American Government, Spring 2001

HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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American Government (GO 101)
Anthony A. Ball, Instructor

On-Line Course Syllabus, Spring 2001

Paper Assignments

Sample Papers

Sample Essays

Past Tests (Samples)

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Required Text:
George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, Robert L. Lineberry, Government in America, Brief Version, 5th edition (Longman, 2000).

Instructor:
Anthony A. Ball, (203) 332-5170, Office A-211. Send e-mail to TonyBall96@aol.com or click the envelope icon to the left.

Class Meetings:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:20 p.m., Room A-221.

Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.., Thursdays, 9:00-11:00 a.m., or by appointment.

Catalogue Course Description:
Detailed examination of the basic concepts of American government. Major topics include the Constitution, federalism, branches of government, policy-making, political parties, elections and civil rights.

Parallel/Prerequisite:
English 101

Course Requirements:
25% Three tests (3/6, 4/5, and 4/26). Each test will consist of multiple choice and short essay questions. I will provide an on-line study guide for each test. In addition, you may click the Textbook Resources icon to go to practice questions. Please be advised: I WILL NOT GIVE MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS, ABSENT A GENUINE AND DOCUMENTED EMERGENCY.

25% A 5-7 page paper, to be assigned on 3/6 and due on 5/1. Each paper will examine a problem or issue in American government and politics. Students will be required to present their papers on 5/1 and 5/3, and this presentation will be a component of each student's paper grade.

25% A Final Examination, on 5/15, covering all material.

25% Class Attendance and Participation. This grade is based on three factors: (1) actual attendance; (2) demonstrated preparedness; (3) meaningful contributions to class discussions, including bringing in relevant newspaper and magazine clippings, as well as the Budget Exercise due 4/24.

Schedule of Classes and Readings
Date(s)	Topic	Assigned Reading (to be done prior to class)
1/18	Introductions, Overview of American Democracy	None
Part I: Our Constitutional System
1/23	The Scope and Manner of Government	Chapter 1
1/25	The Constitution: History	Chapter 2, pages 22-43
1/30	The Constitution: Change	Chapter 2, pages 43-51
2/1	Federalism	Chapter 3
2/6 and 2/8	The First Amendment Rights	Chapter 4, pages 79-96
2/13	Group Exercise: Applying the First Amendment to Real People	TBA (To Be Announced)
2/15	The Constitutional Rights of Criminal Defendants	Chapter 4, pages 96-102
2/20 and 2/22	The Constitutional Right to Privacy	Chapter 4, pages 102-105, additional material TBA
2/27 and 3/1	The Constitution and Equality	Chapter 4, pages 105-131
3/6	Test #1 (Covering Chapters 1-4; Classes 1/18 through 3/1); Paper Assignments Distributed	None
Part II: Links Between the People and Government
3/8	Public Opinion and Political Action	Chapter 5
3/13	The Mass Media	Chapter 6
3/15	Political Parties	Chapter 7
3/20 and 3/22	Spring Break: No Classes
3/27 and 3/29	Campaigns and Voting Behavior	Chapter 8
4/3	Interest Groups	Chapter 9
4/5	Test #2 (Covering Chapters 5-9; Classes 3/8 through 4/3); Budget Exercise Assigned	None
Part III: Institutions and Policymaking
4/10	Congress	Chapter 10, additional material TBA
4/12	The Presidency	Chapter 11
4/17	The Federal Bureaucracy	Chapter 12
4/19	The Federal Courts	Chapter 13
4/24	Taxing, Spending and Social Welfare	Chapter 14, Budget Exercises Due
4/26	Test #3 (Covering Chapters 10-14; Classes 4/10 through 4/24)	None
5/1	Final Paper Presentations	Final Papers Due
5/3	Final Paper Presentations; Wrap-Up	None
The Final Examination will be on 5/15, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. The final will be cumulative, meaning it will cover material from the entire course.