Honors
1100.301
The
University of Memphis
© 2001
Doug Imig
Fall 2001 Tuesdays,
9:40-11:05 CL 435
Instructor: Doug Imig, Ph.D.
Office: 427B
Clement
678-3369
http://www.people.memphis.edu/~dimig/
Office Hours: Monday
3-4:30 pm.
Tuesday
4-5:30 pm.
·
I am glad to schedule appointments at more convenient
times, and will try to respond promptly to all e-mail and phone messages.
This course is designed
to introduce the institutions and processes that contribute to political
decision making in the United States. Given the amount of material to cover, we
concentrate almost exclusively on the national government (although a number of
sections – including federalism, public policy, and political socialization –
touch on issues of state and local government). In this examination of American
politics we will evaluate the goals of participants in the
policy-making process, the rules that govern their behavior, and
the context in which they make decisions.
The course is organized
around four basic concerns of the American political system. First, we discuss
formal and theoretical aspects of the construction of the American state,
including the central role of constitutionalism, capitalism, democracy, and
federalism in our form of government. Second, we consider the importance of
participation in American politics, including the ways that public opinion is
formed and translated into political action through voting and electoral
behavior, through parties, the media, and political interest groups. Third, we
evaluate the role of formal institutions in American politics, including
Congress, the Bureaucracy, Presidency and the Courts. Finally, we will discuss
how all of these pieces fit together by examining the processes of social,
economic and foreign policy making.
The course will be
structured around both short lectures and class discussions. Lectures and
discussions expand upon the points raised in the readings. They seldom overlap.
Materials covered in class as well as all of the assigned readings will be
covered on the exams. Please raise questions about both the readings and
lectures in class and during office hours.
Requirements for the Course
This course will demand
careful preparation and regular participation.
All students are responsible for taking part in – and leading – vigorous
class discussions based on the topics and readings. A significant proportion of the course grade will be based on
your participation and preparation.
·
There will be a
one-hour in-class midterm exam: worth 30 percent of the final grade.
· There will be a two-hour final exam covering key
concepts developed in the course. This
essay exam will be held during the posted exam period. We will review sample exam topics and
questions several weeks before the exam is scheduled: The final is worth 30
percent of the final grade.
· Each student will write a ten page research paper.
(The specific topic for the paper will be discussed in class.) Papers will be
typewritten, double spaced, and free of typographical errors. (Papers may deviate from the page
requirement only with my permission).
Citations will follow standard Political Science (APA) style (c.f.: the APSA Style Manual, or the Chicago Manual of Style). Do not use covers or bindings of any
kind. Begin with a cover sheet
including relevant identifying information, and staple papers once in the upper
left corner. The paper is worth 30 percent of the final grade.
· Finally, all students are required to be active
informed participants in class. Class participation is worth 10 percent of
the final grade.
Readings for the Course
The following text is required:
Janda, Berry and Goldman. 2002. The Challenge of Democracy.
Seventh Edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Suggested Readings:
Shafritz and Weinberg. 2000. Classics in American Government. Second
Edition. New York: Harcourt Brace.
American Political Science Association. A Style Manual for Political
Science.
Strunk and White. The Elements of Style.
Important Notes:
This syllabus is a guide rather than a contract. As the
semester progresses we may devote more time to certain subjects than they are
allotted in the syllabus. Similarly,
there may also be additional articles and other assignments added because of
their relevance.
Plus/Minus Grading
Scale: This course will employ
the plus/minus grading scale.
Cheating and
Plagiarism: As outlined in the Student Handbook, “cheating” and
“plagiarism” will result in severe disciplinary action on the part of the
instructor. Either offense will be
grounds for receiving an “F” on the assignment or examination and possibly an
“F” for the course, depending on the severity of the offense.
Students with
disabilities: The University
encourages the full participation of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are invited to
meet individually with the instructor to discuss special accommodations that
may be needed for successful participation in this course.
Inclement Weather: In the event that inclement weather requires the
cancellation of class at the University of Memphis, local radio and television
media will be immediately notified.
Additionally, the U of M has established an Inclement Weather Hotline at
678-0888.
Class Schedule
Week of: Discussion
topic and reading assignment:
August 28 Introduction to the Course and to the field
of American Politics
Distribution
of syllabi
(Chpts. 1 –2)
September 4 The Constitutional Context:
Chpt: 3
September 11 Civil Liberties and Civil
Rights
Chpt. 15 – 16
September 18 Federalism:
Chpt: 4
September 25 Public Opinion
Chpt. 5
October 2 The Media
Chpt. 6
October 9 FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
October 11 Political
Participation
Chpt. 7
October 16 Political Parties
Chpt.
8
October 23 Elections and Campaigns
Chpt.
9
October 30 Interest Groups
Chpt. 10
Ř Paper
Proposals Due
November 6 Congress
Chpt. 11
November 13 The Presidency
Chpt.
12
November 20 The Bureaucracy
Chpt. 13
November 22 THANKSGIVING
BREAK – No Class
November 27 The Courts
Chpt. 14
December 4 Policymaking
Chpt. 17
Ř (brief)
Review for Exam
Ř (Papers
Due in Class)
December 11 Final Exam – 10:30 – 12:30 a.m.