AMERICAN GOVERNMENT – POL*111D
Semester – Fall 2008
CRN - 1365
Department – Social Science
Instructor - Heather Verdi
Email – WebCT internal mail, verdih@csdnb.org
Course Location – Online
Meeting Time – This course is delivered entirely online. You are required to log on at least three times weekly to complete class assignments. Depending on your ease with technology, more time may be needed to be successful in this class
Credit Hours - 3 Credits
Catalog Description
This course examines the patterns of politics in the nation, Constitution, Congress, and Presidency. Topics of study include political ideologies, interest group pluralism, citizen alienation, interest group pluralism, citizen alienation, institutional power, democracy’s requirements, and others. Learning objectives include becoming politically informed, engaging in political discussions, and analyzing the government’s responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
Additional Description
This course will develop your powers to think critically. According to the text, “You will benefit from reexamining the “truths” taught in the public schools, looking beyond the slogans of democracy (and of Marxism) to the realities of power in contemporary society.” We will reexamine traditional teachings about American government, and critically reexamine the economic system, the social system, and the communications system within our nation.
Course Applications
This course will give students an educated perspective on the importance of politics in the 21st century. Students will understand and apply the basic frameworks of our government and seek to understand the rationale, motive, and economic reasoning behind the major decision making processes. As a result, students will learn to critically analyze the role of the media in the decision making process in order to better participate in the political process on the local, regional, and national levels.
Course Prerequisites
None – additionally, this course has been deemed as transferable to other colleges and fulfills a general education requirement for many majors. This course also satisfies the graduation requirement for a ‘D’ or diversity selection that is required in your studies.
Attendance Policy/Class Cancellation Policy
You are required to log on at least three times weekly and perform tasks and assignments online in accordance with the schedule set forth in this syllabus. All discussions and weekly assignments are due midnight of Sunday. Exams and projects are due according to the course outline. Late submissions will be penalized. Due to the nature of online learning, class will not be cancelled.
On Line Learning Expectations
Students are expected to log on frequently throughout the term. Participation in weekly discussions is expected to be on a mature and non-threatening. While disagreement is expected (and encouraged!) one should not attack another’s views in an insulting manner.
Appropriate academic language is expected at all times.
Preparing for online learning: If this is your first online course, you may be wondering what the experience will be like and how best to prepare. The following information will help to get the most out of this course.
- Understand your role
- Be Organized
- Set aside a specific time in which you will complete the work required for each chapter. Treat this as your time to be ‘in school’ and avoid distractions. Assume that you will have at least three ‘class’ sessions per week for learning material and completing the assignments.
- Communicate with the instructor or other classmates when you are having difficulty and in need of further assistance.
- Stay current with all assignments. Do not let assignments slide. Be sure to hand in all assignments on the due date. Assignments will be released according to the schedule.
- Be Prepared
- Get the required textbook and software (listed above). You will have to read and follow the instructions in the textbook. There are also additional resources on WebCT to supplement your learning.
- Make sure that you have Internet access and have room on your computer for downloading files.
- Be sure that you have a physical copy of the syllabus. It is the guideline for the course. (The syllabus is subject to change).
- When you begin the course, it will be important to be able to navigate the Web site with ease. Visit the Welcome icon on the Homepage for a quick tour of the course and its features.
- Avoiding Roadblocks
- Sometimes the site may be down for maintenance, etc. and you cannot access the work. Maintenance dates will be announced in advance – you need to plan accordingly.
2. Instruction will be in writing rather than visual or audio. You may experience different ways of learning.
3. Do not spend excess time to complete a task if errors on the system are displaying. Contact me.
2. Understand my role
a. Facilitate, not lecture. My role is to be there as a resource to provide guidance through your learning experience, to discuss problems you may encounter, and to review your progress.
- Evaluate. Computerized projects, discussions, and exams will be completed throughout the semester. My role is to evaluate and grade your work.
- Manage the course. I will manage the pace of the course through the syllabus. The calendar and assignment areas will be used to communicate what material you should be working on at any given time.
Textbook
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The Irony of Democracy by Thomas R. Dye and Harmon Ziegler 14th ed. Thomson/Wadsworth
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Grading
· Participation in three weekly discussions* 25%
o Each discussion is worth 10 points
o 1st posting will answer discussion question
o 2nd&3rd postings will be responses to two
different students within the class
regarding their posting to the discussion
question.
· Research Paper (1) 25%
o 100 points
· Bi-Weekly Quiz – 10 points ea 25%
o 10 Multiple Choice questions
· Final Exam 25%
o 100 points
*1) Protocol for posting threads
and contributing to an online discussion are as follows:
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Postings should be a minimum of one short paragraph and a maximum of two paragraphs. |
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Avoid postings that are limited to 'I agree' or 'great idea', etc. If you agree (or disagree) with a posting then say why you agree by supporting your statement with concepts from the readings or by bringing in a related example or experience. |
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Address the questions as much as possible (don't let the discussion stray). |
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Try to use quotes from the articles that support your postings. Include page numbers when you do that. |
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Build on others responses to create threads. |
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Bring in related prior knowledge (work experience, prior coursework, readings, etc.) |
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Use proper etiquette (proper language, typing, etc.). |
(2) Rubric for evaluating online discussions:
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Weekly Online Discussions Rubric |
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Criteria |
Excellent |
Good |
Average |
Poor |
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Length of posting |
Well developed answer using two paragraph format |
Well developed answer in one short paragraph |
answer somewhat developed, too brief to cover topic |
Answer in sentence format |
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Responsiveness to discussion and demonstration of knowledge and understanding gained from assigned reading |
very clear that readings were understood and incorporated well into responses |
readings were understood and incorporated into responses |
postings have questionable relationship to reading material |
not evident that readings were understood and/or not incorporated into discussion |
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Prior Knowledge |
Excellent use of prior knowledge with evidence cited from text, outside sources, and/or related experiences |
Good use of prior knowledge; some use of evidence cited from source material and/or related experiences. |
Minimal prior knowledge incorporated into answer and/ or misuse of material |
No prior knowledge used |
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Points |
9-10 |
8 |
6-7 |
5 or less |
Dates and Assignments Weekly Topics
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Week 1 Aug 25-31
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Introduction, Ch. 1 – The Irony of Democracy Complete the online Citizenship survey at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13442226/ and report your score (if you dare!). Describe your comfort level regarding knowledge of American Government and respond to two classmates!
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Week 2 Sept 1-7
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Ch. 2 – The Founding Father’s: The Nation’s First Elite Discussion Question: Discuss the dichotomy of Jefferson as both a democrat and a slaveholder in terms of the ever-continuing gap in America between ideal and practice. Give contemporary examples, if you can, from our present Presidential candidates. Respond to two classmates.
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Week 3 Sept 8-14
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Ch. 3 – The Evolution of America’s Elites Ch. 4 – Elites in America Discussion Question: The idea of upward mobility and the American dream of “making it” are entrenched in US history and culture. How does this legitimate the elite system? Respond to two classmates.
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Week 4 Sept 15-21
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Ch. 5 – Masses in America Ch. 6 – Elite-Mass Communication Discussion Question: Is Fox is more biased than another news network? Compare and contrast Fox with another network regarding a similar news story and give examples to support your view. Respond to two classmates.
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Week 5 Sept 22-28
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Ch. 7 – Political Parties and Ideologies Ch. 8 – Elections, Money and the Myths of Democracy Discussion Question: The 2004 election went against many of the accepted wisdoms of political study: voter turnout was up and policy mattered. How does this compare to the present election? What issues are most important? How strong of a voter turnout do you anticipate? Respond to two classmates.
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Week 6 Sept 29- Oct 5
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Ch. 9 – Organized Interest: Not “the People” Discussion Question: If all organizations are oligarchies (rule by the few), and oligarchies are bad, is this a call for anarchism? Discuss trading freedom for security in terms of the social contract in our post-9/11 world. Respond to two classmates.
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Week 7 Oct 6-12
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Ch. 10 – The Presidency Discussion Question: Identify your favorite president of all time and explain your decision. Name your least favorite and explain. What most influences the legacy of a president? Respond to two classmates. |
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Week 8 Oct 13-19
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Ch. 11 – The Bureaucratic Elite Discussion Question: Examine how many of the “rules” of society are law and how many are regulations. Driving, school, and work are excellent places to look. How important is order in a civilized society? Respond to two classmates.. |
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Week 9 Oct 20-26
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Work on and complete research paper
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Week 10 Oct 27-Nov 2
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Ch. 12 – Congress: The Legislative Elite Discussion Question: Who should run for Congress? Create a candidate by describing the attributes that you feel are most important to the voters. Consider education, ethnicity, gender, age, and marital status, to name a few. Repond to two classmates |
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Week 11 Nov 3-9
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Ch. 13 – Courts: Elites in Black Robes Discussion Question: Giving at least two reasons, argue for or against a Constitutional amendment setting term limits for Supreme Court Justices. Respond to two classmates.
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Week 12 Nov 10-16
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Ch. 14 – American Federalism: Elites in States and Communities Discussion Question: Examine different initiative and referenda for evidence of the masses being for or against democratic values (e.g., gay rights).
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Week 13 Nov 17-23
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Ch. 15 – Civil Rights: Elite Response to Protest Discussion Question: Would the American masses ever have protected the rights of minorities and/or women without elites forcing it on them? Why or why not? Respond to two classmates
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Week 14 Nov 24-30
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Thanksgiving Break |
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Week 15 Dec 1-7
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Ch. 16 - Public Policy – How Elites Make Decisions Discussion Question: You are establishing a Foundation with $5 million in seed money. What will it do, who will it help? What will you call it? How will you get the elites to support your efforts?
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Week 16 Dec 8-14 |
Final Exam |
ADA Accommodations Statement
“Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office. After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors. This should be done at the beginning of each semester. Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”
Academic ethics and classroom behavior
“At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.” (Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1)
Use of Computing Resources
All resources and facilities of the Data Processing Labs, including the computer classroom sites, are to be used solely for the legitimate and authorized academic and administrative purposes. Any unauthorized or illegitimate use of the computer systems, resources, and/or facilities will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with Section 53a-250, et seq., of the General Statutes.
Course schedule and assignments may be subject to change