AMERICAN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Society and Values 166 Fall 2012
4th Hours Moench B106
Professor TERRENCE CASEY | Office: Moench A209 |
PHONE: 877-8281 | RHIT Mailbox: # 93 |
E-Mail: casey1@rose-hulman.edu | Office Hours: MTRF 4th hour or drop-in |
This course offers a broad survey of American national
politics and government. We will begin by exploring the constitutional
foundations of the American political system and then move on to examine the key
institutions of the American state and how they influence political outcomes.
Finally, we will explore the cultural foundations of American politics, issues
of individual citizen participation and the way in which organized interests
seek to influence the government. Finally, we will examine issues of civil
rights and civil liberties. Throughout the term we will be discussing the
important political choices facing the country today, with a special emphasis on
the upcoming presidential election.
By the end of this course you should have a better understanding of the core
principles, processes, and institutions of American politics and government.
Required Reading: The following are required and are available for purchase (as a single package) in the Rose-Hulman Bookstore.
Samuel Kernell and Gary C. Jacobson, The Logic of American Politics, 5th Edition (Companion Website)
Bob Berenson, Winning in 2012: CQ Press’s Guide to the Elections.
You are also expected to follow current events, particularly the presidential campaign. Read the newspaper (the Indianapolis Star is available free on campus; the New York Times or Washington Post can be read online), watch the nightly network news one of the cable news networks (CNN, Fox, MSNBC) EVERY DAY.
"Student Sources" Worksheet (PDF)
Citation Guide for Papers (PDF)
Presidential Debate Preparation and Paper Assignment
Presidential Debate Rules and Guidelines
Some Useful Websites for American Government:
The Institute for Humane Studies' "Tragedy of the Bunnies" and "Politopia"
Schedule of Lectures, Readings, and Assignments
The following schedule is subject to change, particularly in response to changing political events. All reading should be done prior to the matching lecture or discussion. When "Student Sources" are listed in the reading assignments, this means that our discussion will be based on articles and information that you have gathered on the subject and bring to class. See the Student Sources Worksheet (which can be downloaded from the course website) for details. Copies of your articles and the Student Sources Worksheet will be collected after each discussion.
For copies of PowerPoint slides, click on the topic in schedule below. Slides will be posted as the term progresses.
PART I: Constitutional Principles (Week 1-2)
WEEK 1: August 30-September 7
Date |
LECTURE or DISCUSSION |
READING |
Friday |
Introductory Session |
Winning in 2012, All |
Monday |
Discussion -- Who will win in 2012? and |
Logic, Chapter 1 |
Tuesday |
Logic, Chapter 1 |
|
Thursday |
America's Constitutional Order I |
Logic, Chapter 2 and review Declaration of Independence and Constitution (Appendix 2-3 in Logic ) |
Friday |
America's Constitutional Order II |
READ Federalist 10 and Federalist 51 (Appendix 4-5 in Logic ) |
PART II: Policy-Making Institutions (Week 2-4)
WEEK 2: September 10-14
Monday |
Federalism |
Logic, Chapter 3 |
Tuesday |
Congress I |
Logic, Chapter 6 |
Thursday |
Congress II |
Logic, Chapter 6 |
Friday |
Issues for the Election: The Economy |
Student Sources |
WEEK 3: September 17-21
Monday |
The Presidency I |
Logic, Chapter 7 |
Tuesday |
The Presidency II |
Logic, Chapter 7 |
Thursday |
The Bureaucracy |
Logic, Chapter 8 |
Friday |
FIRST EXAM |
Friday, September 21 EXAM #1 STUDY GUIDE |
WEEK 4: September 24-28
Monday |
The Judiciary I |
Logic, Chapter 9 |
Tuesday |
Issues for the Election: Foreign & Security Policy |
Student Sources |
Thursday |
The Judiciary II |
Logic, Chapter 9 |
Friday |
Issues for the Election: Energy & Climate Change |
Student Sources |
First Issue Paper Due on Monday, September 28
PART III: The Political Process (Weeks 5-8)
WEEK 5: October 1-5
Monday |
In-class preparation for presidential debates |
|
Tuesday |
Presidential Debate: Economic Policy |
MEET IN HULMAN UNION |
Thursday |
Political Culture and Public Opinion |
Logic, Chapter 10 |
Friday |
Issues for the Election: Government Reform |
Student Sources |
WEEK 6: October 8-12
Monday |
Voting and Elections I |
Logic, Chapter 11; Winning in 2008, pp. 30-50 |
Tuesday |
Presidential Debate: Social Policy |
MEET IN HULMAN UNION |
Fall Break, October 16-17
Second Issue Paper Due on Monday, October 20
WEEK 7: October 15-19
Monday |
Voting and Elections II |
Logic, Chapter 11 |
Tuesday |
Presidential Debate: Defense and Foreign Policy |
MEET IN HULMAN UNION |
Thursday |
Political Parties I |
Logic, Chapter 12 |
Friday |
SECOND EXAM |
Monday, November 3 EXAM #2 STUDY GUIDE |
WEEK 8: October 22-26
Monday |
Political Parties II |
Logic, Chapter 12 |
Tuesday |
Presidential Debate: Defense and Foreign Policy |
MEET IN HULMAN UNION |
Thursday |
Interest Groups |
Logic, Chapter 13 |
Friday |
The News Media (CANCELLED) |
Logic, Chapter 14 |
PART IV: Rights and Liberties (Weeks 9-10)
WEEK 9: October 29-November 2
Monday |
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties I |
Logic, Chapter 4 |
Tuesday |
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties II |
Logic, Chapter 5 |
Thursday |
The Dilemmas of Institutional Reform I |
Logic, Chapter 15 |
Friday |
The Dilemmas of Institutional Reform II |
Logic, Chapter 15 |
WEEK 10: November 5-9
Monday |
TBA |
|
Tuesday |
Election Day Discussion |
|
Thursday |
Election Results Review |
|
Friday |
THIRD EXAM |
Friday, November 9 EXAM #3 STUDY GUIDE |
ELECTION DAY – Tuesday, November 6