Office Hours:         10:45 - 12:15 TR 10:00 - 12:00 Wed
                              By Appointment and Anytime Via Email

Office:                    Business Administration Bldg. #118-A

Office Phone#:        (910) 521-6637 or 521-6531
Email:                     barbee@sassette.uncp.edu

Class Meeting:        8:00 - 9:15 9:30- 10:45 TR

Location:                 Room 238 DIAL Building

Secretary:               Mrs. Amelia Elk - email: elka@sassette.uncp.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This basic course has the following objectives:
 

• To acquaint you with the fundamental concepts, approaches, and contributions of the discipline of political science.

 
• To enable you to better understand political processes, institutions, and behavior, and to use this knowledge to clarify political events, processes, and issues.

 
• To improve your skills in critical thinking, and in evaluation, and analyzing, and discussing politics and political phenomena.

 

The opportunities and risks for all of us are virtually limitless, and the costs of failure are higher than ever. The stakes of politics are high. Both opportunity and risk are bounded by turbulence and rapid worldwide change-cultural, economic, political, social, and technological. Politics can be a vehicle for improving the quality of life, but it can be a means of repression, subjugation, and crushing the human spirit. My philosophy is that political science-the oldest of the traditional academic disciplines-is both a means of defining what is desirable, and a means of understanding the dynamics and effects of politics. It also is a means of understanding what is possible to achieve, and a means of designing institutions capable of achieving at a higher level than before. For you to gain the most useful knowledge and understanding requires your investment in the course readings and class activities.

COURSE PLAN

I attempt to make this introductory course both exciting and challenging, from a sound academic and objective perspective. Neither I nor this course will 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 politics, 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 politics-including many current issues.

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 to use "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 daily insights will improve the course. I expect you to read a newspaper and news magazine, plus be attentive to other political analysis and commentary on a frequent and regular basis.

Text: Michael G. Roskin, et. el, POLITICAL SCIENCE: AN INTRODUCTION, 7^th edition, Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2000.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

EACH STUDENT MUST HAVE OR OBTAIN AN E-MAIL ACCOUNT, OR PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS NO LATER THAN JANUARY 25, 2001.
 

• Two in-class tests will be given. These tests may include combinations drawn from multiple choice items, true-false, and short essays.

 
• One final exam will be given using the same format as the shorter tests. Approximately one-half of the material will be drawn from the prior exams; the remainder will be from new material.

 
• Each student will prepare 2 brief critical thinking essays based on the analysis and discussion in class of important issues. Assignments, student outlines, and drafts will be communicated via email.

 
• Each student will keep course notes and journal entries in a 3 ring binder suitable for review and evaluation/grading. Obtain a file folder also.

EXAM 1                             15%

EXAM 2                             15

FINAL EXAM                    20

CT PAPERS:
                        #1                 20
                        #2                 20

NOTES AND                       10
JOURNALS:
 

TOTALS:                           100%

In addition to these 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. Come to every class prepared by having read text assignments, and by having a good awareness of current political actions and events.

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
 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

This publication is available in alternative formats upon requests.

Please contact:
Mary Helen Walker
Disability Support Services
(910) 521-6270

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak with Disability Support Services and the instructor as early in the semester as possible (preferably within the first week of class). All discussions will remain confidential.

Sometimes note takers are requested for classes. Your professor will announce the need for a note taker. Contact Disability Support Services at (910) 521-6270 if you wish to be a note taker.

INSTRUCTOR'S POLICIES

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

MISSED AND MAKE-UP EXAMS: Take exams when they are given. Prior permission, physician certification, and emergencies ( I make the determination after-the-fact) are reasons to request a make-up exam. A zero grade is given for exams not taken. As a general rule, do not expect to take make-up exams.

INCOMPLETE: My policy is the same as stated in the current UNCP Catalog.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: My policy is consistent with the policy stated in the university catalog. You are responsible for knowing this policy.

NOTE: As a general rule, you should plan to read 2 chapters per week. This will leave the class with an adequate amount of time for working with the critical thinking essays, class discussions, and exams.

If at any time you have questions, ask! Do not wait until you are confused. This way, you may not become confused! I am committed to your learning experience and value your efforts.
 
 

DATE                     TOPICS                                                     ASSIGNMENTS
 

Jan 09                     Course Introduction
                               Administrative Information
                               Personal Data Forms
                               Email Reminders Handouts

11/16                     Preliminary Discussion: Politics                         Roskin, ch1

18                           Politics, Government, & Poli Sci                     R, Ch1

23/25                     Theories: Classical & Modern                         R, Ch 2

E-mail account information due to Ms. Elk (Jan. 25)

30                         Critical Thinking Review                                  Visuals

Feb 1/6                 Nations, States, & Government                        R, Ch 3, 4

Critical Thinking Paper #1 Assigned

8                            Democracy, Totalitarianism, &                        R, Ch 5
                              Authoritarianism

13                         Political Ideologies                                           R, Ch 5

CT #1 Drafts Due in class

15                          continued, & Political Culture                          R, Ch 7

20                          Assignment

22                         Exam #1

27                         CT #1 Due in Class

Mar 01                  Assignment
                             CT #2 Heads Up!

5-10                      Spring Break

13                         Assignment

15                         Public Opinion                                                 R, Ch 8
                            Political Communication and the Media             R, Ch 9
 

20                         Interest Groups                                                R, Ch 10
 

22                         Political Parties & Party Systems                     R, Ch 11
                            CT #2 Assigned

27                         Voting                                                             R, Ch 12
 

29                        Basic Structures of Government                       R, Ch 13

Apr 03                 Legislatures R, Ch 14
 

05                         Executives/Bureaucrats II                                 R, Ch 15, 16
                            CT #2 Drafts Due in Class

10                         Legal Systems & The Courts

12                         Exam #2

17                         Political Economy                                             R, Ch 18

19                         Violence & Revolution                                      R, Ch 19

24                         International Relations                                     R, Ch 20
                            CT #2 Due in Class

26                         The Global System/Review                             R, Ch 21

31                         Review

Final Exams:         8:00 class: Tuesday , May 8 at 8:00 - 10:00 am

                               9:30 class: Thursday, May 3, at 10:30 - 12:30 pm