SYLLABUS, SPRING 2001
POLS 101:
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Instructor: Randy Smith
E-mail: rsmith14@uic.edu
Office Phone: (312) 413-3434
Office: 1143 BSB
Office Hour: Tuesday 11:00
12:00 (other times available by appointment)
I.
Description: This course seeks to provide an introduction to
American politics and government at the national level. Students will also be introduced to the
institutions of the American political life.
Emphasis will be placed on political culture, public opinion,
institutions, decision-making and outcomes.
A major theme of this course is democracy and democratic
government. How democratic is America?
After examining some of the alternative ways of thinking about American politics, we will analyze public opinion, elections, political participation, interest groups, and political parties. All are processes that link government to the people. Finally, we will investigate the major decision-making institutions of the national government the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court with the goal of appraising their responsiveness to those who are governed. As we emphasize the decision-making processes within that institution, its policy outcomes, and the impact of those outcomes on the American people.
II. Text: Dye and Zeigler, The Irony of Democracy (millennial edition)
III. OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:
1. To give students an historical background of American political institutions.
2. To acquaint students with the pluralist, majoritarian, power elite, and other models of American government.
3. To provide an understanding of how our government differs from that of other nations.
4. To encourage students to participate actively as citizens.
5. To give students the background to make informed judgements about current political controversies.
6. To teach students about the contributions of women and minorities in American politics.
7. To teach students about the impact of public policy issues on their lives.
8. To teach students about the role of media in politics
9. To give students an overview of political behaviour.
10. To introduce students to classic and contemporary research in the field.
IV.
COURSE METHODOLOGY
This course will utilize several different teaching techniques to explain the content material:
1. Lecture Session the instructor will share his thoughts and ideas with you on the various topics, books and articles. He welcomes your input on this material.
2. Discussion Session this is your chance to voice your opinion about the American government in a free and open manner and complete the participation portion of your grade.
3. Audio Visual Aids Items such as the overhead projector, maps films, and videotapes will be used as needed.
V.
EXAMINATIONS AND
GRADING
There will be a total of three (3) examinations. Each exam will consist of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Each exam will cover both the textbook readings and the classroom lectures and class discussions. There will be one paper due for this class. Further instruction regarding this assignment will be handed out later. Your final course grade will be determined in the following manner:
100 points possible = Test I
100 points possible = Test II
100 points possible = Test III
100 points possible = Paper
100 points possible = Participation
500 points possible = Total
The participation portion of
your grade will be determined first by attendance. It is important to attend every class session and thus will be
reflected in the participation portion of your grade. This participation portion also involves active participation in
class discussion. Class participation
is a must in order to receive an A in this course. Therefore, I have established some guidelines for discussion. You
will be expected to discuss the topics of American government and politics in
the United States. This discussion will
be conducted in an open manner. You are
allowed to disagree with me, the American government and with your classmates. However, this discussion is to be held in an
intelligent manner and you must support your opinion with facts (that may mean
research). Students are not
allowed to interrupt, use slurs or make fun of other students.
All work is to be handed in on time, and in standard grammatical English. I can not grade what I can not read. If I can not read an assignment I will ask you once to rewrite it, and after that first warning you will either receive a reduced grade or no credit. Cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with according to UIC policy and procedure.
VI.
COURSE AND TOPIC
OUTLINE
1. Introduction: Ways of Thinking About American Politics
1/09/01 go over syllabus and other preliminary items
1/11/01 begin introduction to coursework
1/16/01 - The American Political Environment: Elitism, Pluralism, and Democracy, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 1
1/18/01 - American Political Culture and Political Socialization, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 5
1/23/01 - continued
1/25/01 - The Roots of American Elitism, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapters 2 and 3
1/30/01 continued
2/01/01 - Political Participaiton: Elites and Masses, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapters 4 and 5
02/06/01 finish unfinished lectures and review
02/08/01 Test I
2. Getting the Message Across
02/13/01 - Public Opinion, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 6
02/15/01 - Elections and Voting Behaviour, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 8
02/20/01 - continued
02/22/01 continued
3. Linking the Government to the Governed
02/27/01 - Political Parties read, Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 7
03/01/01 continued
03/06/01 - Interest Groups, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 9, Review
03/08/01 Test II
4. Institutions of the National Government
03/20/01 - The Presidency, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 10
03/22/01 continued
03/27/01 continued
03/29/00 - The Bureaucracy, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 11
04/03/01 continued
04/05/01 - The Congress, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 12
04/10/01 continued
04/12/01 - The Supreme Court, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 13
04/17/01 continued
5. Evaluation of American Politics: Is America safe for democracy?
04/19/01 - Protest Movements, read Dye and Zeigler, Chapter 15
04/24/01 read Dye and Zeigler, Epilogue, pp. 407-434, finish up and review
04/24/01 Test III
The due dates
for the paper will be announced as the semester progresses.
I anticipate a
both a first draft due date and a final draft due date.
This syllabus is subject to
change at the instructors discretion without prior notice.