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PACE UNIVERSITY
DYSON COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLSC 111                                                                                                                                                     Dr. Christopher Malone
Office Hours:                                                                                                                                               55W Choate House
Tues: 10am-12:20pm                                                                                                                               Phone: 914-773-3428
Thurs: 3:30pm-5:45pm                                                                                                                           email: cmalone@pace.edu

American Government and Political Institutions

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce you to the basic themes and functions of the American political system as they have unfolded throughout the history of the United States. Moreover, we want to understand the impact the system has upon us today. Throughout the semester, we will seek to answer some of the following questions: What is American Politics? What are the significant ideas and ideals that lay behind the making of our political system? What standards may we use to judge these ideas and ideals? How does the present system stand up under scrutiny when we apply these standards? In short, our intent here is to first understand the American political system, and then critically evaluate it.

The course will be broken down into three units. The first will focus upon an analysis of the foundations of American politics, with special emphasis placed upon the United States Constitution. Next we will examine the various ways people participate in politics including public opinion, elections, parties, and interest groups. Finally, we will look at the principle units of the national government - Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court.
 

Course Requirements

 1) Complete readings before class.

 2) Attend classes. Attendance for this class will be mandatory and will figure in the final grade for the course.

 3) Participate in class discussion. While many classes will be dedicated to lecture material, you will have ample opportunity to analyze and discuss important problems in the American political system and are encouraged to do so. Class participation will also figure in your final grade.

 4) Complete examinations. The three examinations will consist of essay questions. The questions will be distributed in advance; you will answer one question on each of the essay exams. Exams will be based on lectures, assigned readings, and material discussed in class.

 Finally, while you will not be required to read the New York Times daily, I highly recommend that you to read it at least several times a week. Many of the topics discussed in class will be related to current events in some way, and the Times is perhaps the best source for a detailed discussion of these events.
Grading
Grading for the course will break down along these lines:

 Exams: 3 @30% each   90%
 Attendance and class participation: 10%

 Make-up exams will be given only when you can provide a documented reason for your absence. In other words, no documentation, no make-up exam. An F will be factored in to your grade if you miss one of the exams without a valid reason.

Required Texts

 Two textbooks have been ordered for purchase and can be found at the Pace Bookstore. If you can find these for a cheaper price online or at another bookstore, please feel free:

 Calvin Jillson, American Government: Political Change and Institutional Development
 New York Times, 36 Days: The Complete Chronicle of the 2000 Presidential Crisis

 Schedule of Classes and Exams

Below are approximate dates for class meetings and exams, along with reading assignments. Also, because this schedule is subject to revision, you are responsible for keeping up with any announced changes.

September 6-11, Introduction: The Principles of Liberal Government
Jillson, chapters 1-2.
Declaration of Independence, Appendix, A-1

September 13-25, The Constitution and its Critics
United States Constitution, Appendix C
Federalist #10 & #51, Appendix D

October 2, Federalism and National Versus State Power
Jillson, chapter 3

October 4-9, Civil Rights: The African American Struggle for Equality
Jillson, chapter 13

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11TH: FIRST EXAM

October 16-18, Public Opinion: The Impact of What the People Say
Jillson, chapter 4,
36 Days, days 1-4

October 23-25, Campaigns and Elections: Do They Matter?
Jillson, Chapter 7
36 Days, days 5-8

October 30-Nov.6th, Political Parties and Interest Groups in the United States
Jillson, chapter 6
36 Days, days 9-12

NOVEMBER 8TH: SECOND EXAM

November 13th-15th, Congress and the Problem of Representation
Jillson, chapter 9
36 Days, days 13-16

November 20th-27th, The Presidency
Jillson, chapter 10
36 Days, days 17-24

November 29th-December 4th, The Supreme Court and the Living Constitution
Jillson, chapter 12
36 Days, days 25-30

December 6th, the Presidential Election of 2000 in Perspective
36 Days, days 31-36

FINAL EXAMINATION