Spring 2019 Course Syllabi

POLS 115: American Government 4  Thursday, January 31: Civil Liberties  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. 113-128.  Required Text : U.S. Constitution, Amendments 11-27.  ICE : Group Presentations on Articles  IP: Last day to submit Issue Paper for Section 1 Section 2: American Political System Week 5: The Public  Tuesday, February 5: Public Opinion & Participation  Analytical Essay : Revised Prospectus or Final Draft for Section 1  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Public Opinion and Public Participation,” 129-154.  ICE : Creating an IP on the public’s role in American government  Thursday, February 7: No Class Meeting – Assessment Day  IP: Last day to submit an issue paper on the public Week 6: Political Parties  Tuesday, February 12: American Parties  Analytical Essay : Outline  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Political Parties,” 155-164.  Thursday, February 14: Two Party Dominance  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. 164-176.  Required Text : Assigned to groups  ICE : Debate – what is the proper role of political parties in American government?  IP : Last day to submit issue paper on political parties Week 7: Elections  Tuesday, February 19: Campaigns  Analytical Essay : Rough Draft 1  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Campaigns and Elections,”177-196.  Thursday, February 21: Voting  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. 196-211.  Required Text : Assigned to groups  ICE : Creating an essay on gerrymandering and American democracy Week 8: Influencers  Tuesday, February 26: Interest Groups  Analytical Essay : Rough Draft 2  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Interest Groups,” 210-231.  Thursday, February 28: Media  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Media and Politics,” 232-251.  Required Text : Assigned to groups  ICE : Group presentation on the role of campaign finance on American democracy  IP: Last day to submit Issue Paper for Section 2 Section 3: American Political Institutions Week 9: Congress  Tuesday, March 5: Powers  Analytical Essay : Revised Prospectus Due or Final Draft Due  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. “Congress,” 252-261.  Thursday, March 7: Practice  Textbook : Gitelson, et al. 262-277.  Required Text : Assigned to groups  ICE : Individual presentations on congress