Kenyon Academic Partnership
HilliardDavidsonHigh School
Political Science 200/Liberal Democracy in America
Mrs. Rader ()
Course Objectives
The aim of this course is to acquaint you with the basic institutional and conceptual framework of the American political system and to analyze the principles and tensions underlying the system. We will examine the foundations of the American system and the major institutions and actors in American government.
Course Requirements
Students are expected to complete the readings in advance and come to class prepared to discuss them. Active and valuable contributions to class discussion based on having read and thought about the material can earn an improvement in your final grade. Excessive absences may also result in the instructor dropping the student from the course.
There are three types of major assignments for this course: two 5-7 page papers, a mid-term and final examination and two semester projects. The final will be held in the regularly scheduled exam period and will be comprehensive. For the 5-7 page papers, I will pass out topics two weeks before the paper is due. All papers must be typed and double-spaced. They should be well-written, logically argued, and proofread. All papers must be in MLA style. Failure to attribute and identify sources, words, and ideas properly (including page numbers), will result in a non-negotiable grade of F for the paper grade. When in doubt, cite and do so extremely accurately. Deductions will be made for typographical, spelling and grammatical errors. Late papers will be penalized one full letter grade per day and no papers will be accepted a week after the due date. Failure to complete any assignment for the class will result in a failing grade. In addition, there will be unannounced quizzes on the readings.
I reserve the right to make changes in the syllabus should we fall behind or get ahead on certain topics. These changes will be announced in class. The dates for the examinations and papers will not change.
Students are expected to keep up with current events by reading a major newspaper (The New York Times, the Washington Post or The Wall Street Journal). We will often discuss current events in class. There will be an on going current events assignment.
Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. All students must follow the College’s policies regarding academic honesty as outlined in the Student Handbook. Please consult with me before submitting work if you have any questions regarding this issue.
Books and Readings: The following books are required for the course.
Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge
of Democracy. 7th. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. (Main Test)
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The Federalist Papers. Edited by Clinton Rossiter.
Alexis de Tocqueville. Democracy in America. Vol. 1. New York: Alfred Knopf, Vintage Books, 1990.
Michael Nelson, ed. The Elections of 2004, Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2005.
David Mayhew. Congress: The Electoral Connection. New Haven, CT: Yale, 1974,
Richard Neustadt. Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents. New York, Free Press,
1991.
John Agresto. The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy.
Supplements:
In addition to the textbook readings students will sign out numbered copies of the supplemental readings, which will be collected when completed. Supplemental readings listed below are subject to change and do not include various newspaper articles that may be assigned throughout the course:
Equality / De Tocqueville, AlexisHow Democratic is America? / Hook, Sidney and Zinn, Howard
Has Democracy a Future? / Schlesinger Jr., Arthur
Federalist #10 / Madison, James
The Constitution as an Elitist Document? / Parenti, Michael
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) / U.S. Supreme Court
Philadelphia Story / Simon, Robert
What Libertarianism Is / Hospers, J.
The Legislator as a Delegate / General Assembly of Virginia
The Legislator as a Trustee / Kennedy, John F.
The Legislator as Politico / Galloway, George
Cases on Presidential Power: Ex Parte Milligan (1866); Myers v. United States (1926); Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935); United States v. Curtiss Wright Export Corp. (1936) / Nelson, Michael
A Case in Limits on Presidential Problem Solving / Carter, Jimmy
Presidential Greatness and Democratic Leadership / Landy, Marc and Milkis, Sidney M.
Marbury v. Madison(1803) / U.S. Supreme Court
Federalist #78 by / Hamilton, Alexander
GRADES
- Grades may be taken from objective tests, timed essays, research/analysis/position papers and projects, quizzes/miscellaneous assignments, pop quizzes, chapter Internet activities, current events and class participation.
- Grading period grades will be calculated from points earned in the course of the grading period.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
- The course syllabus outlines the sequence of chapters and supplemental readings. Some readings may not be discussed directly in class but may still be covered on a test.
- You are expected to have read assignments, completed the accompanying study guides, and be prepared for assessment activities by the due dates listed on the weekly schedule board.
- Be prepared to discuss topics, askquestions and analyze readings either verbally or in
writing.
- Keeping up with current events is an expectation for this class. There will be an additional rotating daily current events assignment. There will be an additional handout for this.
UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE TESTS
A. Objective tests will cover one Chapter.
B. General information about tests:
1. Most questions, frequently all, will come from author's test bank.
2. Occasionally, I will add a few questions that cover supplemental readings.
3. Questions can be developed from class discussions and current events.
ESSAYS/ESSAY TESTS
- May be based on text, supplemental readings, personal knowledge and analysis, and/or class discussions.
- These are similar in style to AP test questions; frequently will be questions from past A.Ptests.
- Grades will be based on scoring rubrics of various levels reflecting degree of difficulty.
- Essays will be subject to in class peer evaluations.
The following is a list of course units and chapters that will be covered in your textbook as well as a list of readings that will be assigned to supplement the text.
FIRST SEMESTER
PART 1: DILEMMAS OF DEMOCRACY (CH. 1 & 2)
Objective: Students will be able to explain value conflicts and ideologies as well as differing definitions of democracy.
Liberal Democracy
Tocqueville's Understanding of American Democracy
Democracy and Aristocracy: Tocqueville, Introduction and Chs. 9, 14, 13 (pp. 199
-219 and 225-36) and 18 (pp.361-5 and 392-6)
The Dangers of Democracy: Tocqueville, Ch. 15
The American Solutions: Tocqueville, Chs. 16 and 17
Chapter 1 Freedom, Order, or Equality
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Purposes of Government / 1 to 10
2 / Conceptual Framework of Government and the Dilemmas of Government / 10 to 18
3 / “Equality“, de Tocqueville / Supplement
4 / Ideology and the Scope of Government,
American Political Parties and the Purpose of Government / 19 to 25
5 / Timed Essay
6 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 2 Majoritarian or Pluralistic Democracy
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Theory of Democratic Government / 29 to 38
2 / Institutional Models of Democracy / 38 to 47
3 / Federalist # 10 / A15
4 / Democracy and Globalization / 48 to 51
5 / “How Democratic is America?” Sidney Hook, Howard Zinn
“Has Democracy a Future?” Arthur Schlesinger Jr. / Supplement
6 / Timed Essay
7 / Multiple Choice Test
PART 2: FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT/Constitutional Underpinnings (Ch. 2 & 3) Objective: Students will be able to describe the kind of government established by the Constitution, with particular emphasis on federalism and the separation of powers.
The Founding of the American Regime
Before the New Constitution -- Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Vol. 1, Author's
Preface and Introduction and Chs., 2-4
The Constitutional Convention --Hamilton, Jay and Madison, The Federalist Papers,
Introduction and Nos. 1, 2,37-38, 40 and 54.
The Political Ideas of the Founders --
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 3, 6, 8, 9, 23 and 25
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 27, 42, 49, 58, 63, 70 and 73
The Federalist Papers, 10, 47-48 and 51
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 14, 33, 39, 64
Chapter 3 The Constitution
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Revolutionary Roots of the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence / 54 to 61
AI to A2
2 / From Revolution to Confederation
Articles of Confederation
From Confederation to Constitution / 62 to 65
A2 to A5
65 to 68
3 / The Final Product
The U.S Constitution / 69 to 79
A5 to A 5
4 / Selling the Constitution / 79 to 82
5 / Constitutional Change / 82 to 86
6 / An Evaluation of the Constitution
“The Constitution as an Elitist Document” Parenti, Michael / 87 to 91
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
Federalism: Theory and Practice
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 15-17
Tocqueville, Ch. 5, pp. 85-97
McCulloch v. Maryland, find a copy of the opinion on-line
Chapter 4 Federalism
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Theories of Federalism
Representations of American Federalism
Dual Federalism / 94 to 100
2 / The Dynamics of Federalism / 103 to 108
3 / The Developing Concept of Federalism / 109 to 111
4 / The Revival of Federalism
Other Governments in the Federal System / 112 to 117
5 / Federalism and Globalization / 118 to 121
6 / Timed Essay
7 / Multiple Choice Test
PART 3: LINKING PEOPLE WITH GOVERNMENT:Political Beliefs and Behaviors, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (Ch. 5 – 10)Objectives: Students will be able to 1) analyze the various beliefs that individuals hold about their government, its leaders, and the U.S. political system; and 2) identify and describe the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their political interests and concerns.
Chapter 5 Public Opinion and Socialization
Political Institutions and Processes in the American Regime
The Role of the Public in American Democracy: Public Opinion, the News Media, Interest Groups, Political Parties and Elections
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Public Opinion and the Models of Democracy
The Distribution of Public Opinion / 124 to 135
2 / Political Socialization
Social Groups and Political Values / 136 to 147
3 / From Values to Ideology
The Process of Forming Political Opinions / 147 to 155
4 / Timed Essay
5 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 6 The Media
The Media and Campaign Financing Nelson, Chs. 5 and 6
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / People, Government and Communication / 159 to 166
2 / Modern Forms of Group Media
Private Ownership of the Media / 167 to 168
3 / Government Regulation of the Media / 171 to 174
4 / Reporting and Following the News / 175 to 180
5 / The Political Effects of the Media
Philadelphia Story / 181 to 184
Supplement
6 / Evaluating the Media in Government / 184 to 190
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice
Chapter 7 Participation & Voting
Voting Behavior Nelson, Ch. 4
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / All Figures and Graphs / 193 to 226
NOTE: In conjunction with Chapters 8 & 9 students will be assigned a major research-based project, most often relating to the election occurring at the time of the assignment.
You will be asked to compare and contrast candidates and examine poll data that has been generated by our local newspaper or a national news source. We will examine election statistics in various formats and various sources (maps, charts, and graphs) from both the 2004 presidential elections and the 2006 congressional elections and gubernatorial elections to develop our predictions of the results for this election.
Chapter 8 Political Parties
Political Parties and Interest Groups Tocqueville, Chs. 10, 11, 12
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Political Parties and their Functions / 228 to 233
2 / A History of U.S Party Politics / 234 to 241
3 / The American Two-Party System
“What Libertarianism Is” J. Hospers / 242 to 248
4 / Party Ideology and Organization
The Model of Responsible Party Government / 249 to 259
5 / Timed Essay
6 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 9 Nominations, Campaigns, and Elections
Campaigns and Elections Nelson, Chaps, 1-3
Elections and Governing Nelson, Chs. 7, 9
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Evolution of Campaigning
Nominations / 265 to 275
2 / Elections / 276 to 282
3 / Campaigns / 283 to 290
4 / Explaining Voter Choice
Campaigns, Elections, and Parties / 291 to 298
5 / Timed Essay
6 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 10 Interest Groups
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Tocqueville, Chs. 10, 11, 12
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Interest Groups and the American Political Tradition
How Interests Groups Form / 304 to 310
2 / Interest Groups Resources / 311 to 317
3 / Lobbying Tactics / 320 to 324
4 / Is the System Biased / 325 to 331
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
Second Semester
PART 4 INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT (CH. 11 – 14)
Objective: Students will be able to explain the organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the major political and governmental institutions of the United States.
Chapter 11 Congress
Congress: The First Branch
The Role and Functions of Legislatures and Legislators
The Constitution, Article 1 and Amendment XVII
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 35, 52-53, and 62-63
Congressional Elections and Redistricting
Nelson, Chapter 8
Congressional Elections and the Character of Congressmen
Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection, Introduction and Chap. 1
Internal Structure and Processes: Party and Committee --
Mayhew, Chap. 2
The Contemporary Congress
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Origin and Powers of Congress
Electing Congress / 336 to 345
2 / How issues get on the Congressional Agenda
The Dance of Legislation: An Overview
Committees: The Workhorses of Congress / 346 to 354
3 / Leaders and Followers in Congress
The Legislative Environment
The Dilemma of Representation
“The Legislator as a Delegate” General Assembly of Virginia (1)“The Legislator as a Trustee” Sen. John F. Kennedy “The Legislator as Politico” George Galloway / 355 to 364
Supplement
4 / Timed Essay
5 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 12 The Presidency
The Founders, the Constitution and the Presidency
The Constitution, Article II and Amendments XII, XX, XXII, XXIII and XXV
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 70-72
The Modern Presidency
Neustadt, Presidential Power, Preface, Part I, pp. 3-55, 68-99, 122-44
& 150-63
Revisionist Views of the Modern Presidency
Neustadt, Part II, pp. 167-169, 179-229, 269-94, and 308-18
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Constitutional Basis of Presidential Power
The Expansion of Presidential Power / 370 to 380
2 / The Electoral Connection / 381to 384
3 / The Executive Branch Establishment / 385 to 388
4 / The President as National Leader / 389 to 395
5 / The President as World Leader / 395 to 404
Cases: Ex Parte Milligan (1866); Myers v. United States (1926), Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935), & United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. (1936);” Micheal Nelson, ed.
“A Case in Limits on Pres. Prob. Solving” Jimmy Carter
“Pre Presidential Greatness and Democratic Leadership” Marc Lindy and Sidney M. Milks
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 13 The Bureaucracy
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Organization Matters
The Development of Bureaucratic State / 407 to 412
2 / Bureaus and Bureaucrats / 414 to 417
3 / Administrative Policymaking: The Formal Processes / 417 to 421
4 / Problems in Implementing Policy
Reforming the Bureaucracy: More Control or Less / 425 to 430
5 / Timed Essay
6 / Multiple Choice Test
PART 6: THE COURTS, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND CIVIL RIGHTS (CH. 14 – 16)
Objective: Students will be able to explain the organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the Courts of the United States and their role in the development of individual rights and liberties
Chapter 14 The Courts
The Founding of the Judicial Branch
The Constitution, Article III
Tocqueville, Ch. 6
Marbury v. Madison
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 78 and 81
Judicial Review and the Dispute over Judicial Activism
Agresto, The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy, (pp. 9-40, 51-5, 84-107)
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / National Judiciary Supremacy
Marbury v. Madison (1803) / 434 to 442
Supplement
2 / The Organization of Courts
The Supreme Court / 442 to 456
3 / Judicial Recruitment
“Federalist #78” Alexander Hamilton / 457 to 460
Supplement
4 / The Consequences of Judicial Decisions
The Courts and Models of Democracy / 461 to 467
5 / Timed Essay
6 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 15Order and Civil Liberties
NOTE: In addition to topical readings, students will be assigned various relevant Supreme Court cases individually and/or collectively.
The Federalist Papers, Nos. 84, 85.
The Constitution, Amendments 1-10
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Bill of Rights / 469 to 472
2 / Freedom of Religion / 472 to 480
3 / Freedom of Expression / 480 to 493
4 / The Right to Bear Arms
Applying the Bill of Rights to the States / 493 to 500
5 / The Ninth Amendment and Personal Autonomy
Roe V. Wade / 501 to 505
6 / Constitutionalizing Public Policy / 506 to 508
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapter 16 Equality and Civil Rights
NOTE: In addition to topical readings, students will be assigned various relevant Supreme Court cases individually and/or collectively.
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / The Concepts of Equality
The Civil War Amendments / 512 to 515
2 / The Dismantling of School Segregation
Civil Rights Movement / 516 to 526
3 / Civil Rights for Other Minorities / 526 to 531
4 / Gender and Equal Rights: The Women’s Movement / 532 to 536
5 / Affirmative Action: Equal Opportunity or Equal Outcome / 537 to 445
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
PART 7: MAKING PUBLIC POLICY (CH. 17 – 20)
Objective: Students will be able to analyze public policies as the results of interactions and dynamics among people, interest groups, institutions, and processes.
Chapter 17 Policy Making
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Government Purposes and Public Policies / 551
2 / The Policymaking Process / 553 to 563
3 / A Multiplicity of Participants / 564 to 566
4 / The Nonprofit Sector
Issue Networks / 567 to 573
7 / Timed Essay
8 / Multiple Choice Test
Chapters 18 – 20 Economic, Domestic, and Global Policy (Selected elements)
NOTE: Students will be assigned a major project in conjunction with these chapters.
Day / Reading Assignment / Pages1 / Selected / Pages TBA
2 / Selected / Pages TBA
3 / Selected / Pages TBA