GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Department of Public & International Affairs

Summer 2004

GOVT 103-A01: Introduction to American Government

MWF 7:00-10:00 p.m., Location

5/11/04

Instructor: Ann Ludwick

Office Location: Robinson A201A

Office Hours: Mon/Wed 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and by appointment

Phone: (703) 993-1410

Email: aludwick@gmu.edu

Course Description: GOVT 103 Introduction to American Government (3:3:0). Analysis of American government examined in light of basic concepts and institutions of democracy. Students carry out a "citizenship project," a first-hand observation or participation in, and analysis of, some public activity.

Course Objectives: This course will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the basic facts and concepts concerning America’s experiment in self-government. This semester’s work is intended to expose you to the fundamental values and principles of American constitutional democracy. Most importantly, the goal of this course is to start you on the path to informed and active citizenship. Lectures, videos, supplementary readings, discussion, group work, critical thinking exercises, and guest speakers will be used in this course.

Course Expectations: All members of the class - instructor and students alike - are expected to:

1) appear punctually for each class;

2) prepare conscientiously by reading and note taking on the assigned topics;

3) treat each other with respect, honesty and intellectual seriousness; and,

4) communicate with each other openly should it appear at any time that the first three expectations are not being met.

Should medical conditions or family responsibilities make it impossible for you to take an examination or complete an assignment on the scheduled date, you must inform the instructor in advance. Unless you have received permission before or (in case of a dire emergency) on that scheduled date, there will be no opportunity for make-up work. Voice mail at my telephone number is available to you 24 hours a day, as is my e-mail address. If we fail to speak in person, you should make it a point to leave a message.

If necessary, the instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus. Students are responsible for all announced changes to the syllabus.

Required Textbook: American Government and Politics Today by Schmidt, Shelley & Bardes, Brief Edition 2004-05, Thinking Globally, Acting Locally (1999) by Soares, and other readings which are posted on WebCT.

WebCT:

We will use an online course management tool, WebCT, to view the syllabus, review lecture notes, access additional readings, manage the group presentation, and view assignment grades throughout the course. Students are already loaded into the system. To activate your WebCT ID, go to:

http://webct38.gmu.edu – enter your username (same as the first part of your GMU email address) and initial password (the last four digits of your SSN).

Course Requirements: There will be one two-part individual citizenship paper, one group project, and two examinations that will cover both the reading material and lectures. There will be an opportunity for extra credit.

Citizenship Reflection Mid term exam Group Project Citizenship Paper Final exam

10% 20% 25% 20% 25%

Grading Scale:

A (95-100) A- (90-94)

B+ (86-89) B (83-85) B- (80-82)

C+ (75-79) C (70-74)

D (60-69)

F (59 or less)

Honor Code:

The Honor Code Policy endorsed by the members of the Department of Public and International Affairs relative to the types of academic work indicated below is set out in the appropriate paragraphs:

1.Quizzes, tests and examinations. No help may be given or received by students during the taking of quizzes, tests, or examinations, whatever the type or wherever taken, unless the instructor specifically permits deviation from this standard.

2.Course Requirements: All work submitted in fulfillment of course requirements is to be solely the product of the individuals(s) whose name(s) appears on it. Except with permissions of the instructor, no recourse is to be had to projects, papers, lab reports or any other written work previously prepared by another student, and except with permission of the instructor no paper or work of another type submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of another course may be used a second time to satisfy a requirement in the Department of Public and International Affairs. No assistance is to be obtained from commercial organizations which sell or lease research help or written papers. With respect to all written work as appropriate, proper footnotes and attribution are required.

The Citizenship Reflection 1-2 pages

One of the goals of this course is to start you on the path to informed and active citizenship. We will read about and discuss politics, government, and citizenship over this summer session. The Reflection is designed to encourage you to think about the definition of “citizen.” Consider the following statement with respect to your own life:

An alarming trend over recent years has been the disengagement of young citizens from the American political system. They seem to be disconnected from public deliberation, community involvement, volunteerism, and social commitment. This detachment is of critical concern to America today.

Explain what you think this statement means – do you agree or disagree?

*DUE July 1

The Group Project:

Students will work together in teams to analyze the presidential elections process. Teams will present their findings in an oral presentation and submit one written project brief on WebCT (3 pages). The project brief will include the following three sections:

• Summarize your assigned group’s role
• Describe your group’s political influence and participation in the electoral process
• Highlight the issues revolving around your group, for example impacts on current events, consequences of election outcomes, does your group really have an effect?

*DUE July 20

Citizenship Paper 3-4 pages

Based upon what you have found during your citizenship reflection, write a paper about your personal sense of citizenship. The paper should discuss:

• what you believe citizenship is about and why
• your perspective on the role of government and why
• any changes in beliefs or perspectives that may have occurred during this course and why

Use sources – the textbook, outside readings, newspaper, internet research – to support your paper.

*DUE July 27

Course Calendar:

Be prepared to discuss chapters and topics that are assigned for the day. For example, read Chapter 1 before the June 29th class meeting.

17 May – Mon	Introduction to GOVT 103, WebCT demo Democracy and Ancient Greece
19 May – Wed	What is Politics? Chapter 1 Video on Bill of Rights: KF4749 .B54 1997
21 May – Fri	The Constitution – Chapter 2 Library Research demo: Barbara Hillson, GMU Libraries Federalism – Chapter 2 pp. 27-32 & 38-40 Video Clip: Can the States Do It Better? JF751 .C36 1996 Citizenship reflection paper is due
24 May – Mon	The Legislative Branch – Chapter 4 Video on Congress: JK 1061 .P58 1995
26 May – Wed	The Executive Branch – Chapter 3 Guest Speaker: Professor Colleen Shogan, Public & International Affairs
28 May – Fri	Holiday -No Class-
31 May – Mon	Holiday -No Class-
2 June – Wed	The Judicial Branch – Chapter 5 Guest Speaker: Professor Robert Dudley, Dept Chair Time to work with groups
4 June – Fri	Civil Rights and Liberties – Chapter 6 Video on First Amendment Rights: KF 4558 1^st.F57 1990 Civil Rights and Liberties – Chapter 6
19 July – Mon	Interest Groups – Chapter 8 Guest Speaker: Mr. Patrick Eddington, American Academy of Opthamologists
20 July – Tue	Group presentations Voters and Political Parties – Chapter 7
21 July – Wed	The Media – Chapter 8 Video on Constructing Public Opinion: P 96 .P83 C66 2001
22 July – Thu	Seminar on Capitol Hill Room To Be Announced, Washington DC
26 July – Mon	Pluralism vs Elitism – Chapter 9
27 July – Tue	Case study on “The Race for Congress” Last class meeting – extra credit is due FINAL Citizenship paper is due
28 July - Wed	-Reading Day- -no class-
29 July - Thu	Final Exam