Instructor:                 Daniel G. Barbee


Office Hours:            12:30 - 3:00 TR
                                 By Appointment

Office:                       Business Administration Bldg. #118
Office Telephone:      910-521-6637 or 521-6531

E-mail:                      Barbee@sassette.uncp.edu

Class Meeting:          101-04 8:00 am - 9:15 TR
                                101-05 9:30 am - 10:45 TR

Location:                   101-04: 233 B.A. Building
                                 101-05: 220 B.A. Building

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course has three basic objectives:

1. To help you learn the fundamentals of American government, politics, and policy areas.
 

2. To improve your skills in evaluating, analyzing, discussing and participating in the process and content of American government and politics.
 

3. To develop your basic skills as active, participating citizens in American government and politics.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Identify and describe basic concepts of American government specifically including characterization of politics and power, and the economic, social, and ideological context of the U.S. system.

2. Identify, describe and relate the concepts, processes, and system functions of participating institutions generally and the following specific institutions: public opinion, mass media, organized interests, political parties, voting and elections.

3. Identify and describe the primary constitutional and political functions and actor roles in the major governmental institutions: congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the courts.

4. Analyze emerging political issues and develop effective strategies for addressing them from a citizen perspective.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY

These are exciting and challenging times for all of us. The opportunities now available for people of all ages are virtually limitless. The risks and burdens also are enormous. Both opportunity and risk are bounded by turbulence and rapid worldwide change -- cultural, economic, political, social, and technological. American government can be a vehicle for improving the quality of life. My philosophy of this basic course is based on the premise that we as citizens have no right to expect "government" or "the political system" to be any more responsive to our needs than we are willing to be responsible for our actions and the qualities upon which these actions are based. This premise guides the conduct of this course. My philosophy is that one need not set himself or herself apart from government and politics, but instead should realize that he/she is part of the governance process. Interestingly, the viewpoint is shared by Democrats and Republicans, and by those who label themselves conservative, liberal, or neither. My viewpoint is that political action guided by misinformation or ignorance is not necessarily an improvement, hence high quality participation--essential in a democracy--requires your investment in course and contextual material.

COURSE PLAN

I attempt to make introductory basic courses both exciting and challenging, but from a sound academic and objective perspective. Please do not expect me or this course to compete with the multiple, and often sensational spins of the media, especially the talk show and time-bites of spin doctors and celebrities. My plan is for us to be more objective and analytical. My aim is to help you strengthen yourselves by establishing a solid foundation of knowledge about American government, structured by sound political theory. This foundation is enhanced as we emphasize critical thinking and analytical reasoning via class dialogue and course assignments that focus on some of the central, and enduring issues of the U.S. political system. Recognize also that politics often stirs our passions and emotions, because it deals with our values.

I like to use class sessions productively, and I try to facilitate good discussions and debates. My plan generally is to use lectures for developing concepts and "pull down window" lectures for added depth and breadth, on important themes. Various other types of activities will be employed about 25% of the time depending on your responses to them and your diligence in preparing for class. I expect high quality participation from each student. Sharing news stories, political cartoons, and day-to-day insights will enhance the course. I encourage you to read a newspaper and news magazine, plus other political commentary on a frequent and regular basis.

TEXT

The required text for this course addresses the basics of American government.

(REQUIRED) James Eisenstein, et.al., THE PLAY OF POWER: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (Basic Version) (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996).

The text is for sale at the UNCP Bookstore. As a beginning guide you should read the first two chapters and appendixes A, B, and C. Thereafter keep your reading at least one chapter ahead of the course schedule guide.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Three in-class tests will be given. These tests may include combinations drawn from multiple choice items, short definitional items, and short essays. These tests are based on text(s), class discussion, my lectures, and your own current awareness of American Government.

2. One final exam will be given using the same format as the shorter tests. This exam will draw from both earlier exams and new material.

3. Each student will prepare three (3) brief critical thinking essays dealing with issues, problems or concerns developed on the basis of the material in the text and elaborated on using videos, TV, or other material. These papers will employ a format as assigned by the professor, and will be preceded by class/group discussions. These assignments all assume that students have read the assigned text material. These papers are designed to improve your critical thinking, writing, presentation, and analytical skills. The assignments also are designed to help students who work well independently outside of class, or with groups of peers. In conjunction with this requirement, all students must obtain an E-Mail account.

4. Each student will keep a notebook (3-ring, loose leaf) containing class notes, responses to specific questions posed by the professor based on course materials, and clippings/observations relating course insights to American government and politics. Your critical thinking, writing, self-esteem and knowledge of American Government and politics are expected to improve from this assignment. You should also keep a manila folder for turning in materials when I request them. I will collect these materials at any points throughout the semester. You can use these activities to strengthen your class performance and participation, which are factors in your overall course grade.

Summary of Grading:
 

1.     Exam 1:             10%

        Exam 2:             10

        Exam 3:             10

2.     Final Exam:        20

3. Critical Thinking papers

        CT #1                10%

        CT #2                 10

        CT #3                 20

4. Class Notebooks     10%

TOTAL                       100%

In addition to these course requirements, class participation is expected and is a factor in grading. To participate in an acceptable manner you need to keep abreast of current political events and activities by reading, listening, and viewing media sources on a regular basis. Come to every class prepared by (1) having read the assigned textbook material, and (2) being aware of current governmental and other political events and activities (see class Notebooks assignment #4).

GRADES:

A 92 - 100

A- 90 - 91

B+ 88 - 89

B 82 - 87

B- 80 - 81

C+ 78 - 79

C 72 - 77

C- 70 - 71

D+ 68 - 69

D 62 - 67

D- 60 - 61

F 59 AND BELOW

INSTRUCTOR'S POLICIES

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is expected. A substantial amount of exam material will be from lectures, class discussions, and activities. Unexcused absences beyond 3 will result in a reduction of 10 points from your overall score per absence. The remainder of my attendance policy is consistent with the information found in the latest UNCP Catalog.

Make-up Exams: Students are expected to take exams when they are scheduled and given. Prior permission by the instructor, physician certification, and emergency situations (which I will determine) are conditions under which make-up exams will be given. A grade of -0- will be given for exams not taken. As a general rule, make-up exams should not be expected.

Incomplete: My policy on the grade of "I" or incomplete is the same as is found in the UNCP Catalog.

Academic Dishonesty: My policy is the same as that found in the UNCP Academic Honor Code, effective August 22, 1988: "Students have the responsibility to know and observe the UNCP Academic Honor Code. This code forbids cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, fabrication, or falsification of information, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Any special requirements or permission regarding academic honesty in this course will be provided to students in writing at the beginning of the course, and are binding on the students. Academic evaluations in this course include a judgement that the student's work is free from academic dishonesty of any type; and grades in this course therefore shall be and will be adversely affected by academic dishonesty. Students who violate the code can be dismissed from the University. The normal penalty for a first offense is a F in the course. Standards of academic honor will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to the instructor." Section VI.
 
 

NOTE: This schedule is for Guidance only and may be modified by the professor.

Date                                         Topics                                                         Assignments

Jan 13                                        Course Introduction and Syllabus

                                                   Definitions of Politics

15                                               The Play of Power in American                     Eisenstein, Ch 1
                                                    Politics

20                                               The Play of Power, Cont'd
                                                   Critical Thinking Introduction and Critical Thinking #1 assigned

22                                               The Context of Politics                                  E, Ch 2

27                                               The Constitution                                            E, Ch 3

29                                               The Constitution, Cont'd

Feb 03                                       American Federalism                                     E, Ch 4
                                                  CT #1 due in class

05                                               Exam #1

10                                              Constitutional Rights as Rules                         E, Ch 5

12                                              Constitutional Rights as                                  E, Ch 6
                                                   Resources

17                                               Constitutional Rights Cont'd

19                                               Class Activity

24                                               The Nature and Role of Public                     E, Ch 7
                                                   Opinion

26                                                Role of the Mass Media                             E, Ch 8

Mar 03                                         Mass Media, Cont'd

05                                                 Exam #2

09-14                                           Spring Vacation

17                                                 Organized Interests                                     E, Ch 9
                                                      Critical Thinking #2 assigned

19                                                   Class Activity

24                                                    Political Parties                                         E, Ch 10

26                                                    Political Participation &                            E, Ch 11
                                                        Voting

31                                                   Political Participation
                                                       & Voting Cont'd
                                                       CT #2 due in class

Apr 02                                             Elections                                                 E, Ch 12

07                                                    Exam #3

09                                                   Congress                                                 E, Ch 13

14                                                   Congress, Cont'd                                     E, Ch 14
                                                        Presidency

16                                                    Presidency Cont'd
                                                        Bureaucracy                                            E, Ch 15

21                                                     Bureaucracy, Cont'd
                                                         Federal Courts E,                                   Ch 16
                                                         CT #3 assigned

23                                                     Courts, Cont'd
                                                         Class Activity

28                                                     Class Activity

May 05                                             CT #3 due in class, Review

Final Exam                                       101-04 Tuesday May 12, 1998 8:00 - 10:00
                                                          101-05 Thursday May 07, 1998 10:30 - 12:30