Los Angeles City College

FALL 2006

Political Science 1 - U.S Government

email: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu

There are no prerequisites for this class.  However, you should be able to read and write at the college level.

Texts : Struggle For Democracy, Greenberg & Page (You must purchase the access code for "mypoliscilab course compass"- so buy the bookstore package or buy the code online and buy a used book - its up to you)

          & California Government, Mona Fields, any edition (Latest edition comes with bookstore package).

*NOTE WELL: Wether you buy the prepackaged set at the book store, which comes with the web ID needed to access my coursse compas at mypoliscilab.com, or you buy used books and the stand alone access (which is available online) ALL STUDENTS MUST ACCESS mypoliscilab.com and take the chapter exams or you cannot earn better than a D in the course.

Course Objectives:  Students will develop an understanding of and be able to discuss the following concepts: power, federalism, limited government, civil liberties, the pluralist and elite theories of U.S. government, the legislative process, the electoral process, interest groups, the independent judiciary, political parties, domestic and foreign policy and the role of the media in politics. Students will be able to write college level essays on all these topics. Students will be expected to analyze their own political beliefs and others'. Students will also learn to spot "ugly English."  

The student learning outcomes for this course are:         Upon successful completion of Political Science 1, students will be able to:   1. Understand the basic institutions and processes of the government of the United States and the State of California.   2. Demonstrate critical thinking about political institutions and processes.    3. Exhibit a heightened sense of personal political efficacy and civic responsibility as well as increased participation in the civic and political affairs of the community.

Please silence your pagers and turn off your cell phones.

Students must be prepared for class: This includes, but is not limited to: reading the assigned material, visiting the class web site and other related sites, downloading, printing and preparing any activity materials needed for class from the class web sites or others'.

GRADING:     

*You cannot earn better than a "D" in this course if you do not complete and turn in the Course Project, access and take the online Chapter Exams on mypoliscilab.com course compas and take the final exam.

MYPOLISCILAB Course Compass is an online resource available to every student who purchases the text book package at the bookstore or the online code. All students must have their OWN CODE. The Course Code is: meyer03481

Late work will be substantially down graded! But turn it in asap - some points are better than none!

Students MUST attend every class.

Students MUST BE ON TIME for every class.

Students must be prepared for each class day.  

             Course Schedule

Date   - Reading      -    Class Discussion   - Work Due

1 9/6 -none - "52 Cards" & What is Political Science?           

2 9/11 - Librabry Day - meet in front of MLK Library

- 9/13 Orwell Article   Ugly English & Orwell Assign. Explained

& Self Regulation Skills Self Assesment (Fill it out - Bring it to class)

3 9/18    Video #1 - "The Terrible Transformation"   

- 9/20 - Ch. 1 - Pluralism & The Elite Theory in America & Video Essay #1Due

4 9/25 - Video #2 - "Revolution"

- 9/27 - Ch. 2 - Who's My Founding Father & Video Essay #2 Due

5 10/2 “Instant Grade-ifcation” of Ugly Eng. Ex. & Trans.

- 10/4 - Ch. 3 - New, Newer, and Newest Federalism

6 10/9 - Ch. 4 & 5 - What is an American and how do we know?

- 10/11 - QUIZ 1(Chs. 1 - 5) & Course Project Declaration DUE!!!!!!!!

7 10/ 16 - Ch. 6   “Setting the Agenda” & Should We Run It?

10/18 - Video #3 - "The Persuaders"   

8  10/23 none - Privacy, Libel and Free Speech   & Video Essay #3 Due!

- 10/25 - Chs. 7 & 8 - Protests & Interest Groups & Political Contribution Project   DUE!!!!!

9 10/30 - Ch. 9  -    Where's the (Political) Party?  & Political Party ID Project DUE!!!  

- 11/1 - Quiz 2 (Ch 6 - 9) & (create your cand.) 

10 11/6 - “Instant Grade-ifcation” of Your Candidate's Ad & California Government Day - Cal. State Gov. Project Due

- 11/8 - Ch. 10     "...and three or more is a Congress..."  

11 11/13 - Ch. 11   "He's just the President"

- 11/15 -    Video #4 - "Battle Plan"

12 11/20 - Quiz 3 (essay) & Video Essay #4 Due!

- 11/22 - Ch. 12  The Bureaucratic Theory of Government.

13 11/27 - Ch. 13“…And justice for all”? The Courts.

- 11/29 - Quiz 4 (Ch 10 - 13)

14 12/4 - Course Project Day! - Course Project and Poster DUE!!!!

- 12/6 - Video #5 - "Is Wal-Mart Good for America?"

15 12/11 - Ch. 14 Civil Liberties (Protections FROM Government) & Video Essay #5 Due!

- 12/13 - Ch. 15 & Civil Rights (Government AS Protector) & Quiz 5 (essay).

12/18 - 12/21 FINAL EXAM WEEK: 50 Multiple choice and two essays.

THE VIDEO ESSAYS are to be typed, double spaced, 2-5 pages, no cover sheet, name on upper right hand corner, staple in upper left corner. In a cogent essay (with a thesis statement and supporting paragraphs, etc), discuss the question for each video.  

#1 - Why (or how or both) was race-based slavery institutionalized in the Colonies by the late 1700's?

#2 - How do YOU feel the effects of slavery today?

#3 - Who are "the persuaders" and how do they effect YOU?

#4 - What should be the role of the US Military? Who or where is the next threat? The next war? How should we best prepare for it?

#5 - Is Wal-Mart good for America? What does that mean? Pick a side. Be specific.

  These essays are due on THE NEXT CLASS DAY after the video.

The 5 Quizzes are entirely based on the text.  They CAN NOT be taken late (nor early) without PRIOR written consent of the instructor.   NO MAKE UP TESTS! Bring your own scantron (882).   You will write your answers on the scantron and on another piece of paper.   You will turn in the scantron and we will go over the quiz right in class (or the next day), so you will instantly know how you did. Instant-gradification! Scantrons will not be returned.

The UGLY ENGLISH EXAMPLE AND TRANSLATION simply involves finding an example of what Orwell calls "ugly English." Then translate your example it into "standard" or "simplified" English.   Find an example (a word or phrase) and type it in quotes. Note the source. Provide the simplified "translation" of how the author (or speaker or whatever) could have better made the point. You can use newspapers, magazines, text books, radio or t.v. broadcasts, even things you hear people. All these are places to find examples of inappropriate jargon, obtuse verbiage, over-used expressions, inappropriate foreign terms and the like. Each student will read her/his example to the class and receive instant grade-ification!

The "POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PROJECT" is 3-5 pages, (typed, double spaced, staple on upper left side, name and class on upper right corner) should be written in prose (not bullets nor an outline). Tell the reader a little about each organization you chose to give money to and why you chose to give them the amount you chose. Also, provide a list of the organizations you chose with their web address, street address and phone numbers. Also you MUST include a chart or graph (e.g. pie chart, bar chart, rows and columns, etc) to graphically demonstrate who you gave money to and how much to each.  Please follow the directions on the web page - click here for further details.

The POLITICAL PARTY IDENTIFICATION PROJECT involves you asking people you know what political party they most identify with and recording your results.  You must ask at least 25 people and put them into at least three different demographic groups .  You then report your results in a one page graph (also include the list of names, ages and gender of people you asked on a separate page(s))  Click here for details on the Political Party ID Project.

“YOUR CANDIDATE'S AD” will be for a candidate you will have created. You are the Campaign Manager.   Your ad (one page - 81/2 by 11) will respond to a crisis in your campaign.   Keep it tasteful and appropriate.   This is will shared with the class for instant-grade-ification.

THE CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT PROJECT has two parts. Part 1; Using the California Government Text (and the web, if you wish) answer 25 questions (California Government Questions). Part 2: write at least two pages (each) on your State Assemblyman and State Senator (Everyone has one of each - go to www.assembly.ca.gov, enter your address and find your represenatatives.)

THE COURSE PROJECT: click here for more details on each choice:

1. The Policy Argument - where you propose and argue for a specific government policy at a specific level of government.

2. The Downtown LA Project - where you tour downtown LA and write what "revitalize downtown LA" means to you.

3. The Leadership Project - where you investigate what "leadership" means in our complex democracy by watching films.

4.  The Local Government Project - where you focus on a local government (city, county or school board) where you live.

YOUR COURSE PROJECT DECLARATION is one page (typed, double spaced) stating which project you picked and the following information, depending upon your choice. For CP #1 - briefly describe the problem and level of government. For CP #2 - tell what date you are planning on going downtown. For CP #3 - list the films you will watch for the project. For CP #4 - tell exactly which local government you will use for your project.

THE COURSE PROJECT POSTER: will be displayed for the class, and you will have to do a five minute oral presentation on your poster, on Course Project Day. The Poster simply displays what you have done for your Course Project. Use a standard Poster size board (or a "scientific" or tri-board) and make it visually interesting.

The FINAL EXAM will be 50 multiple choice questions taken from the quizzes (and other test bank questions like them) and two essay questions. Notice it is worth 200 points! The final exam must be taken on the day and time assigned to the class in which the student is enrolled.   The Final CAN NOT be taken late.  

I will not grant an incomplete - so please do not ask!

Your PARTICIPATION GRADE will be based on your active and positive participation in class. Of course your attendance and punctuality are a prerequisite for participation.   Students need to be on time and attend all class meetings.   Roll will be taken at the beginning of class.   If you are not present when roll is taken you will be marked absent unless you see the instructor after class.   Tardiness is simply rude and disrespectful.

Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor.   Such students are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Services.

Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However, each student must do her or his own work.   Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum.

Any questions - please email me: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu