Spring semester, 2008, Honors Section, 9:30-10:45 TTh, SH 207 (ZAP
0832)
Instructor, Dr. Mike Sharp
Office, SH308; Ph. (918) 456-5511, X3530; E-Mail, sharp@nsuok.edu
Hours, 8:00-9:00 M,11:00-12:30 and 2:00-5:30 T, 4:00-5:00 W,
11:00-12:00 Th, and by
arrangement.
Required Text:
Burns, Peltason, Cronin and Magleby, Government by the People.
Supplemental
readings will be assigned during the course in addition to the required
text.
Course Format:
This course is designed to provide a general introduction to the
structure, organization and functioning of the national government of
the United States. It will examine the powers and relationships of the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government with
special emphasis given to the role that history, political parties,
pressure groups, etc. play in influencing these relationships. Students
will be assigned individual reading material for discussion in class.
Online, interactive assignments
and individual writing assignments will be used to compliment class
room
presentations. Students are required to keep current in their
readings
in both the text and their assigned readings for discussion. Cell
phones should be turned off in the classroom and cell phone usage
during class is prohibited.
Grading:
Grades will be determined from classroom discussion based on
assigned readings,
individual presentation/writing assignments, and three exams given
during
the course of the semester. Two of the exams will be given during
the
course of the semester, the final will be given on the designated day
during
finals week which is Thursday, May 3 from 9:00 to 10:50 a.m. All
exams
will be weighted equally. Provision is made for make-up exams
after
individual consultation with the instructor. Elaboration on exam
format
will be provided during the first period of class. Class attendance and
participation
is expected and will influence the final evaluation in the course.
Special Considerations:
If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and
needs special accommodations please advise the instructor of such
disability at the first class attended. If any student encounters
particular difficulty with any aspect of the material being covered,
he/she is encouraged to seek individual assistance from the instructor
at the designated office hours listed above or by special appointment
as arranged. The university also provides a tutoring service which some
students may find helpful.
First Exam Term List
Chapter 1 Constitutional
Democracy
Reading assignment 1, The Declaration of
Independence (see Appendix A-1)
Reading assignment 2, Locke,
Second Treatise on Government
Writing assignment 1, Compare/contrast Locke
excerpts to the Declaration of
Independence (two typewritten,
double spaced pages)
2 The Living Constitution
The
Federalist Papers / The Anti-Federalist Papers
3 American Federalism
U.S.
Governmental Structure
First
Exam Study Guide
First Exam
Essay Questions
PART II THE POLITICAL PROCESS
Chapter 4 Political
Culture and Ideology
5 The American Political Landscape
6 Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence
7 Political Parties: Essential to Democracy
8 Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting
9 Campaigns and Elections: Democracy in Action
10 The Media and American Politics
Second Exam Study Guide/Term List
Second Exam Essay Questions
PART III POLICY-MAKING INSTITUTIONS
Chapter 11 Congress: The
People's Branch
12 The Presidency: The Leadership Branch
13 Congress and the President
14 The Federal Bureaucracy: The
Real Power?
15 The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch
Final Exam Term List/Study
Guide
Final
Exam Essay Questions
PART IV RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES----material from this section may be
integrated into above material
Chapter 16 First Amendment
Freedoms
17 Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property
18 Equal Rights under the Law