PSPA 101
 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
 
Fall, 2002 
Dr. Robert Schneider
Chair-Dept. Political Science and
Public Administration
 Office Hours: 2:00-3:00 MWF 
and by appointment

Contact Information: Students may also obtain advisement through e-mail. I will endeavor to answer all email messages within one day of receipt (weekends not included). You may also contact me by phone to leave a message or ask a quick question. But do not hesitate to take advantage of scheduled office hours or to make an appointment. Always seek help when you need it, and always be willing to communicate your interests or questions as they relate to this class.

E-mail: robert.schneider@uncp.edu
Voice: 521-6445
Fax: 521-6446

REQUIRED TEXT:
Burns, Peltason, Cronin, and Magleby.  Government By The People.
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION

 This course will introduce the student to the study and analysis of American National Government.  We will examine the institutions, the functions, the political behavior, and the political process of our national governmental and political system.  The course begins with an analysis of the philosophical underpinnings of the American system.  Next we will engage in a conceptual and empirical analysis of government and politics.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 As American citizens, students will benefit from a thoughtful and analytical study of American Government.  They will also begin to see the connections between themselves, their careers, their lives, and the politics of our time.  This course is designed for "general education" or "basic studies" purposes, but it will be conducted at a serious university level.  As such, it should benefit students as an overall part of their education regardless of major field of study.

 In the analysis of our subject matter, students will not be passive and inactive.  Through the completion of class assignments students will, in addition to acquiring the basic practical knowledge of American politics and government described above, have the opportunity to do two important things associated with any general education course.

  1. Engage in critical thinking about the American political system and its implications at the individual and societal level.

  2. Enhance analytical, reasoning, and communication skills. It is hoped that in addition to some knowledge of the subject matter, each student will take from this course some insight into the analytical process and an ability to apply it across their studies..
     
    Course Outline.

    Topic
Day One Introduction to Political Analysis
   
Week of:  Topic
Aug. 19-23  American Cultural Framework (Ch. One) Homework
   
Aug. 26-30 The U.S. Constitution (Ch. Two-write a summary of powers granted by the U.S. Constitution to the Federal Government) 
   
Sept.  2 Holiday- Labor Day
   
Sept.  4-6 Federalism (Ch. Three) 
   
Sept. 9-13  First Amendment Rights (Ch. Four-Internet assignment see page 95 in text. Choose any three of the sites listed there and examine their contents. Be prepared to share your observations in class) 
   
Sept. 16-20 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (Ch. Five and Ch. Six) 
   
Sep. 23 EXAM I 
   
Sept.  25-27 Discussion of 2002 Election Assignment (handout) 
   
Sept.  30-Oct. 4 Congress (Ch.14-Internet assignment-Visit your congressman's home page (congress. gov). Answer the questions on p. 353 about congressional home page and submit. 
   
Oct. 7-9 The Presidency (Ch.15-Internet assignment-Go to the White House Website (whitehouse.gov) and review its contents. Be prepared to share your observations in class). 
   
Oct. 10-11  Semester Break !!!!!!
   
Oct. 14-18 Presidency and Bureaucracy (Ch.17)
   
Oct. 21-23 Bureaucracy Concluded 
   
Oct. 25 EXAM II 
   
Oct. 28-Nov.1 Judicial Process (Ch. 16)
   
Nov.  4-8 Public Opinion (Ch.11) 
   
Nov. 11-15 Political Parties (Ch.10)
   
Nov. 18-22 Campaigns and Elections (Ch.12) 
   
Nov. 25 Examination of midterm election results
   
Nov. 28-29 Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! 
   
Dec. 2-6 Interest Groups (Ch.9)
And Discussion of Your Essays 
   
Dec. 10 FINAL EXAM for 101:02 (MF 10) @ 10:30
Dec. 11 FINAL EXAM for 101:05 (MWF 12:30) @ 10:30
 
EXAMS- There will be three multiple choice and short answer exams in this course.  Note that the date for each exam is listed on the course outline.  Makeup exams will not be given except in rare and serious emergencies.

ANALYTICAL ESSAY-  Each student will write one major analytical essay on a topic assigned by me in class.  This assignment will focus on the U.S. Congress and the 2002 elections.  It will require that students read and analyze materials in national newspapers and political magazines that may be accessed through the Internet. Specific instructions as to content and style will be handed out in class. A copy of these instruction will also be placed on my web page.

Essay Dates: Assigned 
Sept. 25th-27th		 Due Date 
Nov. 25th
 

Note: All Students will hand essays in on time!  No late papers accepted except in rare emergencies.

PARTICIPATION IN CLASS: All students are expected to participate in class discussions.  Students should regard such participation as an opportunity to refine oral presentation skills and to engage their fellow students in informative and interesting dialogue.

GRADES- There will be a total of 105 possible points in this course.  They will be assigned and translated into letter grades as follows:

EXAM I     20 points
EXAM II    20 points
ESSAY    20 points
Homework      5 points
FINAL (comprehensive)    40 points
Total:
  105 points
 
 Semester Point Totals and Letter Grades 
94-100
       = A
90-93
       = A-
87-89
       = B+
84-86
       = B
80-83
       = B-
77-79
       = C+
74-76
       = C
70-73
       = C-
60-69
       = D
               Below 60        = F

   
 
CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.  No un-excused absences for any reason.  Each un-excused absence will result in a loss of one point from semester total.
 
 HAVE A GOOD SEMESTER

Updated August 14, 2002 | Maintained by Effie Locklear
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