AMERICAN GOVERNMENT I:
NATIONAL AND LOCAL
AMST 205—Fall 2007
Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D. Course Room No.: S17-229
Class UTH: 11:00-11:50 [Ramadan—10:50-11:30] INTERNET: cscpo@arts.uob.bh
Office Hours: By appointment only Office No.: S17-263
VOICE: 17438775 (W) 17729091 (H)
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.
Grading
Scale: 93-100=A; 90-92=A-; 88-89=B+; 83-87=B;
80-82=B-; 78-79=C+; 73-77=C; 70-72=C-; 68-69=D+; 63-67=D; 60-62=D-; 0-59=F
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. If your unexcused absences exceed 25% of the
total number of lectures of the course in this semester, you will be
automatically withdrawn from the course and be given a grade of (WF) which will
be counted towards your GPA. 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.
* 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.
Cell
Phone Policy: TURN OFF all cell phones during
class. Any student whose cell phone
rings, sounds alarm, or makes any noise whatsoever during class must immediately
leave the classroom for that day. This
policy applies to any electronic device students carry with them.
Required Texts:
Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay.
1787/2003. The Federalist Papers. Introduction and Notes by Charles R.
Kesler. Edited by Clinton Rossiter. New York: Signet Classic. [ISBN: 0-451-52881-6]
Ketcham, Ralph, ed.
1787-8/2003. The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention
Debates. New
York: Signet
Classic. [ISBN 0-451-52884-0]
InfoUSA: Information USA [CD-ROM].
2007-2008. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International
Information Programs. [Supplied by
professor.]
Sept. 16: Introduction to American National Government: What Is Politics? [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Sept. 18: The Declaration of Independence (1776) [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]: The Declaration of Independence
Sept. 20: The First U.S. Constitution [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Articles of Confederation (1777-1788) [Print from the AMST 205 class website @ http://userspages.uob.edu.bh/cscpo/amst205.htm]
Sept. 23: The Second U.S. Constitution:
An Enduring Document (1787-Present)
[Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]: The U.S. Constitution
Sept. 25: The Second
U.S. Constitution: An Enduring Document
(1787-Present) [Ramadan—10:50-11:30] — Guest lecture by Fulbright
Scholar Dr. Scott Catino
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]: The U.S. Constitution
Sept. 27: [Last day for dropping courses]
Sept. 27: Need for More
Energetic Central Government I [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: John
Dewitt # I & II vs. Federalist # 1-5, 11, 15, 21-22
Sept. 30-Nov. 22: Withdrawal Period with (W)
Sept. 30: Need for More Energetic Central Government II [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Patrick
Henry (6/5/1788 & 6/7/1788) vs. Federalist # 23, 36, 70-71, 72, 77
Oct. 2: Nature of Democracy
[Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Patrick
Henry (6/5/1788), Pennsylvania Minority & Brutus # I vs. Federalist # 10,
14, 21, 48-50, 55, 58
Oct. 4: Dangers from
War Between the States [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer I & II & Amendments Proposed by the Massachusetts Convention (2/7/1788) vs. Federalist # 6-7
Oct. 7: Responsibility
and Checks in Self-Government [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Centinel
# I vs. Federalist # 10, 48, 51, 62, 66
Oct. 9: Controlling
the Effects of Faction [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Patrick
Henry (6/5/1788) &
Melancton Smith (6/25/1788) vs. Federalist # 10, 15, 21, 51, 59
Oct. 11: The Judiciary [Ramadan—10:50-11:30]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
#XI, XII, XV vs. Federalist # 78-83
Oct. 13-15: Eid Al-Fitr
holidays 1428—[no classes]
Oct. 16: Federalism
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer # I vs. Federalist # 9-10, 31, 39, 45-46
Oct. 18: Extent of Union & States' Rights
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Pennsylvania
Minority & Brutus # I vs. Federalist # 10, 32-33, 35-36, 39, 45-46, 84
Oct. 21: Nature and Powers of the Union
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Patrick
Henry 6/5/1788 vs.
Federalist # 1, 3, 23, 14-16, 36
Oct. 23: Separation of Powers
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Centinel
# I, Pennsylvania Minority, Brutus XVI, & Additions Proposed by the Virginia
Convention vs. Federalist # 9, 37, 47-51,
66, 75, 78
Oct. 25: Government Resting on the People — Guest
lecture by Fulbright Scholar Dr. Scott Catino
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: John
DeWitt # III vs. Federalist # 23, 39-40, 49, 78
Oct. 28: Government Resting on the People
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: John
DeWitt # III vs. Federalist # 23, 39-40, 49, 78
Oct. 30: Regulating Elections
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Cato #
VII & Amendments Proposed By the Rhode Island Convention (3/6/1790) vs. Federalist # 52-53, 59-61
Nov. 1: Probable Success of Representation in House
of Representatives
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Melancton
Smith, 6/20-27/1788 vs. Federalist # 52-58
Nov. 4: Probable Success of Representation in the
Senate
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Melancton
Smith, 6/20-27/1788 vs. Federalist # 62-66
Nov. 6: Effective Representation in the House of
Representatives
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
IV vs. Federalist # 52-59, 75
Nov. 8: Midterm Exam
Nov. 11-15: Mid-Semester
break holiday—[no classes]
Nov. 18: Effective Representation in the Senate
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
XVI vs. Federalist # 39, 44-45, 59, 62-63, 65
Nov. 20: Executive Power
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Cato #
V vs. Federalist # 8, 48, 51, 67, 70, 75, 78
Nov. 22: Election of the President I
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer # I vs. Federalist # 68-72
Nov. 25: Election of the President II — Guest lecture
by Fulbright Scholar Dr. Scott Catino
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer # II vs. Federalist # 73-77
Nov. 27: Necessity of a Consolidated Union
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer # I vs. Federalist # 8, 10, 14, 35-36
Nov. 29: Balance Between States and Federal Government
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Federal
Farmer # II vs. Federalist 11-13
Dec. 2: Balance
Between States and Federal Government
Film: The Constitution — That Delicate Balance (VHS – 13) “Federalism - Government vs. the State”
Dec. 4: Defense, Standing Armies
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
# X vs. Federalist # 8, 16, 24-29, 41, 85
Dec. 6: Confederation or Republic
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Pennsylvania Minority vs. Federalist 9, 14, 17-20, 24
Dec. 9: Taxation
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
I, VI, XI & Pennsylvania Minority vs. Federalist 21-23, 30-36
Dec. 11: Slaves and the Slave Trade
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Slavery
and the Constitution, Cato # V, Amendments Proposed By the Rhode Island
Convention, Brutus # IV & Melancton
Smith (6/20/1788) vs. Federalist # 42, 54-55
Dec. 13: Slaves and the Slave Trade — Guest lecture by
Fulbright Scholar Dr. Scott Catino
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Slavery
and the Constitution, Cato # V, Amendments Proposed By the Rhode Island
Convention, Brutus # IV & Melancton
Smith (6/20/1788) vs. Federalist # 42, 54-55
Dec. 16-17: National Day of Bahrain holidays—[no classes]
Dec. 18: Slaves and the Slave Trade
Film:
Biography of America
(VHS – 13) “Slavery/The Coming of the Civil War”
Dec. 19: Arafh holiday—[no classes]
Dec. 20-22: Eid Al-Adha holidays 1428—[no classes]
Dec. 23: Balancing Stability & Energy of a
Republican Form of Government [Research
Papers Due]
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Melancton
Smith (6/20-27/1788) vs. Federalist # 37-40, 62-63
Dec. 25: Security Against Foreign Dangers
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Patrick
Henry (6/5/1788 & 6/7/1788) vs. Federalist # 2-3, 5, 22, 41-44, 55, 68
Dec. 27: Security
Against Foreign Dangers [Last Day for
In-Class Presentations]
Film: The Constitution—That Delicate Balance (VHS – 13)
“National Security and Freedom of the Press”
Dec. 30: Security Against Foreign Dangers
Film: The Constitution—That Delicate Balance (VHS – 13)
“National Security and Freedom of the Press”
Jan. 1, 2008: New Year’s holiday—[no classes]
Jan. 3, 2008: Need for a
Bill of Rights
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: John
DeWitt # II, Centinel # I, Pennsylvania Minority, Federal Farmer II &
Additions Proposed By the Virginia
Convention vs. James Wilson 10/6/1787 & Federalist # 24, 26, 38, 84-85
Jan. 6: Need for a Bill of Rights
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: John
DeWitt # II, Centinel # I, Pennsylvania Minority, Federal Farmer II &
Additions Proposed By the Virginia
Convention vs. James Wilson 10/6/1787 & Federalist # 24, 26, 38, 84-85
Jan. 8: An Appeal to Reason, Patriotism, &
Greatness
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
# I & Articles of Confederation vs. Federalist # 1, 85 & The
Constitution of the United States of America
Jan. 10: Al-Hijra New Year holiday 1429—[no classes]
Jan. 13: An Appeal to Reason, Patriotism, &
Greatness
Readings: Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. & Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay: Brutus
# I & Articles of Confederation vs. Federalist # 1, 85 & The
Constitution of the United States of America
Jan. 15: Ratification of the Constitution
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]: The U.S. Constitution
Jan. 17: Last day of classes; Conclusion & Review
Readings: Information USA [CD-ROM]: The U.S. Constitution
Jan. 19-20, 2008: Ashura Holiday
Jan. 26,
2008: Final Exam
11:30-13:30
Feb. 3, 2008: Last day for submitting first semester’s
grades
Feb. 1-Feb. 23,
2008: Inter-semester
Break [Holidays]