John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Gov.101 An Introduction to American Government and Politics

Section 21: Tues/Thurs. – 5^th period (1:55-3:10), Westport Room 107

Section 26: Tues/Thurs. – 8^th period (6:25-7:40pm), Westport Room 116

Instructor: Prof. Janice Bockmeyer

Office: Room 3253 North Hall; hours: 3:30-4:45pm or by appointment

tel: (212) 237-8196

email: jbockmeyer@jjay.cuny.edu

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Instructor’s Objectives:

This course will introduce students to the formal structures found within the United States government, the division of powers between the national and subnational governments (federalism), and political institutions including political parties, interest groups and the non-profit sector. It will also introduce students to key aspects of American public policy processes and place special emphasis on the role of citizens and U.S. residents in American politics.

Students’ Objectives:

By the conclusion of the semester students should:

♦ Understand the basic functions of each branch of the national government, be familiar with their constitutional basis, their primary operations and limits on their powers.

♦ Be familiar with constitutional provisions for American federalism, the changes in the division of powers over time, and the current state of federalism.

♦ Be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the constitutional basis of American civil liberties and rights and of major court cases, events and public policies shaping them.

♦ Have an understanding of how national public policies are shaped and what types of political participation citizens and residents might use to affect them.

♦ Be able to create independently a two variable hypothesis and design a research project to test it.

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Assignments, Exams and Grading:

Students are expected to prepare all readings before class meetings in order to participate fully in class discussions. To aid in this goal, students are encouraged to make use of the interactive assignments offered by our textbook website: www.wwnorton.com/wtp5e. The We The People chapter quizzes and discussion questions will also be helpful. Since you cannot participate if you are not in class, more than three absences will affect students’ participation grade. During the semester students will take four quizzes (announced and/or unannounced). The lowest quiz score will be dropped and the top three will be averaged for one grade. Note: No make-up quizzes or exams will be given in this class. Students may choose to use a missed quiz (counted as a 0) as the dropped quiz grade. Other short assignments may be given. These would be included in the participation grade. Students will take a mid-term and final examination (both are an all-essay format).

Finally, students will learn social science research skills and will demonstrate their skills by executing a project that they create. Students will develop a basic two-variable research hypothesis of their interest that is relevant to American politics. After securing the instructor’s approval for the hypothesis, they will create a project to test their hypothesis, collect appropriate data, analyze the data, and present their findings in two papers. Note: Final papers must be on the approved hypothesis. A paper submitted on a topic other than that approved will not be accepted.

In Paper #1 students will identify their hypothesis, provide some background information explaining its significance to American politics, and summarize how they will test their hypothesis. This paper will be 5-7 pages. It is due on Thursday, March 31. Late papers will be marked down by one half grade per weekday late.

Paper #2 will be a 5-7 page paper that presents and analyzes the data, reports findings, and draws conclusions. Students will explain whether their original hypothesis was correct or incorrect (or something between the two). Paper #2 is due on Tuesday, May 3^rd. Late papers will be marked down by one half grade per weekday late. Grades from the two papers will be averaged for one final paper grade.

Note: All students will be asked to submit their papers to Turnitin.com to screen for plagiarism. Hard copies of the papers must then be submitted to the instructor. Students will receive further instructions on using Turnitin.com in class. Students should review the University’s policy on plagiarism and academic dishonesty in the Undergraduate Bulletin (p.44).

Summary of Grading:

            Class participation – 5%

            Quizzes (averaged for one grade) – 10%

            2 research papers (averaged for one research grade) – 30%

            Mid-term exam – 25%

            Final exam – 30%

◊◊ NO INCOMPLETES will be given in this class. Please note all test and assignment dates on the calendar below and plan ahead.

Readings/Assignments/Calendar         J. Bockmeyer, Spring 2005

Required Readings (available for purchase at the JJ Bookstore):

Ginsberg, B., T. Lowi, and M. Weir. 2005. We the People: An Introduction to American

Politics. Shorter 5^th Edition. NY: Norton.

Canon, D., J. Coleman and K. Mayer. Eds. 2003. The Enduring Debate. 3^rd Edition. NY:

Norton.

Calendar:

            [GLW=Ginsberg, Lowi & Weir CCM=Canon, Coleman & Mayer]

Below are students’ assignments and dates for exams, submitting papers, and other important dates to note carefully. The instructor may make changes in any of the listings below. Please make careful note of in-class announcements. Students who are absent are responsible for checking with the instructor for any changes or updates.

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Thurs. Jan. 27 - American Political Culture

            Read: GLW-1

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Feb. 1, 3 – The Constitution

            Read: GLW-2

                        The Federalist Nos. 10 & 51, in GLW, pp. A21-A25.

                        Charles Beard, “An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the

                                    United States,” in CCM, pp. 22-27.

                        R. Brown, “Charles Beard and the Constitution: A Critical Analysis…”in

                                    CCM, pp. 28-33.

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Feb. 8, 10 – American Federalism

            Read: GLW-3

                        The Federalist #46, in CCM, p.34

                        Paul Peterson, from The Price of Federalism, in CCM, p. 39.

                        Martha Derthick, “American Federalism: Half-Full or Half-Empty?” in

                                    CCM, p. 57

                        Clarence Thomas, “Speech at James Madison University,” in CCM, p. 53.

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Feb. 15, 17 – Civil Liberties

            Read: GLW-4

                        “Debating the Issues: Racial Profiling and Fighting Terrorism,” in CCM,

                                    pp.91-100.

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Feb. 22, 24 – Civil Rights

            Read: GLW-5

                        Abraham Lincoln, “The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions,” in

                                    CCM, p. 68.

                        Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963,” in

                                    CCM, p. 74.

                        Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954) in CCM, p.616.

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Mar. 1, 3 – Congress and the Legislative Process

            Read: GLW-12