Introduction to the American Political System
Recitation Section 113 Recitation Section 115
Wednesday 8 am, Ketchum 301 Wednesday 10 am, Ketchum 119
Instructor: Augie Ruckdeschel Office Hrs: T 10:30-11:30, Th 9-10 & 11-12
Office: Ketchum 23B & by Appt.
Email: Office Phone: 303-492-8587
Goal: The goal of this course is to introduce you to institutions, processes, actors, and behaviors which comprise the American political system as well as to engage you in critical thinking regarding the nature and quality of American democracy. An implicit goal is to build and improve your skills in the communication of your critical thinking related to these topics. In this regard, recitation complements these course goals. I fully believe that learning is an interactive undertaking. As such, recitations will occur largely in a discussion-based format focused upon the course themes. Active participation in these discussions is required. A conscious effort will be made to relate the institutions and theories presented in lecture to current developments in the American political scene. As such, reading a daily newspaper, tracking political developments online or watching televised news programs are highly recommended.
Grade Distribution: 20% of the PSCI 1101 course grade is reserved for work in recitation. The recitation grade is distributed as follows:
5% of Grade: Attendance/Participation
Once the recitation roster is set, attendance in recitation is required. Missing more than 5 recitations will automatically fail this portion of your recitation grade. Participation and communication during class discussions is also critical to success in recitations.
5% of Grade: Quizzes
From time to time, students will be given quizzes at the beginning of recitation. You should expect roughly 3-5 quizzes over the course of the semester. Generally speaking, quizzes will cover lecture or recitation readings required that week. They will usually be multiple choice or short answer responses.
10% of Grade: Written Assignments
Every week that a Rourke reading is required in the lecture/recitation syllabus, you will be asked to hand in a one paragraph response to that chapter’s topic. The pieces, arguing various sides of a given political issue, come from recent journals, congressional hearings, think tanks, and periodicals.In your response, you should choose the argument you find more convincing and tell me why. In addition, you will be asked to draft a two page response paper (500 words) to 3 topics of your choosing. These longer papers will substitute for your normal paragraph response papers. These longer responses should focus on your personal analysis of the issue and it should not merely summarize the author’s arguments. Outside sources can be referenced for these projects but they are not necessary to complete the assignment. If outside sources are brought into the discussion, please be sure to cite properly and accurately!
Course Outline
The outline below is tentative; students will be responsible for any changes I announce in class or send via email. The readings assigned to a particular date will be discussed in class on that day.
· Jan. 16th: Introduction – Hand out syllabus
· Jan. 23rd: Read James Madison Federalist No. 10 & No. 51.
· Jan. 30th: Read the article We Need a New Constitution by Larry Sabato (Los Angeles Times) and the review of his book by Jeremy Dibbell, Proposing Constitutional Change, at http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/campaign-reform/15580/proposing-constitutional-change/
· Feb. 6th: Read Rourke Chapter 2. Response Paper Due.
· Feb. 13th: Read Rourke Chapter 5. Response Paper Due.
· Feb. 20th: To be determined…
· Feb. 27th: Read Rourke Chapter 8. Response Paper Due.
· March 5th: Read Incumbency, Redistricting, and the Decline of Competition in U.S. House Elections by Alan Abramowitz, Brad Alexander, and Matthew Gunning
· March 12th: Read Rourke Chapter 10. Response Paper Due.
· March 19th: Read Rourke Chapter 11. Response Paper Due.
· March 26th: No Class – Spring Break
· April 2nd: Read Rourke Chapter 13. Response Paper Due.
· April 9th: Read Rourke Chapter 14. Response Paper Due.
· April 16th: Read Rourke Chapter 3 or 16. Response Paper Due.
· April 23rd: Read Vote Against Banner Shows Divide on Speech in Schools and Justices to Decide on Right to Keep Handgun in NY Times by Linda Greenhouse.
· April 30th: Read Rourke Chapter 23. Response Paper Due.
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at: www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. See full details at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
A comprehensive calendar of the religious holidays most commonly observed by
CU-Boulder students is at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See polices at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
and at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment (http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html) the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/odh
The Boulder campus has a student Honor Code and individual faculty members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with its tenets and procedures. The Honor Council recommended syllabus statement: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council
(; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/