POLITICAL SCIENCE 101—AMERICAN DEMOCRACY &
CITIZENSHIP
HONORS SECTION 998
(MWF 11:00AM)
Professor: Dr. Dennis V. Hickey
Tel: 836-5850
Office: Strong Hall 320
email:
dennishickey@missouristate.edu
Office Hrs: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00-11:00; Wednesday, 1:00pm-3:00 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 by promoting civic engagement, cultural competence and ethnical leadership.
· 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 9th. 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. A “practice exam” for the common final may be found on the homepage of the political science department.
· 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 11, 2009. 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 15, 2009. 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 the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), 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 the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.
· NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
Missouri State University 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 the Office for Equity and Diversity, Park Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (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. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/.
· ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Missouri State University 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 the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at www.missouristate.edu/assets/provost/AcademicIntegrityPolicyRev-1-08.pdf 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.
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. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.
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. And, if you are too tired to stay awake in class, you should
be home in bed! What about cell phones, pagers and such? As a
member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other
students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and
students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class.
Therefore, the
Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers,
PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such
devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily
should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same
communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency
notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous
devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their
devices to determine if a university emergency exists. If that is not the case,
the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other
exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.
Students who require assistance during an
emergency evacuation must discuss their needs with their professors and
Disability Services. If you have emergency medical information to share with me,
or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.
For additional information students should contact the
Office of Disability Services, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry Combs, Interim
Assistant Director of
Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576. For further information on
Missouri State University’s Emergency Response Plan, please refer to the
following web site:
http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.
THE TWO REQUIRED PURCHASES: 
1.) Textbook by Janda, Berry, Goldman and Hula, The Challenge of Democracy Brief Edition, Available at Missouri State bookstore or other locations.
2.) Also purchase Political Science 101 examination package. Available only at the Missouri State bookstore.
WEB BASED READINGS
1.) All students must read a web-based study about Missouri’s Government. It is linked to our class website. CLICK HERE!
2.) Other readings may be distributed in class.
FILMS:
From time to time, we may watch a documentary. Although interesting, this does not constitute entertainment. Please pay attention and take notes.
PART I
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 read the section on the Missouri Constitution in the web-based Missouri government readings.
C. Institutional Foundations
Read Janda Chps. 8, 9, 10 & 11. And read the sections on executive, legislative and judicial branches of Missouri’s government on the web.
PART II
Prejudice, Differences, Inequality and Citizenship
A. Cultural Foundations of Democracy: Individualism, Pluralism and Multiculturalism (with a focus on civil rights and civil liberties).
Read Janda, Chp.13
Read Janda, Chp. 12
PART III
Citizenship and Opportunities for Participation
A. Foundations of American Citizenship
Read Janda, Chp.4
B. A Well-informed Citizenry, the Mass Media 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
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, snow 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 much 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. The test is tentatively scheduled for February 11, 2009.
Exam Two: Exam two will cover the remaining portions of Part I on the class outline above. It may also cover Part II in its entirety. The test is presently scheduled for March 18, 2009.
Exam Three: Exam three should cover the remaining portions of Part II and Part III. The test is presently scheduled for April 29, 2009. After returning the exam, we will seek to cover any remaining portions of the course that we have not yet covered.
Final Exam: May 9, 2009 at 3:45pm. Location will be announced in class.
Miscellaneous Information
January 12: First Day of Class
January 19: Dr. Martin Luther King day (no class)
February 16: President’s Day (no class)
March 23-27: Spring Break (no class)
April 10: Spring Holiday
April 15: Public Affairs Project Due (and your income taxes!)
May 1: Last Day to Drop
May 8: Study Day
May 9: Final Exam (Saturday)
GOOD LUCK!!!
[RETURN TO DR.DENNIS HICKEY'S HOMEPAGE]