SUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Instructor:                                         Course:American National Politics & Government

Catalog #:     PO 25                            Semester:                                                                                                          

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

An introduction to the structures and processes of the American political system.

 

TEXTBOOKS & MATERIALS (REQUIRED)

 

Wasserman, Gary (2006). The Basics of American Politics (12th ed.) New York:  Pearson/Longman

O'Connor, Karen (Ed). (1999) Ten Things That Every American Government Student Should Read. New York:  Longman

Rourke, John T. (Ed.) (2006). You Decide!  Current Debates in American Politics. New York:  Pearson/Longman.

 

RECOMMENDED:  Hacker, Diana.  A Pocket Style Manual. 4th ed. Boston:  Bedford Books, 2004 (if you do not own                                                         a writing manual)

RECOMMENDED READING:  Daily newspapers, weekly news magazines. National Newspaper (NYT, Christian Science Monitor, Wall St. Journal, etc.)

RECOMMENDED VIEWING:  National TV news broadcasts,  possible additional TV specials, International News

PBS, BBC, and National Public Radio (NPR)

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

 

Students will be able to:

1.         demonstrate an understanding of the national political process,  the functions and institutions

            of the federal system, and the historical perspective of the development of these institutions.

 

2.              show how political power is and has been exercised and is based on social, cultural, and economic

            forces within the political system.  Particular attention will focus on putting historical events

            into context while noting shifts in political power and their impact on governmental processes.

 

3.         analyze contemporary problems faced by government such as inequality of wealth, public apathy,

             and the relationship between politics and the media; based on historical precedents and current trends.

 

4.         explain and develop oneÕs own ideas on politics and government and  to support these ideas with                                   specific facts and examples.

 

PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMPLISHING THESE OBJECTIVES:

 

1.         Reading assignments                

2.         Written assignments                           

3.         Class lectures and discussions

4.         Audio/Visual material

5.         Exams

 

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF COURSE:

 

1.         The student is expected to take notes and participate in class discussion.

2.         The student must read all assigned readings.

3.         The student must complete all written assignments.

 

 

 

 

PO 25  T/TH                                                      - 2 -                                                                 Prof. Lang

 

GRADING FORMULA:

 

100-90=A,      89-85=B+,      84-80=B,      79-75=C+,      74-70=C,      69-65=D+,      64-60=D,      59-0=F        

             

Grading:                   

           

            Exam 1                                                            100 points

            Exam 2                                                            100 points

            Exam 3                                                            100 points

            Oultine & Presentation                     40 points

            Essays (2)                                             80 points

            News Briefs (4)                                                40 points

            U. S. Gov't. Officials                           40 points

                                                                         500 points    

 

SPECIAL NEEDS:  Any student requiring special needs must inform the instructor the first week of classes                      and follow college procedures.

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  October 30 - last day to withdraw and receive a guaranteed ÒWÓ. Please notify me if you withdraw from class.

                                

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:

 

The College expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility with regard to class attendance.  All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are registered.  Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance.  The College defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester.  Excessive absence or lateness may lead to failure in a course or removal from the class.  If three classes are missed, student will be withdrawn or failed. A student may be removed from the class roster by an instructor at any time when in the judgment of the instructor absences have been excessive or when other valid reasons exist. Please!!!  Contact the secretary or myself if you are unable to attend class!

 

IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT ON THE DAY OF AN EXAM, HE/SHE MUST TAKE THE EXAM PRIOR TO OR UPON RETURNING TO CLASS.  More than one (1) late exam will result in a 10% reduction in the grade.   Make up exams must be taken during my office hours or during common hour. It is the studentÕs responsibility to contact me prior to returning to class to schedule a make-up exam. Any assignment which is late, will receive a ten percent reduction per class.  Assignments are due in class and will otherwise be considered late.  All other  assignments will be accepted no later than one class after due date.

 

Beepers are for emergency service personnel only and are to be on "vibrator" position.  If you are subject to emergencies, sit as close to the door as possible to minimize disruption of your fellow students. No cell phones are to be on during class. Please avoid leaving classroom during class time as a courtesy to all.

 

 

PRESENTATION DAYS - ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY!  (10 POINT REDUCTION IF ABSENT)

 

Office Location:        Southampton Building - Room 210 (top floor)

 

Telephone #:  451-4372             Secretary - 451-4344                                   E-mail:  langj@sunysuffolk.edu

 

 

 

 

 

PO25  T/TH                                                                - 3 -                                                                 Prof. Lang                 

Reading Assignments and Exams

                                                                                                           

Date/Day                    Chapter/Topic                       

8/31  TH                      Introduction

                                   

9/5    T                        Chapter 1         What is Politics

9/7    TH                      Chapter 1         What is Politics                       (#1 O'Connor)

 

9/12  T                        Chapter 2         The Constitution                                             Newsbrief #1 due

9/14  TH                      Chapter 2         The Constitution                     (#2 O'Connor)  

 

9/19  T                        Chapter 6         Civil Rights & Civil Liberties     (#9 O'Connor)                                               

9/21  TH                      Chapter 6         Civil Rights & Civil Liberties     (#10 O'Connor)

                                                                                                                       

9/26  T                        Exam #1                                                                                                

9/28  TH                      Film                                                                                         Newsbrief #2 due

                                                                                                                                   

 10/3  T                                    Chapter 3        The Executive Branch                                     National Gov't. Officials due

 10/5  TH                     Chapter 3         The Executive Branch             (#3 O'Connor)                                    

                                   

10/10  T                      Chapter 4         The Legislative Branch                                                Easay #1 due

10/12  TH                    Chapter 4         The Legislative Branch                        (#4 O'Connor)                                                                                                                                                            

10/17   T                     Chapter 5         The Judicial Branch                                          Newsbrief #3 due

10/19  TH                    Chapter 5         The Judicial Branch                  (#5 O'Connor)

                                               

10/24  T                      Film    

10/26   TH                   Exam #2

                                               

10/31  T                      Chapter 7         Voters & Political Parties                                   Essay #2 due

11/2    TH                    Chapter 7         Voters & Political Parties        (#6 O'Connor)                                    

 

11/7   T                                   MONDAY CLASSES MEET - NO TUESDAY CLASSES

11/9   TH                     Chapter 8         Interest Groups & the Media    (#8 O'Connor)       Newsbrief #4 due

 

11/14  T                      Chapter 8         Interest Groups & the Media    (#7 O'Connor)

11/16  TH                    Film                                                                                             Outline due

 

11/21  T                      Chapter 9         Who Wins, Who Loses                                                           

11/23  TH                    THANKSGIVING RECESS:  NO CLASSES                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

11/28  T                      Chapter 9         Who Wins, Who Loses

11/30  TH                    Exam #3

                                                                       

12/5   T                                   Film

12/7   T           H                     Presentations:  Mandatory Attendance

 

12/12  T                      Presentations:  Mandatory Attendance

12/14  TH                    Presentations:  Mandatory Attendance

 

12/19  T                      Presentations:  Mandatory Attendance                       

 

 

 

 

 

PO25  T/TH                                                 - 4 -                                                                     Prof. Lang

                       

ALL WORK SUBMITTED MUST BE TYPED

           

PRESENTATION

 

Each student will prepare a five-minute presentation on an individual, policy, U.S. Supreme Court decision or event, which significantly influenced the United States government. You may also select a government agency or current policy issue and present an overview.  The instructor must approve all topics.  A reference page is to be submitted which will include name, topic and all sources used for the presentation.  Multiple sources are required unless a pre-approved book is selected.  Note cards may be used, but do not read your presentation.  An outline must be submitted on date assigned. Do not just download information. Combine your ideas into a proper format for delivering an informative speech in your own words. Sources must be credible and all internet articles must identify author, source, date, etc.

Only note cards may be used during the presentation.

 

NEWS BRIEFS - Four required with four topics each

 

Each week assigned, a list of four national government topics and the sources used for the information are to be submitted.  Include at least one topic on the U. S. Congress.   Sources may include newspapers, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, news magazines, National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting System (PBS), or network news.  Vary your sources over the course of the semester.  Cite and date each source properly.  Give a brief one or two line summary of the article.  News briefs should be current within the past two weeks.

 

ESSAYS

 

Each student will select two (2) issues from You Decide!  Select from numbers 2, 4, 5, 15, and 17 for the first essay, and from 7, 10, 14, 19, and 20 for the second essay.

 

First, list the basic points regarding the issue in the introduction followed by the basic points made by each advocate representing a particular view of the issue.

 

Finally, state your view and write an essay supporting your view.

 

If you choose to seek additional information, use quality resources and properly cite each on a works cited page.