American Government American Government and Organizationand Organization

PS1301PS1301

Instructor: Jeffrey KarpInstructor: Jeffrey Karp

TA: Marshall GarlandTA: Marshall Garland

Introduction to CourseIntroduction to Course

ThemesThemes

SyllabusSyllabus

BooksBooks

ScheduleSchedule

ExamsExams

ThemesThemes

Reforming the Republic Reforming the Republic RedistrictingRedistricting Early votingEarly voting

Comparative Perspective (other Comparative Perspective (other countries/other U.S. states)countries/other U.S. states) Proportional representationProportional representation

‘‘logic of collective action’ (politics is logic of collective action’ (politics is process of individuals reaching collective process of individuals reaching collective decisions)decisions)

Democrat's return could end standoff

                                                

Richard Michael Pruitt / DMNSen. John Whitmire flew home to Houston Tuesday, saying, "I just don't understand the

rationale of staying in New Mexico when we're not in session."

John Whitmire, the Senate's longest-serving member, flew home from New Mexico on Tuesday, putting himself in a

position where Republicans may force the Democrat to attend a special session aimed at bolstering GOP power in Congress. A

return by just one senator to the Capitol would give the 31-person Senate enough members to conduct business if Gov.

Rick Perry calls a third special session.

Congressional DistrictsCongressional Districts

• • Texas population, Texas population, 2000 Census: 2000 Census: 20,851,820 20,851,820

• • Total congressional Total congressional districts in Texas: 32 districts in Texas: 32

• • Ideal population per Ideal population per district: 651,619 district: 651,619

• • 17 Democrats, 15 17 Democrats, 15 Republicans. Republicans.

SyllabusSyllabus

Subject to changeSubject to change

Annotated version available on webAnnotated version available on web www.jkarp.com/f2003/ps1301www.jkarp.com/f2003/ps1301

Office hoursOffice hours

e-mail/phone contacte-mail/phone contact

Office Hours/E-mailOffice Hours/E-mail

KarpKarp Holden Hall 219; 742-4048Holden Hall 219; 742-4048 email: email: j.karp@ttu.eduj.karp@ttu.edu Subject should be: PS1301Subject should be: PS1301 Office Hours: T 10:00-11:00am and W 3:00-5:00pmOffice Hours: T 10:00-11:00am and W 3:00-5:00pm

GarlandGarland Holden Hall 16; 742-0168Holden Hall 16; 742-0168 email: marshall.garland@ttu.eduemail: marshall.garland@ttu.edu Office Hours: MW 9:00am-9:50pm; TH 11:00-Office Hours: MW 9:00am-9:50pm; TH 11:00-

11:50am11:50am

BooksBooks

Kernell, Samuel and Gary Jacobson, Kernell, Samuel and Gary Jacobson, The The Logic of American PoliticsLogic of American Politics 2nd ed. 2nd ed. [Kernell][Kernell]

Donovan, Todd and Shaun Bowler, Donovan, Todd and Shaun Bowler, Reforming the RepublicReforming the Republic [Donovan] [Donovan]

ScheduleSchedule

Possible changesPossible changes

Readings prior to class meetingReadings prior to class meeting

EvaluationEvaluation

ExamsExams 3-Oct MIDTERM I  (Friday) – 25%3-Oct MIDTERM I  (Friday) – 25% 7-Nov MIDTERM II (Friday) – 25%7-Nov MIDTERM II (Friday) – 25% Final Examination - December 17: 10:30am-Final Examination - December 17: 10:30am-

1pm -- 40%1pm -- 40% Makeup Exams – if granted, on day of finalMakeup Exams – if granted, on day of final

Unannounced quizzes – 10% (an example Unannounced quizzes – 10% (an example of collective action)of collective action)

Student ResponsibilitiesStudent Responsibilities

Attend the course:Attend the course:

Do the work:Do the work:        

Be courteous to the instructor and your Be courteous to the instructor and your classmatesclassmates..

Understand and follow university and class Understand and follow university and class policies: policies:

Class Email list:Class Email list:

Instructor Responsibilities:Instructor Responsibilities:

Be prompt and prepared for class Be prompt and prepared for class meetings meetings

Be respectful of all points of view. Be respectful of all points of view.

Be available for questions or advice during Be available for questions or advice during scheduled office hours.scheduled office hours.

Respond to e-mail in a timely manner.Respond to e-mail in a timely manner.