This course offers a survey of the ideas and the practice of contemporary government and politics in the United States. It will examine the American political process with special attention to its context, institutions, and the electoral process. Furthermore, this course will emphasize the theoretical and practical understanding of how and why the American political system produces the kind of policies it does, and how the system itself is structured.

Class Meetings:
Classes will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. in Bus. 204.

Text:
The following text is required and is available for purchase at the campus bookstore.

American Government: 5th edition. Wilson, James Q.

Course Requirements:

1. Attendance of class meetings.
2. Successful completion of three exams to be held on September 17, October 15 and November 12, 1999.
3. Successful completion of the Final Exam scheduled for December 15, 1999.
4. Successful completion of a five to seven page term paper, the topic to be discussed in class, which will be due on November 19, 1999

Grading Scale:

Each exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions and five out of seven short identifications. Make up exams will only be scheduled for students with a valid and credible excuse. Students who anticipate being absent from class due to religious observance should inform the instructor by the end of the second week in writing. (Coordinating Board Rule). Each exam, including the Final, will be worth 100 points for an overall total of 400 points. The term paper will count for an additional 100 points for an overall class total of 500 points. The grading scale will be the following:
450-500 points = A
400-449 points = B
350-399 points = C
300-349 points = D
299 or below = F

Course Outline:

1. Introduction

2. The Constitution, Wilson, Chapters 1-3

3. The Judiciary, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Wilson, Chapters 10 and 11

4. Congress, Wilson, Chapter 7

5. The Presidency, Wilson, Chapter 8

6. Political Parties and Interest Groups, Wilson, Chapter 5

7. Public Opinion and the Media Wilson, Chapter 4

8. Voting Behavior, Campaigns and Elections, Wilson, Chapter 6

9. The Bureaucracy and Public Policy, Wilson, Chapters 9 and 12

10. Conclusion, Wilson, Chapter 13