Introduction to American Politics

Political Science Y103

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

Spring 2008

 

 

Professor James Toole                                       Class Times: MWF 9-9:50

Office: CM 215                                                   Class Location: CM 112

Telephone: (260) 481-6885                                  Office Hours: January: MW 1-2 and F 11-12;

Email: toolej@ipfw.edu                                                   After January: MW 11-12 and F 11-12          

Webpage: http://users.ipfw.edu/toolej/    

 

 

Course Description:

 

This course is an introduction to the contemporary government and politics of the United States. It offers a comprehensive look at American government and politics by considering both the formal institutions of American government and the dynamics of American political life. It also pays special attention to some of the important social and historical forces that have shaped the political system that we know today. The course is approved for General Education credit for Area III (The Individual, Culture, and Society).

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

By the end of the semester, students who work hard in the course will: (1) be able to describe the structure and process of the American system of government, (2) be conversant in many of the fundamental debates concerning American politics, (3) know how to ask intelligent and critical questions about the political rhetoric and news reports they encounter, (4) begin to recognize ways in which the American political system differs from others, (5) be able to distinguish between reasoned argument and unsupported opinion, and (6) be better able to make a coherent written or oral argument.

 

 

Course Requirements:

 

Classes will feature both lectures and class discussions. Students should make every effort to participate in class discussions and to ask questions about things they do not understand. Students are required to take four exams (three mid-term examinations and one final) and to write one five-page paper. Exams must be taken on the scheduled dates except in very unusual circumstances; make-up examinations will be permitted only at the discretion of the instructor. If you turn the paper in late, your grade will fall by one-third of a letter grade (e.g., from a B to a B- or from a C+ to a C) each twenty-four hours the paper is late. Make every effort to turn in the paper on time, as this penalty is more severe than it may first appear. Late papers must be emailed to me (email address above) the moment they are completed and then turned in on paper as soon as possible thereafter. Computer or printer problems of any kind will not be accepted as excuses for lateness; finish ahead of time so as to handle any such problems.

 

The final grade will be determined as follows: first exam: 15 percent of the final grade, second and third exams: 20 percent each, final exam: 25 percent, and paper: 20 percent. The instructor’s evaluation of class attendance, participation, and performance may influence the final grade in very close cases. All assignments must be completed in order to receive a final grade in the course.

 

Students should not expect to do well in the class unless they attend all scheduled classes. They also must complete all listed readings before the start of each class, since failure to do so will greatly impair their ability to understand class lectures and to participate intelligently in class discussions. Students are also expected to keep up with current political events; how they do so is up to them. Recommended sources of information include the New York Times (www.nyt.com), the Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com), and the Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com).

 

The following books are required for purchase and are available (in a single package) at the university bookstore:

 

David T. Canon, John J. Coleman, and Kenneth R. Mayer, The Enduring Debate: Classic and Contemporary Readings in American Politics (4th ed.), W. W. Norton, 2006.

            Theodore Lowi, Benjamin Ginsberg, and Kenneth A. Shepsle, American Government:

                        Power and Purpose (Core 10th ed.), W. W. Norton, 2008.

           

All readings listed below are required. While part of the reading comes from the above books, some of it is only available through Reserves Express. You are responsible for all readings, whether it comes from purchased books or through library reserve.

 

If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Contact the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb, room 113, telephone number 481-6658), as soon as possible to work out the details. Once the Director has provided you with a letter attesting to your needs for modification, bring the letter to me. For more information, please visit the web site for SSD at http://www.ipfw.edu/ssd/.

 

 

Course Schedule and Required Readings:

 

Date

Topic

Readings

1/14

Course Overview

None

1/16

Principles of Political Analysis

Lowi et al., ch. 1

1/18

The Founding

Lowi et al., pp. 34-55; Declaration of Independence (Canon et al., pp. 673-676)

1/23

The Constitution

Lowi et al., pp. 55-73; Canon et al., pp. 56-67

1/25

Federalism

Lowi et al., pp.74-96; Canon et al., pp. 86-100

1/28

The Separation of Powers

Lowi et al., pp. 96-109; Canon et al., pp. 51-55

1/30

Civil Liberties: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 110-146; Canon et al., pp. 651-658 and 691-693 (Amendments 1-10)

2/1

Case Study: Civil Liberties and the Fight Against Terror

Canon et al., pp. 125-138

2/4

Civil Rights

Lowi et al., pp. 147-175; Canon et al., pp. 658-660

2/6

Liberties, Rights, and Political Change

Canon et al., pp. 101-115

2/8

FIRST MID-TERM EXAM

None

2/11

Congress: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 177-217

2/13

NO CLASS

None

2/15

2/18

Congress: Lawmaking

Lowi et al., pp. 217-235

2/20

Congress: Representation (1)

Canon et al., pp. 141-157

2/22

Congress: Representation (2)

James S. Fleming, “The House Member as Teacher” (RESERVE)

2/25

Case Study: Pork-Barrel Politics

Canon et al., pp. 158-174

2/27

The Presidency: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 236-259

2/29

The Presidency: Its Power (1)

Lowi et al., pp. 259-283

3/3

SECOND MID-TERM EXAM

None

3/5

The Presidency: Its Power (2)

Canon et al., pp. 175-191

3/7

Case Study: Presidential Mandates

Canon et al., pp. 192-205

3/17

The Bureaucracy: The Basics

Lowi et al., ch. 7

3/19

The Bureaucracy: Its Uses

Canon et al., pp. 206-224

 

3/21

Case Study: Reforming the National Security Bureaucracy

Canon et al., pp. 225-247

3/24

The Judiciary: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 324-345; Canon et al., pp. 641-646

3/26

The Judiciary: Supreme Court

Lowi et al., pp. 346-375; Canon et al., pp. 255-262

3/28

Case Study: Interpreting the Constitution

Canon et al., pp. 268-289

3/31

Politics and Public Opinion

Lowi et al., ch. 9

4/2

Liberalism and Conservatism

Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop, “What Tocqueville Says to Liberals and Conservatives Today” (RESERVE)

4/4

Elections: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 420-457; Canon et al., pp. 330-335

4/7

THIRD MID-TERM EXAM

None

4/9

Elections: Participation

Lowi et al., pp. 464-475; Canon et al., pp. 336-344

4/11

Case Study: Voter Fraud or Voter Suppression?

Canon et al., pp. 355-373

4/14

Campaign Finance

Lowi et al., pp. 457-464; additional reading to be announced

4/16

Conflict and Consensus

Canon et al., pp. 446-466

4/18

Political Parties: The Basics

Lowi et al., pp. 476-509

 

Due on Monday April 21 (in class):

Five-page paper

 

4/21

Political Parties: Trends

Lowi et al., pp. 509-521; Canon et al., pp. 374-397

4/23

Case Study: Red America, Blue America

Canon et al., pp. 409-419

4/25

Interest Groups: The Basics

Canon et al., pp. 522-531; Lowi et al., pp. 300-307

4/28

Interest Groups: Strategies

Lowi et al., pp. 531-559

4/30

American Government and Politics Reconsidered

None

 

May 2: Reserved for any required make-up class

 

 

Monday May 5 (8:00-10:00AM): FINAL EXAMINATION