Preliminary Syllabus - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Political Science 101 (001) : Spring 2003
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Professor Penny M. Miller Office Hours: M, 1‑2:45 p.m.;
Phone: 257‑7030
Class: MWF
Required Texts:
1. Morris P. Fiorina, Paul Peterson, and
D. Stephen Voss, America’s New Democracy, (
2. Ann G. Serow and Everitt C. Ladd, The Lanahan Readings in the
American Polity, 2nded.(
Since you will be tested on current political events
throughout the semester, a daily reading of a statewide (Lexington Herald-Leader
or
See professor’s web site for syllabus and links to other relevant web sites:
http://www.uky.edu/ArtsScience/PoliSci/Miller
Course Description:
This course is designed to present students with
a broad overview of American politics. We will look at the institutions and
actors that shape public policy. Also we will study some of the policies that
result from the interplay between these institutions and actors. A major goal
of this class is for students to be able to analyze critically American government
in the New Millenium. We are studying American politics in exciting, turbulent
times -- marked by the controversial
This course is part of the University Studies Program, which is designed to provide a comprehensive liberal arts education to all undergraduates. The class can be taken to fulfill one of the Social Science requirements in University Studies.
Attendance Policy:
Since there will be short non-graded writing exercises during many classes, regular class attendance is highly recommended if one wishes to complete successfully the course. Participation in the form of discussion is considered essential to the success of the course. Exams will be based on the lectures, assigned readings, and current events. Students are expected to keep pace with the reading assignments, and to be prepared to discuss these readings in class. If you must miss class, contact someone who has attended. Announcements pertinent to the course will frequently be made in class, and students will be held responsible for knowing of these announcements. All the non-graded writing exercises will be recorded for each session. You must attend the interview paper and case study class sessions.
The Role of Writing:
Of all the skills and substantive information you learn in college, writing is perhaps the most important. Regardless of your career goal, you will need to know how to write well. Equally important, writing helps us learn. It focuses our thoughts and forces us to verbalize what we think we know. Thus, writing accomplishes two goals: we can learn to write better, and we can master substantive material. This course offers you numerous opportunities to work toward both goals.
Course Requirements:
All the reading in this syllabus is required. This means you should read all of the material and be prepared to be examined on it even if we do not discuss it in class. You should read the appropriate material prior to the class for which it is assigned, be prepared to discuss and ask questions about it, and to be examined on it. To complete this course you must fulfill the following requirements: complete all readings prior to the class meeting for which they are assigned; take three examinations; complete the in-class non-graded exercises and short homework writing assignments; and participate in class. The homework writing exercises will be due at the beginning of specific classes as noted in this syllabus.
University policy will be followed regarding all
make-up exams and homework writing exercises. Make-up exams and homework assignments
will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances (for example, your
illness accompanied by a doctor’s excuse or a death in the family) and/or with
my prior consent. The format for make-up exams will be different from that
of the regularly scheduled exams. All written assignments are due at the beginning
of specified classes. On written assignments, students shall not plagiarize
or cheat. See Section 3.0, Part II, of the Student Rights and Responsibilities
handbook for definitions. Students shall use non-discriminatory language
for written assignments as well as classroom discussions. See the
The last day to drop this course without it appearing
on a student’s transcript is
The final course grade will consist of three components weighted as follows:
1. There are six required short written homework assignments (including two case studies) that are due at the beginning of designated classes. In addition, there are short non-graded writing exercises during many class sessions. These homework exercises, in-class non-graded writing exercises, and class participation will collectively account for 10% of your final course grade. You must attend the interview paper and case study class sessions.
2 . Every student will
conduct a personal interview with a current elected or appointed officeholder.
The interview paper assignment is described at the end of this syllabus.
The two-part paper is due at the beginning of class on
3. There will be three
midterm tests during the semester, each of which will cover
material presented in lectures, assigned readings, and current events. Each
midterm will be a mixture of short answer “objective” (multiple choice), identification,
current political events, and short essay questions (chosen from discussion
questions in syllabus). These exams are scheduled for
Each assignment will be graded according to the following scale : A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, and E = 0-59.
SPECIFIC TOPICS WITH REQUIRED
DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED STATES Fiorina, Peterson & Voss: Chapter 1
(January 15, 17) Serow & Ladd: pp. 342-350; 401-410
Required Written Exercise #1: Identify the
local, state, and national officeholders who are listed on the sheet which is
attached to this syllabus. Assignment is due at the beginning of class
on
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the permanent campaign and why do we have it? What is its effect?
2. How do minorities affect elections and policy?
3. What is the role of campaign finance, and how does finance affect elections? Should campaign spending limits be instituted?
4. What distinguishes mudslinging from legitimate attacks on a candidate’s record?
What makes an ad “negative”?
ESTABLISHING A CONSTITUTIONAL Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 2
DEMOCRACY
(Jan. 22, 24, 27) Serow & Ladd: pp. 55-103
Required Written Exercise #1:
Assignment is due at the beginning of class onWednesday,
Discussion Questions:
1. Compare and contrast the philosophies of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Be sure to discuss their roles in the ratification debates over the Constitution.
2. Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey Plans as well as the
3. How did the Constitution correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
4. Explain how
5. Can a Constitution written in the late
eighteenth century, when the
6. What is the Electoral College? What purpose does it serve and why was it created? 7. What are the means by which the Constitution can be amended? Why have so
many proposed amendments failed to be ratified?
8. Discuss whether or not the Constitution has been successful. Provide examples.
FEDERALISM Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 3
Serow & Ladd: pp. 131-160
(January 29, 31, February 3)
Required Written Exercise #2: Write clear
and concise answers to the following two questions (about 200 words per
answer). Assignment is due at the beginning of class on
1. According to Sunstein, which presidents pushed the boundaries of federalism to their own ends? Provide specific examples.
2. How do Wildavsky’s comments support the notion that the states provide the national government with laboratories for experiment? Provide specific examples.
Discussion Questions:
1. Which is closer to the people, local government, state government or the federal government? Why?
2. Define and discuss the ruling in McCulloch V. Maryland (1819).
3. Compare and contrast the logic and implications of block and categorical grants?
4. How have the responsibilities of states changed in recent decades? Use specific
examples.
5. Define Dillon’s Rule and discuss the limits on local governments.
6. What is judicial review and how does it affect federalism?
AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 4
(February 5) Serow & Ladd: pp. 3-23; 35-43
Discussion Questions:
1 . Discuss, in detail, the ways
in which
2. During the 1990s, immigration again became a hot political issue. Discuss
contemporary feelings about immigration and governmental (state and national)
attempts to deal with immigration policy.
3. Discuss the nature
of religion in
individualist ethic?
4. What is a liberal political culture? Have immigrants eroded or supported such
liberalism? Give specific examples.
5. What is political socialization? How does it impact on being or feeling American?
PUBLIC OPINION Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 5
(February 7, 10) Serow & Ladd: pp. 323-342
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of modern public opinion polling?
2. Why are voters so dissatisfied with politics?
3. Compare and contrast mass publics and issue publics.
4. Compare and contrast the belief systems of political elites and ordinary
citizens.
5. Discuss the impact of public opinion on the abortion debate.
.
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 6
(February 12) Serow & Ladd: pp. 23-35; 410-426;
432-439
Discussion Questions:
1. Are Americans politically apathetic? Compare American political participation with the participation of citizens in other democracies.
2. Discuss some ways to increase voter
turnout in the
3. Discuss the costs and benefits facing Americans when they decide whether to vote.
4. Discuss the arguments that low voter turnout is not a significant problem for
******FIRST MIDTERM EXAM --
POLITICAL PARTIES Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 8
(February 17, 19, 21) Serow & Ladd: pp. 443-479
Required Written Exercise #3:
The assignment is to summarize news focusing on Congress and/or the Presidency
from three stories on three different days from the period of February
15-February 20. You may get your news from watching the national
evening news on ABC, CBS or NBC or from reading the national or international
sections of the New York Times, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times
, or the Washington Post. Watching the local news or reading the local
paper is not acceptable. You should write in your own words about one
paragraph for each story that sums up the main points of the news report. At
the top of the page, you must indicate the source of the news you are describing
(which paper or which broadcast), and the date of the report. If you get your
news from a newspaper, you must attach a copy of the articles you have summarized.
Assignment is due at the beginning of class on
Discussion Questions:
1. Compare and contrast political parties and interest groups.
2. How does the electoral system affect the party system? Be sure to define and
describe the types of electoral systems, party systems, and their effects.
3. Are the obstacles to the formation of third parties structural and institutional
(as Berns argues), or more rooted in the type of candidates who run as
third party candidates (as Black suggests)? Explain.
4. Will a realignment of political parties occur in the next decade?
5. How do parties detract from democratic politics?
6. How much influence should political parties have on the judiciary?
INTEREST GROUP PARTICIPATION Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 8
Serow & Ladd: pp. 61-67; 353-394
(February 24, 26)
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss some aspects of interest group
activity that benefit the
2. Discuss the factors that affect the formation and success of an interest group.
3. What are PACs? What role do they serve in the political system?
4. Discuss the development of the public interest movement.
5. What does the
Can you think of examples where they have altered the policy outcome?
6. Why was
of faction” did he suggest?
7. Discuss the theory of pluralism and its critics.
THE MEDIA Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 12
(February 28, March 3) Serow & Ladd: pp. 483-508
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the effects of the media on politics.
2. Discuss the role of presidential debates and media coverage of them.
3.. Was the media biased in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 elections?
4. Conservatives frequently claim that the media have a strong liberal bias. Explain why you agree or disagree with this charge. Do you think the mass media accurately reflect the ideology of the American people? Should they?
5. Why does Cook consider the news media as a political institution?
6. According to Graber, what is the “new” media and how does it relate to politics?
PRESIDENTIAL & CONGRESSIONAL Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 7
ELECTIONS
(March 5, 7, 10, 12) Serow & Ladd:pp. 394-439; 508-518
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the presidential primary process.
2. Discuss the difference between media and voter interests.
3. How did the Republican Congress affect the 1996 and 2000 presidential election?
4. Do you think the reforms suggested by Alexander would bring about a different
type of candidate, encourage more candidates to run, or allow presidents to
govern differently during their first term? Why or why not?
5. What is the gender gap in presidential voting?
6. Discuss the impact of the economy, foreign affairs, race, and social issues on the
electoral success of Republicans and Democrats in presidential elections.
1. Define and discuss incumbency advantage in the House and Senate.
2. Discuss the role of campaign finance in the House and Senate.
3. What are the differences in the role and use of media in Senate and House
campaigns?
4. How do national forces affect congressional elections? Give specific examples.
5. Compare and contrast the representation of minorities and women in Congress.
6. Discuss the issue of majority-minority districts. How has the Supreme Court
handled this issue?
******SECOND MIDTERM EXAM --
******SPRING BREAK --
CONGRESS Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 9
(March 24, 26, 28) Serow & Ladd: pp. 107-128; 163-208
Required Written Exercise #4: The assignment
is to summarize news focusing on Congress and/or the Presidency from three
stories on three different days from the period of March 23-March 27.
You may get your news from watching the national evening news on ABC,
CBS or NBC or from reading the national or international sections of
the New York Times, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times , or
the Washington Post. Watching the local news or reading the local paper
is not acceptable. You should write in your own words about one paragraph
for each story that sums up the main points of the news report. At the top
of the page, you must indicate the source of the news you are describing (which
paper or which broadcast), and the date of the report. If you get your news
from a newspaper, you must attach a copy of the articles you have summarized.
Assignment is due at the beginning of class on
Discussion Questions:
1. If there is a conflict between the interests of a constituency and the public interest, how should a member of Congress decide which way to vote? Explain your answer.
2. Should party discipline in Congress be strengthened?
3. How should Congress be reformed? Explain your answer.
4. Why does the Congressional Budget Office stand out as a success story in
5. What is meant by the distributive tendency of Congress?
6. What effect would congressional term limits have on the political behavior of Congress? Explain your answer.
7. Is the 107th Congress behaving differently with a Republican president?
8. Discuss the use and impact of Congressional hearings.
9. Discuss the various styles of representation that members of Congress might provide their constituents.
10. Discuss the congressional committee system. What kinds of committees are most and least important?
THE PRESIDENCY Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 10
(March 31, April 2, 4) Serow & Ladd: pp. 211-253
****Required Interview Paper Due on Friday, April 4, 2003.****
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the president's role as world leader. Why is crisis management so important to the part the president plays in foreign affairs?
2. How much control does the president have in manipulating the media?
3. What political roles should the vice president play?
4. How does Richard Neustadt define presidential power? Given the increasing fragmentation of Congress, what problems might President George W. Bush face in relations with the legislature?
5. What is the role of the First Lady? Discuss the ways in which the various First
Ladies have interpreted the role?
6. Discuss Barber=s idea of presidential character and his critics.
7. Name and discuss two recent presidential scandals.
8. Discuss the president's role as chief lobbyist. How do presidents play this role? What resources are available to assist the president as chief lobbyist?
9. Should the president be limited to a single six-year term? Would such a change strengthen or weaken the presidency?
10. What are the president=s powers of appointment? What checks does Congress have
on these powers?
THE EXECUTIVE BUREAUCRACY Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 10
(April 7) Serow & Ladd: 257-289
Discussion Questions:
1. Are there too many political appointees in the bureaucracy? Explain your answer.
2. What role should experts play in bureaucratic decision making?
3. What are the similarities and differences between public and private bureaucracies?
4. How much control does the president have over the bureaucracy?
5. What are some of the most persistent problems in implementing policy?
6. How do elections affect administrative performance?
7. Discuss iron triangles, issue networks, and their effects on the bureaucracy and
government in general.
THE JUDICIARY Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 11
(April 9, 11) Serow & Ladd: pp. 293-319
Discussion Questions:
1. Should the Supreme Court have the power of judicial review?
2. Should the Supreme Court pursue a legal philosophy of judicial activism?
3. Was
Why or why not?
4. According to O=Brien, in what ways did the Court take Apolitics@ into account in reaching the Brown decision? Was this appropriate? What was the alternative?
5. Discuss the pros and cons of the Supreme Court nominating process.
6. Discuss the state courts and their role in the judicial system.
7. What are the key powers of the Supreme Court?
8. What are the three types of checks on Court power and what has been their
impact?
CIVIL LIBERTIES Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 13
(April 14) Serow & Ladd: pp. 521-548
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the conflicts between the values of freedom, order, and equality when a state outlaws pornography.
2. What are the rights of the accused? Be sure to cite the pertinent amendments,
court cases, and judicial reasoning where appropriate.
3. Discuss the incorporation of the Bill of Rights to the states.
4. Where did the Supreme Court find the right to privacy? How has the extension of the right to privacy been problematic for the Court and controversial for the rest of the political system?
5. Discuss the Internet and the special problems it creates for balancing freedom of speech with the preservation of public order.
6. Trace the use of the due process clause as a means of making the protections of the Bill of Rights effective against the states.
CIVIL RIGHTS Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 14
(April 16, 18) Serow & Ladd: pp. 548-589
Required Written Exercise # 5 is due at the beginning of class on Friday, April 18, 2003.
Case Study on “Affirmative Action:
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.
Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the major methods of political participation used by the NAACP in the effort to integrate schools and by the civil rights movement in the effort to secure passage of civil rights legislation.
2. Fully discuss the history and ramifications of affirmative action programs.
3. Distinguish between "equality of opportunity" and "equality of outcome." Which is more controversial? Why?
4. In 1955 the Supreme Court ordered school desegregation "with all deliberate speed." Discuss the history of compliance with this order in the forty years that followed.
5. Discuss the struggle of women for civil rights.
6. Discuss the struggle of Americans with disabilities to attain civil rights. What
strategies have they used and how successful have they been?
7. Discuss the impact of the black vote in American politics from 1948 to 2000.
Use specific examples.
DOMESTIC POLICY Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 15 (April 21, 23) Serow & Ladd: pp. 593-609; 613-634
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the Social Security program, and how does it work? Why has it been labeled a "sacred cow?"
2. Discuss the growth of the welfare state
in
3. How do Americans view welfare benefits and those who receive them?
4. Describe and evaluate the 1996 welfare reforms. In what way do they alter the previous system? What is their likely impact in the future?
5. Describe the various public assistance programs currently available, and list their eligibility requirements. What impact have these programs had on the social problem of poverty?
1. What were the goals of Reaganomics? How well were they achieved?
2. What is supply-side economics? How does it differ from standard Keynesian economics?
3. What is the Gramm-Rudman-Holings law? How does it represent a departure from economic policies of the past?
4. What is the Federal Reserve System, and why is it important?
5. Discuss incrementalism and the role it plays in budgeting. Has incrementalism in any way added to the uncontrollable outlays that plague policymakers?
******THIRD MIDTERM EXAM --
FOREIGN POLICY Fiorina, Peterson & Voss, Chapter 15 (April 28, 30) Serow & Ladd: pp. 637-663
Required Written Exercise # 6 is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, April 30, 2003.
Case Study on “Foreign Policy Initiatives of President George W. Bush”
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.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is the president the predominant actor in foreign policy?
2. President Bush declared the end of the Cold War. Is the Cold War really over? If so, what factors combined to bring about its end?
3. Discuss the historical background and purposes of the War Powers Resolution. Has it served the functions that Congress intended?
4. What is the role of the
5. What is the potential relationship between foreign policy and economic policy? How might the relationship between the two affect the nature of lobbying where foreign policy issues are concerned?
6. What particular dilemmas for democracy are created by the CIA?
7. Discuss the interrelationship of elections, presidents, and foreign policy.
8. How has the emergence of new democracies
in
**Required Written Exercise #1 Identify the
local, state, national, and international officeholders who are listed on this
page. Assignment is due at beginning of class on
Student's Name _______________________________________
Social Security # _______________________________________
Provide the specific names and positions for the following current officeholders:
1. the President,Vice‑President, Cabinet members, and U.S. Supreme Court members
2. U.S. House and Senate leaders (majority and minority) in the 108th Congress
3. the mayors of
4. statewide executive officeholders
in
5. two state representatives and
two state senators from
6.
7.
8. leaders of
This assignment is due at the beginning of class on
Your assignment is to conduct a face‑to‑face interview with any current elected or appointed local, state, or national government officeholder. Part 1: Discover as much information about the individual and his/her job as you can. You can present this part of the paper in interview form. Part 2: Provide detailed information about the officeholder’s department, agency, city council, state legislative body, etc. (for example: budget, functions, employees, public meetings). At the end of your paper, cite when and where you conducted the interview. Also, cite where you obtained information about the governmental institution.
Suggestions: You could interview a councilperson, mayor, judge, county judge/executive, school superintendent, state treasurer, 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?