Political Science 202 (001) and (002): Spring 2003
ORIENTATION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
Professor Penny Miller, DUS Office Hours:
Phone: 257‑7030; POL153@uky.edu Mondays
Course Description:
This course serves as an introduction to the discipline for new and prospective political science majors. Lectures, readings, and discussions will introduce students to the major fields of study in political science, the methodology of social science research, and career options available to political science majors. Throughout the semester, different faculty members will give lectures or facilitate case studies. This format enables the student to learn about the topic being discussed from a specialist in the area, and also serves to introduce students to a variety of political science faculty members. Every student will be offered a private advising session with the DUS to discuss her/his overall academic and career plans.
Required Text
Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, and Walter S. Jones.
2003. Political Science: An Introduction. 8th edition.
***See the book’s companion website: http://www.prenhall.com/roskin
A daily reading of a newspaper is suggested; see especially New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post (not USA Today). You should expose yourself to in-depth national publications.
See professor’s web site for syllabus and links to other relevant websites:
http://www.uky.edu/ArtsScience/PoliSci/Miller
Evaluation Criteria
PS 202 is a Pass/Fail course; your grade will be based on the following:
Weekly written assignments that are due at the beginning of each class. These will be graded: P+, P, or F.
An interview paper described at the end of this syllabus. It is due at the beginning of class on Monday, March 31, 2003. This will be graded: A, B, C, D, or E.
Course Rules and Requirements:
1. Attendance is mandatory, which means that I expect you to be at every scheduled class. Only University-recognized excuses will be acceptable (refer to Section 5.2.5.2 of http:www.uky.edu/Student Affairs/Code/part2.html). You may have two unpenalized, unexcused absences. More than two unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course. You must attend the interview paper and case study class sessions.
2. On written assignments, students
shall not plagiarize or cheat. See Section 3.0, Part II, of the Student
Rights and Responsibilties handbook for definitions
(page 37). Students shall use non‑discriminatory language in written
assignments as well as classroom discussions. See the
3. All written assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late papers will not be accepted except for legitimate reasons. University policy will be followed. There will be NO incompletes.
4. You must complete the weekly written assignments and the interview paper in order to pass the course.
5. There will be NO final exam for this course.
Schedule and Assigned
M 1/27‑‑ Course Outline and Overview of the Discipline
Discussion of
1. What are the
critical issues in
2. Who are the state's leaders?
3. What has been the aftermath of BOPTROT?
4. What is KERA?
5. What is KAPT?
6.
Why are there so many local governments
in
Suggested
Jewell, Malcolm E., and Everett W.
Cunningham. 1968.
Miller, Penny M. 1994.
Miller, Penny M., and Malcolm E. Jewell. 1990.
Political Parties and Primaries in
Pearce, John Ed. 1987. Divide and Dissent:
M 2/3 ‑‑ The Scope of Political Science
Text: Chapter 1, “A Science of Politics?” pp. 1-17
Chapter 3, “Nations, States, and Governments,” pp. 36-53
Required Written Exercise for 2/3: Write clear and concise answers to two of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. How does the interdisciplinary nature of political science relate to the other social sciences?
2. How are legitimacy, sovereignty, and authority different but similar?
3. What is nationalism and where did it originate? Provide some current examples.
4. What is “symbolic politics”? Provide some current examples.
M 2/10 ‑‑ Government Institutions
Text: Chapter 13, “The Basic Institutions of Government,” pp. 237-255
Chapter 14, “Legislatures,” pp. 256-276
Chapter 15, “Executives,” pp. 277-297
Chapter 16, “Administration and Bureaucracy,” pp. 298-318
Required Written Exercise for 2/10: Write clear and concise answers to two of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. What are the consequences of divided government?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a fixed term of office for the head of state?
3. What is the difference between parliamentary and presidential systems? Provide several examples of each system.
4. Discuss public administration as a political problem. Provide current examples.
5. In 2002, what are the major
shortcomings of the
M 2/17 ‑‑ Political Organizations
Text: Chapter 10, “Interest Groups,” pp. 174-193
Chapter 11, “Political Parties and Party Systems,” pp. 194-211
Required Written Exercise for 2/17: Write clear and concise answers to two of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. How well‑ or ill‑regarded are political parties today in various democracies
2.
What good is party centralization,
as in
3. What are the several types of party systems? Provide current examples of each.
4. How do political interest groups differ from political parties? Be specific.
5. Discuss some tactics of interest groups. Provide current examples.
6. What are PACs and “soft money”? How are they regulated by Congress?
M 2/24‑‑ Case Study on “The Aftermath of
the Bombing of the
Required Written Exercise for 2/24: At the end of this syllabus, you are provided a list of questions on this subject. First, use the Internet to research the issues. Secondly, write clear and concise answers to all of the questions. Be prepared to discuss these questions in class.
M 3/3 ‑‑ Political Culture & Political Behavior
Text: Chapter 7, “Political Culture,” pp. 114-132
Chapter 12, “Elections,” pp. 212-236
Required Written Exercise for 3/3: Write clear and concise answers to two of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. What are the most potent agents of political socialization? Be specific.
2. If Americans are participatory, why do they vote so little?
3. What went wrong with the
4. Are we seeing electoral realignment, dealignment, or neither? Be specific.
M 3/10‑‑ The Judiciary,
Text: Chapter 17, “Legal Systems and the Courts,” pp. 319-337
Required Written Exercise for 3/10: Write clear and concise answers to 2 of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. In what major cases did the
2. Is there an independent
judiciary in the
3. Discuss the differences between case law and code law. Provide examples.
4. Should the U.S. Supreme Court “decide” presidential elections? Be specific.
March 17-22 SPRINGBREAK – Academic
M 3/24 Advising for Fall 2003/Career Planning/ Internship Opportunities in Government Priority Registration --
Required Written Exercise for 3/24: Prepare
a personal resume which should contain your academic, extracurricular,
service, and work experiences. Specialists at the
M 3/31: Class Discussion of Appointed and Elected Officeholders
Text: Chapter 9, “Political Communication and the Media,” pp. 153-173
*********Required Written Exercise: Interview Paper Due for 3/31
M 4/7 ‑‑ Political Theories and Ideologies
Text: Chapter 2, “Theories: Classic and Modern,” pp. 18-25
Chapter 5, “Democracy, Totalitarianism, and Authoritarianism,” pp. 71-91
Chapter 6, “Political Ideologies,” pp. 92-113
Required Written Exercise for 4/7: Write clear and concise answers to 2 of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. How did Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau differ?
2. Why have many countries recently turned democratic? Provide examples.
3. What is the difference between totalitarian and authoritarian? Provide examples.
4. Do any ideologies attract today’s students? Provide examples.
M 4/14 ‑‑ Ingredients of International Politicals &The International Situation in 2003
Text: Chapter 19, “Violence and Revolution,” pp. 358-377
Chapter 20, “International Relations,” pp. 378-395
Chapter 21, “The Global System,” pp. 396-413
Required Written Exercise for 4/14: Write clear and concise answers to 2 of the following questions, approximately one hand‑written page per essay.
1. Which types of violence are most prevalent today? Provide examples.
2. Discuss some causes of war. Provide examples.
3. Is the
4. Does international interdependence ‑‑ the fact that countries depend on each other for some of their needs ‑‑ lead to increased international cooperation, or to increased conflict and war? Why do you think so? Give examples to support your argument.
5. Who will be the big powers fifty years from now? Why?
M 4/21 ‑‑ Case Study “The War in
Required Written Exercise for 4/21: At the end of this syllabus, you are provided a list of questions on this subject. First, use the Internet to research the issues. Secondly, write clear and concise answers to all of the questions. Be prepared to discuss these questions in class.
M 4/28 – Political Methodology
Text: Chapter 8, “Public Opinion,” 133-152
Required Written Exercise for 4/28: Select information on two recent public opinion polls from either the newspaper or the Internet. Write a brief summary of the findings, and attach copies of the articles.
Other Important Dates:
January 22 Last day to add a class for Spring 2003 Semester
February 5 Last day to drop a course; last day to change grading option
February 13 Last day to file application for May degree
March 10 Midterm of 2003 Spring Semester
March 11-31 Time to change academic major
March 14 Last day for automatic withdrawals from a class
March 31-April 23 Priority registration for Fall 2003 Semester
May 2 Last day of classes
May 5-9 Final Exams
PS 202 INTERVIEW PAPER Spring 2003
This assignment is due at the beginning of class on
Suggestions: You could interview a councilperson or a state legislator and ask questions such as:
1. Where did you grow up and obtain your education?
2. Were you raised in a political family?
3. What is your political ideology and party identification?
4. What is your occupational background?
5. When did you first become involved in politics?
6. What long‑term career plans do you have?
7. Is this your first elected office?
8. How many terms have you served?
9. What was the nature of your political campaign(s)?
10. How much opposition have you had in getting elected?
11. How active are you in party politics?
12. What is the nature of your district ‑‑ rich/poor, urban/rural, political?
13. Is your district lopsided or close in partisan terms?
14. What do you believe to be the major interests or constituencies in your district?
15. How do you stay in contact with your constituents (e.g., newsletters, newspaper columns, questionnaires)?
16. How often do you speak in the district?
17. What kind of coverage do you get in the local press (e.g., favorable)?
18. How do you view your role in the policy‑making process?
PS 202 Section _______ Name ________________________________
Case Study on “The Aftermath of the Bombing of the
First, use the Internet to research the issues. Second, write clear and concise answers to all of the questions, approximately one paragraph per question. Be prepared to discuss these questions in class.
1. What support has President Bush received from both political parties following September 11, 2001? Has there been a difference in support between the foreign and domestic agendas?
2. What kind of difficulties has the Democratic Party and its leadership faced as a result of these events and how have they responded?
3. Has the support from the House and Senate Democratic leadership changed since the 2002 congressional elections? Provide specific examples.
4. What is the new Homeland Security Department? Who heads it? What is its purpose? What is its budget?
5. What has the Justice Department done to address the Anthrax Crisis? What has been the role of the media throughout the Anthrax Crisis and the effect of the media on how we understand the crisis?
6. What is President Bush’s “Shadow Government?” How can we ensure that Congress can function after a terrorist attack? (See: www.aeipoliticalcorner.org/continuity.htm)
PS 202 Section ______ Name __________________________________________
Case Study on “The War in
First, use the Internet to research the issues. Second, write clear and concise answers to all of the questions, approximately one paragraph per question. Be prepared to discuss these questions in class.
1.
What role has
2. Is there a connection between the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the war on terrorism?
3.
What are
4. Why did President Bush and his advisors think we should move the war to the Axis of Evil? Be specific.
5. How do dictatorships stay in power so long, especially when the citizens would like to have a change? Provide examples.
6. What are the hidden influences on the policies of other countries
which relate to