Course Goals

This course is designed to:

1) introduce students to the structures, actors, and processes of the American political system;

2) explore the philosophical, historical and cultural underpinnings of American society;

3) provide students with a comparative perspective from which to analyze the American political system;

4) introduce students to the uses of empirical social science research; and

5) develop critical thinking skills in students by encouraging students to explore the nature, institutions, actors, and outcomes of the American political system from three different theoretical perspectives:

    democratic theory, elite theory and plural theory

 

Texts

 

There are two books used in this course:

Dye and Zeigler:  The Irony of Democracy

This is the basic text for the course. It critically examines the nature of American governmental structures, actors, and outcomes, but more importantly, the processes of American government. The text's approach can be summarized as follows:

Democracy is government "by the people", but the survival of democracy in fact rests on the shoulders of the elites. This is the irony of democracy: Elites must govern wisely if government "by the people" is to survive. If the survival of the American system depended on the existence of an active, informed, and enlightened citizenry, then democracy in America would have disappeared long ago; for the masses of America are apathetic and ill-informed about politics and public policy, and they have a surprisingly weak commitment to democratic values--individual dignity, equality of opportunity, the right to dissent, freedom of speech and press, religious toleration, and due process of law. But fortunately for these values and American democracy, the American masses do not lead, they follow.  They respond to the attitudes, proposals, and the behavior of elites. (p. 2)

 

Corbett and Norrander:  American Government Using Microcase Explorit

This is a data-based workbook which utilizes the MicroCase Explorit data analysis system.  It is utilized to provide students with the opportunity to see how political scientists explore political phenomena from a quantitative perspective and to allow students to do data-based analysis on their own.  The system is a  "cookbook-oriented"  analysis system, ie. students need no preexisting understanding of computers, data analysis, etc. You just following the instructions in the workbook!."

 

 

Student Obligations

 

There are a number of things which you must do to succeed in this class. It is imperative that you keep up with the reading in the Dye and Zeigler text. Theirs is an interesting and unique approach which must be read before class for the lectures to be informative and supplementary. The articles on reserve in the library and on the class homepage must also be read on time. I reserve the right to administer unannounced quizzes on the chapter material or other readings at any point during the semester. While it would be optimum if we could discuss every article in class, time constraints normally prevent this. Therefore, students are expected to continually access the class homepage. Students MUST access the WebCalendar page prior to every class and do all readings and exercises "embedded" in the page! You are responsible for all ideas explored on the page! It will be difficult for you to understand some of the lectures, participate in class discussions, participate in class activities, and do well on the examinations without having read the assigned materials. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, students will need to check the class homepage daily.

There are a number of obligations which you are expected to uphold and they revolve around your obligation to be responsible for your own education. The University of Dayton provides you with a number of resources to assist you in your quest for knowledge--a wide variety of courses, professors, a library, a counseling center, staff to improve study skills, the campus network with access to information sources throughout the world, and laboratories, just to name a few. Ultimately, however, the responsibility for your education rests upon your shoulders. Reading assigned materials on time, coming to class, accessing the class homepage, and having good note-taking skills and good study habits are some of the things that only you can provide. I have tried to develop as many mechanisms as I can within the framework of the course to assist you in your education. I have tried to select an interesting and unique textbook that should stimulate you to look at the American political system from different perspectives. I have chosen some supplementary readings that address fundamental issues of current concern. We will actually be doing some data analysis this semester through the MicroCase data-analysis system.  I also have selected some films and videos which are designed to stimulate your curiosity. I have developed some mechanisms within the course requirements (quizzes and research assignments) to try to encourage you to live up to your responsibility to read material on time. A professor can only do so much. You have to be responsible for your education. Coming to class prepared to discuss the readings, asking questions about the material, and developing the study habits necessary for success in college are, ultimately, only things which you can do.

Grading Criteria

 

A) The in-class examinations take place during the semester's regular class time (50 minutes). The exams are usually 80% objective and 20% essay. In order for exams to be fair indicators of student performance, a student must take the exam at the same time as other students. Thus, make-up exams will be given only in the most extreme circumstances. You must notify me in advance if you are unable to take the exam, otherwise you will receive a grade of zero on the exam.

B) A series of quizzes, and writing assignments will be required during the semester. 

C) The final examination will be held during the regularly scheduled exam time and will be a comprehensive final examination. The examination is 70% objective and 30% essay.