American National Government POLS 1101 CRN: 81544/81045 Fall 2015

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1 American National Government POLS 1101 CRN: 81544/81045 Fall 2015 Instructor: Dr. Joshua Meddaugh Office Hours: Phone: Class Meeting Time: MW: 12:25pm 1:55pm Office: 100 Natural & Behavioral Sciences Room: Henry County Academy Text: American Government Clayton State University Edition Dautrich, Yalof, Fleischmann, Pierannunzi. (2013). Course Description and Objectives: The aim of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of American political life: the main governmental institutions, the channels for elite and non-elite participation, and the context of social and economic power that shapes political and cultural activity. The fundamental goal is to help you understand why American government and, to a lesser extent, Georgia state government operates the way they do. Some of the questions we will address in this course include: Why did the Framers of the Constitution create three separate branches of government? What rights does the Constitution bestow on American citizens? What role does the media plays in determining what we, as citizens, think about politics and the government? Why are special interests so prominent in American politics? Why do Congress and the president always seem mired in legislative gridlock? In answering these and other questions, we will use current events to illustrate the general principles of politics and government. Upon successful completion of the course, I will help you become a better consumer of politics. You will be able to better understand news stories about politics and government. You will be able to cast a more educated vote in succeeding elections and have a working knowledge of both the Unites States and Georgia s Constitutions. And, you will have a first hand experience on how working in and for your community will strengthen your civic mindedness. In short, it is my hope that I will help you become a better federal and local citizen. Course Tasks, Expectations, and Grading: Task 1: You will complete all scheduled readings prior to the classroom discussion and be prepared to discuss the material. Task 2: (350 Points) The class will participate in (4) exams. Each exam will be completed online during our scheduled class time. Each exam will be on the readings and lectures since the previous test. NO EXAM WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE. The exams will be worth 100 points each.

2 Task 3: (20 Points) Geography Exams. There will be three geography exams in the course, the first exam is worth 7 points, the second is 6 points, and the third is 7 points for a total of 20. Task 4: (30 Points) Attendance. You are required to come to class. Being in the classroom environment helps with the learning process. You are allowed 5 absences total (excused/non excused). After that, you will lose a letter grade for each absence. Expectation 1: You are a responsible adult and a professional (see definition of professional behavior at the end of this syllabus). Just as you will have an occupation when you graduate, being a student, actively engaged in your own learning is your current occupation. It is expected that you will conduct yourself as such both in and out of the classroom. You and I, and your classmates, are a team and together we will seek answers to the questions in the course description, hence your attendance is important. Your questions, comments, and other contributions help the learning of others in the room and if you re not there, they suffer. Expectation 2: In this class you are in the academic discipline of Political Science and, regardless of your major, are expected to perform as a political scientist in training. This means applying critical thinking to political questions, asking for and evaluating evidence, and applying the standards of the discipline to your work. It also means asking questions in class, it means questioning your own political beliefs before you question those of others (regardless of your philosophy or partisanship), and it means paying attention to details like the appropriate way to cite the work of others (that is, use the APSA or APA style guide in all written work for the course). Grading: Final grades will be determined based on the following points... Letter Grades Policy and Procedures points: A points: B points: C points: D points: F Policy/Procedure 1: Academic Integrity: Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook. Click on this Policy/Procedure 2: Disabilities: For information about Disability Services or to obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disabilities Coordinator, Student Center, Room ADA/504 Compliance Officer at or disabilityservices@clayton.edu- Policy/Procedure 3: Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester. More than half of the scored work in this course is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor. Policy/Procedure 4: CSU Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to

3 determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades. The purpose of this policy is to increase retention. Students who have poor class attendance records often do poorly in our courses. The new policy is designed in order to emphasize to students that attending class is important and expected. Policy/Procedure 5: Plagiarism/ Honor code: Cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Please familiarize yourself with the CSU s honor code and rules at the following website: Course plagiarism policy: If you are caught cheating on an exam that exam grade will be a zero. If you are found to have plagiarized a paper you will receive an F on that paper. If more than one of these events occurs you will receive an F for the course and may face further discipline from the university. Policy/Procedure 6: Class Cancellation Procedures: There may be times during the semester that one of your classes may need to be canceled. Here's what we'll do to keep you notified: When possible your professor who canceled the class will students informing you of the cancelation. If the faculty member cannot students the division secretary will you. Each division secretary will also post a notice on the classroom door to inform students of cancelations. Please bear in mind that sometimes emergencies or unforeseen circumstances may prevent timely notification --- but all possible efforts will be made to ensure that you are informed in a timely manner. Some things you can do to make sure you know when a class has been canceled: Miscellaneous: Check your CSU before you leave for class Check GeorgiaView or D2L for any possible notifications Operation Study: At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. To foster a change in the perception of studying, improve study habits, and hence promote student success, several Operation Study activities and programs will be offered throughout the semester. Be on the lookout for study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and other opportunities to earn Study Buck Gift Cards (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

4 Computer Requirement: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to In-class Computer Use: Computers are used to take notes. This is just as simple as it sounds. If you violate this policy you will be asked to put away the machine. After 3 violations, you will no longer be able to bring your machine to class. Computer Software and Skill Prerequisites: Adobe Readers (pdf) and Microsoft Word is required. Able to use the Windows TM operating system Able to use Microsoft Word TM word processing Able to send and receive using Outlook TM or Outlook Express TM Able to attach and retrieve attached files via Able to use a Web browser. Political Science Degree Program Outcomes and Assessments: Outcomes: Graduating political science majors should Apply concepts related to the structures and principles of the U.S. Constitution to historical and current politics. Explain and criticize U.S. political institutions and processes. Demonstrate ability to understand and apply social sciences research methods. Research and compose a Senior Thesis in a subfield of political science. Successfully complete a political science related internship. Assessments: POLS 1101 geography tests POLS 2101 pre and post assessment surveys POLS 4490/POLS 4491 Internship/Practicum Site Supervisor Evaluation POLS 3000 and 4000 level course research papers POLS 4501 Senior Thesis ACAT Area Concentration Achievement Test taken by graduating seniors Professional Behavior Further Defined: Being a student is your job. I expect, and your classmates count on you to conduct yourself as a professional; with each of us (you, me, and your classmates) contributing to the learning environment in and out of the classroom. In order to contribute to that environment, while in the classroom your cell phone should be turned off (if you are expecting an important call, place it on vibrate and sit near the door and take your call outside) including for text messaging. You are no longer in high school, you are an adult and should have no need to pass notes during class, make excessive trips to the restroom, carry on conversations that are not related to the work at hand or the material under discussion in the class. If you have stayed up too late (obviously working on this or some other course) or are feeling ill do not view the shared environment of the classroom as your supplemental bedroom go back to your room and get the necessary rest. Just as sleeping on the job will have dire consequences in your future, sleeping in class will not help you maintain a professional level of performance. In short, use common courtesy, common decency, and common sense.

5 Approximate* Course Schedule: Week of Topic Material Covered PACE Project 1 August 17 Introduction to American Chapter 1 Government 2 August 24 The Founding and The Chapter 2 Constitution 3 August 31 Federalism Chapter 3 4 September 8 Civil Liberties Chapter 4 5 September 14 Exam 1 Take Home Geography Exam 1 Due 6 September 21 Civil Rights, Equality and Social Movements Chapter 5 7 September 28 Congress Chapter 6 7 October 5 The Presidency Chapter 7 8 October 12 Fall Break No Class 9 October 19 The Judiciary Chapter 9 10 October 26 Exam 2 Take Home Geography Exam 2 Due 11 November 2 Public Opinion Chapter November 19 The Media and American Chapter 12 Politics 13 November 16 Political Parties and Chapter 13 Voting 14- November 23 Thanksgiving Break Exam 3 Geography Exam 3 15 November 30 Campaigns and Elections Chapter December 7 Georgia State Constitution Georgia State Constitution Exam 4 *Approximate means, the syllabus is subject to change due to classroom discussion and speed of material coverage. If syllabus changes, I will give students at least 24 hours notice and will post an updated syllabus on CourseWeb.