Political Science 1010 Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Fall 2006 E-Mail: desartja@uvsc.edu
Room: LA 007 Office: LA 012n (801) 863-6314
M, W, F : 9:00 - 9:50 AMOffice Hours:M - Th 10:00 AM -  11:00 AM
http://members.aol.com/DrDeSart/1010/  M,W 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM



Introduction to Political Science


I. Course Objective

        This course provides an overview of the discipline of political science by examining its major concepts, approaches, and subject matter. The course introduces the student to the various subjects of study and levels of examination which can be used in examination of political activities.

        More specifically, we will explore the following: The ultimate goal of the course is to give you a solid conceptual foundation in the discipline so that you can more fruitfully study these questions in more detail throughout the rest of your academic career.


II. Required Textbooks

        The following textbook has been ordered for the course and is available for purchase at the campus bookstore:
Roskin, Michael G., Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, and Walter S. Jones.  Political Science: An Introduction.  9th Edition.  Prentice-Hall.


III. Expectations of Students

        Students are expected to keep up with assigned readings and participate in class discussion. Lecture and discussion will be much more meaningful if the students come to class prepared.  It would also be helpful if students pay attention to the national media for political news as I will try to use examples from current events to highlight points in the material.
        With respect to class attendance and participation, I direct you to your academic responsibilities as stated in the Student Code in the College Catalog:
    Each student is expected to take an active role in the learning process by meeting course requirements as specified in the written syllabus.
An "active role" includes regular attendance.  I will regularly take attendance, but whether or not you choose to attend is entirely your choice. However, you should be aware that missing class will hinder you in meeting course requirements.  By failing to attend class, for whatever reason, you assume the responsibility of your choice.  Class attendance and participation will factor into a student's grade when he or she is on the borderline between two grades.

       The Student Code also states that it is your responsibility to "maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms". No academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course. The penalty for a first offense is an "F" for the assignment or exam. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course and you will be reported to the Department Chair and Student Advising for further action. For more information on the Student Code and for definitions of what constitutes "academic dishonesty" please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the College Catalog.


IV. Grading

        The grades for this course will be based upon five examinations and one paper assignment. The approximate weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

1st Exam - September 20 15%
2nd Exam - October 16 15%
3rd Exam - November 3 15%
4th Exam - November 20 15%
Final Exam - December 13 25%
Paper 15%

        Each of the exams will be objective exams (multiple choice, true/false, matching) and be given IN CLASS. The final exam will be cumulative (and may contain an essay question), but will place emphasis on the final section of material in the course.

        There will be absolutely no make-up exams except under dire circumstances. In order for a student to be considered eligible for a make-up exam he/she must:
  1. Contact me prior to the exam to explain the circumstances
  2. Be able to furnish specific and official documentation (e.g.. doctor's note) showing why it was not possible to take the exam at the specified date and time.
 Make-up exams will be scheduled in the Testing Center, and you should be aware that it is their policy to impose a $3.00 charge for this service.


V. Extra Credit

        Students will be able to earn extra credit this semester by participating in the KBYU Utah Colleges Exit Poll project.  In addition, over the course of the semester there MAY be other opportunities for extra credit. These will typically involve attending speaker events on campus and writing a short paper about it. These events will be announced in class at my discretion and only the announced events will be eligible for extra credit. Students will be limited to ONE extra credit opportunity for the term. The paper will only be worth an additional 3-5% of the total overall points for the class. In other words, you shouldn't count on the extra credit to save you from bad performance on the exams.


VI. Paper Assignment

        There will be one paper assignment:
Simulation Paper:  In the 4th week of the term, we will conduct an in-class simulation demonstrating the dilemmas present in the process of engaging in collective action. Students will represent different villages on the "Isle of Frio" and will compete and/or cooperate with each other during the simulation. Following the simulation you will write a 4-5 page typewritten paper recounting your experience, successes and/or failures, and relate these experiences with the concepts we have learned about collective action. Class attendance on the day of the simulation will be MANDATORY. Failure to attend class that day will result in a penalty on the paper, regardless of the excuse.  Date Due: Sept. 25
        Plagiarism, presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own without attribution, is a serious violation of the Student Code and will be dealt with accordingly.


VII. Student Needs

        I invite you to meet with me about any questions or concerns you may have about the class material during my scheduled office hours. If you have conflicts with those office hours, contact me and I will make an attempt to make an appointment at another time that is convenient to both of us. You can contact me via email at desartja@uvsc.edu or via AOL Instant Messenger at screenname DrDeSart.
        Should any student experience a disability which might require special accommodations, the student is encouraged to contact the Accesibility Service Department [ASD], BU -146, (801) 863-8747, so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.  Special accomodations cannot be given unless and until the student has coordinated them with ASD.



VIII. Course Outline and Reading Assignments

Date Topic Chapter
8/23 Introduction: What is politics?  
8/25 The Nature of Politics and Political Science 1
8/28 Approaches to the Study of Politics 2
8/30
9/1 Nations, States and Governments (oh my)

9/4  LABOR DAY - NO CLASS		 3
9/4
9/6
9/8 In-class Simulation: "The Isle of Frio"
ATTENDANCE MANDATORY FOR FULL PAPER CREDIT
9/11 Limiting Governmental Power 4
9/13
9/15
Approaches to Authority and Legitimacy
*** 9/18  First Exam Review***		 5
9/18
***First Exam   Wednesday, September 20***
9/22 Meet the "Isms": Political Belief Systems

*** 9/25 Simulation Paper Due ***		 6
9/25
9/27 The Ties that Bind (or Divide): Political Culture 7
9/29
10/2 Public Opinion:
Vox populi, vox dei (plus or minus 4%)		 8
10/4
10/6
10/9 The Role of the Media
*** 10/11 Second Exam Review ***		 9
10/11
10/13 Fall Break - NO CLASS
***Second Exam   Monday, October 16***
10/18 Interest Groups: Necessary Evils? 10
10/20
10/23 Political Parties: Teams on the Political Gridiron
11
10/25
10/27 Elections: Mechanisms of Accountability


*** 11/1 Third Exam Review *** 		12
10/30
11/1
***Third Exam   Friday, November 3***
11/6 Institutions: Decision-makers and Power-wielders 13
11/8 Legislatures: The (almost) Bloodless Arenas 14
11/10
11/13 Executives: Cheerleader or Coach? 15
11/15 Bureaucracy: The Groundkeepers 16
11/17 Judicial Power: The Referees 17
***Fourth Exam   Monday, November 20***
11/22 Thanksgiving Break - NO CLASS
11/24
11/27 Government Manipulating the Economy 18
11/29 Revolutions and Violence: When the "Rules of the Game" fail 19
12/1
Politics Among Nations: "Can't we all just get along?"


*** 12/6 Final Exam Review ***		 20, 21
12/4
12/6
***Final Exam   Wednesday December 13   9:00 AM - 11:00 AM***