Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2019 - POL 232 D100

US Politics (3)

Class Number: 4446

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 15, 2019
    Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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:

This course will to help students to achieve a comprehensive and critical understanding of American politics in the contemporary era.

Discussion will cover the theoretical and historical underpinnings of American democracy, significant elements of its evolution over time, the functioning of its modern institutions, and the most serious challenges in American politics today. Major topics include American political concepts and culture; the role of parties; the institutions of the presidency, congress, and the courts, and the relationship between them; federalism; and the bureaucracy. It will also consider contemporary issues including the rise of populism, the debate around immigration, the role of money in politics, democracy and security, and the evolving role of media and the internet on politics.

The three-hour class will include a mixture of lecture, small and large group discussions and debates, online activities, in-class presentations, and audio-visual content. At the conclusion of the course, students will understand the origins and evolution of government in the US, along with contemporary challenges.

(revised on April 10, 2019)

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Data Exploration Exercises 15%
  • Supreme Court Simulation 20%
  • Midterm 10%
  • Research Paper Outline 5%
  • Research Paper 20%
  • Final Exam 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Schmidt, Steffen et al. 2018. American Government and Politics Today, Brief.

Cengage Learning. 
ISBN: 13: 9781337559706

Other readings available online.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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