an Internet-capable device);
review
for Final Exam.
Saturday, Apr. 28,
3:00-5:30 PM: Final Exam.
Additional Winthrop University Resources:
Winthrop’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA)
identifies and assists highly motivated and talented students to apply for nationally and internationally
competitive awards,
scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad.
ONCA gathers and
disseminates award information and deadlines across the campus community, and
serves as a
resource for students, faculty, and staff throughout the nationally competitive
award nomination
and application process. ONCA is located in Dinkins 222A. Please fill out an
online information
form at the bottom of the ONCA webpage www.winthrop.edu/onca and email
onca@winthrop.edu
for more information.
Winthrop’s Academic Success Center (ASC)
is a free resource for all undergraduate students
seeking to perform their best academically. The ASC offers a variety of
personalized and
structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as
tutoring, academic
skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study
techniques),
group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching. The ASC is located on
the first floor
of Dinkins, Suite 106. Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or
success@winthrop.edu
Winthrop’s Office of Victims Assistance (OVA)
provides services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and
stalking as well as educational programming to prevent these crimes from
occurring. The staff assists all survivors, regardless of when they were
victimized, in obtaining counseling, medical care, housing options, legal
prosecution, and more. In addition, the OVA helps students access support
services for academic problems resulting from victimization. The OVA is located
in 204 Crawford and can be reached at (803) 323-2206. In the case of an
after-hours emergency, please call Campus Police at (803)323-3333, or the local
rape crisis center, Safe Passage, at their 24-hour hot-line, (803)329-2800. For
more information please visit:
http://www.winthrop.edu/victimsassistance/