Introduction to American Government Political Science 100 Fall 2008

Melissa Bourbonnais Email: bourbonnais_m@yahoo.com Office Hours: M/W 10-11 a.m., R 6:30-7:15p.m. & by appointment (LH-611) Class Times & Location: M/W/F 9:00-9:50 a.m. SGMH-1502

If you expect a nation to be ignorant and free, you expect what never was and never can be. Thomas Jefferson Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in the world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those others that have been tried from time to time. Winston Churchill STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES During this course students will: Become acquainted with the history of Americas Constitution and government.

Develop a clearer understanding on how the nation is governed. Examine political institutions and behavior. Recognize and discuss the role of the media in a democracy. Study the three branches of government and their function within a Think critically about political affairs. Discover the relevance of government to everyday life.

democracy.

REQUIRED TEXT Greenberg, Edward and Benjamin Page. The Struggle for Democracy, 8th edition. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2007. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. There will be 3 two-part exams worth 100 points each and a cumulative final exam worth 150 points. Exams consist of multiple choice and shortanswer essay questions, and reflect assigned readings, lectures, and Blackboard discussions. The exam dates are as follows: 9/17 & 9/19, 10/15 & 10/17, 11/12 & 11/14, and 12/17.

2. There is also 1 reflection essay worth 10 points. Specific guidelines for this assignment will be posted on Blackboard. It is due 9/8 at the beginning of class. Late papers are not accepted. PLAGIARISM Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. According to Sandra Rhoten, Associate Dean of Judicial Affairs at CSUF, plagiarism is defined as: The unacknowledged and inappropriate use of the ideas or wording of another writer. Because plagiarism corrupts values in which the university community is fundamentally committed the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual honesty plagiarism is considered a grave violation of academic integrity and the sanctions against it are correspondingly severe. Plagiarism can be characterized as "academic theft." Plagiarism includes: The submission of material authored by another person but represented as the students own work, whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form.

The submission of material subjected to editorial revision by another person that results in substantive changes in content or major alteration of writing style and

Improper acknowledgment of sources in essays, papers, or presentations.

In addition, please understand that if an author writes the sentence: I went to the grocery store wearing a red hat, and you change it to read, I went to Albertsons wearing a red baseball cap, you must still cite the source. Changing a word or two does not make it your sentence any more than adding a happy face to a Picasso makes it your masterpiece. Therefore, cite all work that is not your own. Above all, error on the side of cautionif you are unsure as to whether you should cite something, cite it! Failure to do so may result in an F in the course. MAKE-UP EXAMS/LATE WORK If you cannot be in class the day of an exam, you must notify me in advance to make other arrangements. If you miss an exam, it is an automatic F. Make-ups are granted rarely and at my discretion. Likewise, all assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date. Late work is not accepted. POINTS POSSIBLE Reflection Essay=10 Exam I=100 Exam II=100 Exam III=100

Final=150 ____________ Total= 460 This class is not on the plus/minus grading system; final grades will therefore be issued in the traditional manner (100-90% A, 89-80% B, 79-70% C, and so forth).

ATTENDANCE This course is intentionally structured in a manner that makes success without regular attendance difficult. Therefore, while attendance is not required, it is strongly recommended. Moreover, I will give students with borderline semester grades a boost if they have participated in class discussions and attended regularly. COMING TO CLASS LATE Walking into class late is disrespectful and disruptive. Please arrive promptly. If you know in advance that being punctual will be an issue, I strongly suggest you consider taking this class at another time or with a different professor. DROP POLICY Please be aware that it is your responsibility to drop the course if you are unable to continue coming to class. Not withdrawing from the class may result in an F on your transcript. DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE According to UPS 30000.0004: The University requires students with disabilities to register with the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS), located in UH-101 and at (714) 278 3112, in order to receive prescribed accommodations appropriate to their disability. Students requesting accommodations should inform the instructor during the first week of classes about any disability or special needs that may require specific arrangements/accommodations related to attending class sessions, completing course assignments, writing papers or quizzes/tests/examinations. QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to come to my office, contact me via email, or speak with me before or after class. I am more than willing to clarify or elaborate on a point from the lectures or readings, as well as do my best to assist you through an obstacle or problem. I chose this profession, in part, because I have a sincere desire to help students succeed in their academic pursuits.

READING ASSIGNMENTS WEEK OF Aug 25 2 Sept 1 Sept 8 Essay Sept 15 Sept 17 & 19 READING Chapters 1, Chapter 3 Reflection Chapter 4 Chapter 5 EXAM I

Sept 22 Sept 29 Oct 6 Oct 13 Oct 15 & 17

Chapters 6, 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 NO CLASS EXAM II

Oct 20 11 Oct 27 Nov 3 Nov 10 Nov 12 & 14

Chapters 10, Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 EXAM III

Nov 17 16

Chapters 15,

Nov 24-28 Dec 1 Dec 8 Dec 17

NO CLASS Chapter 17 Chapter 18 FINAL EXAM