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POL-110-001 U.S. Government & Politics, Spring 2011

 

 

DAILY SCHEDULE PAGE:

TOPICS, READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

This page has a continuously updated version of the course schedule grid, with links to all handouts distributed in class (“Topics covered" column) as well as links to additional readings, exam study guides and other materials.  If the course schedule changes for some reason, this page will be changed and should be considered the "official" schedule.

 

 

            Date                            Topics covered                           Readings/activity/announcements

M February 7

Key characteristics of U.S. politics; major themes of the course

No reading, yet

W February 9

Foundations: the Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence (OSY pp. 436-437); Woll reading #1

F February 11

American political culture

OSY 1; Wood, “Republicanism”

M February 14

Roots of the Constitution

OSY 2 (including the Constitution, pp. 52-79); Woll 2, 3

 

Sign-up for Woll summaries (2 per student) should be completed by Tuesday, February 15

W February 16

No class – Chris is gone today

 

F February 18

Constitutional ratification: arguments for & against

 

Woll 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

 

M February 21

Constitutional structure: separation of powers, checks and balances

Woll 4 (#47 and #48); Federalist #10, #51 (OSY pp. 438-444 OR Woll 4 and Woll 31)

 

W February 23

Federalism, in theory and practice

OSY 3; Woll 11, 12, 13

F February 25

News summary #1: contemporary issues in federalism

Woll 15, 16

 

News summary #1 articles should be brought to class today

M February 28

The legislative branch

OSY 6; Woll 60, 62

 

News summary #1 due in class

 

First exam study guide posted by today

W March 2

Congress in action, or inaction?

Woll 58, 59, 61, 63

F March 4

Presidential power: a first look

OSY 7; Woll 46, 47

M March 7

FIRST EXAM

 

 

W March 9

Political and policy advantages of the presidency

Woll 48, 49, 50

F March 11

News summary #2: presidential-congressional relations today

News summary #2 due in class

M March 14

The federal bureaucracy: executive branch agencies

OSY 8; Woll 54, 55

W March 16

The judicial branch: structure and powers, selection process

OSY 9; Federalist #78 (OSY pp. 444-447 or Woll 65); Woll 66

F March 18

Supreme Court decision making

Woll 5, 67, 70, 71

M March 21

Political roles of the Supreme Court

Woll 14, 53, 68, 69

W March 23

Principles of civil liberties

OSY 4; Woll 18, 19, 20, 26

F March 25

Interpreting civil liberties principles No class, Chris is out

Woll 27, 28, 29, 72, 73, 74 MOVED to Monday, April 4

 

March 25 presenters moved to April 4

March 26-April 3

No class – Spring break

 

M April 4

Interpreting civil liberties principles

Woll 27, 28, 29, 72, 73, 74

 

Original April 4 presenters moved to April 6

W April 6

Civil rights struggles

OSY 5; Woll 21, 22, 23

 

Original April 6 presenters moved to April 8

F April 8

Race & civil rights, AND News Summary #3: civil rights/civil liberties issues

Woll 24, 30

 

News summary #3 due in class

 

Second exam study guide posted by today

M April 11

No class – Chris at conference

 

W April 13

Public opinion: origins and consequences

OSY 10, pp. 276-290

F April 15

SECOND EXAM

 

 

M April 18

Media roles in U.S. politics

OSY 10, pp. 290-305; Auletta article to be posted

W April 20

News Summary #4: public opinion and media coverage of U.S. politics

News summary #4 due in class

F April 22

M April 25

No class – Easter break

 

W April 27

Political parties and interest groups; a closer look at interest groups

OSY 11; Woll 32, 40

F April 29

Parties and interest groups: a closer look

Woll 33, 35, 43, 44

M May 2

Electoral politics

 

OSY 12

W May 4

Electoral trends, voter preferences

Woll 36, 37, 38

 

Special Mayday! schedule: class today is from 12:10 to 12:40 pm

F May 6

Candidates, voters, and rules: a closer look

Woll 41, 42; Pomper on the 2008 election, to be posted

M May 9

Public policy: concepts and goals

OSY 13

W May 11

Formulating public policy: a closer look

Readings on health care reform, to be posted; Page and Simmons “Is American Public Policy Effective?”

F May 13

Budget simulation exercise (distributed in class May 11, due today)

 

Foreign and defense policy

OSY 14

 

Final exam study guide posted by today

M May 16

News summary #5: Meeting international challenges, the American future

News summary #5 due in class

 

W May 18

Final exam review, course evaluation

 

Friday, May 20

FINAL EXAM

1:00 – 3:00 pm

Old Main 05

Students with an exam conflict should notify Chris well in advance, in case an alternate time must be arranged