Political Science 2120 RepublicanDemocrat Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Spring 2014 E-Mail: JDeSart@uvu.edu
Room: LA 0205 Office: LA 012m (801) 863-6314
T, TH : 2:30 - 3:45 PMOffice Hours: T,TH 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
http://desart.us/courses/2120/             1:00 PM -  2:00 PM


“...the common & continual mischiefs of the spirit of Party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise People to discourage and restrain it.  It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; ferments occasional riot and insurrection.   It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government through the channels of party passions. ”
 George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
 
“It should be flatly stated, that the political parties created democracy and that modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of parties… Without parties there can be no organized and coherent politics. When politics lacks coherence, there can be no accountable democracy. ”
 E.E. Schattschneider, Party Government, 1942



Political Parties


I. Course Objective

        This course is designed to explore the current status and role of political parties in America and the consequences of party change for the future of the American political system. We will begin by briefly examining the nature of politics and the role of parties in an open and pluralistic society. Following this, we will consider the history, organization, nominating practices, and electoral roles of American parties. We will then analyze the role of parties within the legislative and executive arenas of governmental decision-making. Finally, we will focus more attention on the role of parties in state and local politics.



II. Required Textbooks

        Two textbooks have been ordered for the course and are available for purchase at the campus bookstore:

Brian F. Schaffner Politics, Parties, and Elections in America. 7th Edition. Cengage.

Mark Brewer and L. Sandy Maisel (ed). The Parties Respond: Changes in the American Party System. 5th Edition. Westview.
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.
        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, 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 they are 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 three examinations. The weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

1st Exam – February 14 30%
2nd Exam – March 20 30%
Final Exam – April 24 40%

        Each of these exams will be part-objective & part-essay. The final exam will follow the same format and will be partly cumulative. There will be absolutely no make-up exams except in situations of dire circumstances of which you should inform me in advance. Official documentation (ie. note from a doctor, your own obituary, etc.) for the reason for missing the exam will be required, and such documentation should be very specific indicating your inability to be in class a the time of the exam. In other words, you better be sick enough to warrant a trip to the doctor if you are going to miss an exam.  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. Student Needs

        Students with questions are encouraged to meet with me during scheduled office hours. If you have conflicts with scheduled office hours see me so we can make an attempt to make an appointment at another time convenient to both the both of us. I would also encourage you to contact me anytime via e-mail at JDeSart@uvu.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], LC-312, (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.


VI. Course Outline and Reading Assignments

Date Topic Readings
Schaffner B & M
1/7 Introduction: What are political parties?    
1/9 Southern Political Science Association Conference - NO CLASS
1/14 Functions of Political Parties 1  
1/16 History of Parties in the U.S. 2 1
1/21 Characteristics of the American Party System 3 2
1/23
1/28 Party Organizations 4
6
1/30 5
2/4 Nominations for State and Congressional Offices 5
4
2/6
2/11 Presidential Nominations

*** 2/13 First Exam Review *** 		6
7
2/13
***First Exam   Tuesday, February 18***
2/16 Parties and Campaign Finance 7
8
2/21
2/23
2/28 The Party in the Electorate


*** 3/8 - Second Exam review ***		 8
3
3/1
3/6
3/8
3/11 Spring Break - NO CLASS
3/13
***Second Exam   Tuesday, March 18***
3/20 Parties and the Media  
10
3/25 Parties & Governing: Presidency 9
12
3/27
4/1
4/3 Parties & Governing: Congress  
9, 11
4/8
4/10
4/15 Parties & Governing at the State Level  
 
4/17
4/22
4/24 Parties in Perspective: Decline or Resurgence?
*** Final Exam Review ***		 10 13
***Final Exam   Tuesday April 29   1:00 - 3:00 PM***