Syllabus POLI 2051 Fall 2023 FINAL

1 American Government Political Science 2051 Fall 2023 Dr. Hogan rhogan1@lsu.edu Office Hours: 9:00-11:00 am Mondays (240 Stubbs Hall) Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of American government and politics. The first part of the course examines the ideological, historical, socioeconomic, and constitutional contexts of politics in the United States. The second part explores components of the political process including interest groups, political parties, and elections. The third part focuses on the institutions of government (executive, legislative, and judicial branches) that create and implement public policies. Most of our attention will be on national level politics, although at points we will cover some aspects of state and local governments as well. LSU Integrative Learning Core Integrative learning allows students to make simple connections among ideas and experiences and across disciplines and perspectives. The LSU Integrative Learning Core (ILC) curriculum is designed to develop student abilities to transfer their learning to new situations and demonstrate a sense of self as a learner. A fundamental g oal of the ILC is to foster students’ practical and intellectual capacities associated with integrative learning in preparation for high competence and functionality in their post-baccalaureate careers. This course fulfills the BOR Area of Social/Behavioral Sciences and provides students experience with the ILC proficiency of Inquiry and Analysis . Course Requirements The course requirements include reading the textbook, watching video presentations, reading the Power Point slides, taking practices quizzes, writing reports, and taking multiple-choice exams (the final is not cumulative). The course schedule for completing practice quizzes, writing assignments and exams is listed below as well as on the course Moodle page. This is an on-line course that moves very quickly with assignments due throughout the semester, so it is very important that you pay close attention to the course schedule and check the Moodle site regularly. I provide updates and reminders on the Moodle page under “Announcements.” Occasiona lly I will send emails, but do not expect email reminders of upcoming deadlines. Again, it is imperative that you check the Moodle site regularly. Required Reading Materials The textbook for the course is listed below. The e-book version is available for purchase in the bookstore. You may prefer to rent or purchase a physical copy of the book and these are available from on-line vendors. Note that the 16 th , 17 th , or 18 th editions are all acceptable and each edition contains all the information you need. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, (by George C. Edwards, Martin P. Wattenberg, and William G. Howell, Pearson: ISBN: 9780135246498). How to Contact Me The best way to contact me is by e-mail. I will make every effort to answer your questions in a timely manner (usually within 24 hours during the normal work week). If you would like to set up a specific time to talk with me directly, e-mail me and we can schedule a time that is mutually convenient to speak by telephone or through Zoom.

2 Student Evaluations and Policies The final grade for this course will be determined by a student’s performance in the following areas: Practice Chapter Quizzes (18 @ 0.5% each): 9% Reports (6 @ 3% each) #1: 18% Exam #1: 21% Exam #2: 24% Exam #3 (Final Exam): 28% Total = 100% It is a student’s responsibility to monitor the grades they receive and to calculate the weighted average of the different as signments. Do not rely exclusively on the “course total” calculated on Moodle. Recognize that the Moodle “course total” does not a ccount for grades that are missing until I have entered a zero for the missed assignment. Final course letter grades are assigned as follows based on a student’s final numerical average: 97-100 = A+ 93-96 = A 90-92 = A- 87-89 = B+ 83-86 = B 80-82 = B- 77-79 = C+ 73-76 = C 70-72 = C- 67-69 = D+ 63-66 = D 60-62 = D- <60 = F Note: I generally round final averages. In other words, if your final average is an 89.5 you will receive an A-. If your final average is 89.4 your letter grade is a B+. Video Presentations For each chapter of the text, I provide a series of video slide presentations (usually 4-7 videos for each chapter with a combined run time of anywhere from 30-40 minutes). The videos for each week along with the slides are provided on the course Moodle page. These presentations are intended to highlight aspects of the reading that will assist you in grasping the central concepts. My goal is to provide illustrative examples where needed while demonstrating how the various concepts are interrelated and significant. Please recognize that the video presentations should not be viewed as a substitute for carefully reading and taking thorough notes on the text. I cover many of the main points in each chapter, but I do not cover every definition and concept. Note that I have adopted a minimalist approach with the slide presentation videos. In other words, I do not include extraneous photos or graphs other than what I believe to be necessary for conveying the central ideas and concepts. By avoiding a “dazzling” power point presentation, I hope to focus your attention squarely on the material you need to know while allowing you to preserve your printer’s ink supply (I highly recommend printing the slides so that you may take notes on them as you listen). I strongly suggest reading and taking notes on the chapter prior to watching the video presentations. Once you are familiar with the concepts covered in the book, you will find the presentations more useful.

4 reserve the right to investigate when I suspect a violation of any of these policies. All violations of the university’s academic conduct policies are turned over to the Dean of Students. Prohibited Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): It is important that any assignment submission is a pure reflection of your work and understanding. The introduction of artificial intelligence options to complete academic work jeopardizes my ability to evaluate your understanding of our course content and robs you of the ability to master the subject matter. Therefore, the use of generative AI programs for completing any course work is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, using AI-generated essays, reports, code, or any other submissions as a substitute for your own original work. If you have questions about the use of specific tools or technologies in relation to course work, I am happy to talk with you about it beforehand. Suspicions of the use of AI programs in academic work will be reported to Student Advocacy & Accountability for review under the Code of Student Conduct. Computer Problems If you experience a computer difficulty in submitting a report or in taking a quiz or exam, it is your responsibility to email me about this when it occurs and to document the problem. Quizzes and exams are graded automatically so check to see that your grade appears soon after you submit each one. Once you complete a quiz or exam it is your responsibility to make certain that the grade shows up in the gradebook. If it does not appear, then there was a problem with your internet connection and you need to contact me immediately. Also check when you upload your reports – make certain that the upload goes through properly. Each semester I have students tell me that they uploaded their reports only to find that the report was not uploaded. It is your responsibility to make certain that each task is completed and that confirmation appears on Moodle. Policy on Deadlines To provide a level playing field, I take deadlines very seriously and hold everyone to an identical standard. My goal is to make certain that everyone is treated equally. If you encounter a problem that prevents you from meeting a deadline, please contact me. I understand that problems can arise, and I will accommodate difficulties that you may encounter. But please be prepared to provide documentation. If you have an excuse from a medical professional, it is necessary that it include the dates of your illness indicating when you were unable to do work. All documentation for an excused absence must be received within a week of your return to your normal activities. Finally, please note that that all listed times on the schedule are calibrated to the Central Time Zone . Adding the Course Late If you add the course after the first day of the semester, it is your responsibility to make up any work that you missed. Assignments that are past due must be completed within one week of your adding the course. If quizzes have closed or if submissions are no longer accepted through Moodle, you must contact me for instructions on how to complete this work. Requests made more than one week after adding the course are usually not granted. Special Needs For students who have special needs or who require accommodations through Disability Services, please advise me of your situation so arrangements can be made. If you are a student registered through Disabilities Services and you are seeking a “Note Taker” to assist you in assembling notes and other review materials for this course, please email me the appropriate form at the beginning of the semester. I will then post the code listed on the form to the course Moodle page to enable volunteers to contact you through Disabilities Services. If you are a student interested in volunteering to serve as a “Note Taker” please read the instructions indicated on the course Moodle page.

5 Course Schedule Please pay careful attention to the due dates for the various practice quizzes, assignments, and exams. Note that the schedule is subject to minor changes and any changes will be noted under “Announcements” at the top of the course Moodle page. Week #1: August 21-26 Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics ▪ Carefully read the course syllabus. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 1. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 1. ▪ Practice Quiz : Chapter 1 to be completed by Friday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m. Week #2: August 27 - September 2 U.S. Constitution ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 2 and Appendix (Declaration of Independence, Federalist No. 10 & No. 51, and U.S. Constitution with Amendments). ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 2. ▪ Practice Quiz : Chapter 2 to be completed by Friday, September 1 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Work on Report #1 (due on Tuesday, September 5). ❖ August 29 : Final date for dropping course without receiving a “W” ( 4:30 p.m.). Week #3: September 3-9 Federalism ▪ Submit Report #1 by Tuesday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 3. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 3. ▪ Practice Quiz : Chapter 3 to be completed by Friday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. Week #4: September 10-16 Civil Liberties ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 4. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 4. ▪ Practice Quiz: Chapter 4 to be completed by Friday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Work on Report #2 (due on Tuesday, September 19). Week #5: September 17-23 Civil Rights ▪ Submit Report #2 by Tuesday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 5. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 5. ▪ Practice Quiz: Chapter 5 to be completed by Friday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. EXAM #1 (Covering Chapters 1-5) May be taken anytime from 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25 through 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27. Week #6: September 24 - September 30 Public Opinion ▪ Make certain you take Exam #1 anytime from 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25 through 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 6. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 6. ▪ Practice Quiz: Chapter 6 to be completed by Friday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Work on Report #3 (due on Tuesday, October 3).

7 Week #14: November 19-25 Health Care, Environment, and Energy Policymaking ▪ Submit Report #6 by Tuesday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 17. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 17. ▪ Practice Quiz for Chapter 17 to be completed by Monday, November 27 at 6:00 p.m. Week #15: November 26 - December 2 National Security Policymaking ▪ Due to Thanksgiving Break, the Practice Quiz for Chapter 17 is due on Monday, November 27 at 6:00 p.m. ▪ Read: Government in America , Chapter 18. ▪ Video Presentations: Chapter 18. ▪ Practice Quiz for Chapters 18 to be completed by Friday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m. Exam #3 (Covering Chapters 12-18): May be taken anytime from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5 through 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7.