SYLLABUS
P.S. 1000
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
FALL, 1997

Instructors:

Dr. Charles H. Moore
Dr. Iren Omo-Bare

Office:

AC-324

Phone:

(Moore) 974-1438
(Omo-Bare) 974-1439

Office hours:

10 - 11, TTH and by appointment
The purpose of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of American government and politics, particularly the major institutions and processes. Further, it aims to develop skills and abilities in analyzing and evaluating issues and public policies in American politics. On the one hand, this course wants to stimulate interest in American politics and impart tools that can be of use to all life-long students of politics. On the other hand, this course hopes to develop critical (that is, analytical) citizens, so that each of us will have examined reasons for the choices we make as we act in the public interest for the common good.

TEXTS:

There is one book required, available at the Millsaps Bookstore: Barbara A. Bardes, Mack C. Shelley, and Steffen W. Schmidt, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICSTODAY: THE ESSENTIALS, 1996-97 edition Additionally, any of several sources are STRONGLY recommended for a better understanding of American government: 1. Daily edition or weekly summary of a national newspaper like the NEW YORK TIMES or WASHINGTON POST. These are available in the Library. You may subscribe to the NY TIMES daily edition for $21.00 for the semester. See Dr. Omo-Bare before the end of the first week of class. 2. A weekly news magazine like the NATIONAL JOURNAL or CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY WEEKLY REPORTS. These are in the Library (and CQ is on the Internet). These are NOT the same as TIME or NEWSWEEK. 3. There are a variety of news services and news summaries on the Internet. More information about the 'net in class. 4. Occasional examination of the Congressional television channels, C-SPAN (U.S. House of Representatives, and public affairs) and C-SPAN2 (U.S. Senate, and public affairs)

CLASS POLICIES ATTENDANCE


Attendance is required, and will be recorded by a sign-up sheet each class period. Three (3) unexcused absences during the semester will be allowed. Any beyond this number will adversely affect the course grade.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES AND MAKE-UP EXAMS


Due dates for assignments are made for good reasons. All work is expected to be accomplished on time: assigned readings prior to class; papers handed in on due dates. Assignments handed in late will not be accepted. The only exceptions are for College-sponsored official absences, and a documented health or family emergency (and documentation will be required). Students are expected to take examinations at the regularly scheduled times. Prior permission (before the exam) from the instructor or certification of ill health by a physician are the only conditions under which a make-up examination will be given. Failure to take an examination results in a zero for that item..

INCOMPLETE GRADE


No incompletes will be given except on the basis of physician certification that you are medically unable to complete the course, or other documentable catastrophe.

GRADE


The course grade will be composed of these elements:

(a) 3 page State of the Union essay * 10%
DUE SEPT. 1 (b) 10İ15 page topics paper * 25%
DUE NOV. 21 (c) 10 weekly quizzes 20% (d) Midİterm examination 20% (e) Final examination 25% * All papers are to be typed, doubleİspaced. Faculty members will be glad to assess any of these papers assigned for the purpose of their inclusion in your writing portfolio. The schedule of course topics and required readings follows.

Classes will make more sense if readings are done BEFORE or EARLY in the week of each topic. I. Aug. 27 - Sept. 5 Introduction/ "State of the Union" Session on information resources led by Associate Librarian Tom Henderson. (To Be Arranged) 1. Bardes, et al., Chap. 1 and Appendix E, "How to do Research in Political Science"
2. Hodgkinson, "A Demographic Look at Tomorrow," Center for Demographic Policy, 1992
3. ONE of the following articles or excerpts from books:

STATE OF THE UNION PAPER DUE MONDAY, SEPT. 1

II. Sept. 8 - 12
Constructing a Government
Bardes, et al., Chap. 2 and Appendices A, B, and D
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
Federalist Papers Nos. 10 and 51
III. Sept. 15 - 19
Intergovernmental Relations/Federalism Bardes, et al., Chap. 3
IV. Sept. 22 - 26
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Bardes, et al., Chaps. 4 and 5
V. Sept. 29 - Oct. 3
Public Opinion Bardes, et al., Chap. 6
VI. Oct. 6 - 10
Political Parties Bardes, et al., Chap. 8
VII. Oct. 13 - 17
Campaigns, Elections, and the Media Bardes, et al., Chap. 9

MID-TERM EXAMINATION ON OCTOBER 13
OCTOBER 20 IS MID-TERM HOLIDAY

VIII. Oct. 22 - 24
Interest Groups Bardes, et al., Chap. 7
IX. Oct. 27 - 31
The Congress Bardes, et al., Chap. 10
X. Nov. 3 - 7
The Presidency Bardes, et al., Chap. 11 INAUGURAL QUIZ
XI. Nov. 10 - 14
The Bureaucracy Bardes, et al., Chap. 12
XII. Nov. 17 - 21
The Judiciary Bardes, et al., Chap. 13

MAJOR TOPICS RESEARCH PAPER DUE ON NOV. 21

XIII. Nov. 24 - 26
The Politics of Economic and Domestic Policymaking Bardes, et al., Chap. 14

Nov. 26 (noon) - Nov. 30 THANKSGIVING

XIV. Dec. 1 - 6
Foreign and Defense Policy Bardes, et al., Chap. 15
XV. Dec. 8
Wrap Up and Review

FINAL EXAMINATION IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 13 (SATURDAY) AT 9:00 A.M.

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