AMERICAN GOVERNMENT I
AMST205--Fall 2002
|
Colin
S. Cavell, Ph.D. Class
UT: 13:00-14:15
[Ramadhan—11:40-12:40] Office Hours: By appointment |
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Room No.: S17-229 Office No.: S17-263 PH: (H) 729091, (W) 449999, Ext. 5277 |
Theories
in government that influenced the framers of the US Constitution, Federalism, political
participation, public opinion, the media, political parties and interest groups
at the national and local government levels.
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.
Attendance Policy*: Attendance in class is mandatory. 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.
Required
Texts:
Schroeder, Richard. C. and
Nathan Glick. 1990. An Outline of American Government. Washington, D.C.: United States Information Agency. [Available on the Information USA CD-ROM]
Information USA [CD-ROM]. April 1999.
Washington, D.C.: United States
Information Agency.
Sept. 22: Introduction to American National Government: What Is Politics?
Sept.
24: The Declaration of Independence
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
The Declaration of Independence
Sept. 29: Independence
for Whom? From What? For What?
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
The Declaration of Independence
Oct. 1: The
Constitution: An Enduring Document
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part I, “The Basis of
the American Republic”
Oct. 6: The Constitution:
An Enduring Document
Readings: Handout: Articles of
Confederation; Information USA [CD-ROM]: The U.S. Constitution
Oct. 8: The Constitution:
An Enduring Document
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part I, “Drafting the Constitution,” “Ratification: A New Beginning,” “Benjamin Franklin’s
Rising Sun,” “George Washington As Chairman”
Oct. 13: The Constitution: An Enduring Document
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
The Federalist #10; Schroeder, Part I, “The Constitution As
Supreme Law,” “The Principles of Government,” “Provisions for Amendment”
Oct. 15: The Constitution: An Enduring Document
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part I, “The Bill of Rights,” “Vital Protection for
Individual Liberties,” “The Debate Over Slavery,” “The Federal System”
Oct. 20: Explaining the
Constitution: The Federalist Papers
Readings: Information
USA [CD-ROM]: Schroeder, Part II,
“But What Is Government Itself…,” “A New Kind of Federalism,” “Checks and
Balances”; [Handout] Anti-Federalist
Papers: Letters from the Federal
Farmer to the Republican I, October 8th, 1787
Oct. 22: Explaining the
Constitution: The Federalist Papers
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part II, “Human Nature, Government and Individual Rights”
Oct. 27: Explaining the
Constitution: The Federalist Papers
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
The Federalist #51; Schroeder, Part II, “The Separation of
Powers,” “The Perennial Questions of Politics”
Oct. 29: Explaining the
Constitution: The Federalist Papers
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part II, “The Bill of Rights,” “Government of the United
States” [organizational chart]
Nov. 3: The Executive Branch:
Powers of the Presidency
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part III, “The Chief Magistrate Derives…,” “The Presidency,”
“Presidential Powers,” “Constraints on Presidential Power”
Nov. 5: The Executive Branch:
Powers of the Presidency
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part III, “The Executive Departments,” “The Cabinet,”
“Department of Agriculture,” “Department of Commerce,” “Department of Defense,”
“Department of Education,” “Department of Energy,” “Department of Health and
Human Services,” “Department of Housing and Urban Development,” “Department of
the Interior,” “Department of Justice,” “Department of Labor,” “Department of
State,” “Department of Transportation,” “Department of the Treasury,”
“Department of Veterans Affairs”
Nov. 10: The Executive Branch: Powers of the Presidency [Ramadhan
Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part III, “The Independent Agencies,” “Action,” “Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA),” “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” “The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC),” “The Federal Reserve System,” “The
Federal Trade Commission,” “The General Accounting Office (GAO),” “The General
Services Administration (GSA),” “The Interstate Commerce Commission,” “The
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),” “The National Foundation
on the Arts and the Humanities,” “The National Labor Relations Board,” “The
National Science Foundation (NSF),” “The Office of National Drug Control
Policy,” “The Office of Personnel Management,” “The Peace Corps,” “The
Securities and Exchange Commission,” “The Small Business Administration,” “The
United States Agency for International Development (USAID),” “The United States
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency,” “The United States Information Agency
(USIA),” “The United States Postal Service,” “The National Security Agency
(NSA)” [NOTE: The NSA is not
listed in the text.]
Nov. 12: Midterm Exam [Ramadhan Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Nov. 16-20: Mid-semester break [No classes]
Nov. 24: The Legislative Branch:
The Reach of Congress [Ramadhan
Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part IV, “A Bicameral Congress,” “Qualifications of Members
of Congress”
Nov. 26: The Legislative Branch:
The Reach of Congress [Ramadhan
Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part IV, “Powers of the House and Senate,” “Little
Legislatures,” “Standing, or Permanent, Committees of Congress”
Dec. 1: The
Legislative Branch: The Reach of
Congress [Ramadhan
Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part IV, “Officers of the Congress,” “The Lawmaking Process”
Dec. 3: The
Legislative Branch: The Reach of
Congress [Ramadhan
Schedule—11:40-12:40]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part IV, “Congressional Powers of Investigation,” “Informal
Practices of Congress,” “Oversight Powers of Congress”
Dec. 8: The
Judicial Branch: Interpreting the
Constitution
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
The Federalist #78; Schroeder, Part V, “The Federal Court System”
Dec. 10: The Judicial Branch:
Interpreting the Constitution
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part V, “The Supreme Court”
Dec. 15: The Judicial Branch:
Interpreting the Constitution
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part V, “Court of Appeals and District Courts,” “Special
Courts,” “A Multitude of Governments: A
Picture Profile”
Dec. 17: National Day of Bahrain—holiday; no classes
Dec. 22: A Country of Many Governments
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VI, “Federalism At Work,” “State Government”
Dec. 24: A Country of Many Governments
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VI, “City
Government,” “City Government Organization”
Dec. 29: A
Country of Many Governments
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VI, “County Government,” “Town and Village Government,”
“Other Local Governments,” “Hearing the Voice of the People: Referendums and Initiatives”
Dec. 31: Fundamentals
of American Government
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VII, “The
Democratic Process,” “Citizens’ Groups and Lobbies,” “The Responsibilities of
Citizenship,” “Requirements for Citizenship”
Jan. 5: Fundamentals
of American Government
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VII, “Political Parties,” “The Electoral Process”
Jan. 7, 2003: Fundamentals of American
Government—Last day of class; Review
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]:
Schroeder, Part VII, “Access to Information and Opinion,” “The Measure of
Self-Government”
Jan. 11, 2003: Final Exam 11:30-13:30
Jan. 23, 2003: Last day for
submitting first semester’s grades