| Professor John Fraker, Esq. Email:[email protected] Phone: (408) 644-4460 |
Office Hours: Mondays, 9:30 - 10 a.m. or By Appointment Office Hours to be held in Social Sciences Workroom |
Course Description
This course covers the structure and functions of the American national state and local governments. Emphasis is placed on the development of democratic institutions through historical and contemporary studies. Students will have an opportunity to understand what has shaped the United States Constitution, its amendments, major court interpretations, the operation of and one's role in democratic government.
This course may be used to meet the Social Science I or II requirement in the General Education Pattern for transfer to the California State University system.
Please read the welcome letter for this course by clicking here
Required Texts
American Government, James Q. Wilson & John J. DiIulio, Jr, (Wilson)
Real Deal Upgrade, CD-ROM, by Houghton Mifflin Co.
All Handout Materials
Regular attendance and punctuality is required and roll will be taken at the beginning of the class. Tardy students will receive 1 point reduction in participation grade for each tardy. More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence.
Disability and Educational Support Program
West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.
Understanding American politics is about learning the major issues that policymakers face on a daily basis. You will choose (in consultation with the Instructor) a major issue in need of a policy resolution. You will research the issue thoroughly and write a 7-10 page paper explaining the topic's background, your position as to why it is a problem, and which level and institution of government is best qualified to resolve the issue. (See attached assignment for more details.)
Class Participation is essential to the success of this class. Students will be responsible for each day's reading assignment. Students who come to class unprepared to discuss that day's materials will be downgraded accordingly. Class Participation points will be awarded on the basis of how well individual students perform their duties and complete in-class assignments.
Course Requirements |
Grading PolicyGrades are awarded on a Standard Scale: |
| 1.
Paper Outline |
(50
pts) |
A |
1000 - 930 |
C |
769
- 730 |
|
Important Dates to Remember: |
| MONDAY 10/11 MONDAY 10/25 MONDAY 12/6 WEDNESDAY 12/15 |
Paper Topic Outline Due MIDTERM EXAM (in Class) Major Paper Due Final Examination (7:30-9:30 AM) |
Course Outline and Reading Assignments
WEEK 1
Wednesday, September 1 - Introduction to the Class
WEEK 2
Monday, September 6 - NO CLASS (Labor Day Holiday)
Wednesday, September 8 - Lecture #1: The Study of American Government
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 1, The Study of American Government
The Declaration of Independence, in Appendix
WEEK 3
Monday, September 13 - Lecture #2: The Constitution
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 2, The Constitution
The Constitution of the United States, in Appendix
Wednesday, September 15 - Lecture #3: The Constitution
Reading: Federalist No. 10, in Appendix
Federalist No. 51, in Appendix
The Bill of Rights, in Appendix
WEEK 4
Monday September 20 - Lecture #5 & Lecture #4: Federalism
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 3, Federalism
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Real Deal Upgrade
President Jackson's Proclamation, in Handout
Wednesday, September 22 - Lecture #6: American Political Culture
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 4, American Political Culture
WEEK 5
Monday, September 27 - Lecture #7 : U.S. Congress
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 11, Congress
Article I, the U.S. Constitution, in Appendix
Wednesday, September 29 - Lecture #8: U.S. Congress
Reading: Shaw v. Reno, Real Deal Upgrade
Immigration & Naturalization Services v. Chadha, Handout
WEEK 6
Monday, October 4 -Lecture #9: The American President
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 12, The Presidency
George Washington, Farewell Address, Real Deal Upgrade
Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation, Handout
Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, Real Deal Upgrade
John F. Kennedy, Jr., Inaugural Address, Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, October 6 - Lecture #10: The American President
Reading:Clinton v. City of New York, Handout
United States v. Nixon, Handout
WEEK 7
Monday, October 11 - Lecture #11: The Bureaucracy
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 13, The Bureaucracy
The Volcker Report: Urgent Business for America, in Handout
The Pendleton Act (Civil Service Act), Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, October 13 - Lecture #12: Administrative Law
Reading: Real Deal Upgrade, Chapter 13 Primary Documents
WEEK 8
Monday, October 18 - Lecture #13: The Federal Judiciary & the Supreme Court
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 14, The Judiciary
Marbury v. Madison, Real Deal Upgrade
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, Handout
Wednesday, October 20 - Lecture #14: The Federal Judiciary & the Supreme Court
WEEK 9
Monday, October 25 - COURSE MIDTERM
Wednesday, October 27 - Lecture #15: Political Participation
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 6, Political Participation
Seneca Falls Declaration, Handout
WEEK 10
Monday, November 1 - Lecture #16: Political Parties
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 7, Political Parties
1996 Democratic Party Platform, Real Deal Upgrade
1996 Republican Party Platform, Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, November 3 - Campaigns & Elections
Reading:Wilson, Chapter 8, Elections and Campaigns
Buckley v. Valeo, Real Deal Upgrade
McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Act, Real Deal Upgrade
WEEK 11
Monday, November 8 - Lecture #17: Video: Presidential Bash 2000
Wednesday, November 10 - Lecture #18: Interest Groups
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 9, Interest Groups
Brady Handgun Control Act, Real Deal Upgrade
WEEK 12
Monday, November 15 - Lecture #20: How Legislation is Made
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 15, The Policy-Making Process
Pure Food & Drug Act, Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, November 17 - Lecture #21: The Media
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 10, The Media
New York Times Co v. Sullivan, Real Deal Upgrade
New York Times Co. v. United States, Real Deal Upgrade
WEEK 13
Monday, November 22 - Lecture #22: Civil Liberties (Free Speech)
Reading: Wilson, Chapter 18, Civil Liberties
Justice Holmes' Dissent, Abrams v. U.S., in Handout
New York Times Co. v. United States, Real Deal Upgrade
PruneYard v. Robbins, in Handout
Wednesday, November 24 - Lecture #23: Civil Liberties (Church & State)
Reading: Jefferson�s Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, in Handout
George Washington, Farewell Address, Real Deal Upgrade
Engel v. Vitale, Real Deal Upgrade
Sherbert v. Verner, Real Deal Upgrade
WEEK 14
Monday, November 29 - Lecture #24: Civil Liberties (Due Process)
Reading: Mapp v. Ohio, Real Deal Upgrade
Gideon v. Wainwright, Real Deal Upgrade
Miranda v. Arizona, Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, December 1 - Lecture #25: Civil Rights
Reading:Wilson, Chapter 19, Civil Rights
Dred Scot v. Sandford, Real Deal Upgrade
Plessy v. Ferguson, in Handout
WEEK 15
Monday, December 6 - Lecture #26: Civil Rights ** Course Paper Due Today!
Reading: Korematsu v. United States, in Handout
Brown v. Board of Education I, Real Deal Upgrade
Brown v. Board of Education II, Real Deal Upgrade
Wednesday, December 8 - Lecture #27: Civil Rights
Reading: Civil Rights Act of 1964, in Handout
Yick Wo v. Hopkins, in Handout
Bakke v. Regents of the University of California, in Handout
WEEK 16
Monday, December 13 - FINAL REVIEW
Wednesday, December 15 - Final Exam (7:30-9:30 AM)