Summer 2023 - POL 232 D100
US Politics (3)
Class Number: 3449
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Aug 15, 2023
Tue, 12:00–12:00 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Stewart Prest
stewartp@sfu.ca
-
Prerequisites:
POL 100 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. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description:
This course will 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.
The course will also deal with contemporary challenges facing American democracy including the rise of populism, debates around immigration, the role of money in politics, democracy and security, US international relations, and the evolving role of media and the internet on politics.
Course Organization:
The two-hour class and one hour tutorial will include a mixture of lecture, group discussions, in-class assignments, and audio-visual content. At the conclusion of the course, students will understand the origins and subsequent evolution of politics in the American republic, and be able to describe and analyze the major challenges it faces today.
Grading
- Participation 10%
- Critical essay 20%
- Major paper annotated outline 5%
- Major paper draft submission 5%
- Major paper peer review 15%
- Major paper final submission 20%
- Take-home final exam 25%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Patterson, Thomas. 2022. We the People: A concise introduction to American politics. 14th edition. McGraw Hill Education. ISBN: 978126024292
The course has one required textbook. Other readings available online.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.