PLSC 124:
Introduction to
American Government
Fall Quarter, 9:00-9:50 MWF
Teacher: Paul E. McGraw Email: pmcgraw@puc.edu
Office: Irwin Hall 211 Office Hours: MWF 10-1; T 12-1
Office Phone: x6301 Home Phone: 965-2477
Back to Paul McGraw's Homepage
PLSC 124 will provide an introduction to the essential elements of American Government and politics. It will provide a historical perspective as well as incorporate current issues in politics and Government.
II. Requirements:
1. Daily Readings:
2. Daily Reading Quizzes:
Your daily quiz score will consist of quizzes on daily reading assignments. Quizzes cannot be made up. Unexcused absences will result in the score of 0. Excused absences will be averaged into your quiz score.
3. Book Review & Journal Reviews:
* A 2-3 page book review of Hardball: How Politics is Played- Told by One Who Knows the Game. Due December 8.
* Six 1-2 page reviews of popular news journals.
4. Group Presentations: Group presentations on the history and message of five American political parties.
5. Tri-term Exams: October 15 & November 16
6. Final Exam: December 12 - 9:45-11:45.
** All late work will be penalized 20% and must be turned in within one week of the original due date to receive any credit.
** Exams must be made up within one (1) week of test date and will vary from the original test.
III. Grading:
Daily Quizzes 10%
Book Review (7.5%) & Journal Reviews (7.5%) 15%
Group Presentation 10%
Tri-Term Exams 20% each
Final Exam 25%
Grading Scale:
A 93-100 B- 80-82 D+ 67-69
A- 90-92 C+ 77-79 D 63-66
B+ 87-89 C 73-76 D- 60-62
B 83-86 C- 70-72 F below 60
James Q. Wilson, American Government
Chris Matthews, Hardball: How Politics is Played- Told by One Who Knows the Game
September:
24 - Introduction
26 - O'Connor, Ch. 1
28 - O'Connor, pp. Ch 2 & 471-473
October:
1 - O'Connor, pp. 475-486
3 - O'Connor, Ch. 3
5 - Journal Review #1 www.time.com/time/magazine
8 - O'Connor, Ch. 4
10 - O'Connor, Ch. 5
12 - Journal Review #2
www.usnews.com
15 - Exam #1
17 - O'Connor, Ch. 6
19 - Journal Review #3
www.rollcall.com & www.thehill.com
Group Pres. - Democrat
22 - O'Connor, Ch. 7
24 - O'Connor, Ch. 8
26 - Journal Review #4
www.newsweek.com
Group Pres. - Republican
29 - O'Connor, Ch. 9
31 - O'Connor, pp. 302-323
November:
2 - Journal Review #5
www.nationalreview.com
Group Pres. - Libertarian
5 - O'Connor, pp. 323-340
7 - O'Connor, pp. 342-364
9 - Journal Review #6
www.thenewrepublic.com
Group Pres. - Green
12 - O'Connor, pp. 364-381
14 -
16 - Exam #2
26 - O'Connor, Ch. 12
28 - O'Connor, Ch. 13
30 - Journal Review #7
www.weeklystandard.com
Group Pres. - Reformed
December:
1 - Matthews, Part I
4 - Matthews, Part II
6 - Matthews, Part III
8 - Matthews, Part IV
12 - Final Exam 9:45