Political Science 1100 American Government
Spring Semester 2009 ( Lecture Section 07 ) 211 Middlebush Hall M W F 2:00P.M. 2:50P.M.

Instructor Information

Instructor Oce Location Campus Phone Email Addy. Oce Hours
Heather Nicole Pierce [307 Professional Building] + 3 [heatherpierce@mizzou.edu] W 3:00P.M. 5:00P.M., Th 2:00P.M. 5:00P.M., F 12:30P.M. 1:30P.M., & by appointment

Course Materials

Required Texts
Morris Fiorina, Paul Peterson, Bertram Johnson, and William Mayer. 2009. [The New American Democracy, 6th ed.] New York: Pearson Longman. Jay Dow, Sean Nicholson-Crotty, and Marvin Overby, eds. 2007. University of Missouri Readings in American Government, 2nd ed. New York: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Web Resources

In addition to the textbooks, this course utilizes several online resources. Contact the instructor immediately if unable to access any of the online material. Blackboard. [blackboard.missouri.edu] Grades and course information are available on the Blackboard website. Students are responsible for all posted information and material, and should check regularly for updates. ERes. [eres.missouri.edu] Additional required and recommended readings are available through MU Libraries Electronic Reserves. Links to the [course reserves page] and a [Student ERes Guide] are located on Blackboard. MyPoliSciLab. [www.mypoliscilab.com] Students have access to supplemental learning materials using an access code which accompanied the The New American Democracy. This site provides numerous resourcesincluding chapter reviews, study materials, access to news media, and an interactive electronic version of the textbookto facilitate student achievement in this course.

Course Information

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and issues of American national government. It covers four main topicsideological background, political behavior, governmental institutions, and public policy and encourages students to evaluate critically political processes and policy outcomes. The primary objective of this course is that students gain a broad understanding of the American political system and develop a foundation for responsible citizenship. There are no prerequisites for this course. Course Requirements. Semester grades are calculated according to a students performance on three midterm examinations, each worth 20%, and a cumulative nal examination comprising 40% of the course grade. Exams are formatted to include objective and short answer questions, which will reect information from BOTH the assigned readings and lectures. Lecture Attendance. Regular class attendance is imperative to satisfactory performance in the course. Lectures will oer new information to complement assigned readings, not duplicate information presented in the textbook. It is important to complete reading assignments prior to each lecture. Without the background
information provided therein, students are unlikely to realize the full potential benet of lectures, and may nd them dicult to follow. Students are responsible for making arrangements to obtain lecture material missed in the event of an absence, but be aware that the instructors notes will not be made available. Classroom Policies. Be courteous to others during class. Disrespectful behavior creates a negative learning environment and will not be tolerated. Anyone distracting other students or the instructor with disruptive behaviore.g. inappropriate talking, use of cellular phone or other unnecessary electronic devices, computer activity unrelated to the coursewill be asked to leave the classroom. Examination Policies. Midterm examinations will be administered at the regularly scheduled time and location, and will last 50 minutes. Hats, sunglasses, and cellular phones are strictly prohibited during exam periods. Students who rely on cellular phones to manage time should consider wearing a watch on test days. Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom during exams for any reason (e.g. restroom breaks), so plan accordingly. Exam Schedule. First Midterm Second Midterm Third Midterm Final Exam February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009, 10:30A.M. 12:30P.M.

N.B. Exam dates are NOT subject to change and makeup examinations will NOT be allowed, except for students authorized to reschedule the nal exam in accordance with University policy. Missed examinations will receive zero credit unless the student has a valid and properly documented excuse. Any student with a valid reason for missing an exami.e. signicant illness, death in immediate family, or required attendance at a universitysponsored activitymust notify the instructor prior to the test, and provide written documentationi.e. an ocial excuse from a university administrator, health care professional, or member of the clergywithin one week of the scheduled exam. Note that vacation plans and social events do not constitute valid excuses. So that graded tests may be returned promptly to others, any approved makeup exam will include dierent questions, and may require essay responses. Anyone unable to attend the scheduled exams should not enroll in the course. Grading Scale. 92.01100 = A 90.0092.00 = A 88.0189.99 = B+ 82.0188.00 = B 80.0082.00 = B 78.0179.99 = C+ 72.0178.00 = C 70.0072.00 = C 68.0169.99 = D+ 62.0168.00 = D 60.0062.00 = D 60 or below = F
Academic Honesty. Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be condent that each persons work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any eort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the eort is successful. Consequences for any violation of academic integrity rules include academic sanctions from the instructor and disciplinary sanctions ranging from probation to expulsion. Consult the instructor when uncertain about what constitutes academic dishonesty. ADA Statement. Notify the instructor immediately if you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and require academic accommodations. Contact the [Oce of Disability Services] as soon as possible regarding ADA considerations relevant to your performance in this course so that necessary arrangements can be made: S5 Memorial Union, 882-4696 (voice), 882-8054 (TTY). Intellectual Pluralism. The University community welcomes intellectual diversity and respects student rights. Students who have questions concerning the quality of instruction in this class may address concerns to either the Departmental Chair or Director of the [Oce of Students Rights and Responsibilities]. All students will have the opportunity to submit an anonymous evaluation of the instructor at the end of the course.

Class Schedule

wed, Jan. 21 Course Introduction; Presidential Inaugurations
Part I. Foundations of American Democracy Part I explores the theoretical and historical foundations of the American political system. Students will gain an understanding of how particular ideologies, events, and key historical gures inuenced the formation of the Constitution, and why the United States adopted a federal structure. Section 1.1 examines the philosophical roots of American democracy, emphasizing how classical liberalism motivated the Framers. Section 1.2 reviews the historical development of American government, and the practical considerations that inspired the adoption of a federal system. Section 1.3 focuses on the federal governmental structure characterized by a division of authority between national and state governments, and concludes with an overview of the Missouri Constitution. 1.1. Introduction to the American Political System fri., Jan. Democracy in America, NAD Ch. 1 mon., Jan. American Political Thought; Theoretical Inuences Adams, The Rights of Colonists, UMAG pp. 1316 1.2. The United States Constitution wed., Jan. Establishing the U.S. Constitution, NAD Ch. 2 fri., Jan. Declaration of Independence, NAD Appendix I Articles of Confederation, [Blackboard] mon., Feb. The Constitution of the United States of America, NAD Appendix II pp. 524531 wed., Feb. Debating the Constitution: Federalists Versus Antifederalists Madison, The Federalist No. 10, UMAG pp. 3942, NAD Appendix III pp. 620624 Madison, The Federalist No. 51, UMAG pp. 4345, NAD Appendix IV pp. 625627 Brutus, Letter No. 1, UMAG pp. 5358 fri., Feb. The Logic of the Constitution; Intentions of the Framers Madison, The Constitution Explained and Justied, UMAG pp. 2734 Jeerson, The Will of the Majority Should Always Prevail, UMAG pp. 3537 Beard, An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution, [ERes] Roche, A Reform Caucus in Action, [ERes] Martin Diamond, A Reconsideration of the Framers Intent, [ERes] 1.3. Federalism & State Government wed., Feb. Separation of Powers, NAD Ch. 3 The Constitution of the United States of America, Amendments 10, 11, 14 & 16 fri., Feb. The Federalist No. 39, UMAG pp. 6568 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), UMAG pp. 6972 mon., Feb. State Government The Constitution of the State of Missouri, [Blackboard] Zimmerman, Regulation of Subnational Governments, UMAG pp. 7378 wed., Feb. FIRST EXAM

Part II. Political Behavior Part II covers important topics related to political behavior: the American political culture, individual and group participation, political parties, and national elections. Section 2.1 examines how dierent factors e.g. racial and religious diversity and a classical liberal ideological traditionhave shaped the American political culture. It will also consider potential sources of public opinionparticularly the impact of the media, and the relationship between public opinion and policy outcomes. Section 2.2. focuses on factors related to individual and group political participation. First, we will examine voter turnout in a comparative perspective and general characteristics of the American voter. Next, we will examine indirect political participation through membership in associations. We will evaluate the strategies groups employ to overcome the collective action problem, and assess the relative success of dierent types of interest groups. Section 2.3 considers the numerous roles and functions of political parties, party systems throughout American history, the American two-party system, and current trends in the strength of party organizations. Part II concludes with a discussion of campaigns and elections in Section 2.4. 2.1. Political Culture & Public Opinion fri., Feb. American Political Culture, NAD Ch. 4 Alexis de Toqueville, Introduction to Democracy in America, UMAG pp. 1724 Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone, UMAG pp. 115123 mon., Feb. Public Opinion, NAD Ch. 5 John R. Petrocik, Public Opinion on the Death Penalty, UMAG pp. 8189 wed., Feb. The Media, NAD Ch. 9 2.2. Political Participation fri., Feb. Individual Participation, NAD Ch. 6 Voter Turnout mon., Mar. Group Participation Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action, UMAG pp. 163164 Interest Groups, NAD Ch. 7 Civic Engagement, Review Federalist No. 10 - Factions wed., Mar. E.E. Schattschneider, Scope and Bias of the Pressure System, UMAG pp. 165167 2.3. Political Parties fri., Mar. Political Parties, NAD Ch. 8 mon., Mar. Michael Munger, Senate Testimonial on the BPCFR Act, UMAG pp. 135144 wed., Mar. Paul Allen Beck, A Tale of Two Electorates, UMAG pp. 145154 2.4. Campaigns & Elections fri., Mar. Presidential Elections & the Electoral College, NAD Ch. 10 Hamilton, Federalist No. 68, [Blackboard] Jack N. Rakove, Presidential Selection: Electoral Fallacies, UMAG pp. 103114 mon., Mar. Ruy Teixeira, Voter Turnout in America: Ten Myths, UMAG pp. 8589 wed., Mar. Congressional Campaigns, NAD Ch. 11 fri., Mar. SECOND EXAM mon., Mar. fri., Mar. SPRING RECESS
Part III. Government Institutions Part III introduces the primary institutions of democracy. First, we will cover topics on the legislative branch of government in Section 3.1: the organizational structure of Congress, including the relationship between its two chambers and the committee system, and common criticisms of Congress. We will then turn our attention to the executive branch: the presidency and bureaucracy in Section 3.2, and address such topics as: the powers of the president, the relationship of the bureaucracy to Congress, and problems of bureaucratic ineciency. Finally, we will focus on the judicial branch in Section 3.3, with an overview of the organization of the federal and state court systems, and the importance of judicial review. 3.1. Congress

mon., Mar. Congress, NAD Ch. 12 The Constitution, Review Article I. Amendments 17 & 27 Adrian Ang and L. Marvin Overby, Retirements, Retentions, and Who Controls Congress, UMAG p wed., Apr. David Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection, UMAG pp. 171174 fri., Apr. Carl Hulse, Behind Noisy Clashes: 2 Chambers That Dont Understand Each Other, UMAG pp. 175 3.2. The Presidency & Bureaucracy mon., Apr. Presidency, NAD Ch. 13 The Constitution, Review Article II. Amendments 12, 20, 22, 23 & 25 wed., Apr. Richard E. Neustadt, The Power to Persuade, UMAG pp. 189197 fri., Apr. Bureaucracy, NAD Ch. 14 James Q. Wilson, Bureaucracy and the Public Interest, UMAG pp. 209215 3.3. Judiciary mon., Apr. The Courts, NAD Ch. 15 The Constitution, Review Article III Marbury v. Madison (1803), ??? wed., Apr. Richard Posner, The Case Against Strict Constructionism, UMAG pp. 199202 fri., Apr. Commission on Judicial Independence, The History of Merit Selection, UMAG pp. 203208 mon., Apr. THIRD EXAM
Part IV. Politics & Policy Outputs 4.1. Civil Liberties wed., Apr. Civil Liberties, NAD Ch. 16 The Constitution, Review Article I Section 9, Article III Section 3, Article VI Amendments 1-10 fri., Apr. Griswold vs. Connecticut (1965), UMAG pp. 225226 Justice Hugo Blacks Dissent in Griswold vs. Connecticut, UMAG pp. 227236 4.2. Civil Rights mon., Apr. Civil Rights, NAD Ch. 17 The Constitution, Review Article I Section 9, Amendments 13, 14, 15 & 24 wed., Apr. Missouri ex rel. Gains v. Canada (1938), UMAG pp. 251256 Brown v. Board of Education (1954), UMAG pp. 257259 Linda Greenhouse, The Supreme Court: Armative Action, UMAG pp. 261263 United States Congress, Civil Rights Act of 1964, UMAG pp. 287288 4.3. Public Policy fri., May The Federal Budget and Economic Policy, NAD Ch. 19 (web) The Constitution, Review Article I Section 8, Amendment 16 mon., May Yergin, The Delayed Revolution: Americas New Balance, UMAG pp. 299324 wed., May American Political Economy Friedman, Its a Flat World After All, UMAG pp. 291297 fri., May READING DAY thu., May FINAL EXAM 10:30A.M. 12:30P.M.