AMERICAN NATIONAL POLITICS      

Po 120       3 CREDITS       SPRING 2006

 

 

 

The purpose of this course is to examine the most important aspects of the political system of the United States.  We will be defining politics broadly, to encompass all forms of decision-making affecting the welfare of a large sector of the public, and so we will include in our study powerful actors not popularly regarded as governing institutions.  At all times, the emphasis will be upon political theory, which will provide us with a standard for the evaluation of how institutions and proces­ses have developed historically.  We will consider empirically how these institutions function in the contem­porary context, sensitive to how practice might depart from theory.  Specific topics will include American political beliefs, the distribu­tion of power in American society, govern­mental respon­siveness to various sectors of the community, federalism, political parties and the electoral system, and the three branches of government: Congress, the Executive, and the Judiciary.

 

The reading for this course is not burdensome, but you should avoid falling behind.  Texts should be read in the approximate order listed, and you should keep well ahead of the pace set in class lectures.  Specific assignments will be made sporadically.  It will be assumed that you have read the relevant text, and are prepared to participate fully in all class discussions.  Note also that the on-line version of this syllabus contains links to important sources of information about American politics that you might want to explore on your own volition.

 

 

ASSIGNED TEXTS:

 

For pedagogical reasons, I have chosen textbooks that will challenge conventional wisdom about American politics.  The following are available in the SMC bookstore and should be purchased immediately.  Second hand copies are plentiful.   Several short assignments may be distributed via email.  You should check your email frequently.

 

THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY, by Edward Greenberg & Benjamin Page

 

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IN PERIL, by William Hudson

 

A daily newspaper—preferably the Washington Post or the New York Times—the Burlington Freeper will do (but emphatically not USA Today).  I may occasionally deliver news clippings pertinent to the class in your e-mail, so again, check your Inbox frequently.  These will also be considered assigned, and students should be prepared to discuss them in class or on exams.  There will be three exams of the essay variety.

 

Students will be permitted up to four unexcused absences.  After the forth absence, you will be given the option of withdrawal from the course, or suffer a reduction of one letter grade for each additional absence. Your presence and participation in class is important and highly valued by your instructor and your classmates.

 

If at any time you need to contact me, my office is located in St. Ed's 346, or call at ex. 2245 and leave a message on my voice mail.  However, your best option is email.  I encourage you to use this resource should any questions occur to you during your reading.  I will usually have an answer by later that afternoon or the next morning.  I will also use e-mail to convey important information to the class.  Anything delivered to your SMC email address will be treated as an assignment in that you will be expected to have read it, so check your campus email regularly.  If you use another email account, it is your responsibility to fix your SMC account to forward email to your web or ISP account.

 

 

 

                                                                    SYLLABUS

 

 

I.          INTRODUCTION TO THE DISCIPLINE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Greenberg & Page., Ch. 1

Hudson, pp. 12-18

 

 

II.        AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE

 

A.        THE IDEAS OF THE FOUNDERS:

Greenberg & Page, Ch. 2

Federalist # 10, in Greenberg & Page, Appendix

Federalist # 51, in Greenberg & Page, Appendix

Identify both of your senators for you home state, and your representative.  If you do not know, go here: http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/.  Find out:

 

1)      Party affiliation

2)      When first elected to their current post

3)      Committee assignments in Congress—do these relate to any substantial interests in your state or district?

 

 

            B.        THE MADISONIAN LEGACY

1) Federalism

Greenberg & Page, Ch. 3

http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/statebudgets.html -- See how your state is doing

 

2) The Political Economy

Greenberg & Page, Ch. 4

Hudson, Ch. 6

                        http://www.cooperativeindividualism.org/wealth_distribution1999.html

                        http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/America/Wealth_Divide.html

                        http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/DistributionofIncome.html

 

FIRST EXAMINATION

 

 

III.       SEEKING DEMOCRACY (AND WHY IT IS SO ELUSIVE)      

 

A.        PUBLIC OPINION

Greenberg & Page, Ch. 5

Hudson, Ch. 3

“liberalism” http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/liberalism.html

“conservativism” http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/conservatism.html

 

B.                 THE MASS MEDIA

Greenberg & Page, Ch. 6

http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/mediahistory.html

Media Reform Information Center  http://www.corporations.org/media/