Summer 2018 - POL 232 J100
US Politics (3)
Class Number: 5997
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Vancouver -
Exam Times + Location:
Aug 9, 2018
Thu, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Cara Camcastle
ccamcast@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
POL 100 or 101W or permission of the department.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of the American political system, including the presidency, the congress, the courts, the bureaucracy and the party system. Students with credit for POL 332 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
America’s main governing institutions will be examined in this course: Congress, the presidency, and the courts. The crucial role in the policy process played by political parties, interest groups and news media will be considered. We will explore the peculiar nature of American liberal and conservative ideology and how it is reflected in the two political parties. Has the partisan dynamic displaced the ability to govern? What will be the impact of the growing Hispanic and immigrant population on American politics? What are the weaknesses of this globally influential democracy? Is there a lack of balance between free speech and lobby power? Is the electoral college system of presidential elections still valid? Is the constitutional design of checks and balances still working?
There will be one 3-hour lecture each week.
Grading
- Small-group exercises 10%
- Term Paper Proposal 10%
- Midterm examination 20%
- Term paper 20%
- Final exam 30%
- Participation 10%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Steffen W. Schmidt, Mack C. Shelley, and Barbara A. Bardes, American Government and Politics Today 2018-2019 Brief Edition (Cengage Learning 2019)
ISBN: 9781337559706
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS