Course Description

This course will introduce students to the institutional structure and design of American government. It will provide the student with the basic knowledge needed to understand and to participate in the American political system. Students will also be introduced to way political scientists go about studying important governmental institutions (Congress and presidency, for instance) and public policy.

Required Texts

Fiorina, Morris P. and Paul E. Peterson. 1999. The New American Democracy Boston: Addison Wesley Longman.

Tedin, Kent L., Donald S. Lutz, and Edward P. Fuchs. 1998. Perspectives on American and Texas Politics, 5^th Edition. Dubuqe, IA: Kendall-Hunt.

The required readings should be completed prior to attending class lectures.

Newspapers: Students are expected to read a national newspaper on a daily basis. I strongly encourage students to subscribe to the New York Times. Questions about specific news items may appear in class exams.

Course Requirements:

Exams: There will be a total of three exams of 50 questions given throughout the semester. Exams will draw upon material from both textbooks, class lectures, and news items. THE FINAL EXAM WILL NOT BE COMPREHENSIVE.

Missed Exam Policy: There will be NO makeup exams unless the student: (a) gives the instructor 24 hours advance notice of a legitimate university function which prevents the student from taking the exam, or (b) provides documentation of a medical excuse or other emergency which caused the student to miss the exam. Students who miss exams and fail to comply with the aforementioned procedures will receive a score of zero (0) on the exam. Make up exams must be scheduled by the student and taken before the test grades are posted.

Quizzes: I reserve the right to give unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. There will be no make-up quizzes. No Exceptions.

Extra Credit: I may, on occasion, offer extra credit points to encourage students to attend relevant events on campus and in the community. Requests to do extra work to improve your grade will be denied, please do not ask.

Attendance: “Eighty five percent of success is merely showing up.” ‑ Woody Allen –

As usual, Woody is correct. Attending class can only help you, never hurt. The failure rate in large sections of American Government is extremely high. One way to improve your chances of success in this course is to attend lectures, take notes, and pay attention.

Tardiness: If tardiness becomes a problem, I will not allow the offending students from entering the classroom.

Cell phones and beepers: Turn them off before you come to class!!! Better yet, do not bring them at all. If your cell phone/beeper rings during class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

Contacting the instructor and TA: Students are strongly encouraged to contact the instructor or teaching assistant with questions during scheduled office hours or by making an appointment. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of e-mail. Phone messages will not be returned. Use e-mail. I make it a point to check e-mail regularly, so responses to such questions should be prompt. Most questions can probably be answered by 1) checking the syllabus and/or 2) checking the class website.

Website: I will maintain a website for this course. Check the website frequently for updates and announcements. The URL is http://www.uh.edu/~tnokken/sp1337.htm

Grades: Your final grade is determined by the total number of points you received on exams, quizzes, and extra credit assignments. The final grading scale will, most likely, be curved, so the final distribution of grades will not be known until after the final exam. Scores of less than 50% will receive failing grades.

Suggestion: if you do not get at least half of the questions on an exam, you should probably drop the course.

Course Schedule*

January 18 & 20 Constitution FP: Ch 1-2 TLF: Ch1

January 25 & 27 Constitution FP: Ch 1-2 TLF: Ch2

February 1 & 3 Choosing Congress FP: Ch 11 TLF: Ch 8 & 12

February 8 & 10 Choosing President FP: Ch 10 TLF Ch 6

February 15 EXAM I

February 17 Congressional Operations FP: Ch 12 TLF Ch. 17

February 22 & 24 Congressional Operations FP: Ch 12

February 29 and March 2 Congressional Operations FP: Ch 12Ch. 11

March 7 & 9 Presidential Operations FP: 13

March 14 & 16 SPRING BREAK

March 21 & 23 Presidential Operations, Cont’d & Bureaucracy FP Ch 14

March 28 & 30 Bureaucracy, Cont’d & Courts FP Ch 15 TLF Ch 5, 13, 14

April 4 Courts Cont’d

April 6 EXAM II

April 11 & 13 Civil Liberties FP Ch 16 & Civil Rights FP Ch 17 (review Ch 2)

April 18 & 20 Domestic Policy FP Ch 18 TLF Ch 18

April 25 & 27 Fiscal Policy FP Ch 19 TLF Ch 15

FINAL EXAM May 11 at 11:00

* I reserve the right to make any changes to the schedule I deem necessary, including exam dates. Any such changes will be made well in advance of the dates listed above. Test dates will never be moved up, but may be moved back from the dates listed above.