Introduction to American Politics
Political Science 210
Fall 2007
Mon Fri
Psychology Building Rm 471
Class Overview: Posc 210 provides a basic introduction to the major institutions and policy-making processes of American government. The class will examine Americas political culture and socialization process, the structure of the US Constitution, federalism, the workings of Congress, the courts, and the presidency. In addition, we will look at the US electoral process and the media.
Required Texts:
The Future of Freedom (Zakaria)
One Nation Under Therapy (Sommers)
Bias (Goldberg)
Graded Assignments:
(2) Reading Quizzes (25 pts each)--------------50 pts
..What
Political Party Should You Belong To? Take a Quiz and Find
Out.
Seven Pillars Project----------------------------50 pts
Media Project----------------------------------50 pts .Or, Try this more current QUIZ.
Final Exam-------------------------------------75 pts
Attendance and Participation-------------------25 pts ..2008 Presidential Primary Preference
Total Points*----------------------------------250 pts
90% or higher = A, 89%-80% = B, 79%-70% = C, 69%-60% = D, 59% and lower = F
Weekly Syllabus (Subject to change):
|
Dates |
Topics |
Readings |
|
Week 1: |
·
Minimum Winning
Coalition and Cycles ·
Concentrated
Benefits and Diffused Costs ·
Rent Seeking
and Regulation ·
The Prisoners
Dilemma ·
Property Rights
and Incentive structures |
Zakaria: Introduction (pp. 13-27) Stossel Video # 5, #6 |
|
Week 2: |
·
Intro to Class ·
Handshake Game:
Is politics a science or a set of values? · Who governs? The 4 models of power |
Zakaria: Chapter 1 & 2 (pp. 45-87) |
|
Week 3: QUIZ # 1 |
·
Political
Spectrum ·
Political
Socialization ·
Political Socialization · American Exceptionalism |
Zakaria: Chapter 3 (pp. 89-118) |
|
Week 4: |
·
American Exceptionalism ·
Why Americans Dont Vote ·
Expansion of
suffrage and elimination of voting barriers ·
Political
Cleavages ·
Gerrymandering |
Zakaria: Chapter 4 (pp. 119-159) |
|
Week 5: |
·
Social Contract
Theory ·
Historical
Documents Highlighting Soc Contract Theory ·
The
Constitutional Compromises |
Zakaria: Chapter 5 (pp. 161-186) and Chapter 7 (pp.239-256) |
|
Week 6: SEVEN PILLARS PROJECT (Assigned) QUIZ # 2 |
·
The Seven
Pillars of the Constitution ·
Federalist #10
and #51 ·
The Anti
Federalists Arguments ·
Finishing the
Constitution: Marbury
and McCullock ·
Intro to
Federalism |
Sommers: Introduction and Chapter 1 (pp. 1-52) |
|
Week 7: |
·
The History of the
ebb and flow of Federalism and The Rehnquist Revolution ·
The Committee
System and its History of Change/Reform ·
The
Congressional Simulation (3 days) |
Sommers: Chapter 3 and pp. 110-122. |
|
Week 8: Seven Pillars
Project DUE MEDIA PROJECT (assigned) |
·
Media Bias and
Agenda Setting ·
Goldberg ·
Goldberg ·
Mobocracy |
Bias (Chapters: Intro and Chapters 1-5, 7-8) Stossel Video # 7 |
|
Week 9: |
·
Ways of Interpretation:
Strict, Original, Loose, Moral. ·
Balancing Tests
and Civil Rights ·
Griswold: How
the Supreme Court Killed the Constitution ·
The Limits of
the Court: Rosenberg Thesis ·
The Appointment
Process and its failures |
Sommers: Chapter 5 |
|
Week 10: Media Project DUE |
·
The Nomination
Process ·
The Electoral
College ·
So You Want to
Buy a President ·
Campaign
Finance Reform ·
Interview
Assignment: What makes a Good president? |
No reading |
* Students who have special needs or disabilities that may affect their ability to access information or material presented in this course should contact the CWU Director of Disability Support Services at 509- 963-2171, TDD 963-2143 for appropriate accommodation.
Final Exam: Tuesday,
March 13th 8:00 to 10:00 am