SYLLABUS

GOVERNMENT OF THE US

Political Science 2311‑004

Fall 1999

Instructor: Michael K. Moore

Office: 452 University Hall

Office Hours: M W 1:30 - 2:30 and by appointment

Office Phone: 272‑3996

Email: mmoore@uta.edu

Course Web Page: http://www.uta.edu/pols/moore/fall2311/index.htm

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course aims to acquaint the student with the fundamentals of American government and to encourage the critical evaluation of issues related to politics. The course also strives to give the student an appreciation of the demands and difficulties of a modern democracy.

TEXT:

Welch, Susan, John Gruhl, John Comer, Susan M. Rigdon, Jan Vermeer. 1999. Understanding American Government. 5^th Edition. Belmont, CA: West/Wadsworth Publishing (required)

Study Guide to Accompany Understanding American Government text by Lydia Andrade (optional)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Four exams will be given; three during regular class periods and one on the final exam day. The approximate dates for these exams are noted below. The first three exams are each worth 100 points and the final exam is worth 200 points. The final is comprehensive. You must take all four exams in order to pass this course. Your final grade will be scored 90%‑100% A, 80%‑89% B, 70% ‑ 79% C, 60% ‑ 69% D, and below 60% is failing.

INSTRUCTOR'S POLICIES:

Attendance: Attendance will not be taken, but is strongly recommended. A substantial percentage of the exam material will be drawn from class lectures and discussions. If you must miss class, please obtain the notes from a class mate. It should be noted that strong attendance creates a favorable impression with the instructor about your attitude as it relates to this course.

Make‑Up Exams: Students are expected to take the exam at the scheduled time. Prior permission for me (not prior notice from you) or certification by a doctor are the ONLY conditions under which a make‑up exam will be given. Make‑up exams may be administered in either an oral or written format and will take place within one week of the missed exam.

Incompletes: No incompletes will be given except on the basis of a doctor's certification that you are medically unable to complete the course.

Academic Dishonesty: Copying answers from a class mate, using notes during an exam, plagiarizing, or representing another's work as your own is considered cheating. Anyone caught cheating or aiding someone in cheating will be dealt with according to University policy.

American's With Disabilities Act (ADA): If you are a student who requires accommodations in compliance with the ADA, please notify the instructor at the start of the start of the semester.

If you have any questions regarding any of these policies, please contact me.

CLASS SCHEDULE:

The following schedule is an outline of the reading assignments and the exam dates. I have also posed a question for you to consider as you read each chapter. In addition to the reading listed below you are expected to read the articles in a local newspaper which relate to American politics and be prepared to discuss them.

This schedule is not definite. We may move more quickly than anticipated in some sections, and more slowly in others. Announcements regarding scheduling changes will be made in class and you are responsible for staying abreast of these changes. If you encounter problems during the course of the semester, please contact me.

Date	Topic, Question, and Reading
Aug 23	Course Introduction
Aug 25	Theory of Democracy Why is Democracy so messy? Read: Chapter 1
Aug 27, 30	Constitution Where the Founding Fathers original thinkers? Read: Chapter 2, Appendix A, Appendix B
Sept 1, 3, & 6	No Class
Sept 8	Federalism Where should the power to govern be located? Read: Chapter 3, Appendix C, Appendix D
Sept 10	No Class
Sept 13	Federalism cont.
Sept 15, 17, & 20	Civil Liberties How does our government balance individual freedoms and majority rule? Read: Chapters 14
Sept 22 & 24	Civil Rights Does the US treat all its citizens fairly? Read: Chapters 15
Sept 27	Exam 1
Sept 29 Oct 1, 4, 6	Congress Why do members of Congress seem to disagree so often? Read: Chapter 10
Oct 8	No Class
Oct 11, 13, & 15	Presidency Do we expect too much from our president? Read: Chapter 11
Oct 18 & 20	Bureaucracy Is much of the federal bureaucracy unessential? Read: Chapter 12
Oct 22, 25, & 27	Judiciary Do the courts make policy or merely interpret the law? Read: Chapter 13
Oct 29	Exam 2
Nov 1, 3, & 5	Political Parties Should political parties play a more important role in our government? Read: Chapter 6
Nov 8, 10, & 12	Interest Groups Are there too many interest groups and are they too powerful? Read: Chapter 5
Nov 15 & 17	Voting and Participation Why don't more people vote in the United States? Read: Chapters 7
Nov 19 & 22	Public Opinion How is public opinion formed? Read: Chapter 4
Nov 24	Exam 3
Nov 26	No Class
Nov 29 & Dec 1	Media and Politics & Course Summary Does the media shape public opinion? Read: Chapter 8
Dec 3	No Class
Dec 8	Final Exam 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.