U.S. Government and
Politics
Pol 110-002
Agenda
Introductions
Syllabus and Class Policies
Discuss some current events
Introduce Yourself
Name
Year
Major
What are you doing here?
What is your breakfast of champions?
Scope of Class
Broad Introduction to American Politics
History
Constitution/Law
Institutions
Public Opinion/Elections/Voting
Public Policy
Goals
To provide a basic understanding of key
concepts in American politics
To provide an overview of political science
research on American politics
To encourage active participation in the
political process
To provide civic skills to facilitate political
participation
Restore a civilized tone to political discourse
Class Format
Lecture/Discussion
Feel free to interrupt
I will try to answer questions as best I can
Be Respectful
Readings
O’Connor and Sabato American
Government: Continuity and Change 2004
ed.
Cannon, Coleman, and Mayer The
Enduring Debate
Other readings on class site/e-reserve
Readings are due by date on syllabus
Assignments
Midterm/Final
Enduring Debate questions
News Monitoring Reports
Paper
Policies
Attendance/Participation
Grading
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100/90/80/70/60
Late work penalized 10% per day
Assignments due in class at beginning
Grading not on curve
Must turn in all assignments and take final
No Incompletes
Academic Integrity
Cheating is bad
Includes Plagiarism, inappropriate
assistance, submitting same paper
multiple times, etc.
Harsh Penalties
Will pursue
Put Honor Oath on all assignments
Proper assistance
Accommodations etc
If you have particular needs, let me know
Please let me know if you are having
problems sooner rather than later
Finding Me
Office 103C library
Office Hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Email is best bet
Phone is OK (use common sense)
Class cancellation
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Check email before class if weather is bad
I will try to get notice posted
15 Minute Rule
Use time for something productive
For Thursday
O’Connor and Sabato Chapter 1
Zakaria Article from Newsweek (class
website)