Political Science 1010 Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Fall 2016 E-Mail: jdesart@uvu.edu
Room: CB 504 Office: CB 203T (801) 863-6314
T, Th : 1:00 - 2:15 PMOffice Hours:T - Th 10:00 AM -  12:00 PM
http://desart.us/courses/1010/



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.

This course satisfies UVU's Social and Behavioral Science Distribution of the General Education Requirements. It addresses the Intellectual and Practical Skills Foundation and Stewards of Place Essential Learning Outcomes. 


II. Required Textbooks

        The following textbook has been ordered for the course and is available for purchase at the campus bookstore:
Van Belle, Douglas A.  A Novel Approach To Politics.  4th Edition.  CQ Press.


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.  Whether or not you choose to attend class 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.

       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 three examinations,one paper assignment, and a series of online chapter quizzes. The approximate weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

1st Exam - October 4 25%
2nd Exam - November 3 25%
Final Exam - December 15 30%
Paper 10%
Online Quizzes 10%

        Each of the exams will be objective exams (multiple choice, matching) and be given IN CLASS. The final exam will be cumulative, 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 $4.00 charge for this service.


V. Extra Credit

        Over the course of the semester there will be a number of 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. You will be limited to only earning extra credit for ONE of these events. In addition to these speaking events, you will also have the opportunity to participate as a field researcher for the Utah Colleges Exit Poll on election day for extra credit. Students will be limited to ONE extra credit opportunity for the term. These extra credit opportunities will only be worth an additional 3-5% of the total overall points for the class. In other words, they are there to give you a little boost... you shouldn't count on the extra credit to necessarily "save" you from doing poorly 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: September 30
        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 jdesart@uvu.edu.
        Students who need accommodations because of a disability may contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem Campus in LC 312. To schedule an appointment or to speak with a counselor, call the ASD office at 801-863-8747. Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals, email nicole.hemmingsen@uvu.edu or text 385-208-2677. 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
8/30
9/1 American Political Science Association Conference - NO CLASS
9/6 Approaches to the Study of Politics:
Geeks on Parade		  
9/8 Nations, States, and Governments (oh my)
 2
9/13
9/15 Authority, Legitimacy, and Gettin' All Up In Their Grills 3
9/20
9/22 In-class Simulation: "The Isle of Frio"
ATTENDANCE MANDATORY FOR FULL PAPER CREDIT
9/27 Meet the "Isms": Political Belief Systems

*** 9/29  First Exam Review***		 4
9/29
*** 9/30 Simulation Paper Due ***
10/4***First Exam   Tuesday, October 4***
10/6 Institutions:
Who's in charge here anyway?		 5
10/11
10/13 Executives:
Cheerleader or Coach?		 6
10/18 Legislatures:
Several Enter... None Leave, ever		 7
10/20 Fall Break - NO CLASS
10/25 Legislatures II:
The One Where We Learn How Much They Actually Suck
10/27 Bureaucracy:
Less Exciting Than C-SPAN
Seriously, get plenty of sleep the night before this one. 		8
11/1 Courts:
The Referees in Long Flowing Gowns		 9
11/3 ***Second Exam   Thursday, November 3***
11/8 Election Day - Utah Colleges Exit Poll - NO CLASS
11/10 Voting:
That Thing People Do For TV Talent Shows and Nothing Else		 10
11/15
11/17 Public Opinion:
Vox populi, vox dei (plus or minus 4%)
11/29 The Media:
Attractive* People Selling Soap (and talk about stuff)
*The Ugly Ones Write For Newpapers Or Are On The Radio		 11
12/1 Political Culture: The Ties That Bind (or Divide) 14
12/6 Politics Among Nations: "Can't we all just get along?" 12
12/8 Welcome to Political Science!
*wait... wut?*		 15
***Final Exam   Thursday December 15   1:00 PM - 2:50 PM***