GOVT 2301 Section 3 Constitutional Foundations and Political Behavior in

the United States and Texas

Professor Chad King Fall 2005

Office: GR 3.232 Location: GR 4.428
e-mail:chadk@utd.edu Time: 3:30-4:45 MW
Phone: 883-4558 Office Hours: T 2-4

Teaching Assistant- Alex Fit-Florea

Office: GR 3._____ (x_____) Office Hours:______

Course Description

In this course, we will examine the historical evolution and modern state of political
behavior in the United States as well as Texas. To do so, we will focus on two key
components; 1) the structural components of government that shape and affect political
behavior and 2) the behaviors of political actors and organizations within the American
political system.

Course Administration

Instructor’s Expectations of Students

Students are expected to attend class regularly, show up on time, having completed the
reading assignments for that day. Students should be respectful of their fellow classmates
and the instructor by refraining from distracting behavior such as talking, eating, passing
notes or using cell phones/pagers.

For all exams, students are required to bring at least one form of photo identification
(Comet Card, Driver’s License, or Passport) and a scantron answer sheet.

Academic Dishonesty

Students are also expected to comply with UTD rules regarding scholastic dishonesty.
Any possible violations of UTD policies are subject to disciplinary penalties that might
result in a failing course for this grade or even expulsion from UTD. Because of the
seriousness of academic dishonesty as well as the harm it causes both other students as
well as the University, all policies relating to academic dishonesty will be stringently
enforced. If you are unclear about what constitutes academic dishonest, you should
familiarize yourself with UTD’s policies located at the following World Wide Web
address, http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html.
Disability Services

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may affect your
ability to carry out assigned course work, you should first contact Office of Disability
Services in room 1.610 in the Student Union or by phone at 883-2070. They will review
your concerns and determine appropriate accommodations before contacting the
instructor. Students who do not follow this procedure will not be given accommodations.
All information and documentation relating to such issues will be kept confidential.

Electronic Mail & Telephone Contact

E- mail and the phone are efficient and fast ways to get in touch with either the TA or
myself. There are some limitations, however, to what you may contact us about over the
either medium. Federal law prohibits the discussion of grades over the phone or e- mail.
We cannot and will not talk about grades over either. Such communication should occur
in person and should be conducted directly with the instructor and not the TA.

Evaluation of Students

Because this is a large class, your grade will be based entirely on a set of multiple choice
exams. There will be three required midterm exams and one cumulative final which is
optional. All exams will include material from both the text and lectures.

The final is optional for two reasons. First, there will be no make-up exams. If you miss
one of the midterms, you will be required to take the final examination or receive a zero
for the missed exam. If you miss more than one midterm, taking the final will only
replace one of those missed exams, you will be given a 0 for any others. If you miss an
exam, each exam, will count for 1/3 of your grade.

Second, for students who take all three exams, the final exams presents an opportunity to
improve your grade if you desire. If you are satisfied with your first three exam grades,
you do not have to take the final and your grade will be calculated based upon those three
exams. If you choose to take the final exam, each of the four exams will count for 25%.
Please note, this could raise or lower your average, so carefully consider which option is
right for you.

Grading

Exams will be graded on a 100-point scale, using the following letter/number conversion.

A: 94-100 B-: 80-83 D+ 67-69

A-: 90-93 C+: 77-79 D: 64-66
B+: 87-89 C: 74-76 D-: 60-63
B: 84-86 C-: 70-73 F: Below 60
Reading Assignments

The required book for this course is Ginsberg, Lowi & Weir, We the People. 5th edition;
Texas Edition. You should be able to purchase it from either The University Book Store,
Off Campus Books, or your favorite on-line book store.

Date Topic Chapter

8/22 Introduction to Course and Syllabus
8/24 Political Culture 1, 19
8/29 Foundations and the Constitution A3-9
8/31 Foundations and the Constitution 2, A10-20
9/5 Labor Day No Class
9/7 Foundations and the Constitution 2, 20, A21-25
9/12 Federalism 3
9/14 Federalism 3
9/19 Civil Liberties 4
9/21 Civil Liberties/Civil Rights 4,5
9/26 Civil Rights 5
9/28 Catch- up Day
10/3 First Midterm
10/5 Public Opinion 6
10/10 Public Opinion 6
10/12 The Media 7
10/17 The Media/Voting and Participation 7, 8
10/19 Voting and Participation 8
10/24 Voting and Participation 8
10/26 Campaigns and Elections 10
10/31 Campaigns and Elections 10
11/2 Second Midterm
11/7 Political Parties 9
11/9 Political Parties 9,21
11/14 Groups and Interests 11
11/16 Groups and Interests 11
11/21 Groups and Interests 11,22
11/23 Third Midterm
11/28 Review of Third Midterm
12/2 Final Exam 2:00 PM

**** Please note that the instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus in
order to advanced the interests of the course.