American Government 100 Sp 2014
Ricardo Salas, Instructor Tue:6:50p-10pOffice Rm1320-05, Sec#21160
Ph (714) 992-7525 Rm. 1440 e-mail:
Website:
SYLLABUS
Two books are required for American Government 100, Thomas Patterson's, “We the People” 10th Ed (ISBN: 0073379174 and Peter Woll's "AmericanGovernment: ReadingsCases", 19th Ed. (ISBN: 0205116140). There is a study guide that students can download from my website.Both books are available on reserve at the Fullerton College bookstore along with a hard copy of the study guides.
McGraw Hill has also published the same Patterson book specifically for Fullerton College. It is called “American Government: POSC 100 Fullerton College,” ISBN 9780078140594. Be careful not to purchase the older 9thedition of the Patterson used by Dan Conforti and Joe Reilly. Ask the book rep at FC if you are uncertain.
There is absolutely no difference between “We the People” and “American Government.” They are the same book except for the price.The FC version can only be purchased at the FC Bookstore. The “We the People” version can be purchased anywhere where books are sold, including on-line.
Older editions of Patterson will not work unless the student doesn’t mind possibly earning a lower grade due to missing and updated information. That is not the case with Peter Woll’s book. Students can use older editions of the Woll book as long as it includes the articles used throughout the a semester.
Both the Woll book and the Patterson book are on 2-hour reserve in the Fullerton College library.
SAVE MONEY ON BOOKS: Students can purchase “E” books at CourseSmart. Go to Course Smart at & save money. The link below directs students to Patterson’s “We the People.” 10th ed.
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the American political system which includes political theory, Constitutional law, the three branches of government, and the historical forces that impacted its development.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): At the conclusion of this course students will be able to
1. Understand the theories and philosophical principles that were used to establish the American political system.
2. Apply those theories and philosophical principles to the evolution of the American political system.
3. Become familiar with the workings of the three major branches of government, the role of interest groups, and public policy outcomes.
4. Identify some of the critical periods in the evolution of the American political system.
As part of Student Learning Outcomes there will be 2 assessment quizzes provided that will require students to use SCANTRON FORM 815-E. The instructor will notify students when each of these quizzes will take place. Students will bring the Scantron Form 815-E to class on the day of the assessment quiz. The results of the quizzes will not be used when calculating final grades.
Final grades will be tabulated based on the following:
Examination 125%Feb. 18
" 225%Mar. 11
" 325%Apr. 22
" 425%May 20
Comprehensive Ex 25%May 20
Examinations
There will be 4 examinations throughout the semester. To take an examination requires a Scantron Form 883E and a number 2 pencil with an eraser. Each exam will be comprised of 50 questions, created from the reading assignments and your study guides which include 15 True/False, 15 Multiple Choice, 10 Definitions, and 10 Fill-in questions. Students will be given 50 minutes to complete each of the exams.
Students cannot use notes, dictionaries, or any other device, paper or electronic during an examination. Failure to adhere to the rules during an examination (and during the semester) will result in penalties being applied to the final grade.
No late examinations are given.
Comprehensive Examination
If a student does poorly on an examination or misses an examination entirely, a comprehensive examination will be provided on the last day of classes, with the first hour devoted to taking this exam. The comprehensive replaces the worse score for any of the first three exams. Questions for the comprehensive will come from the course material in the Study Guides Parts I thru III. It will be designed exactly like the previous 3 exams with 50 questions. The comprehensive will require an additional Scantron Form 883E that will be provided by those students taking it and will be given to the instructor after 3rd exam. Failure to provide the instructor with an additional Scantron form prior to the day stipulated by the instructor will result in the student not being allowed to take the comprehensive examination.
SCANTRON FORM 883e
Students must submit the 4 Scantron forms prior to the first exam. Any student who does not submit the 4 Scantron Forms prior to the first test will be dropped from the class. Scantron Forms will not be accepted in class on the day of the first exam. Donot write your name on the Scantron Forms.
STUDY GUIDE
At my website, students will download a Study Guidewhere questions have been created from the assigned reading material. Answering these questions will prepare students for each of the four exams, including the Comprehensive Make-up exam.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
A student is allowed 6 tardies or 2 absences before being penalized. If a student needs to leave class early, notify the instructor prior to class (unless there is an emergency). Early exits will count as an absence. After the 6th tardy a student will receive a 1% deduction for each additional tardy. After the secondabsence, a student will receive a 3% deduction for each
additional absence from their overall grade.
If a student arrives 20 minutes late to class, the student will be counted as absent.
The last day to drop classes is April 27. Any student intending to drop a class at Fullerton College must do so on the "internet" up until Apr. 27 to receive a "W" on his/her transcript. Not following this procedure will result in a student receiving an "F" on his/her transcript.
Lap Top Computers, Cel Phones & other electronic devices
During a regular class lecture, cell phones, computers, & other electronic devices can be used for note-taking. If a cell phone alarm goes off during lecture, the student will be excused for the day. During an examination, if a student views a cell phone, the student will receive a zero per cent for their exam score.
Talking during an examination/looking at another student's examination will result in a zero grade and an immediate report will be made to the disciplinary dean. All questions during a test are to be directed to the instructor by raising your hand.
SEATING CHART
The instructor will assign a seating chart at the beginning of the semester. If a student has a physical disability, notify the instructor with proper documentation so that he can make an accommodation. In the end, it is up to the instructor's discretion to determine where a student sits. Any student who refuses to sit where the instructor has designated, will be dropped from the class.
Respect Fellow Students & Instructor
Students are required to be respectful of their fellow students and the instructor. If a student/students talk without otherwise receiving acknowledgement from the instructor, the cited
student/students will be asked to leave. If the student refuses to leave, the instructor will drop the student/students from the class.
Academic Honesty Policy
Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates a mastery of the required assignments to determine their legitimate grades. Such standards are founded on basic concepts of integrity and honesty.
Any violation of the Academic Honesty Policy will result in a student receiving an "F" grade and a report will be submitted to the proper authorities at Fullerton College.
Jan. 28Introduction: An Overview of the Course
Woll, pgs 3-9. Locke, "2nd Treatise of Civil Govt."
Patterson pgs. 1-28, "American Pol. Culture."
Feb. 4Patterson, pgs. 29-45, "Constitutional Democracy."
Woll, pgs. 41-46. Madison's, Fed. 47, 48, 51
Patterson, pgs. 45-65, "Protecting Liberty."
Woll, pgs. 46-50. Tribe & Dorf, "How Not to Read the Constitution."
Woll, pgs. 52-57. Federalism, Fed. 16,17
11Patterson, pgs. 66-80, "Federalism."
Woll, pgs. 66-71. Madison's "Fed 39."
Patterson, pgs. 81-103, "Dual Fedealism."
Woll, pgs. 74-78. "McCulloch v Maryland"
Preparation for Examination 1
18 Examination 1 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
25Patterson, pgs. 465-479, "Fed Judicial System"
Woll, pgs. 357-362, Hamilton's Fed. 78
Patterson, pgs. 479-497, "Personal Backgrounds of Judicial Appointees."
Patterson, pgs. 104-124, "Civil Liberties."
Woll, pgs. 103-115. "Civil Liberties (Gideon v. Wainwright)."
Patterson, pgs. 124-145, "Right of Privacy."
Woll, pgs. 141-148. Religious Freedom, "Engel v Vitale (1962)"
Woll, pgs. 154-164. Abortion,"Roe v Wade" (1973).
Mar. 4 Patterson, pgs. 146-158, "Equal Rights."
Patterson, pgs. 158-171, "Native Americans."
Woll, pgs. 130-137. "Brown v Board of Education"
Patterson, pgs. 171-182, "Native Americans"
Preparation for Examination 2
11Examination 2 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
18Patterson, pgs. 344-358, "Congress." Woll, 311-320, "Congress." Madison's Fed. 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63
Patterson, pgs. 358-368, "Party Leadership in Congress."
25Patterson, pgs. 368-389, "How A Bill Becomes Law"
Woll, pgs. 325-331. Fiorina, "Rise of the Washington Establishment."
Woll, pgs. 332-336. Dodd, "Congress & the Quest for Power."
Apr.1Patterson, pgs. 390-405, "The Presidency."
Patterson, pgs. 405-429, "Media & Money."
Woll, pgs. 267-272 (Rossiter, The Presidency--Focus of Leadership)
8Patterson, pgs. 315-343, "The News Media."
Preparation for Examination 3
Spring Break-April14 thru 20
22Examination 3 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
Apr. 27 is the Last day to Drop Classes to Receive a “W” Grade.
29Patterson, pgs. 215-228, "Political Participation."
Patterson, pgs. 229-241, "Conventional Forms ..."
Woll, pgs. 177-182. Madison's Fed. 10
Woll, pgs. 182-185 . Schattschneider, "Party Government."
Patterson, pgs. 281-296, "Interest Groups."
Patterson, pgs. 297-314, "Inside Lobbying.
Woll, 248-256. Sabato, "Misplaced Obsession-PACs."
May 6Patterson, pgs. 501-519, "Economic & Environmental Policy."
Patterson, pgs. 519-537, "Fiscal Policy."
13Patterson, pgs. 538-558, "Social Welfare & Education Policy."
Preparation for Examination 4
20Exam 4
Comprehensive Exam
SCALE FOR DETERMINING GRADES
A90% to 100%
B80% to 89%
C62% to 79%
D50% to 61%
F 0% to 49%
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