U.S. Government and U.S. Government and PoliticsPolitics

Pol 110-002Pol 110-002

AgendaAgenda

IntroductionsIntroductions

Syllabus and Class PoliciesSyllabus and Class Policies

Discuss some current eventsDiscuss some current events

Introduce YourselfIntroduce Yourself

NameName

YearYear

MajorMajor

What are you doing here?What are you doing here?

What is your breakfast of champions?What is your breakfast of champions?

Scope of ClassScope of Class

Broad Introduction to American PoliticsBroad Introduction to American Politics

HistoryHistory

Constitution/LawConstitution/Law

InstitutionsInstitutions

Public Opinion/Elections/VotingPublic Opinion/Elections/Voting

Public PolicyPublic Policy

GoalsGoals

To provide a basic understanding of key To provide a basic understanding of key concepts in American politicsconcepts in American politics

To provide an overview of political science To provide an overview of political science research on American politicsresearch on American politics

To encourage active participation in the To encourage active participation in the political processpolitical process

To provide civic skills to facilitate political To provide civic skills to facilitate political participationparticipation

Restore a civilized tone to political discourseRestore a civilized tone to political discourse

Class FormatClass Format

Lecture/DiscussionLecture/Discussion

Feel free to interrupt Feel free to interrupt

I will try to answer questions as best I canI will try to answer questions as best I can

Be RespectfulBe Respectful

ReadingsReadings

O’Connor and Sabato O’Connor and Sabato American American Government: Continuity and Change Government: Continuity and Change 2004 2004 ed.ed.

Cannon, Coleman, and Mayer Cannon, Coleman, and Mayer The The Enduring DebateEnduring Debate

Other readings on class site/e-reserveOther readings on class site/e-reserve

Readings are due by date on syllabusReadings are due by date on syllabus

AssignmentsAssignments

Midterm/FinalMidterm/Final

Enduring DebateEnduring Debate questions questions

News Monitoring ReportsNews Monitoring Reports

PaperPaper

PoliciesPolicies

Attendance/ParticipationAttendance/Participation

GradingGrading 100/90/80/70/60100/90/80/70/60 Late work penalized 10% per dayLate work penalized 10% per day Assignments due in class at beginningAssignments due in class at beginning Grading not on curveGrading not on curve Must turn in all assignments and take finalMust turn in all assignments and take final

No IncompletesNo Incompletes

Academic IntegrityAcademic Integrity

Cheating is badCheating is bad

Includes Plagiarism, inappropriate Includes Plagiarism, inappropriate assistance, submitting same paper assistance, submitting same paper multiple times, etc. multiple times, etc.

Harsh PenaltiesHarsh Penalties

Will pursue Will pursue

Put Honor Oath on all assignmentsPut Honor Oath on all assignments

Proper assistanceProper assistance

Accommodations etcAccommodations etc

If you have particular needs, let me knowIf you have particular needs, let me know

Please let me know if you are having Please let me know if you are having problems sooner rather than laterproblems sooner rather than later

Finding MeFinding Me

Office 103C libraryOffice 103C libraryOffice Hours on Tuesdays and ThursdaysOffice Hours on Tuesdays and ThursdaysEmail is best betEmail is best betPhone is OK (use common sense)Phone is OK (use common sense)Class cancellationClass cancellation Check email before class if weather is badCheck email before class if weather is bad I will try to get notice postedI will try to get notice posted 15 Minute Rule15 Minute Rule Use time for something productiveUse time for something productive

For ThursdayFor Thursday

O’Connor and Sabato Chapter 1O’Connor and Sabato Chapter 1

Zakaria Article from Newsweek (class Zakaria Article from Newsweek (class website)website)