Political Science 102

Pol Sci

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Alan M. Kirshner

TEXTBOOKS: Alan Kirshner and others, In The Course of Human Events: Essays in American Government, 6th ed., 2009 (READ: HE)
O'Connor & Sabato, Essentials of American Government, 2009 E-BOOK EDITION (READ: OS)

PEARSON SITE:

After buying the HE book, go to https://register.pearsoncmg.com/register/reg1.jsp?productID=42149 Once you have registered and have your password you can go directly to http://wps.ablongman.com/long_oconnor_mpslessag_2009 to enter your ID and password.

DESCRIPTION:

The nature of constitutional government in America and the theory and practices of democracy. Problems of individual rights, popular representation and responsible leadership are emphasized.

ACTIVITIES:

In additional to the usual lectures and student note taking, a series of other classroom activities may occur--discussions, informal debates, multi-media presentations and nano-lectures(sometimes known as Kirshner's sermons).

GRADING:

An exact average of two exams and the total of all completed interfaces! Click on the following items to view copies of a partial word lists (suitable for printing or exporting as text) for my Mid-Term Exam and Final Exam.

NOTE:

If you fail to officially withdraw and you have answered "HERE!" (or a facsimile) to my roll call at any time, I will have nochoice but to give you an Fin this course. I will not change an F to an I (certainly not to a "W") once I have submitted my grades

CREDIT/NO-CREDIT:

You may take this course credit/no-credit. I am not informed as to who takes the course C/NC, nor do I need to be.

QUESTIONNAIRE:

The questionnaire that follows this sheet is to be completed according to the schedule found on your assignment sheet. Where do you find the answers? Any place you like--including your memory banks!

INTERFACES:

On your daily assignment sheet you will notice due dates for twenty(20) interfaces. The interfaces (worksheets) are located at http:// www2.ohlone.edu/people/akirshner/interfaces.html. Each interface is worth a maximum of five points when completed and submitted on the day assigned. This total of 100 points is your third grade for the course. Interface worksheets are to be completed and no question is to be left unanswered. Points are provided for an attempted answer--right, wrong, maybe and opinion.

Interfaces will drop one point for each day they are turned in late. Since I may not have attendence sheet available, you must let me know of the interface you submit when you were absent and when you returned to class so I can count the days from your return to class. I will not make any exceptions to this policy. Well, except with a doctor’s note or you let me know in advance that you have left our world. Obviously, after five days all interfaces are disconnected and no points can be obtained for submission. I will explain the reason for this in class.

Please print off the copy of what you sent me immediately and bring it to class as we will go over them. The copy also serves as your proof that you sent the interfaces as they are time stamped. If you inform me that you turned in an interface that I did not place on the grade sheet and you do not have this time stamped receipt, I cannot verify you turned it in. I will post grades periodically online at http://www2.Ohlone.edu/people/akirshner/gradesps.html .

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend upon the integrity of the college, its courses, and its degrees and certificates. Students are expected to follow the ethical standards required in Ohlone courses. These standards are defined in the Policy on Academic Dishonesty. Violations of this policy include cheating and plagarism.

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT:

The student has the right and shares the responsibility to exercise the freedom to learn. The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in accordance with the standards of the College that are designed to perpetuate its educational purposes.

BEWARE:
“Too many people today view the world with a sense of personal entitlement. They harbor a belief they are somehow entitled to a grade, a degree, a job, a raise, a mortgage, a home, the good life in general; rather than recognizing most of these things actually need to be earned. We need to keep our commitment to a general and liberal education, with critical thinking as a core focus. Personal assumptions and beliefs need continual reflection and scrutiny under the bright lights of reality and social awareness. A sense of entitlement is difficult to maintain if one truly thinks in a critical manner.” From Dr. Jim Wright, Ohlone College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, February 23, 2009

LINK TO ASSIGNMENT CALENDARS:

PS 102 meeting Monday and Wednesday

PS102 meeting Tuesday and Thursday

COURSE OUTLINE:

I. Introduction to American Government (3 weeks)
II. Democracy (3 weeks)
III. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3 weeks)

MID-TERM EXAM Click to see a sample mid-term exam.

IV. Grass Roots Politics (Local, State, Federal) (1 week)
V. The Executive Branch of the U.S. Government (2 weeks)
VI. The Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government (1 week)
VII. The Judicial System (2 week)
VII. International Relations and American Government (1 week)