COURSE SYLLABUS American Government Spring 2012 Monte S. Freidig Phone: 707 527-4468 Email: mfreidig@santarosa.

edu SR Office: 1554 Emeritus Hours: M/W noon-1 p.m. T/Th 10:30-noon

COURSE OUTLINE: This course is designed to introduce students to the workings of the American political system. Course topics include: The study of politics; democratic theory; the American Founding; the U.S. Constitution; federalism; state & local politics; institutions linking citizens to government (elections, parties, interest groups, the media, and public opinion); government institutions (Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, judiciary); civil liberties, civil rights and policymaking. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Analyze American political institutions and processes and how government impacts their daily lives. 2. Engage in political discourse about contemporary political problems and issues applying critical thinking skills and analysis to support a point of view. 3. Examine the core values of the American political creed and assess how well the current system reflects those principles. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Formulate and examine their own values and beliefs. 2. Research contemporary political issues drawing upon diverse sources. 3. Assess and distinguish between factual and interpretive sources of information. 4. Trace how and why American political structures and institutions at the federal and state levels have evolved over time and discuss current controversies in the light of these developments. 5. Evaluate different forms of political communication and the methods employed to shape public opinion. 6. Assess the influence of political institutions on the American population and the methods by which citizens can participate in the political process and shape policy outcomes. REQUIRED READING: The Struggle for Democracy by Greenberg & Page. 10th edition (2011). RECOMMENDED READINGS: (the top 2 sources here are incl. in the text packet) Pearsons mypoliscilab study module for online homework. Longmans State Politics Series: California by Fiber-Ostrow 8th edition (2011). 1

American Dreams: The United States Since 1945 by HW Brands (2010) A daily newspaper: Students are encouraged to follow politics in a daily newspaper. Although any good daily newspaper may be used for the purpose, The Press-Democrat is recommended for this class because of its coverage of federal, state & local politics. ADDITIONAL COURSE MATERIALS: Blue/Green Book and Scantron (#882) examination forms, a #2 pencil and a pen will be required for exams. Buy them well before exams begin. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The course has been designed to reward those students who meet all of the course requirements. Quizzes and exams will be based on both reading and lecture material. Attendance, participation and daily assignments. Santa Rosa Junior College views attendance at class as an obligation to be honored by all students. Time will usually be set aside at the beginning of each class for discussing current political events. Students are expected to come to class prepared, having done the readings before coming to class, and are responsible for any information given out during absences. Several brief writing assignments will be due during the semester. These are designed to engage the student more deeply with the material and as a reward to those who complete them. To get credit for these assignments, you must be in attendance and hard copies are due in-class on the dates they are due. Low attendance may also negatively impact your participation points. If an emergency arises leading you to miss more than one day of class, you are required to contact me as soon as possible during the absence. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO CHECK THE ROLL SHEET EVERY DAY--If you arrive late, please do so after class. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, YOU MAY BE MARKED ABSENT. Quizzes. A few quizzes will be administered to assess the students' progress and comprehension of the required readings. I will distribute forms for these quizzes. Exams. Two midterms and one final exam will also be administered. Exams are not comprehensive, but they will focus upon all the materials assigned for each section of the course. Exams include multiple choice Scantron and Blue Book essay components. Research Project. You must complete this assigned project to pass the course. Grading: A=(90-100%), B=(80-89%), C=(70-79%), D=(60-69%), F=<60% The course requirements will be weighted in the following manner: Participation, Assignments & Quizzes 20-25% Midterm #1 10% Midterm #2 20% Research Project 20% Final Exam 25-30% Extra credit opportunities may also be available and will be announced in class.

Conduct. It is expected that students will participate in class and allow others to do so, showing respect for differences of opinion. Students should come to class on time and because the all material covered in class is fair game on exams, allow others to listen and take notes without disruption. If you arrive at class late (or have to leave early), please sit toward the back of the classroom and sign the role sheet after class. Please do not read or do homework for this or other courses in class. Cell phone and messaging devices should be switched off and stowed during classes. Students who engage in disruptive behaviors may by asked to leave. Exams begin at the times they are scheduled. Students arriving late to an exam will not be given extra time and may not be admitted. The final exam schedule is set by the college, do not expect it to be adjusted to fit your travel needs. Cheating, plagiarism or other dishonest conduct will result in an "F" for the assignment for all those involved. This includes any students using electronic devices during exams. In some cases, further disciplinary action may also be pursued. A final note. If you are having difficulties of any kind, please come and see me before they begin to negatively impact your work. Chances are, we can work around most problems. If not and you need to drop the class, please see me beforehand. There are also a number of on-campus resources for students with learning disabilities and other needs. I have office hours scheduled every day Mon-Thur. and will be glad to help you with concepts you are having difficulty understanding, your research project or any other matter related to the class. CLASS SCHEDULE: (This is a weekly plan, but is subject to change) Chapters marked with an asterisk (*) will not be covered on Scantron exams, but you are expected to read them and they will be incorporated elsewhere in class. Week 1 Week 2 COURSE INTRODUCTION TEXT: CHP. 1 THE STRUCTURAL FOUNDATIONS OF U.S. POLITICS* TEXT: CHP. 4 Political Typology quiz printout@http://people-press.org/typology THE CONSTITUTION TEXT: CHP. 2 (+ The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, Federalist Papers #10 & 51Appendices in the back of your textbook) Bring textbook to class this week Constitution Quiz (Quiz #1) FEDERALISM TEXT: CHP. 3 MIDTERM EXAM #1 (CHPS. 1-3)

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS California Budget Challenge @ next10.org California Politics Quiz PUBLIC OPINION TEXT: CHP. 5 First Political Memory Assignment Worlds Smallest Political Quiz Assignment @ theadvocates.org THE NEWS MEDIA TEXT: CHP. 6 INTEREST GROUPS* AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS* TEXT: CHPS. 7 & 8 POLITICAL PARTIES TEXT: CHP. 9 Major-Minor Party Platforms Assignment @ politics1.com VOTING, CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS TEXT: CHP. 10

Week 6

Week 7 Week 8 Week 9

Week 10

MIDTERM EXAM # 2 (CHPS. 5, 6, 9, 10) Weeks 11-12 CONGRESS TEXT: CHP. 11 Week 13 Week 14 THE PRESIDENCY TEXT: CHP. 12 THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH* TEXT: CHP. 13 Presidency Quiz (Quiz #2) THE COURTS TEXT: CHP. 14 CIVIL LIBERTIES & CIVIL RIGHTS* TEXT: CHPS. 15 & 16 FINAL EXAM (CHPS. 11, 12, 14, 15) Final exam times are listed below.

Week 15 Week 16

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Final exam schedules are set by the college, not by me. Adjust your plans accordingly. Monday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 19 @ 7 am for the May 19 @ 10 am for the May 20 @ 7 am for the May 21 @ 7 am for the May 22 @ 7 am for the MW MW TR MW TR 7:30 class 10:30 class 7:30 class 9:00 class 9:00 class

REQUIRED MATERIALS--Bluebook, pen, Scantron form #882, #2 pencil. Be sure to purchase your exam materials early. Students who wait until the last minute may have trouble getting these supplies. If you arrive late to the final exam you may not be seated.