A
MERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICSDepartment of Political Science
North Carolina A&T State University
Phone: (336) 334-7666/7673
Fax: (336) 334-7321
Fall 2003
Instructor: Dr. James Daniel Steele, Associate Professor
Lectures: Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Office 232 Gibbs Hall
Email Address: steelej@ncat.edu
Course Web Site: http://www.ncat.edu/~steelej/sphere/index.htm
Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m., and by Appointment
Course Description: Credit 3.0
This course introduces the student to the study of politics through an analysis of major features of the American polity. Topics to be treated include the political self-understanding of Americans, the founding of the political system, the operation of our political institutions, and the forms of political participation.
Behavioral Objectives
Upon finishing this course, students should be able to
1. List and explain the principles o f the American Constitution;
2. Describe the organization and function of the important federal institutions;
3. Comprehend the basic elements of political opinions, interests, organizations, and participation
4. Present and analyze some important problems confronting the nation;
5. Raise some factual and value questions on the above problems from different viewpoints.
6. Explain the role and contributions of diversity in the formation and development of the American
political system
Student Responsibilities
1. Students are responsible for regular and punctual class attendance. Each instructor will advise students of the class attendance requirements.
2. All students are required to take four examinations of equal importance.
3. All students are expected to complete reading assignments prior to the class in which they are to be discussed. Students are also responsible for materials presented in lectures.
4. Make-up examinations will be given only when a legitimate and documented excuse is presented to the instructor or if the student has received permission from the instructor prior to the examination.
5. Students are advised to read the Universitys Academic Dishonesty Policy that is found in the Student Handbook and Undergraduate Bulletin. Students found guilty of cheating, plagiarism, or other actions that undermine the policy of academic honesty may receive a letter grade of "F" for the course.
Required Texts
Stephen W. Schmidt, Mark C. Shelley, and Barbara A. Bardes, American Government and Politics Today, Brief Edition 2003 2004 (Stamford, CT: Wadsworth, Thomson Learning, 2002). The online course companion for this text is: http://politicalscience.wadsworth.com
Claude Barnes, Samuel A. Moseley, and James D. Steele, eds. American National and State Government: An African American Perspective of the Return of Redemptionist Politics, Revised Edition (Kendal/Hunt Publishing Company, 2000). The online web page for this text is:
http://government.ncat.edu/ansg/.(this book is referenced on your syllabus as ANSG)
Additional materials may be provided by the instructor in class or in the Closed Reserve Section in Bluford Library.
Examinations: Week of :
Examination 1 (25%) Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Examination 2 (25%) ....Thursday, October 2, 2003
Examination 3 (25%) ....Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Examination 4 (25%) .......................... ..Thursday, December 4, 2003
Students with Disabilities
If you have conditions, such as physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical or learning disability, which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as outlined in this syllabus, or which will require extra time for examinations please notify the instructor and the Office of Disability Support Services (Suite 005, Murphy Hall) in the first two weeks of the course so that we may make appropriate arrangements. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.
Things I Don't Believe In
1. Extra credit (if you can't do regular credit, how can you do extra credit?).
2. Absences. The university gives you four excused absences for the semester. Only official university excuses are acceptable. For each absence beyond that four, I subtract two points from your overall grade. All others are not acceptable. Absences from tests are impossible.
3. Habitual lateness (this will be subtracted from your grade in Class Participation)
4. Handwritten assignments? There is no such thing. All assignments and projects, unless otherwise indicated by the professor, must be typed. The type will be no larger than a 12 point font.
5. Late assignments. All papers are due at the beginning of class. If you decide to turn in an assignment by the end of class, it will not be accepted.
6. Excuses. You must be kidding.
TOPICAL OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
August 19-September 4
1. Foundation of American Government
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 1
Barnes, Moseley and Steele, "A Reconsideration of Foundations and the American Dilemma"
Bill of Rights
(this can be found most anywhere-e.g.-online or in Bluford Library)
2. The Constitution
The Constitution (this can be found most anywhere but also in ANSG)
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 2
Michael Parenti "A Constitution for the Few," in ANSG
Eric Foner, "Blacks and the Constitution 1789-1989" in ANSG
September 11-30
3. Federalism
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 3
"The Changing Dynamics of the American Federal System: State and Local Government in the Era of Redemptionist Politics," in ANSG
4. Civil Liberties
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 4
Suggested: Oral History: The Former African Captives in America Speak (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/wpahome.html)
5. W.E.B Du Bois and the 100th Anniversary of the The Souls of Black Folk: African Americans (U.S.) and the Struggle for Equality and Civil Rights in the U.S.
Booker T. Washington, "
The Atlanta Compromise Speech," 1895W.E.B. Du Bois,
The Souls of Black Folk (includes: Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others)W. E. B. Du Bois, "
The Talented Tenth," In The Negro Problem, a collection of articles by African Americans (New York: James Pott and Company, 1903).6. Civil Rights
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 5
October 7-30
7. Campaigns, Elections, Voting Behavior
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 8
Samuel Moseley, "Racial Politics in North Carolina" in ANSG
8. Interest Groups and Political Parties
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 7
James Daniel Steele, "Bootstrap Fantasies: A Critique of Conservative Philosophy in U.S. Public Policy," in ANSG
Claude Barnes, "Bullet Holes in the Wall: Reflections on the Dudley/A&T Student Revolt of May 1969," in ANSG
November 6-25
9. The Congress
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 9
10. The Presidency
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 10
11. The Bureaucracy
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 11
12. The Courts
Schmidt, et al, Chapter 12
December 2-4
13. Review (December 2, 2003)
14. Test 4