PSC 201: American Government, Syllabus.

Revised 20 Aug. '08 with new HC attendance and special needs notices, by Dr. Jeremy Lewis,

PURPOSE:

Catalog description for 201: The fundamental principles of American government, the framing of the US Constitution; the basic structure and functions of the federal legislature, executive and judiciary; the articulation of public opinion via interest groups and parties to political leaders and legislation.

Learning Objectives, at the introductory level:

Knowledge of the federal system
Competence in the basic principles of US political theory
Understanding of the process of making the US constitution
Knowledge of the basic legislative process
A brief introduction to US media, public opinion and interest groups
Understanding of parties, campaigns and elections
Introductory knowledge of the three branches of the federal government
Critical thinking about current challenges in politics and policy
Critical thinking about the US governmental system

Expected Outcomes, at the introductory level:

Competent examination essays on the US political and governmental system
Competent examination essays on formal and informal US institutions
Competent examination essays on principles of US government
Competent examination essays on the historical and current challenges in US institutions
Critical discussion of the historical and contemporary challenges in US politics and government

We will examine the design of the US Constitution and the intent of the Framers, then move forward to consideration of the modern functioning of interest groups and public opinion, the three branches of the federal government, the method of their election or appointment, and the results of their work in public policy. We will discuss controversial or topical issues, such as a military action or national election, even where this postpones part of the syllabus.

We will contrast the presidential system with the more common prime ministerial system, and US policies with Western European social democratic states. We may enjoy some multimedia and World Wide Web materials (equipment and time permitting) and may invite guest speakers to class or to extra-curricular evening events. (Note that although we will attempt to balance speakers from different parties, we cannot guarantee their availability.)

The Janda text focuses on the dilemmas of democracy: freedom versus order and equality versus freedom. The Challenge of Democracy, is one of the leading American Government texts on the market, and takes an up to date approach. Students seem to enjoy its provocative treatment of the democratic dilemmas, its applying normative theories of politics, and its exploring comparisons between the U.S. and other countries. It also has more references to websites than any other text in my comparison.

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

There will be a loose rhythm for each topic (except where current affairs intrude): we shall generally first discuss the principles in Janda's Challenge; then explore Janda's data charts or Serow's Polity readings; and then hold further discussion of Serow or Curtis' Greats readings, current affairs or watch a brief video documentary.
1. Main text: Janda, Berry and Goldman, Challenge of Democracy, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin). A leading text: provocative, lively, theoretical -- and now with online supplements.
2. Selected chapters from our companion anthologies, shared among PSC courses:

Serow, Shannon and Ladd, The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity Baltimore, MD: Lanahan. Inexpensive anthology of brief, classic readings. We shall read most of these, matching each section to a chapter of Challenge.

Michael Curtis (ed) The Great Political Theories, Volumes I and II. From this a few selections are chosen for each PSC course. These readings are brief excerpts of the Greats; find each one via the Index and don't forget to read the editor's introduction to each chapter for a fine explanation of the readings in context.

3. Current Affairs: order US News at a low discount for the class. This will provide ammunition for you in answering questions about current affairs that occur during the term. For the magazines you supply me a mailing address to which the magazine will bill you directly.

Behavior: you are expected to comply with the HC Honor Code and with specific rules placed on our Requirements page above.

HC Attendance Policy:

"All students are required to attend, at a minimum, 75% of the meetings of every class in which they are enrolled. Individual faculty may set more stringent attendance policies. Failure to meet minimum attendance requirements will result in a failing grade.
Students are expected to arrive for class on time.
Students are expected to provide adequate notification of expected absences, and to make up missed work or examinations according to the faculty member’s criteria."

Accommodation of Special Needs, HC notice, from August 2008:
Faculty at Huntingdon College make every effort to accommodate unique and special needs of students with respect to speech, hearing, vision, seating, or other possible adaptions. Please notify the Disability Services Intake Coordinator, Ms. Camilla Irvin, as soon as possible of requested accommodations.