AMERICAN NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT
Bluefield State
College
POSC 200—SPRING 2013
CRN: 20200
Section: 002
Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D. Course Room No.: B104
Class MWF: 2:00-2:50 (14:00-14:50) INTERNET:
ccavell@bluefieldstate.edu
Office Hours: TBA Office No.: B120
VOICE: 304.327.4034 (W) 512-924-2364 (M)
Survey of the American political system,
with emphasis on the Constitution, governmental structure, the political
process and selected policy outcomes.
Grading
Policy: 20% for Attendance*; 20% for the Class
Presentation; 20% for the Midterm Exam; 20% for the Research Paper; and 20% for
the Final Exam. A Guidelines sheet will be distributed outlining the
requirements for your Class Presentation and for your Research Paper.
Grading
Scale: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D; 0-59=F. These numerical scores correspond to the
following evaluations: “A” = Excellent;
“B” = Good; “C” = Satisfactory (NOTE: A
grade of “C” or better is required in major courses); “D” = Poor (passing,
except in major courses); “F” = Earned Failure (removed only by repeating the
course; upon successfully passing the course, the first grade is “excluded”
from grade point average. The second
grade is “included” in the recalculation of the grade point average); and “I” =
Incomplete.
Learning
Outcomes: Upon completion of POSC 200, students should
be able to read and provide an immanent critique of texts; to articulate
arguments and examine their flaws; be familiar with the basics of logical,
ethical, and dialectical reasoning; be familiar with essays, both pro and con,
regarding the 1787 US Constitution; understand the reasoning behind the
separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers in the US Constitution;
understand the reasoning behind the idea of checks and balances in the US
Constitution; be familiar with characters associated with and the culture and
history of the US republic; be familiar with the constitutional history of the
US experiment in self-government; understand the differences between a secular
and theistic form of living; understand the historical evolution of human
culture, including struggles over rights and responsibilities; be familiar with
the horrendous tragedies as well as accomplishments of the US experiment in
self-government; empathize with the plight of the European Pilgrims, the Native
Americans, the enslaved Africans, women, et al. who struggled to overcome
adversity in their quest for freedom; understand the effects of race, gender,
class and other divisions on society and the effect of constitutional
provisions to either enhance or dissipate such divisions; articulate some
conception of human freedom and adopt a stance towards it; and be able to
envision a defensible future.
Academic
Integrity Policy: Academic
integrity is expected of all students. This means that all work for this class
must be undertaken and completed by you alone without collaboration from
others. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or
cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged
with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed.
The full text of the BSC Academic Honesty Policy can be found at: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/academics/academic-honesty-and-proctoring.
In addition, students should be aware that research paper assignments may be
submitted to Turnitin by the instructor for the purpose of checking for
possible plagiarism. Submitted assignments will be included in the BSC
dedicated database of assignments at Turnitin and will be used solely for the
purpose of checking for possible plagiarism during the grading process during
this term and in the future.
Attendance
Policy*: Attendance in class is mandatory. It is the student’s responsibility to sign
the attendance sheet each day of class; failure to sign the attendance
sheet—even if in attendance—will be counted as an absence. “When the number of clock hours of willful
absences exceeds the number of semester
hours of credit, the instructor will notify the Registrar that the student has
exceeded the permissible number of absences and should be withdrawn from class.”
Students with Excused Absences
must submit to me a hard copy of the campus publication The Bulletin announcing your allowed absence in order to get credit
for the day(s) of your absence. “It is
the responsibility of the student to…provide supporting documents for
institutional and unavoidable absences” (Bluefield
State College Academic Catalog 2012-2014, p. 55). As well, you are expected to follow the
syllabus and accordingly be prepared for each day’s class. This means that you must read the
pre-assigned readings before class so that you will be prepared to discuss and
debate in class the subject matter scheduled for that day and answer questions
related to the issues being covered. NOTE: TURN OFF all cell phones during class.
* Absence from class may be made up by preparing a two-page, typed (i.e. using maximum 12 point font size and maximum
double-spaced text with one-inch margin on all sides), summary on the missed material scheduled to be covered the
day(s) of your absence. The summary must
be in your own words and must not be copied material from the text(s),
the internet, or any other source(s). All
summaries must be turned in to me by the last day of classes if you want
credit for your absences.
Withdrawal
Policy: Academic
Withdrawal from the course prior to the deadline date for withdrawal as
published within the academic calendar is accomplished by securing a change in
schedule form and having it signed by appropriate persons. Blank copies of the change in schedule form
are available in the offices of the Registrar, the Vice President for Academic
Affairs, the Dean and the advisor. After
obtaining the required signatures, the student must submit, prior to the
deadline date, the change in schedule form to the Office of the Registrar.
Disability
Services Statement: BSC is committed to full inclusion of all
students. Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require
classroom, equipment, testing or assignment accommodations should contact the
Student Support Services at 304.327.4227 to request accommodations before the
start of the semester. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is
necessary to assure a positive learning experience.
Free Tutoring Services Available: BSC offers free
online tutoring for all BSC students in the following subjects: Math; Accounting, Managerial; Accounting,
Financial; Writing (all subjects); Grammar; Microeconomics; Macroeconomics;
Statistics; Spanish. Chemistry, etc. This service is free and available 24
hours a day to all BSC students. Go to http://www.smarthinking.com/ and
follow these instructions.
Required Texts:
Greenberg,
Edward S. & Benjamin I. Page. 2013. The
Struggle for Democracy, 2012 Election Edition. New York, NY: Longman. [ISBN-10: 0205909043,
ISBN-13: 9780205909049], 768 pages.
Hamilton,
Alexander, James Madison and John Jay.
1787/2003. The Federalist Papers. New
York: Penguin Books. [ISBN: 9780451528810], 688 pages.
Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. 1787-8/2003. The
Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates. New York: Signet Classic. [ISBN 0-451-52884-0], 480 pages.
***This class
is web-enhanced and students will be able to access supplemental materials on
the BSC BlackBoard website, including chapter outlines, chapter PowerPoint
summaries, etc.***
Jan. 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (College Closed)
Jan. 22: Classes begin for Spring Semester
Jan. 23: Introduction
to United States National Government: Main Themes
Main Themes: Nature of the American political system;
republican governmental type; written constitution; tripartite separation of
powers; role of media and civil society, and formulating governmental policy.
Explain
Syllabus: Go over class requirements,
required books, in-class presentation, research paper, midterm and final exams.
Jan. 25: Democracy and
American Politics
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 1 and (in the
Appendix) The Declaration of Independence; Ketcham, “James Madison to George
Washington”
Jan. 28: Democracy
and American Politics (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 1 and (in the Appendix) The Declaration of
Independence; Ketcham, “James Madison to George Washington”
Jan. 30: The Constitution
Readings: Greenberg
and Page Ch. 2 (including the Constitution) and (in the Appendix) Madison,
Federalist “No. 10”; Ketcham, “The Virginia Plan”
Feb. 1: The Constitution (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 2 (including the Constitution) and (in the
Appendix) Madison, Federalist “No. 10”; Ketcham, “The Virginia Plan”
Feb. 4: Federalism:
States and Nation
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 3 and (in the Appendix) Hamilton, Federalist “No.
78”; Ketcham, “Debate on Representation,” “Debate on Executive Power”
Feb. 6: Federalism:
States and Nation (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 3 and (in the Appendix) Hamilton, Federalist “No.
78”; Ketcham, “Debate on Representation,” “Debate on Executive Power”
Feb. 8: The Structural
Foundations of American Government and Politics
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 4; Ketcham,
“Opposition to Executive Salaries,” “Opposition to a Unitary Executive”
Feb. 11: Public Opinion
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 5; Ketcham, “Electing
Representatives,” “Debate on Method of Electing Senators”
Feb. 13: Public Opinion
(cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 5; Ketcham, “Electing
Representatives,” “Debate on Method of Electing Senators”
Feb. 15: The News Media
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 6; Ketcham, “Debate on
Veto of State Laws,” “The New Jersey Plan,” “Debate on the New Jersey Plan”
Feb. 18: The
News Media (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 6; Ketcham, “Debate on Veto of State Laws,” “The
New Jersey Plan,” “Debate on the New Jersey Plan”
Feb. 20: Interest Groups
and Business Corporations
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 7; Ketcham, “Plan for
National Government,” “Opposition to the New Jersey Plan”
Feb. 22: Social
Movements
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 8 and (in the
Appendix) Madison, Federalist “No. 51”; Ketcham, “Debate on Federalism”
Feb. 25: Social
Movements (cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 8 and (in the
Appendix) Madison, Federalist “No. 51”; Ketcham, “Debate on Federalism”
Feb. 27: Interest
Groups and Business Corporations (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 7; Ketcham, “Plan for National Government,”
“Opposition to the New Jersey Plan”
Mar. 1: Political
Parties
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 9; Ketcham, “Length of
Term in Office for Senators,” “Debate on State Equality in the Senate”
Mar.
4: Political Parties (cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 9; Ketcham, “Length of
Term in Office for Senators,” “Debate on State Equality in the Senate”
Mar. 6: Voting,
Campaigns, and Elections
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 10; Ketcham, “Majority
Rule: The Basic Republican Principle,” “Election and Term of Office of the
National Executive”
Mar. 8: MIDTERM
EXAM [Friday]
Mar. 11: Mid-Semester grades due to Registrar
Mar. 11-15:
Spring Break (No Classes)
Mar. 18: Congress
Readings: Greenberg
and Page Ch. 11; Ketcham, “The Judiciary, the Veto, and Separation of Powers”
Mar. 20: Congress (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 11; Ketcham, “The Judiciary, the Veto, and
Separation of Powers”
Mar. 22: The Presidency
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 12; Ketcham, “Appointment of Judges,” “Method of
Ratification”
Mar. 25: The
Presidency (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 12; Ketcham, “Appointment of Judges,” “Method of
Ratification”
Mar. 27: The
Executive Branch
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 13; Ketcham, “Election of the Executive”
Mar. 29: The
Executive Branch (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 13; Ketcham, “Election of the Executive”
Apr. 1: The
Court
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 14; Ketcham, “First Draft of the Constitution”
Apr. 1-12:
Pre-Registration for Summer & Fall Semester courses
Apr. 3: The Court (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 14; Ketcham, “First Draft of the Constitution”
Apr. 5: Civil
Liberties: The Struggle for Freedom
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 15; Ketcham,
“Qualifications for Suffrage”
Apr. 8: Civil
Liberties: The Struggle for Freedom (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 15; Ketcham, “Qualifications for Suffrage”
Apr. 10: Civil
Liberties: The Struggle for Freedom (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 15; Ketcham, “Qualifications for Suffrage”
Apr. 12:
Last Day to Withdraw from course/college with a grade of "W"
Apr. 12: Civil
Rights: The Struggle for Political Equality
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 16; Ketcham, “Citizenship for Immigrants”
Apr. 15: Civil
Rights: The Struggle for Political Equality (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 16; Ketcham, “Citizenship for Immigrants”
Apr. 17: Civil
Rights: The Struggle for Political Equality (cont’d.)
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 16; Ketcham, “Citizenship for Immigrants”
Apr. 19: The
Budget and Economic Policy
Readings:
Greenberg and Page Ch. 17; Ketcham, “Executive Veto Power”
Apr. 22:
The Budget and Economic Policy (cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 17; Ketcham,
“Executive Veto Power”
Apr. 24:
Social Safety Nets
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 18; Ketcham, “Slavery
and the Constitution”
Apr. 26:
Social Safety Nets (cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 18; Ketcham, “Slavery
and the Constitution”
Apr. 29: Research
Papers Due (Research
Papers must be submitted today)
Assignment: Research Papers Due today. Hand in a hard copy of your Research Papers
to me in class and send me an electronic copy by email as a Microsoft Word
attachment.
May 1: Foreign Policy and National Defense
Readings: Greenberg and Page, Ch. 19 & Appendix,
“The Declaration of Independence,” “The Constitution of the United States”
May 3: In-Class Presentations Due
May 6:
Foreign
Policy and National Defense (cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page, Ch. 19; Ketcham,
“Election and Powers of the President,” “Opposition to the Constitution,”
“Signing the Constitution”
May 8:
Foreign Policy and National Defense
(cont’d.)
Readings: Greenberg and Page, Ch. 19 & Appendix, “The
Federalist Paper No. 10,” “The Federalist Paper No. 51,” “The Federalist Paper
No. 78,” “Presidents and Congresses, 1789-2009”
May 10: Last day of classes. All course work MUST be completed by this
date. No submissions will be accepted
after this date.
Assignment: Complete all readings.
May 13: FINAL
EXAM [Monday]
May 20: Final
grades due to Registrar electronically