The University of Louisiana at MonroePOLS 2010 – Honors Political Science (Fall, 2013) – 3 credit hours

12:30 – 1:45 P.M. (Tuesday & Thursday)ULIB 3-B

Dr. Joshua Stockley Office Hours:stockley@ulm.edu (preferred) 7:30–12:00 MWPhone: 342-3216 12:00-12:30 TRStubbs Hall, Rm. 106 And by appointment

Students now arrive at the university ignorant and cynical about our political heritage, lacking the wherewithal to be either inspired by it or seriously critical of it.

Allen Bloom, The Closing of the American Mind

Course Description: This course provides a survey of the concept of politics, the importance of power, and the organization of government. This includes an overview of the historical significance and provisions of the constitutions, rights and liberties, legislative branch, judicial branch, executive branch, political parties, interest groups, media, policies, and popular culture. The objective of the course is to lay the proper foundation for informed citizenship and more specialized study in political science.

Course Description (plain English version): We have a government, but few of us know what kind. We have branches of government, but few of us know their powers and responsibilities. We have political parties and interest groups, but few of us join. We have a media, but few of us really pay attention to what they are saying. We have civil rights and civil liberties, but few of us know what they. We the people are supposed to be in charge and hold government accountable, but few of us vote. I hope to change this.

Course Prerequisite: None.

Course Objectives and Outcomes: At the end of the course, students should be able to:1. Describe the structure and mechanics of governments;2. Identify the extent that actions of governments are determined by the preferences of a majority

or minority and, in the cases that they are not set by the majority, identify how policy preferences are determined;

3. Describe the impact of policies on various groups in society, especially groups defined by gender, race, class, and culture;

4. Discuss contemporary policy problems facing society; 5. Read, think, write, and speak at an intellectual level appropriate to upper-level university

education.

Course Topics: The structures and functions of government; relationship between intermediary institutions and citizens; trends and implications of policy.

Instructional Methods and Activities: This class will be taught primarily in a traditional lecture method; however, students will be expected to keep abreast of current political developments and be prepared to discuss these topics during class discussions. Students are expected to read all materials and complete scheduled assignments before coming to class. All course documents and resources, including this syllabus, can be found on Moodle.

Texts: None

Course Requirements: In computing grades, the requirements will be weighted as following:

Midterm Exam: 30%Final Exam: 30%Participation & Current Events: 30%Class Presentation: 10%

Grading: Categories are as follows: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=0-59.

Midterm Exam: The exams will have short answer and essay questions based upon the materials presented both in class and in assigned readings. On many occasions, the lecture will focus on ideas and issues not covered in the readings; so, it will be important to attend the lectures. Make-up exams are given only in cases of serious illness or death in the family, verified by a written note from appropriate individual.

Final Exam: The format of the final exam will be exactly the same as the midterm exam and may be cumulative.

Moodle: All exam results and course documents will be posted on Moodle. Therefore, students will need to register for a Moodle account if they have not already done so for previous courses.

Participation: Your participation grade will be comprised of several parts: one, the quality of your in-class contributions during discussion days; two, attendance on discussion days; three, completion of current event papers and assignments.

The following scale will be used for determining your Current Event/Reaction grade:A (100%) = no missed assignments, no more than one absenceB (85%) = one missed assignment, no more than two absencesC (75%) = two missed assignments, no more than three absencesD (65%) = three missed assignments, no more than four absencesF (55%) = four or more missed assignments, five or more absences

Current Events: Every Tuesday that we have class a current event assignment will be due. Students are expected to turn in an article with a typed one- to two-paged paper summarizing an article and discussing your opinion on the issue or controversy. Students should be prepared to discuss –in class– its relevance or its significance in being chosen. The articles may be manually clipped from any newspaper/magazine or printed from an online source so long as there is some relevance to government. Note: Letters to the editor or opinion/editorial columns will not be accepted.

**Assignments will only be accepted in-class and in-person – an assignment turned in on someone else’s behalf will result in no credit being given to both individuals, and papers slipped under my door will be thrown away.**

Furthermore, all class periods will involve some discussion of current events; so, I strongly encourage students to regularly read a newspaper, magazine, or watch the news. Not only will these sources keep

students abreast of current affairs, but it will also help place in context crucial concepts and issues introduced throughout the semester.

Extra-credit: It does not exist; so, do not ask for it.

Academic Integrity (“cheating” or “plagiarism”): It is not tolerated. Students found guilty will receive a failing grade in the course, and possible dismissal from their academic program and University. Violations of student academic behavior are outlined in the ULM Student Policy Manual, available at www.ulm.edu/student policy/.

Student Services: The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs through compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws mandate that postsecondary institutions provide equal access to programs and services for students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's academic standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in alternative ways. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations (oral testing, extended time for exams), interpreters, relocation of inaccessible classrooms, permission to audiotape lectures, note-taking assistance, and course substitutions.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact Student Services at 318-342-5230 or to file a complaint, visit www.ulm.edu/titleix.

Information about ULM student services, such as Student Success Center: http://www.ulm/edu.cass/ Counseling Center http://www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/ Special Needs at http://www.ulm.edu/studentaffairs/ Library http://www.ulm.edu/library/referencedesk.html Computing Center Help Desk http://www.ulm.edu/computingcenter/helpdesk

Current college’s policies on serving students with disabilities can be obtained at for the ULM website: http://ulm.edu/counselingcenter/

If you need accommodation because of a known or suspected disability, you should contact the director for disabled student services at:

Voice phone: 318-342-5220 Fax: 318-342-5228 Walk In: ULM Counseling Center, 1140 University Avenue (this building and room are

handicapped accessible).

Mental Wellness on the ULM Campus: If you are having any emotional, behavioral, or social problems, and would like to talk with a caring, concerned professional please call one of the following numbers:

The ULM Counseling Center 342-5220 The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic 342-9797 The Community Counseling Center 342-1263

Remember that all services are offered free to students, and all are strictly confidential. If you have special needs that I need to be made aware you should contact me within the first two days of class.

Class Courtesy: In an effort to minimize disruption, please arrive on time for class and try not to leave early unless you have indicated to me prior to the start of class that you will do so. It would be further kind to please remember to turn off cell phones and iPods prior to class; it disrupts your peers and, most importantly, me. Sending text messages during class is prohibited; if I see you sending text messages during class, then I reserve the right to dock your participation one letter grade per incident. If I even see a cell phone or iPod out during class, then I reserve the right to dock your participation one letter grade per incident. Laptops and tablets are okay and I encourage their usage; but if I find out that you are looking at anything non-academic (i.e. Facebook, email) during class, then I will dock your participation grade by one letter grade per incident. During all discussions please treat your peers with the same respect and courtesy you wish to have accorded to yourself. Please do not call me or e-mail me requesting grades; that can be found on Moodle. Finally, please do not wait until the last week of class to discuss troubles you are having either academically or personally, come and see me while there is still time during the semester to do something.

Important Dates: Midterm Exam October 7Final Exam December 4

DROP DATE: The last day to drop a course with a “W” is: October 27, 2014

Course Outline:

Week 1: Aug 19: IntroductionWeek 1: Aug 21: Do The Right ThingWeek 2: Aug 26: TBAWeek 2: Aug 28: TBAWeek 3: Sep 2: TBAWeek 3: Sep 4: TBAWeek 4: Sep 9: TBAWeek 4: Sep 11: TBAWeek 5: Sep 16: TBAWeek 5: Sep 18: TBAWeek 6: Sep 23, 25: No Class the WeekWeek 7: Sep 30: TBAWeek 7: Oct 2: TBAWeek 8: Oct 7: Midterm ExamWeek 9: Oct 14: TBAWeek 9: Oct 16: TBAWeek 10: Oct 21, 23: No Class this WeekWeek 11: Oct 28: TBAWeek 11: Oct 30: TBAWeek 12: Nov 4: TBAWeek 12: Nov 6: TBAWeek 13: Nov 11: TBAWeek 13: Nov 13: TBAWeek 14: Nov 18, 20: No Class this WeekWeek 15: Nov 25: Final Thoughts

Final Exam: Thursday, December 4 @ 10:00 A.M.

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS SYLLABUS.