Southern Methodist University
Professor Cal Jillson
American Government Spring 2001
Political Science 1320 Office: Collins 215
8:00 to 8:50 MWF Office Hours: 9-11 MWF
Florence Hall 0100 Phone: 84321
Required Text: Cal Jillson, American Government, 1999.
Sara Evans, Born for Liberty, 1997.
John Schwarz, Illusions of Opportunity, 1997.
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in American government and politics. Obviously, American government is a very broad topic; so, our approach must be both selective and general if we are to cover the ground before us. We will confront the course material along four general dimensions:the constitutional origins of American politics, the processes by which citizens become involved in politics, the central institutions of American politics, and the general state of U.S. domestic and international politics. First, we will look at the origins of American politics and political institutions in the Founding Period. Second, we will seek to understand how Americans come by their ideas about politics, how they are mobilized to active political involvement, particularly through the operation of political parties and interest groups. Third, we will want to understand how the governmental process works by exploring the structure and operation of the nation's major political institutions, the Presidency, the Congress, the Courts and the Bureaucracy. And fourth, we will adopt a perspective that stresses the interaction of these institutions and forces as they labor to produce public policies and programs to deal with such complex national problems as urban decay, welfare, energy, defense, and social security reform. Finally, each semester I try to have an additional focus or theme, like race, class, or opportunity. This semester the theme is the role of women in American society and politics from the beginning to the present. My hope is that by the time you finish this course you will have a clear understanding of how American Politics works, who the players are, and how they struggle for advantage. The textbooks explore these major dimensions of American politics in the order outlined below.
Course Expectations:
There will be one midterm (100 points, 20%) and a final exam (200 points, 40%). The final exam, while comprehensive, will draw heavily on the last half of the course. Two short papers (5-7 pages) will be worth (100 points, 20%) each. The exams will be a combination of objective, short answer, and essay questions. Dates upon which these exams will be held are noted in the body of the syllabus. Students with medical or other documented excuses for missing an exam should see me immediately upon their return to class. No early exams will be given.
Scheduled meetings of the class are, as you know, MWF at 8am in room 100 of Florence Hall. The class begins at 8am. Please do not be late. Since lectures and discussions are integral parts of the course, attendance is required and will be monitored. More than three (3) unexcused absences will result in a 20 point grade penalty. More than six (6) will result in dismissal from the course. Two or fewer unexcused absences will merit a 20 point bonus.
Disability Accommodations: If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4563) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. Then you should schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements.
Course Outline:
Introduction to American Politics
Jan. 17, 19 Introduction and Description of the Course.
Jillson, “Preface,” pp. v-viii, 3-5; Evans, “Introduction,” pp. 1-7;
Schwarz, “Prologue,” pp. 9-12, Chap. 1, “The Problem,” pp. 15-21.
The Constitutional Setting of American Politics
Jan. 22 Jillson, Chap. 1, “The Origins of American Political Principles,” pp. 7-29.
Jan. 24 Evans, Chap. 2, “The Women Who Came to North America,” pp. 21-44.
Jan. 26, 29 Jillson, Chap.2, "The Revolution and the Constitution," pp. 31-61. See
also, Appendix A:The Declaration of Independence, Appendix B:
Articles of Confederation, Appendix C: Constitution of the United
States, Appendix D: Federalist Papers.
Jan. 31 Schwarz, Chap. 2, “Voices of the Founders,” pp. 22-40.
Evans, Chap. 3 "But What Have I to do with Politics" pp. 45-66.
Feb. 2 Jillson, Chap.3, “Federalism and American Political Development,”
pp. 110-141;
Feb. 5, 7, 9 Evans, Chap. 4-6, pp. 67-144. These chapters trace the changing role of
women in society, politics, and economics during the 19th-century.
(First essay due Feb. 23)
Parties, Elections, and the Media
Feb. 12, 14 Jillson, Chap. 4, “Political Socialization and Public Opinion,” pp. 101-133.
Schwarz, Chap. 3, “Is There Another Bottom Line,” pp. 41-55.
Feb. 16, 19 Jillson, Chap. 5, "The Mass Media and the Political Agenda," pp. 135-165.
Schwarz, Chap. 4, “Finding Out About Economic Opportunity,” pp. 56-70.
Feb. 21, 23 Jillson, Chap. 6, "Organized Interests and Political Parties," pp. 167-205.
Schwarz, Chap. 5, “The Opportunity Deficit,” pp. 71-88.
Feb. 26, 28 Jillson, Chap. 7, “Voting, Campaigns and Elections,” pp. 207-243.
Schwarz, Chap. 6, “Work, Wages, and the Progress of the Typical American
Family,” pp. 89-96.
Mar. 2 Jillson, Chapter 8, “Movement Politics and Political Change,” pp. 245-277.
Mar. 5 Schwarz, Chap. 7, “Political and Social Implications,” pp. 97-122.
Midterm, Mar. 7
National Political Institutions
Mar. 9, 19 Jillson, Chap. 9,"Congress," pp.283-318.
Mar. 21, 23 Jillson, Chap. 10, "The President," pp. 319-358.
Mar. 26, 28 Jillson, Chap. 11, “Bureaucracy," pp. 359-391.
Mar. 30, 2 Jillson, Chap.12, "The Federal Courts," pp.393-424.
(Second essay due Apr. 16)
Public Policy and the American Future
Apr. 4, 6, 9 Jillson, Chap.13, "Civil Liberties and Civil Rights,” pp. 429-467.
Evans, Chap. 7-8, 12-13, pp. 145-196, 263-308. These chapters trace the
changing rights of women in regard to politics and society during the
20th-century.
Apr. 11, 16 Jillson, Chap.14, "Government and the Economy," pp. 469-504.
18, 20 Evans, Chap. 9, “Surviving the Great Depression,” pp. 197-218.
Schwarz, Chap. 8, “Government, the Economy, and Economic
Opportunity,” pp. 123-135.
Schwarz, Chap. 9, “Recapturing the American Ethos,” pp. 136-160.
Apr. 23, 25, Jillson, Chap. 14, "America in the World," pp. 505-542.
27, 30 Evans, Chap. 14, “Toward a New Century,” pp. 309-332.
Final Exam – Saturday May 5, 8-11am
Evaluation Criteria for Writing Assignments
1. Sophisticated critical thinking - This involves grappling with challenging ideas and avoiding simplistic generalizations.
2. Clear and concise expression - This requires the accurate use of language and grammar.
3. A convincing, valid argument - This means that the claims in your paper must be supported and illustrated with evidence from the readings.
The Honor Code
All work undertaken and submitted in this course is governed by the University’s Honor Code. The relevant section of the Code, taken from the Preamble of the Honor Council’s Constitution, is as follows:
“Intellectual integrity and academic honesty are fundamental to the processes of learning and of evaluating academic performance, and maintaining them is the responsibility of all members of an educational institution. The inculcation of personal standards of honesty and integrity is a goal of education in all the disciplines of the University….”
“Students must share the responsibility for creating and maintaining an atmosphere of honesty and integrity. Students should be made aware that personal experience in completing assigned work is essential to learning. Permitting others to prepare their work, using published or unpublished summaries as a substitute for studying required materials, or giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in the preparation of work to be submitted are directly contrary to the honest process of learning. Students who are aware that others in a course are cheating or otherwise acting dishonestly have the responsibility to inform the processor and/or bring an accusation to the Honor Council.”
The Honor Pledge is: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this work.” A signed copy of this pledge must be appended to any work tendered in this class. A violation of the Code will result in an “F” for the course, and the student will be taken before the Honor Council. If you are unclear about this policy – either in general or in its particular application – please see the instructor immediately.
Submitted by Professor Joseph Kobylka