PSCI 1040.002, American Government: Laws and Institutions

1

University of North Texas

PSCI 1040.002, American Government: Laws and Institutions

Spring 2010

WH 122, M, W, F: 9:00 am – 9:50 am

Host: Eddie L. Meaders, J.D., M.A.

Office: Wooten Hall 141

Office Phone: (940) 565 – 2310

Political Science Department Office: Wooten Hall 125

Political Science Department Phone: (940) 565 - 2276

E-mail:

Office Hours:

M & W: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
T: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
W: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Feel free to drop by. No appointment is needed during office hours. If the posted hours are no good, let me know and we’ll set something else up.

Teaching Assistant: Nick Higgins

Office: Wooten Hall 140

Office Phone: (940) 565-2218

Political Science Department Office: Wooten Hall 125

Political Science Department Phone: (940) 565 - 2276

E-mail:

Office Hours: T2:30 pm 5:00 pm

Required Texts:

Ginsberg, Benjamin, Lowi, Weir, et al.We the People: an Introduction to American Politics, 7th Texas Edition. (GLW).

Cox, Perspectives on American & Texas Politics, 8thedition (Workbook) (it’s the blue one)

Required Newspaper: The New York Times (subscription forms to be sent around the first week of class) If you are destitute, the UNT Library does maintain a subscription and you may read it rather than pay for a subscription. Current events are important and give practical applications and examples of what we discuss in class. The paper will also be the source for bonus questions on exams and current events quizzes. For those of you electronically inclined the Times web-site is:

Course Goal: This is an introductory American government course designed to examine the theoretical and constitutional foundations of U.S. and Texas political systems and their respective institutional structures. By the end of the semester, students will be able to identify, analyze, and evaluate the national institutions of government-Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, the Judiciary, and related state level institutions. Students will also be able to identify and explain basic principles of civil rights and civil liberties. Student learning objectives include:

1.1Demonstrating the ability to identify and explain constitutionalism.

1.2Comprehending the principles of Federalism.

1.3Synthesizing the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

2.1Demonstrating an awareness and recognition of the scope of democratic theory.

2.2Differentiating between civil rights and civil liberties.

This course satisfies state mandated requirements for a course emphasizing the U.S. and Texas constitutions.

Class Procedure: This course is part of the UNT’s N-Gen, Next Generation, Course Redesign project.There will be very little in class lectures. Instead you will be working on materials in teams. Team-Based Learning™ (TBL) (Michaelsen, Knight Fink, 2002)shifts the focus of classroom time from conveying courseconcepts by the instructor to application of course concepts bystudent teams. In the TBL process, students acquire their initialexposure to the content through readings and are held accountablefor their preparation using a Readiness Assurance Process (RAP).Following the RAP, class time is used to practice applying content ina series of team application exercises.The Team-Based Learning™ method allows a single instructor to conduct multiple small groups simultaneously in the same classroom. Learners must ACTIVELY participate in and out of class through PREPARATION and group discussion. Class time is shifted away from learning facts and toward application and integration of information. The instructor retains control of content, and acts as both facilitator and content expert. The Team-Based Learning™ method affords the opportunity for assessment of both individual and team performance. PowerPoint slides with notes will be available at the start of each unit in WebCt for your lecture material.

Assessment components:

Workbook Assignments:The workbook provides you with additional resources for your individual learning experience. Workbook assignments are NOT team assignments! Each chapter corresponds with the topic under discussion in class. Assignments will be collected on the designated days within the first ten (10) minutes of class. If you will not be in class when assignments are due, you may turn them in early. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES (EVEN DEATH) WILL LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS BE ACCEPTED!If there is a grading question about your assignment, please bring this to the attention of the TA no later than 48 hours after the grade is posted in WebCT. Failure do so constitutes your waiver of the right to appeal the grade assigned.

NY Times Quizzes: NY Times quizzes will cover current events as they relate to local, state, and national politics.This may be an individual activity with team discussion of the correct answer after the quiz. Missed quizzes cannot be made up! If you know you will be absent on a quiz day, please inform the instructor of this at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a time to take the quiz. !If there is a grading question about your quiz, please bring this to the attention of the TA no later than 48 hours after the grade is posted in WebCT. Failure do so constitutes your waiver of the right to appeal the grade assigned.

RAP (readiness assurance process) quizzes:The RAP quiz will occur at the beginning of each major instructional unit (chapter). RAP quizzes ensures that students havecompleted pre-class reading and are prepared for in-class

team work. The process consists of a multiple choice test (10 questions) on key concepts from the readings. It isfirst taken individually and then immediately re-taken as ateam. You will know at the completion of each RAP your individual and team score. Missed RAP quizzes cannot be made up!If you know you will be absent on a quiz day, please inform the instructor of this at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a time to take the quiz.

Examinations: There will be THREE (3) of them. Exams, which are closed book/notes, will consist of multiple choice and true-false questions. The exams are non-cumulative in the sense that they focus on the specific topics and reading assignments delineated by each section as well as various classroom team activities. Exam questions will NOT be taken from workbook readings. !If there is a grading question about your exam, please bring this to the attention of the instructor no later than 48 hours after the grade is posted in WebCT. Failure do so constitutes your waiver of the right to appeal the grade assigned.

Team application activities- class discussions, simulations, in class assignments.

Attendance: ATTEND CLASSon the designated days! Lack of attendance may cause your peer reviews from your fellow team members to be lower.

Specifically for TAMS students: If you are absent for any reason, you are required to file an absence report with Dr. Allen of the TAMS Academic Office. In addition, as your professor, I will send periodic attendance reports to the TAMS Academic Office.

Disabled Students: If you are physically challenged, every attempt will be made to accommodate your educational needs. Talk to the instructor no later than the end of the first week of class so that we can make appropriate arrangements. This class operates in accordance with the Office of Disability requirements here at the University of North Texas and pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).

Final Exam: The final is scheduled for Monday, May 10th from 8:00am – 10:00 am. It will not be comprehensive! Please do not ask to take the final early.

Grades: A necessary evil. Your grade will be determined based on your scores on the following activities:

Exams(3): to be determined by the class, but at least 50% of your grade

Individual workbook assignments, NY Timesquizzes, & RAP scores: to be determined by the class, but at least10% of your grade.

Teamscores on RAPs, in class application exercises, and possibly NY Times team grades: to be determined by the class, but at least 10% of your grade.

Peer and instructor participation score: to be determined by the class, but at least 10% of your grade.

If the class fails to reach a consensus on the grade weights, the default weights are as follows:

Exams: 50%

Individual workbook assignments, NY Times quizzes, & RAP scores: 20%

Team test score on RAPs, class application activities, and possibly NY Times team scores: 20%

Peer and instructor participation score: 10%

I reserve the right to add or subtract up to a total of three (3) points to or from your final average based upon participation and general attitude. This is where good attendance and asking/answering questions can pay off.

Plagiarism and Cheating: Perish the thought and do not yield to temptation! Please refer to the attached university policy on academic dishonesty. Be on notice that I will enforce the policy. While not pleasant, I have done it in the past and will not hesitate to do it again! Do not risk your academic career by taking the easy way out! Please sign the last sheet of the syllabus when you return your information sheet to indicate you have read the policy.

Miscellaneous Poop:

PLEASE TURN CELL PHONES OFF DURING CLASS! RINGING, BEEPING, CHIRPING, AND OBNOXIOUS MELODIOUS TUNES CAUSE DISTRACTIONS. IF THIS HAPPENS, I MAY ANSWER YOUR PHONE FOR YOU, OR AT LEAST CONFISCATE IT FOR THE DURATION OF THE CLASS PERIOD!

Bonus opportunity: since the missed homework and quiz policy is a bit harsh, you may participate in two (2) community service projects either individually or as a team. Please check the volunteer center website, for service opportunities. Complete the service, show written proof of your completion, and write a paper (no longer than 2 pages long, typed, 12 pointfont, double spaced, standard margins, Chicago or APA manual of style compliant) about your experience and how it contributes to the common good. Each project is worth 100 points credit to replace a missing quiz or homework assignment. Projects, documentation, and papers must be completed and turned in NO LATER THAN May 3rd at the start of class. No exceptions!

Schedule Changes: I reserve the right to change any of the exam times or assignments by providing you with at least a 48 hour notice of such changes. You are responsible for any changes that may occur during the course of the semester. Any changes will be announced at the beginning of each class and posted in WebCT.

Coming Attractions

(More or Less)

Week 1January 20, 22

Introductions

Week 2January 25, 27, 29

RAP # 1 on the 25thcovering (GLW), Ch. 1, American Political Culture; (GLW), Ch. 19, The Political Culture of Texas

Exercises 1-2, 1-3, 1-5, due on the 29th!

Week 3February 1, 3, 5

RAP # 2 on the 1stcovering (GLW) Ch. 2, the Founding and the Constitution; (GLW) Ch. 20, the Texas Constitution

Exercises 3-1, 3-2, 3-4 due on the 5th! NY Times Quiz #1 on the 5th covering January 29-Feb. 4.

Week 4February 8, 10, 12

RAP # 3 on the 10th covering (GLW), Chp. 3, Federalism, (GLW) Ch. 26 Local Government in Texas.

Week 5February 15, 17, 19

Prep day on the 15th, No Class

NY Times Quiz #2 on the 17th covering February 5-15.

Exercises 4-1, 4-3, 4-5, 4-6 due on the 19th!

Week 6February 22, 24, 26

Exam 1 on the 24th!

Prep day on the 26th, No Class

Week 7March 1, 3, 5

RAP # 4 on the 1stcovering(GLW) Ch. 12, Congress; (GLW) Ch.23, the Texas Legislature

Exercises 5-1, 5-2, 5-4, and 5-6due on the 3rd! (NOTE: Apply 2008 election results where applicable in the exercises)

Week 8March 8, 10, 12

RAP # 5 on the 8th covering (GLW), Ch. 13, the Presidency; NY Times Quiz #3 on the 10thcovering February 15-March 9.

Exercises 6-1, 6-3, 6-4, and 6-6due on the 12th!

SPRING BREAK

MARCH 15, 17, 19

Week 9March 22, 24, 26

NY Times Quiz # 4on the 24th covering March 10-23

Week 10March 29, 31, April 2

RAP # 6 on the 29th covering (GLW), Ch. 14, Bureaucracy in a Democracy;(GLW) Ch. 24, The Texas Executive Branch.

Exercises 7-1, 7-3, 7-4 due on the 2nd!

Week 11 April 5, 7, 9

NY Times Quiz # 5 on the 5th covering March 24-April 4.

EXAM 2 on the 9th!

Week 12April 12, 14, 16

Prep day on the 12th, No Class

RAP # 7 on the 14th covering (GLW), Ch. 15; the Federal Courts; GLW) Ch. 25, The Texas Judiciary

Exercises 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, and 8-5, due on the 16th!

Week 13April 19, 21, 23

NY Times Quiz # 6 on the 19th covering April 5-16

RAP # 7 on the21stcovering(GLW), Ch. 16, Civil Liberties;

Exercise 9-2, 9-3, 9-4, and 9-5due on the 23rd!

Week 14April 26, 28, 30

RAP # 8 on the 28th covering (GLW), Ch. 17, Civil Rights, Exercises 10-1, 10-3, 10-4, and 10-5 due on the 30th!

Week 15May 3, 5, 7

Reading day on the 7th, No Class

Week 16 May 10th (Monday)

FINAL EXAM 8:00 am – 10:00 am, WH 122.

PSCI 1040.002, Spring 2010

Student Information Sheet

(Please Print)

Name:______

Phone:( )______

Hometown:______

E-Mail:______

Year in School:______

Transfer (if so, which school):______

Major:______

Minor:______

Hobbies and interesting things you like to do:

This certifies that I have read the syllabus and understand the requirements for the course, including the Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism. I agree to abide by academic honesty. As such, I verify that all work done in this class will be my own. I understand that violating the policy will result in academic sanctions.

Signature:______

Printed Name:______

Date: ______

1