| West Valley College | Summer 2008 |
| Tim Kelly, Ph.D. Office Hours: TBA |
Office SSH1 Ph: (408) 741-2546 poli_sci1_wvc @ yahoo.com |
WELCOME!!!!!
Why do a majority of Americans not vote? Why is it that the winner of the popular vote for President can also be the loser? Is there really a difference between Democrats and Republicans? Do we really need 50 state governments if we have a Federal Government? Why was there a recall election in California? Don't know much about American politics? Then welcome to Poli Sci 1!
Poli Sci 1 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.
Additional topics this course will explore are the following:
| Significant events in political, economic, and social American history that have shaped our political system since its founding; |
| The
role of major ethnic and social groups in influencing public policy; |
| The role of the media; |
| The relevance of foreign policy in shaping American politics (and vice-versa); |
| Alternative paths towards political reform in the Information Age. |
| Barbara Bardes, et. al., American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials (2006-07 or 2007 editions) (This is referred to as Text in the reading assignments) |
| Robert DiClerico, Points of View: Readings in American Government and Politics (10th Ed.) |
| Howard Zinn, Terrorism and War (2002) |
Students wishing to take this class with the Credit/No Credit grade option must inform the instructor IN WRITING no later than SATURDAY, JUNE 28. Requests for this option WILL NOT be accepted after this day. See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.
You are required to take 14 quizzes (2 of which will be counted as Extra Credit), a midterm, and a final. ALL QUIZZES AND EXAMS ARE CONDUCTED ONLINE.
You may take the QUIZZES whenever you wish within the assigned time frame of their availability.
| Chapters 1-6 are available between MONDAY, June 16 and SATURDAY, July 5. |
| Chapters 7-13 are available between SUNDAY, July 6 and SATURDAY, July 19. |
| Chapter 15 is available between SUNDAY, July 20 and WEDNESDAY, July 23. |
You MAY NOT make-up a missed quiz after the due dates. Quiz questions will be drawn from the assigned textbook readings for the week. In addition to reading the textbook, you may find useful the companion web page for our Bardes textbook maintained by Thomson/Wadsworth (your books publisher) at http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=049509806X&discipline_number=20. This companion web page has practice quiz questions.
| You may take the MIDTERM any time between WEDNESDAY, July 2 and SATURDAY, July 5 by 11:55 pm. |
| You may take the FINAL EXAM anytime on or between SUNDAY, July 20 and WEDNESDAY, July 23 by 11:55 pm. |
Your Midterm and Final exams will be explained in Study Guides posted on the Lectures web page.
Every week one to two threaded discussions will be posted based on the DiClerico readings, something in the textbook, or current events. Click on the Discussions icon on the Angel page and read the topic statement and then post your comments. You may respond to the instructor's statement or any other comment made by other students. You MUST participate in each of these discussions in order to receive credit for your participation. More instructions are posted on Angel.
| Complete the assigned readings first. I have written these lectures with the assumption that you already understand the topics from the assigned readings. |
| Read the outlines provided on each Week's page to get familiar with the general themes of the lecture. |
| Don't wait until the last minute to read the lectures, and give yourself plenty of time to digest them. These lectures take one hour and 25 minutes to give in class. You should allow yourself at least the same amount of time reading them online. |
| The lectures are full of links highlighted in BLUE that will give you more information about the topics I discuss. You are encouraged to follow these blue links. |
| You ARE required to follow any RED links and read the material provided. |
You are required to turn in two short papers analyzing the debates presented in the DiClerico book. These papers are 110 points each and are explained in more detail HERE.
Course Requirements |
Grading Policy: Grades are awarded on a Standard Scale: |
| 1.
Two short papers 2. 12 Quizzes 3. Midterm Exam 4. Final examination 5. List-Serve Participation |
(220
pts) (180 pts) (250 pts) (300 pts) (50 pts) |
A B C D F |
1000
- 900 899 - 800 799 - 700 699 - 600 599 and below |
Dates to Remember |
| JUNE
18: JULY 3: JULY 2-5: |
Last Day to Drop w/out a "W" 1st Paper Due MIDTERM |
JULY 15: JULY 17: JULY 20-23: |
Last Day to Drop w/ a "W" Second Paper Due FINAL EXAM |
Course Outline
WEEKS I, II, and III
| What is American Politics? Total Recall: California's Political Circus |
Text, Ch 1, DiClerico, Ch 1
(pp 1-26) |
| The
U.S.
Constitution: Rules of the Political
Game American Federalism: Eighty-Seven Thousand Governments |
Text, Ch 2; DiClerico, Ch 2 Text, Ch 3 |
| Civil Liberties in
America Civil Liberties and the War on Terrorism |
Text,
Ch 4; DiClerico, Ch 14 (pp. 230-248; 249-265) |
| The Politics of Civil Rights "If the Election Were Held Today": Understanding Public Opinion |
Text, Ch 5;
DiClerico, Ch 15 (pp. 266-276) Text, Ch 6; DiClerico, Ch 4 |
SHORT PAPER #1 DUE: THURSDAY, July 3 by 11:59 pm
QUIZZES: Chapters 1-6 must be completed by SATURDAY, July 5 at 11:55 pm.
MIDTERM: July 2-5 (availability ends 7/5 at 11:55 pm)
WEEKS IV and V
|
Political Parties in Interest Group Politics |
Text, Ch 8;
DiClerico, Ch 8 Text, Ch 7 |
|
Campaigns
and Elections in Political Communication in the Media Age |
Text, Ch 9; DiClerico Ch 5 (pp. 76-85), 6, 7 (pp. 106-116) |
| Congressional Politics Presidential Politics Bureaucratic Politics The Federal Judiciary |
Text,
Ch 10, DiClerico, Ch 10 (pp. 148-160) Text, Ch 11; DiClerico, Ch 11; SJ Mercury News Article Text, Ch 12; DiClerico, Ch 12 Text, Ch 13; DiClerico, Ch 13 (pp. 191-203) |
SHORT PAPER #2 DUE: THURSDAY, July 17 by 11:59 pm
QUIZZES: Chapters 7-13 must be completed by SATURDAY, July 19 at 11:55 pm.
WEEK VI
| Politics and American Foreign Policy | Text, Ch 15; Zinn, entire |
QUIZZES: Chapter 15 must be completed by WEDNEWDAY, July 23 at 11:55 pm.
FINAL EXAM: July 20-23 (availability ends WEDNESDAY, 7/23 at 11:55 pm)