Political Science 2041/Fall 1999/Dr. Conley/University of Florida

Political Science 2041
American Federal Government
Fall 1999

Richard S. Conley, Ph.D.

Department of Political Science

3353 Turlington Hall

(352) 392-0262 x. 297

rconley@polisci.ufl.edu

"I Want You To Explore This Website!"

Quick Links Navigator:     Email Quizzes
                                                Short Paper Assignments
                                                Lecture and Readings Schedule
                                                Mid-Term Exam Date
                                                Final Exam Date

This is an introductory level course intended to give students a comprehensive overview of the institutions (Congress, Presidency, the Courts) and processes and actors (elections, voting behavior, political parties, campaigns, interest groups, and the media) which operate in the American political system. We will focus on the origins, development, and current state of American political institutions and democratic processes. We will also give attention to impending presidential primary elections and the frontrunners in the Democratic and Republican parties.

The class begins with an intensive analysis of the Founding Fathers’ objectives in forming the American Republic. We will then proceed to an analysis of the evolution of political institutions and processes. Topics will be examined from an historical perspective, with particular reference to the intentions of the original framers of the Constitution. Of particular import for the class is whether our political processes and institutions continue to operate in a manner that is consistent with the democratic principles outlined in the Constitution and which reforms, if any, are needed.

Office Hours

My office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m., and Wednesday 10:00a.m.-noon. No appointment is necessary during these times.

Teaching Assistants

The two teaching assistants for this section of POS 2041 are Joshua Gordon and Anthony Chiarello. Their office hours are to be arranged.

Required Readings

Benjamin Ginsburg, Theodore Lowi, and Margaret Weir

2nd Edition

Robert DiClerico and Allan Hammock, Editors

7th Edition

Grades

Grades will be based on a mid term and final exam, short paper assignments, and weekly quizzes submitted by email. Below is a breakdown of how your grade will be determined for the course:

Mid Term Examination 35 %

Final Examination 35 %

Short Assignments (5 total) 20 %

Weekly Quizzes 10 %

Total 100 %

Neither individual assignments nor final grades in this course will be subject to a "curve." Letter grades for the final grade in the course will be assigned per the following schedule:

A 90+

B+ 87-89

B 80-86

C+ 77-79

C 70-76

D+ 67-69

D 60-66

E (failing) below 60

Mid-Term and Final Examinations

The mid-term and final examinations will be in-class on the date specified in the course outline and will be closed book, closed note. The exams will be multiple-choice and short-answer, with questions taken from reading material, lectures, films, and our discussions.

No exams will be given earlier than the time and date scheduled for this course.

The final exam will be given at the date and time scheduled by the University—which is fixed and final. If for any reason you cannot attend the final exam scheduled for this course (e.g., you have travel plans, personal obligations, etc.) do not enroll in this course.

Make-up exams are entirely at my discretion and will be in essay format. I rarely give make-up exams. Make-ups will only be given under the most extreme circumstances—which will necessarily require verifiable, written documentation of an emergency (illness or accident) or unavoidable legal obligation.

Attendance

Attendance for this course is mandatory—which means you are expected to attend class on a regular basis. I reserve the right to give periodic quizzes if attendance in lecture falls off during the semester, with in-class quizzes counting as part of the "weekly quizzes" portion of your grade.

Weekly Email Quizzes

Students must complete 10 email quizzes from the We the People web site to receive full credit for the "weekly quizzes" component of your grade. At the end of the semester, we will divide the number of quizzes you turn in by 10. Hence, you control fully this part of your course grade.

You must ensure that your name, student identification number, and email address are filled out properly on the web form. All email quizzes are to be sent to "drconley@ufl.edu" and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Friday of the week each chapter is covered.

Students may complete an additional 5 email quizzes for extra credit toward the "weekly quizzes" component of their grade. For example, if a student completes 15 quizzes, the grade would be calculated by dividing 15 by 10 for a grade of 150%. This amounts to 5 extra points, or a half grade, on the final grade.

Click here to go to the directory and direct links for each week's quizzes.

Short Papers

General rules: The assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and be no shorter than 1 full page and no longer than 2 full pages. Proper citations are required without exception, including citation of Internet research. Proper usage of English grammar is expected. Papers submitted with grammatical and spelling errors will receive lower grades. Re-writes of written assignments will not be accepted.

Papers are due at the end of lecture. Due dates are listed in the readings and lectures schedule. Assignments will be accepted early, but must be handed in by the time and date noted on the syllabus to receive full credit.

Students will receive a grade between 0 and 4 for each assisgnment, with 4=full credit.

Late papers will be penalized by 1 full point for each day they are late.

Consideration for extensions will not be given except under the most serious conditions, which will require written documentation and explanation at least two weeks prior to the due date of the assignment (in cases of last-minute emergencies, documentation must be provided that substantiates the severe nature of the illness, accident, or unavoidable legal obligation that prohibits the student both from completing the assignment and giving me reasonable notice prior to the assignment due date). In all cases, extensions are entirely at my discretion (not the Teaching Assistants').

Click on this link to go to the guidelines for each specific assignment.

General Criteria for Grading

Students who get top grades (A, B+) generally:

--Turn in high-quality written work which reflects careful research, good planning, well-conceived arguments, originality, clarity of thought, and integration of course material, where appropriate. They stay within stated page limits. Their bibliographies are solid and their footnotes carefully used. Their final product in typed and readable. Written work submitted is in nearly flawless English grammar and spelling.
--Complete all assigned readings on time, and reflect this in their exams, written work, and class participation. They review carefully and productively.
--Attend all classes.
--Participate actively and enthusiastically in class discussions. They ask questions on a regular basis, and their ideas are original and stimulating. They challenge the conventional wisdom.

Students who get middle grades (B, C+) generally:

--Turn in acceptable written work with no serious deficiencies in writing. They meet deadlines generally. Their work is readable and typed.
--Attend class, complete the assigned readings and participate in class discussions, asking occasional questions.

Students who get low and failing grades (C, D, E) generally:

--Do not turn in their assigned work, or turn it in late with penalty. Their work is of poor quality and shows inadequate research, documentation, thought, and originality. It is poorly presented (untidy and/or handwritten rather than typed). --Complete only part of the required readings.
--Do not attend class and avoid participation. When called upon, they are obviously not familiar with the material. They ask no questions and accept new ideas and opinions without challenging them.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Plagiarism (using someone else’s ideas without giving him proper credit) is a serious offense. Students are bound by the University of Florida’s Student Code of Conduct. Cheating on examinations and plagiarism are violations of the academic honesty standards of the University of Florida, will have a serious effect upon your grade in this course, and will be referred to the appropriate University authorities for disciplinary action.

The written assignments for this class are to be your own work. Discussing your ideas or general approach with me, other students or faculty, revising your work in response to a colleague’s criticism, or using words or ideas from a text or another source with proper attribution or referencing is acceptable, and is, in fact, an important aspect of intellectual discourse. Plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty, including the failure to cite proper references, are unacceptable at all times.

Students with Handicaps or Special Needs

If there is any reason why you need extra time on the mid-term and final examinations and/or require special physical accommodation, please see me as soon as possible at the beginning of the course. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs within the guidelines set forth by the University.

Creating a Dynamic and Rewarding Classroom Atmosphere

Some of our class time will be spent in discussion. It is therefore important that you bring your ideas and questions to class with you and share them with others. I will strive for an atmosphere in which every student participates and receives constructive and respectful response of other students. This is particularly important in a large lecture course such as ours.

Office Hours

I and the Teaching Assistants keep regular office hours to ensure that we are available to assist you. I encourage you to consult with me and the Teaching Assistants on course readings, assignments, problems you may be having with the course, or if you simply wish to come by to discuss your interests in American politics. If our scheduled office hours are not convenient for you, we will be happy to schedule alternate meeting times with you. You may reach us via email or leave a message on our office phones.

The Internet and Course Assignments

The Internet has become a vital source of information on politics that complements (but does not replace) library-based research. I encourage you to make use of the Internet during the semester as you undertake research for this course. Some of the assignments you are expected to complete will entail gathering information on the Internet.

Newspapers and Media

Students are encouraged to keep abreast of current events by reading at least 1 national or international newspaper or news source each day. At the present time, all of the following select news sources are available at no charge, on-line (The New York Times is free, but requires students to sign up with an easy on-line form). Occasionally, I will assign articles in current newspapers to the class.

click on the images below to link to news sources