POLITICAL SCIENCE 210
U S POLITICS
SPRING, 2007

INSTRUCTOR	Bill Daniel
OFFICE	130 Founders Hall
HOURS	2:30 - 4:30 M, 3:00 - 4:00 TTh, or by appt.
PHONE	826-3914
E-Mail	wrd1@.humboldt.edu or wrdaniel05@pacbell.net
WEB	www.humboldt.edu/~wrd1

TEXTS

Kernell & Jacobson; The Logic of American Politics, 3'rd ed., (Logic) Lubenow, ed.; Governing California (Lubenow) Fiorina, et. al.; Culture War? (Fiorina)

This course is designed to serve as the core introductory course in American Government for Political Science majors. The target audience is individuals who have displayed interest in politics and who have a general understanding of how our political system works. Non majors are also welcome here. This course also meets Title V requirements with respect to the U S and California Constitutions. To meet this requirement we will emphasize:

• The political philosophies of the Framers of the Constitution and the nature and operation of United States political institutions and processes under that Constitution as amended and interpreted
• The rights and obligations of citizens in the political system established under the Constitution
• The Constitution of the State of California within the framework of evolution of Federal-State relations and the nature and processes of state and local government under that constitution
• Contemporary relationships of state and local government with the Federal Government, the resolution of conflicts and the establishment of cooperative processes under the constitution of both the state and nation, and the political processes involved

This course will reflect a "systems" perspective, with a dose of "political economy." Political institutions and the people who run them (and are run by them) interact in a specific environment. Political decision-makers (agents) react to specific stimuli from the environment and set courses of action/inaction accordingly. We shall first look at environmental factors (physical, social, economic, and political) which generate specific demands for collective action and influence how decision-makers react to them. We shall consider the Constitutional Framework (U S and California) and key constitutional principles and institutions that both facilitate and control the shape of collective actions.. We will also examine principles of federalism and state and local institutions (with specific emphasis on California.) Adopting the position that decision makers, agents, are limited in what they can do in the name of the polity, we shall explore how civil rights and liberties  serve/do not serve as limits on discretion..  The structure and organization of government in the Unites States will occupy us for the second part of the course. Finally, we will examine the various linkages between "We, The People" and government. Our analysis will concentrate on, though will not be limited to, electoral politics, the closely related area of direct democracy, public opinion, political parties, interest groups and the mass media.  Hopefully, this analysis will provide you with a a systematic framework with which to analyze and evaluate "current events" as we attempt to find and exercise our role in civic society. Thus you are strongly encouraged to subscribe to a local or national newspaper, follow quality news analysis found on such shows as NPR MORNING EDITION, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, or the PBS NEWS HOUR. Some quality news may also be found on the Net. Some of the links on the 210 web page should be helpful also.

Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on two (2) mid-term exams (25% each);  a  final exam (40%); and participation and preparedness, as evidenced by class attendance, discussion, and performance on any unscheduled short exams that may be given (10%). The exams will be essay in nature with the possibility of a few short answer questions. Class attendance is a serious matter.  Though there is no specific "three cuts and you're out" policy, excessive absences will affect your final grade.  Late papers and exams are penalized to the tune of 1/3 of a letter grade, up to two letter grades, for each school day the exam or paper is late.

Class Schedule

1/17-1/19	Introduction: The environment and logic of collective action; Logic, Ch. 1
1/22-1/26	The U S and California Constitutions, Background and context; Logic, Ch, 2; The Federalist 10 & 51, & Appendix 3
1/29-2/2	Our Federal System; Logic, Ch. 3; Lubenow, Articles 6, 10, & 11
2/5-2/9	Civil Rights; Logic, Ch. 4
2/12-2/16	Civil Liberties; Logic, Ch. 5  FIRST EXAM 2/16
2/19-2/23	The Legislative Branch; Logic, Ch. 6 & Lubenow, Articles 1 - 3
2/26-3/2	The Executive Branch; Logic, Ch. 7 & Lubenow, Article 4
3/5-3/9	Bureaucracy; The 4'th Branch?  Logic, Ch, 8
3/19-3/23	The Judicial Branch; Logic 9 & Lubenow, Article 5, Federalist 78  SECOND EXAM 3/23
3/26-3/30	Public Opinion; Logic, Ch. 10 & Fiorina
4/2-4/6	Voting, Elections & Campaigns; Logic, Ch. 11 & Lubenow, Articles 7 - 9
4/9-4/13	Political Parties; Logic, Ch.12
4/16-4/20	Interest Groups; Logic, Ch.13
4/23-4/27	The News Media; Logic, Ch. 14 THIRD EXAM 12/1
4/30-5/4	Conclusion; Logic, Ch. 15
5/11	10:20 -12:10: FINAL EXAM , (SORRY, NO EARLY FINALS GIVEN