Department of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Social Sciences
Choate Rosemary Hall
Wallingford, Connecticut
Political Science 555AP
U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Course Syllabus
Winter 2013–14 term
| TABLE OF CONTENTS Goals of the Course Course Policies and Grading Texts and Course Materials Digital Resources Key Dates Program and Workload Schedule of Meetings and Assignments |
Contact
Information voice: 203-350-9612 preferred e-mail: |
"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values.
For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people."
- President John F. Kennedy '35
Goals of Political Science 555
The antecedent of this course, PS550: American Political Institutions, was about the design of the American governmental system; this course, on the other hand, is about the output of that design. We will build build on the work of the fall term, but shift the emphasis from a study of government--Constitutional roots, federalism, the three branches of the national government, and the major institutions in and around that government--to a focus on politics. Of particular interest will be the current relationships between the branches of government. We also will review in some depth the presidential election campaign of 2012 as a case study to examine the roles played by party organizations, money, media, and technology. We also will consider the relationship between governing priorities and political considerations in both domestic and foreign affairs.
In addition, this course will continue to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examination in Government, to be offered in May.
Political Science 555 promotes the development of skills needed by all historians, political scientists, and indeed citizens; specifically, we hope to develop the general intellectual skills of:
The course is designed with these aims in mind to be a coöperative learning experience in appreciating and understanding the rich tapestry of American political life. Needless to say, no such understanding can be taught by someone else; it can only be learned for oneself.
Beyond these skills, this course aspires to cultivate in each student an appreciation of the role of an informed and active citizenry in society.
A summary of course policies and grading standards can be found online by clicking here.
This primary text for the course from PS550 will be used for a handful of specific assignments and as a general reference throughout the term:
In addition, student should obtain copies of the following works, listed in the order we will use them:
You will need to read supplementary materials for the course, as well--most of them available online. Most days there will be a specific article assigned from such sources as The New York Times, Politico.com, The Wall Street Journal, or The Washington Post.
You should install the following free iOS apps on your iPad for use in class:
These official governmental websites may be useful to your studies, or perhaps just interesting to surf:
The following links connect to websites of interest to political jumkies; you may wish to bookmark them so you can visit occasionally:
You will be expected to keep up with the reading and actively participate in class discussion. (Unannounced reading quizzes are always fair game.) The term's major assessments include a couple of short but demanding papers and two period tests. In addition, you will be graded on your work as a Discission Leader this term. You also will be assigned to produce an analytical project about contemporary politics and government, in collaboration with one (or possibly) two classmates. More on this later.
Discussion Leader system: this course will ask each participant to serve as a Discussion Leader on a rotating basis. The expectation is that the DL will start class discussion by identifying key three questions from the assigned reading. The DL shoulds also be prepared to make an important broader point about the way politics and government works based on the material at hand. To achieve these two aims, the DL may bring in appropriate supporting materials: a short reading, a chart, quotations, a video clip, etc.
In the papers you may want to follow the "empirical essay" format and the APEC method of argument. In each case, you may write as many pages as you want, but the first three will be read and graded. (If you use notes or a bibliography, they may go on a separate sheet.)
The following is required viewing:
Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
What follows is what we'll try to cover during the term. It may be adjusted from time to time for any number of reasons. The homework for the next class is always the next assignment unless you are told differently. You'll find each entry on the schedule below contains some instructive questions and ideas you should consider in preparing for class; get into the habit reading the syllabus carefully each night as you begin your homework.
1. "Stand And Unfold Yourself."
In class, we'll meet each other, discuss the expectations of the course, and distribute materials you'll need.
2. The Modern Supreme Court I.
Read Toobin, prologue and Chapter 1. What do you make of the confusion following the administration of the oath of office in 2009? What does it reveal about Justice Roberts? President Obama and his new administration? In chapter 1, why is gun control an important bellweather topic for modern American politics?
3. The Modern Supreme Court II.
Read Toobin, Chapters 2 and 3. DL: ______________________________
4. The Modern Supreme Court III.
Read Toobin, Chapters 4 and 5. DL: ______________________________
5. The Modern Supreme Court IV.
Read Toobin, Chapters 6, 7, and 8. DL: ______________________________
6. The Modern Supreme Court V.
Read Toobin, Chapters 9 and 10. DL: ______________________________
7. The Modern Supreme Court VI.
Read Toobin, Chapters 11 and 12. DL: ______________________________
8. The Modern Supreme Court VII.
Read Toobin, Chapters 13, 14, and 15. (Note: NG is away on Monday 16 December to moderate a panel at the NIAAA Annual Conference in California, so use the class time to keep up with--and get ahead in--the assigned reading.)
9. The Modern Supreme Court VIII.
Read Toobin, Chapters 17 and 18. (Note: we are skipping chapter 16, though you are free to read it on your own if you have time.) DL: ______________________________
10. Paper #1 Due.
First paper is due at the start of class. Electronic submission preferred (DropBox or email; pdf, Pages, or Word documents only, please). Under normal circumstances, I don't grant extensions; late papers are penalized one notch ("A-" to "B+") every 24 hours.
Holiday Vacation.
Find some rest and peace before we reconvene in 2014.
11. The Modern Supreme Court IX.
Read Toobin, Chapters 21 and 22. DL: ______________________________
12. The Modern Supreme Court X.
Finish Toobin, Chapter 23 and Epilogue. DL: ______________________________
13. The Election of 2012: Setting The Stage.
Read Balz, Chapters 1 and 2. DL: ______________________________
14. The Challenges Facing The Obama Camp.
Read Balz, Chapters 3 and 4. DL: ______________________________
15. The Obama Campaign Ramps Up
(NG away at NEPSAC meeting, but read the assignment nonetheless and we'll get caught up on Tuesday.) Read Balz, Chapters 5 and 6.
16. The Biden Question.
Read Halperin, Chapter 4. DL: ______________________________
17. The Primary Landscape For The Romney Campaign.
Read Balz, Chapters 7 and 8. DL: ______________________________
18. The Huntsman Challenge.
Read Halperin, Chapter 7. DL: ______________________________
19. Buffer Day.
The school has designated Tuesday, January 21 as a "no homework" day. If you are bored, you may opt to read Chapter 8 in Halperin about Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry.
20. Chris Christie.
Read Halperin, Chapter 9. DL: ______________________________
21. Adlai Stevenson Lecture.
You will be required to attend the Stevenson Lecture on Thursday, 23 January, so no additional homework assignment for Friday's class.
22. Iowa and New Hampshire.
Read Halperin, Chapter 11. DL: ______________________________
23. South Carolina and Florida.
Read Halperin, Chapter 12. DL: ______________________________
24. Persistent Mr. Santorum.
Read Halperin, Chapter 13. DL: ______________________________
25. Paper #2 Due.
Topic TBA.
26. Demographics of the General Election.
Read Balz, Chapters 18 and 19. DL: ______________________________
27. The Summer Campaign.
Read Balz, Chapter 20. DL: ______________________________
28. Veepstakes.
Read Halperin, Chapter 17. DL: ______________________________
29. The Empty Chair.
Read Halperin, Chapter 18. DL: ______________________________
30. Bubba To The Rescue.
Read Halperin, Chapter 19. DL: ______________________________
31. 47%.
Read Halperin, Chapter 20. DL: ______________________________
32. The Denver Debacle.
Read Halperin, Chapter 21. DL: ______________________________
33. Obama Rebounds.
Read Halperin, Chapter 22. DL: ______________________________
34. Election Day.
Read Balz, Chapters 25 and 26. DL: ______________________________
35. Lessons Learned.
Read Balz, Chapters 27 and 28. DL: ______________________________
36. Paper #3 Due.
Topic TBA. Regardless of any unexpected shifts in the schedule, this paper falls due on Monday, the 26th of February--the date the school has reserved for HPRSS assessments.
37. Obama's Foreign Policy I.
Read Indyk, TBA.
38. Obama's Foreign Policy II.
Read Indyk, TBA.
39. Obama's Foreign Policy III; Wrap Up.
Read Indyk, TBA. You will complete end-of-term evaluations in class, so think about any ideas you want to convey to your teacher about the class, the quality of instruction, and your own performance this term. Sadness will begin.
The course is ended; go in peace.
This syllabus © 2013–2014 Ned Gallagher. All rights reserved.
Last revised:
January 9, 2014