POLITICAL SCIENCE 101—AMERICAN
DEMOCRACY & CITIZENSHIP
HONORS SECTION
(TTH 11:00AM)
Professor:
Dr. Dennis V. Hickey
Tel: 836-5850
Office: Strong Hall 320
email: dvh804f@missouristate.edu
Office Hrs: Tuesday 10:00-11:00; Wednesday,
1:00pm-3:00pm and
5:00-6:00pm; Thursday 10:00-11:00 or by appointment
COURSE GOALS: This class is designed to familiarize students with the institutions and constitutional framework of the United States and Missouri. The course emphasis is on the values, rights, and responsibilities that shape the public decision making of active and informed citizens and influence contemporary public affairs in a democratic society. It meets general education requirements as outlined in Missouri Senate Bill Four and complements Missouri State University's state-wide mission in public affairs.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is critically important--some questions on the exams may be from material NOT covered in your texts. It would be wise policy to attend each class. And please do not make plans for Saturday, May 7th. Our final is scheduled for 3:45pm on that day (location will be announced in class). If you cannot make it to the final exam, please choose another semester to complete your requirement in PLS 101.
GRADING POLICY: Three exams (multiple
choice & essay) and one comprehensive, departmental final (multiple choice).
Individual examination scores will not be curved. Each exam will be
weighed equally toward your final grade (30% each) and the final is worth 10%.
In order to prepare for examinations, attend class, take notes and
read the texts. Bring a scan-tron and number two pencil to class on test
days. Also, please bring a blue book (available in the bookstore), as we will
have an essay on each exam. You will not need to bring a blue book to the final
as it is a multiple choice exam. Please note that an examination schedule is
provided toward the end of this syllabus (this schedule and the topics
covered on each exam are subject to changes that will be announced in class).
The location of the final will be announced in class.
MAKEUP EXAMS: There will be no
make-ups for unexcused absences. In the event that you miss an exam, you
must contact the professor or graduate assistant before the next class period to
arrange a make-up (phone 836-5850 and leave a message where you can be reached
if I am not in the office). Unless you are lost somewhere in the
Nevada desert, you or someone else should be able to reach a telephone and
contact me. And note that there will be no make-ups for make-ups.
EXTRA CREDIT PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROJECT:
For extra credit, students may opt to write a paper focusing upon a public
affairs issue. Topics will vary and could include assistance for the homeless,
combating terrorism, confronting AIDS/HIV or a variety of other subjects.
However, all papers must follow the same format and all topics must be approved
by the instructor no later than
March 8, 2005.
The paper will identify the public affairs issue and current policy toward that
issue and provide several (3 or more) alternative policies. In conclusion, the
paper will provide a well-reasoned recommendation. This double-spaced paper must
include footnotes (minimum ten sources) and range from 8 to 10 pages in length.
A student who earns an “A” on the project will receive 3 points added to his or
her final grade point average (or GPA) in the class. A student who earns a “B”
will receive 2 points. A student who earns a “C” will receive 1 point. Students
who fail to earn at least a “C” will not receive any points. The paper is due
no later than April 14, 2005. This is an opportunity for extra credit.
Please do not ask for other opportunities.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
POLICY:
To request
academic accommodations for a disability, contact Katheryne Staeger-Wilson,
Director, Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192
or (417) 836-6792 (TTY),
http://www.missouristate.edu/disability.
Students are required
to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving
accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests
to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for
learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact
Dr. Steve Capps, Director, Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787,
http://www.missouristate.edu/contrib/ldc
NON-DISCRIMINATION
POLICY: Missouri State is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure
available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against.
At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible
discrimination to Jana Estergard, Equal Opportunity Officer, Siceluff Hall 296,
(417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature)
should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the
attention of your instructor’s Department Head.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Missouri State is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following Missouri State’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at the following link: http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy. Those planning to cheat would be well advised to read this document.
DROPPING THE CLASS: It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. To drop a class anytime after the first week of classes, you must complete and turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center (see http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/chnsched.html). You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip. It does not need to be signed by your instructor, your advisor, or a department head. If you wish to withdraw from the University (i.e., drop all your classes), contact the Registration Center, Carrington 320, 836-5522
SHOWING PROPER RESPECT FOR OTHERS IN THE CLASSROOM:
Please do not arrive late for class or leave class early. If you talk, annoy
your neighbors or engage in other disruptive activity during the lecture period,
you will be asked to leave. If one of your classmates engages in disruptive
activity, bring it to the attention of the instructor--do NOT wait until the end
of the semester. Finally, if you are too tired to stay awake in class, you
should be home in bed!
J
THREE REQUIRED PURCHASES:
1.) Textbook by Janda, Berry, Goldman and Hula, The Challenge of Democracy Brief Edition, Fifth Edition. Available at Missouri State bookstore or other locations. NOTE: DO NOT BUY THE FOURTH EDITION AS WE NO LONGER USE IT.
2.) Reader entitled, American Democracy and Citizenship: A Reader (Third Edition). NOTE: DO NOT BUY THE FIRST OR SECOND EDITION AS WE NO LONGER USE THEM.
3.) Also purchase Political Science 101 examination package. Available only at the Missouri State bookstore.
I. Philosophical, Constitutional and Institutional Heritage
A. Philosophical Foundations of Constitutional
Democracy in the United States and Missouri
Read Janda Chp.1
B. Constitutional Foundations of the
United States
and Missouri Democracy (Federalism, Separation of
Powers, Checks & Balances, Rule of Law, Popular
Sovereignty, Republicanism)
Read Janda Chp.2 & 3 and in the Reader read 1) “Race and the Constitution” – Thurgood Marshall 2) “Missouri Government” and 20) “Reading the Constitution as Twentieth-Century Americans” –William J. Brennan, Jr.
C. Institutional Foundations
Read Janda Chps. 8, 9, 10 & 11 and in the reader, read 19) “A Jurisprudence of Original Intention” – Edwin Meese III
II. Prejudice, Differences, Inequality and Citizenship
A. Cultural Foundations of Democracy: Individualism,
Pluralism and Multiculturalism
B. Civil Rights
Read Janda, Chp.13
From the Reader, read
3) “Affirmative Action:
Why We Need it” – Mary Frances Berry
4) “Promoting Racial Harmony” – Linda Chavez
C. Civil Liberties
Read Janda, Chp. 12
From the Reader, read 5) “Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Preserving Our Civil Liberties While Fighting Terrorism” – Lynch and 6) “1984 and 2003: Fears About Patriot Act Are Unjustified” – Ponnuru. Also be sure to read 7) “Letter from Birmingham Jail” – King
III. Citizenship and Opportunities for Participation
A. Foundations of American Citizenship
Read Janda, Chp.4
B. A Well-informed Citizenry and the Role of
Public Opinion
Read Janda, Chp.4
C. Individual, Organizational Interests and the
Public Good
Read Janda, Chp.7
D. Elections and Campaigns
Read Janda Chp 5&6 and from the Reader, read 14) “Considerations for Evaluating Whether Policies Serve the Public Good” – Kelman, Should the Electoral College Be Abolished? 15) “The Velvet Coup” – Lazare 16) “Electoral College Reform” – Posner17) “Congressional Term Limits: Promoting Choice” –Paul Jacob and18) “Congressional Term Limits: Restricting Choice” – John R. Hibbing
PART IV
IV. Challenges of Democracy
A. Mass Media, Mass Culture,
Technology and Democracy
B. Democracy and Public Service
C. Community and Volunteerism
D. Citizenship and Responsibilities
From the Reader, read 8) “The Strange Disappearance of Civic America” – Robert Putnum 9) “Perhaps We Bowl Alone But Does It Really Matter? – Miller 10) “How About Media That Reflects America” – Bernard Goldberg 11) “Liberal Media, My Ass” – Jim Hightower 12) “Voter Turnout in America: Ten Myths” –Ruy Teixeira and 13) “New Generation, New Politics” – Greenberg
PART V
V. Citizenship in a Global Community
A. America in the World
From the Reader, read 21) The Historical Setting—Cummings and Wise; 22)
“The Benevolent Empire; 23) “The Perils of (and for) an Imperial America; 24)
“The New American Empire; 25) “Limits of American Power
EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
For your reference, an exam schedule is provided below. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Weather, war in the Middle East and/or Korea, illness or other events may lead us to change this schedule. However, all changes will be announced during lecture. Bring a scan-tron, number two pencil and a blue book with you to the examination.
Exam One: Exam one should cover most of the material in Part I of the Class Outline above. The exact number of chapters depends upon the progress we make during our meetings. It is most likely that the examination will cover Part IA, Part IB and the Congress, Presidency and Bureaucracy in Part IC. That means students should be responsible for reading Chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 in Janda and the appropriate readings from the reader. The test is tentatively scheduled for February 10, 2005.
Exam Two: Exam two will most probably cover the remaining portion of Part I on the class outline above. It may also cover Part II in its entirety and a portion of Part III. That means that students should be responsible for reading Janda Chapters 11, 12, 13 and 4 and appropriate readings from the reader. The test is presently scheduled for March 17, 2005.
Exam Three: Exam three should cover the remaining portions of Part III, Part IV and a portion of Part V. That means that students should be responsible for reading Janda Chapters 5, 6, and 7 and appropriate selections from the reader. The test is presently scheduled for April 28, 2005. After returning the exam, we will seek to cover any remaining portions of the reader that we have not yet covered. Judging on past experience, we will discuss American foreign policy at this juncture.
Final Exam: May 7, 2005 at 3:45pm. Location will be announced in class.
Miscellaneous Information
January 11: First Day of our Class
February 10: Exam 1
March 17:
Exam 2
March 24-31:
No Class:
Spring Break
April 28:
Exam 3
May 6:
Last Day of Classes
May 7:
Final Exam at
3:45pm (location announced in class)
GOOD LUCK!!!
[RETURN TO DR.DENNIS HICKEY'S HOMEPAGE]