American Government 100 Spr’ 2012 Ricardo Salas, Instructor Tues:7p-9:50p
Office Hr: Tues5p-6:50p, Rm1320-05, Sec# 20715
Ph (714) 992-7525 Rm 1440
Website:
SYLLABUS
Two books are required for American Government 100, Thomas Patterson's, “American Government: Special Edition for Fullerton College” and Peter Woll's "AmericanGovernment: ReadingsCases" (Nineteenth Edition). There is a study guide that students can download from my website or check out at the reserve section of the library. Patterson’s Special Edition was created to save student’s money. It will only be available at the Fullerton College Bookstore. The Chapters in Patterson’s Special Edition are taken from the more comprehensive 9th Edition, “We the People: A Concise Intro to American Politics”
SAVE MONEY ON BOOKS: The Patterson “Special Edition” (hard copy) is from “We the People,” Ninth Edition. Students can purchase an “E” book at CourseSmart. I strongly recommend to students to use the 9th ed., not older editions. The Woll book is a different story. Students can use older editions of Woll, though the pages will be different. Just compare the reading assignments identified in the syllabus and compare them with an older edition being considered for purchase.
Go to CourseSmart on the Net at & save money.
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the American political system which includes political theory, Constitutional law, the three branches of government, and the historical forces that impacted its development.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOAs): At the conclusion of this course students will be able to
1. Understand the theories and philosophical principles that were used to establish the American political system.
2. Apply those theories and philosophical principles to the evolution of the American political system.
3. Become familiar with the workings of the three major branches of government, the role of interest groups, and public policy outcomes.
4. Identify some of the critical periods in the evolution of the American political system.
Final grades will be tabulated based on the following:
Examination 125%Feb. 14
" 225%Mar.20
" 325%Apr. 24
" 425%May 22
Comprehensive Ex25%Replaces exam with poorest grade.
Examinations
There will be 4 examinations throughout the semester (excluding the Make-up Examination). To take an examination requires a Scantron Form 883E and a number 2 pencil with an eraser. Each exam will be comprised of 50 questions, created from the reading assignments and your study guides which include 15 True/False, 15 Multiple Choice, 10 Definitions, and 10 Fill-in questions. Students will be given 50 minutes to complete each of the exams.
Students cannot use notes, dictionaries, or any other device, paper or electronic during an examination. Failure to adhere to the rules during an examination (and during the semester) will result in penalties being applied to the final grade.
No late examinations are given. If a student misses an examination on the scheduled day and time or receives a score that is unsatisfactory, he/she can take the Make-up examination.
Comprehensive Examination
If a student does poorly on an examination or misses an examination entirely, a comprehensive examination will be provided on the last day of classes, with the first hour devoted to taking this exam. The comprehensive replaces the worse score for any of the first three exams. Questions for the comprehensive will come from the course material in the Study Guides Parts I thru III. It will be designed exactly like the previous 3 exams with 50 questions. The comprehensive will require an additional Scantron Form 883E that will be provided by those students taking it and will be given to the instructor after 3rd exam. Failure to provide the instructor with an additional Scantron form prior to the day stipulated by the instructor will result in the student not being allowed to take the comprehensive examination.
SCANTRON FORM 883e
Students must submit the 4 Scantron forms prior to the first exam. Any student who does not submit the 4 Scantron Forms prior to the first test will be dropped from the class. Scantron Forms will not be accepted in class on the day of the first exam. Donot write your name on the Scantron Forms.
STUDY GUIDE
At my website, students will download a Study Guidewhere questions have been created from the assigned reading material. Answering these questions will prepare students for each of the four exams, including the Make-up exam.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
A student is allowed 6 tardies or 2 absences before being penalized. If a student needs to leave class early, notify the instructor prior to class (unless there is an emergency). Early exits will count as an absence. After the sixth tardy a student will receive a 1% deduction for each additional tardy. After the Second absence, a student will receive a 3% deduction for each
additional absence from their overall grade.
If a student arrives 20 minutes late to class, the student will be counted as absent.
The last day to drop classes is May 6. Any student intending to drop a class at Fullerton College must do so on the "internet" up until May 6 to receive a "W" on his/her transcript. Not following this procedure will result in a student receiving an "F" on his/her transcript.
Lap Top Computers, Cel Phones & other electronic devices
During a regular class lecture, cel phones, computers, Ipods & other electronic devices will remain off. A student who violates the policy will be dismissed from the class and be counted as absent for that day. If the student continues to violate the policy, he/she will be dropped from the class. During an examination, if a student views a cel phone, the student will receive a zero per cent for their exam score.
Talking during an examination/looking at another student's examination will result in a zero grade and an immediate report to the disciplinary dean. All questions during a test are to be directed to the instructor by raising your hand.
SEATING CHART
The instructor will assign a seating chart at the beginning of the semester. If a student has a physical disability, notify the instructor with proper documentation so that he can make an accommodation. In the end, it is up to the instructor's discretion to determine where a student sits. Any student who refuses to sit where the instructor has designated, will be dropped from the class.
Respect Fellow Students & Instructor
Students are required to be respectful of their fellow students and the instructor. If a student/students talk without otherwise receiving acknowledgement from the instructor, the cited
student/students will be asked to leave. If the student refuses to leave, the instructor will drop the student/students from the class.
Academic Honesty Policy
Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates a mastery of the required assignments to determine their legitimate grades. Such standards are founded on basic concepts of integrity and honesty.
Any violation of the Academic Honesty Policy will result in a student receiving an "F" grade and a report will be submitted to the proper authorities at Fullerton College.
Jan. 24Introduction: An Overview of the Course
Woll, pgs 3-9. Locke, "2nd Treatise of Civil Govt."
Patterson pgs. 1-23, "American Pol. Culture."
31Patterson, pgs. 26-41, "Constitutional Democracy."
Woll, pgs. 41-46. Madison's, Fed. 47, 48, 51
Patterson, pgs. 41-62, "Protecting Liberty."
Woll, pgs. 46-50. Tribe & Dorf, "How Not to Read the Constitution."
Woll, pgs. 52-57. Federalism, Fed. 16,17
Feb. 7Patterson, pgs. 66-79, "Federalism."
Woll, pgs. 66-71. Madison's "Fed 39."
Patterson, pgs. 79-101, "Dual Fedealism."
Woll, pgs. 74-78. "McCulloch v Maryland"
Preparation for Examination 1
14 Examination 1 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
21Patterson, pgs. 488-502, "Fed Judicial System"
Woll, pgs. 357-362, Hamilton's Fed. 78
Patterson, pgs. 502-521, "Personal Backgrounds of Judicial Appointees."
28 Patterson, pgs. 105-125, "Civil Liberties."
Woll, pgs. 103-115. "Civil Liberties (Gideon v. Wainwright)."
Patterson, pgs. 125-145, "Right of Privacy."
Mar. 6Woll, pgs. 141-148. Religious Freedom, "Engel v Vitale (1962)"
Woll, pgs. 154-164. Abortion,"Roe v Wade" (1973).
Patterson, pgs. 149-160, "Equal Rights."
13Patterson, pgs. 160-174, "Native Americans."
Woll, pgs. 130-137. "Brown v Board of Education"
Patterson, pgs. 175-185, "Native Americans"
Preparation for Examination 2
20Examination 2 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
27Patterson, pgs. 366-379, "Congress." Woll, 311-320, "Congress." Madison's Fed. 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63
Patterson, pgs. 379-389, "Party Leadership in Congress."
Patterson, pgs. 389-407, "How A Bill Becomes Law"
Spring Break April 2-6
Apr.10Woll, pgs. 325-331. Fiorina, "Rise of the Washington Establishment."
Woll, pgs. 332-336. Dodd, "Congress & the Quest for Power."
Patterson, pgs. 411-426, "The Presidency."
Woll, pgs. 267-272. Rossiter, "The Presidency--Focus of Leadership."
17Patterson, pgs. 426-449, "Media & Money."
Patterson, pgs. 329-361, "The News Media."
Preparation for Examination 3
24Examination 3 (Bring a No. 2 Pencil)
May 1Patterson, pgs. 223-234, "Political Participation."
Woll, pgs. 182-185 . Schattschneider, "Party Government."
Patterson, pgs. 235-246, "Conventional Forms ..."
May 6 is the last day to drop classes!
8Patterson, pgs. 293-306, "Interest Groups."
Woll, pgs. 177-182. Madison's Fed. 10
Patterson, pgs. 307-325, "Inside Lobbying."
Woll, 248-256. Sabato, "Misplaced Obsession-PACs."
15Patterson, pgs. 525-545, "Economic & Environmental Policy."
Patterson, pgs. 546-559, "Fiscal Policy."
Patterson, pgs. 563-581, "Social Welfare & Education Policy."
Preparation for Examination 4 (Finals begin Dec.6 & end Dec. 16)
May22Exam 4 Begins at 7p to 7:50p.
Comprehensive Exam begins at 8p to 8:50p
Bring a No. 2 pencil.
SCALE FOR DETERMINING GRADES
A90% to 100%
B80% to 89%
C62% to 79%
D50% to 61%
F 0% to 49%
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