AMERICAN POLITICS

PS 51, SECTIONS 1 & 2, SPRING 2000

Description

The most important theme of this course is that politics matters. It matters because it shapes American society and influences the well being (or lack thereof) of various segments of the population, including economic, racial, ethnic, and gender-based groups. Most immediately, politics affects you and I, in an ongoing fashion in both subtle, not-so-subtle, and important, and not-so-important ways.

To help us understand the importance of politics to our everyday lives and "the play of power" we adopt what the authors of our text call the "grand game metaphor." This analytical tool suggests that politics shares many of the basic features of a game, something with which we are quite familiar. Politics has rules, players, resources, strategies, and outcomes just like Monopoly or football. The play can be fiercely competitive or peacefully cooperative. By applying concepts from the world of games to that of politics we can better understand ongoing political processes and outcomes. An important difference between politics and other games, however, is that the stakes can be extremely high, for players and observers alike.

We begin by considering the basic social, economic, and political setting within which the game of politics is played in the United States with an emphasis on the constitution, the most basic set of rules of the political game. Federalism and intergovernmental relations also receive ample attention here for they structure the various arenas in which the game of politics is played. This context both shapes the play and the outcomes of the ongoing contest. We then examine major nongovernmental players, such as the media, organized interests, and political parties and institutional players including the Congress, Presidency, Courts, and bureaucracy.

Objectives

This course seeks (1) to familiarize students with the historical and factual detail of American politics and (2) the basic concepts and theories of political science. It also hopes to help (3) develop analytical and communication skills through the application of these ideas. All of this should help you play more effective political roles in the future, as small or large as they might be, and thus help shape the world around you in important ways to your own benefit and that of others.

Methods & Expectations

Class time will be devoted to lecture and informal discussion of issues that emanate from the reading assignments and current political events. There will be a series of quizzes, three exams, and a term paper that reinforces the major theme of the course. Students should plan to take exams on the scheduled date and to turn in the term paper on time.

I expect students to complete the reading for each unit on time as per the course outline below. Attendance in this class is mandatory.

Grades are based on the following components and weighted as shown:

Assigned Readings

All reading assignments are found in the following text, which should be available at the Temple University Bookstore.

Eisenstein, James; Kessler, Mark; Williams, Bruce E.; and Vaughn Switzer,

Jacqueline. The Play of Power: An Introduction To American Government.

New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996.

Rules of Conduct and Decorum

To further learning within the classroom all disruptive behavior including the following examples should be minimized.

(1). Late arrivals and early departures.

(2). Private conversations among two or more members of the class.

(3). Showing disrespect to other persons.

COURSE OUTLINE

The Context and Framework of Politics

1. January 19-24. Overview of the Course. The Play of Power in American Politics. Chapter 1

2. January 26-31. Economic, Social, and Ideological Context. Chapter 2

3. February 2*-7. The Constitution: Rules of the Game. Chapter 3

4. February 9*-11. Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations. Chapter 4

5. February 14. Review for Exam.

Nongovernmental Participants

6. February 18*-25. Public Opinion and Mass Media. Chapters 7 & 8

7. February 28*-March 3. Organized Interests. Chapter 9

8. March 13*-17. Political Parties. Chapter 10

9. March 20*-24. Political Participation, Voting, and Elections. Chapter 11 & 12

10. March 27. Review for Exam.

Institutional Participants

11. March 31*--April 7. Congress. Chapter 13

12. April 10*-14. The Presidency. Chapter 14

13. April 17*-21. The Bureaucracy. Chapter 15

14. April 24*-28. The Federal Courts. Chapter 16

15. May 1. Review for Exam.

* Quizzes on assigned readings.