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POLS 3330-01 American Political Parties Spring 2015

MWF 1:25-2:20

Dr. Wink: Office BUS 215A Phone 566-7327 e-mail:

Office hours: Wednesday 2:30-5:00, Thursday 11:30-Noon

  1. Class Description:

Studies significant American political parties, including third or minor parties, from the days of the Federalists and anti-Federalists to the present, with attention given to political philosophy, party platforms, and party organizations.

  1. Class Objectives:

By the end of the semester, you should acquire knowledge about the following topics:

  1. The role of political parties in a democracy and the development of the two-party system in the United States
  2. The organization of the Democratic and Republican parties
  3. The role of party identification in explaining public opinion and political behavior
  4. The role of the political parties in political campaigns and elections
  5. The role of the parties in organizing the branches of government and formulating and implementing public policy
  6. The role of third parties in the U.S. political system
  1. Textbooks and Required Reading:
  1. Marjorie Hershey, Party Politics in America, 16th edition, Longman/Pearson 2012.
  2. Alan Abramowitz, The Disappearing Center: Engaged Citizens, Polarization, and American Democracy.New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010.
  1. Grading Scale and Course Requirements:
  1. Course Requirements
  1. Four exams (including the final): Exams will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. Each exam will count for 100 points each. The final will not be comprehensive and it will count the same as the other two exams. Total of 400 points.
  2. There will be a paper in which you will explain the outcome of a

major U.S. election in the 2014 mid-term election and explain why you believe the candidate who won actually won. Students will choose from among U.S. Senate races, U.S. House races, and governor races. This assignment will be worth 75 points, and will be discussed in a separate handout.

  1. There will be two question answering assignments due to my absence from class. You will have assigned readings on Jan. 16 and Feb. 20, with due dates for the assignments on Jan. 18 and Feb. 22, respectively. Each question answering assignment will be worth 10 points for a total of 20 points.
  2. Class participation is not a formal component of the grade. Having said that, however, I will take class attendance every day. Your presence and participation in class is expected, and I will use those as a measure of your effort and persistence in the course. In class of a borderline grade, your participation will be considered and could have a bearing in your earning a higher letter grade than your numerical average would warrant. Note that this is discretionary and is not guaranteed, as your numerical grade is the single most important factor in determining your final letter grade.
  1. Grading Scale:

445.5-495: A

396-445: B

346.5.5-395.5: C

207-346: D

< 297: F

  1. Course Schedule:
  1. What are Political Parties and What Do They Do?
  1. Parties and Party Systems January 14-16

Hershey, chapter 1

On January 16, I will be out of town presenting a research paper at a conference. I will have a set of questions for you to answer based on Chapter 1. That assignment is due on Sunday, January 18, at Noon. But you will not have to come to class on January 16.

January 19 is the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday. The university will be closed that day so we will not meet in class.

  1. The Two Major Parties and the Major “Minor” Parties in the U.S.

Hershey, chapter 2 January 21-23

  1. Parties as Organizations

1. Party Organizations at the State and Local Level

Hershey, chapter 3 January 26-28

On January 30, I will be out of town presenting a research paper at a conference. I am giving you a walk that day. No class meeting, no assignment.

  1. Party Organization at the National Level

Hershey, chapter 4 February 2-4

  1. Activists within the Parties

Hershey, chapter 5 February 6

Exam 1: Hershey, Chapters 1-5 Monday, February 9, during normal class hours

  1. Parties as Creators of Public Opinion and Motivators of Behavior

1. Party Identification and the Electorate

Hershey, chapter 6 Feb. 11-16

  1. Party Polarization Among Elites and Masses in the Contemporary U.S.

Abramowitz, Chapter 1 Feb. 18

Abramowitz, Chapter 2 Feb. 20

Abramowitz, Chapter 3 Feb. 23

On February 20, I will be out of town on personal business. I will have a set of questions for you to answer based on Abramowitz, Chapter 4. That assignment is due on Sunday, February 22, at Noon. But you will not have to come to class on February 20.

Abramowitz, Chapter 4 Feb. 25

Abramowitz, Chapter 5 Feb. 27

Abramowitz, Chapter 6 March 2

Test 2 (Midterm Exam): Abramowitz (whole book) and Hershey Chapter 6 Wednesday, March 4, regular class time

Abramowitz, Chapter 7 March 6

Spring Break is March 8-14

Abramowitz, Chapter 8 March 16

3. Party Support and Party Realignments

Hershey, chapter 7 March 18-20

4. Voter Turnout and the Active Electorate

Hershey, chapter 8 March 23-25

Note: The Last Day to Withdraw from Class with a W is March 23 (Monday)

  1. Political Parties in Campaigns and Elections
  1. How Parties Select (and Have Selected) Candidates for Office

Hershey, chapter 9 March 27

  1. The Presidential Nomination Process

Hershey, chapter 10 March 30-April 1

Test 3: Hershey Chapters 7-10, Abramowitz chapters 7-8 Friday, April 3, regular class time

  1. Parties and the General Election Campaign

Hershey, chapter 11 April 6

NOTE: Term Paper is Due on Monday, April 6, at 1:25 p.m.

  1. Parties and Campaign Finance

Hershey, chapter 12 April 8-13

  1. Parties as Organizers of Government
  1. Parties in the Legislature

Hershey, chapter 13 April 15-17

  1. Parties in the Executive and Judicial Branches

Hershey, chapter 14 April 20

  1. Are American Political Parties “Responsible”?

Hershey, chapter 15 April 22

  1. Conclusion: The Place of Parties in American Politics April 24

Hershey, chapter 16

.

FINAL EXAM: Hershey, Chapters 11-15 Either on April 29 or May 1

Class Policies: Upper-Division Political Science Courses

General Statement Regarding the Conduct of the Class

I view the teaching and learning aspect of university life to be the central purpose of the university, an institution that is unique in our culture. Consequently, I do not view students as “customers,” and I do not view myself as an “employee.” I view myself as a professional, and I view you as one who is present in my class to learn about the subject matter pertaining to the class. I spend considerable time and attention choosing texts and other readings that are central to your mastering of the subject matter, and I conduct scholarly research and publication with the aim of making myself a more informed teacher. Your grade in the course will reflect the quality of your work, and nothing else, based on my professional judgment. I will also do the best I can to know your name, and I will always try to respect you an as individual.

Attendance Policy

In all classes attendance is expected. Even in large classes, I will take the class roll in some form or fashion to monitor attendance. Class participation is not a formal part of the grade, but can factor in when a student is close to the next letter grade. If you miss class because of university responsibilities, please let me know ahead of time and have some documentation. Any work missed will be made up as soon as possible, in consultation with me. Makeup examinations will be given if a valid excuse for missing an examination is provided. Makeup examinations will be scheduled such that everyone missing the original examination can be present, as in the Saturday before the final exam period, or something like that, so I do not have to administer several examinations on an individual basis

Grading Policy

Examinations will consist of objective, multiple-choice questions with an essay component. Thus, class attendance and good note taking, as well as thorough reading of course materials, are necessities to receiving high grades. The written paper component of the course grade will be described below or in a separate handout.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES THAT MUST APPEAR IN EACH COURSE SYLLABUS

The following University policies must appear on each course syllabus or be provided as an informational sheet (web-links to these policies may be used in the print or electronic syllabus)

Students Rights and Responsibilities

To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link:

Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies

Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar.

Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract.

The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include:

  • Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit.
  • Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date)
  • Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W” grade)
  • Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment
  • Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid

State-Mandated Course Drop Policy

Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date).

Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions.

Disability Services

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to

Student Absence due to Religious Observance

Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.

Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities

If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.

Social Security and FERPA Statement:

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.

Emergency Exits and Evacuation:

Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.

The Writing Center

Located in BUS 202, the UT-Tyler Writing Center provides professional writing tutoring for all students in all disciplines. If you wish to use the Writing Center, you should plan for a minimum of two hour-long tutorials per assignment: the first to provide an initial consultation and drafting plan, and the second to follow up. Be prepared to take an active role in your learning – you will be expected to write and/or discuss your work during the tutorial. While Writing Center tutors are happy to provide constructive criticism and teach effective writing techniques, under no circumstances will they fix your paper for you. Appointments: 565-5995. More information:

Paper Requirements for American Political Parties Class

In this course, you will be required to write a paper in which you explain why the winning candidate of a major election in the 2014 election cycle won the election. You will choose a race on which to report in consultation with me. I will guide you to an appropriate U.S. Senate, U.S. House, or governor’s race. By appropriate I mean a close race that would be interesting to cover. It could be a race in Texas, or a race somewhere else. I also want to work with you if you have a race you were particularly interested in at the time.

In the paper, you will be graded on the criteria you use to explain why the winner won. You should justify and defend your analysis based on information and knowledge you have gleaned from the class. In other words, as opposed to a “gut” feeling or a “shooting from the hip” justification for your choice, or from some poll you found somewhere, you will be graded on your ability to take information from the class and apply that information in an analysis of an actual, real-world election.

You should attack this project as you would any other term paper assignment. There should be a literature review, and you should have a bibliography and citations of sources in the paper

The paper should be roughly 10-12pages in length, double-spaced, with 10-12 font size. You should draw from a wide number of sources in researching your race: the text, other books, internet websites, news magazines of the popular variety, scholarly journals, etc. Some people have also acquired campaign literature and have interviewed candidates or campaign people in this assignment in the past. The key thing is to use a wide variety of good sources. Don’t rely too much on a small number of sources, and try to choose sources that represent mainstream viewpoints or a balance of ideological viewpoints. Web stories from anonymous people or bloggers are not a good idea, as you could be reading material from an “expert” with a 6th grade education who lives with Mom, has three eyes, and drools on the keyboard. I hope you get my point that all internet sources are not equal!

As noted on the syllabus, this is worth 75 points, a significant part of the course grade. The due date will be Monday, April 6, at 1:25 p.m. Late papers will be penalized. If you want to be safe, you can always turn in the paper early.

In addition, as soon as class begins, I will begin to ask you about the race you plan to analyze. I would like to have your choice in place by the MLK holiday.