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PS 101 Summer 2010 American Government

Instructor: Jonathan PowellOffice: 1618 Patterson Office TowerEmail: jonathan.powell@uky.edu - include PS 101 in subject line

Website: www.jonathanmpowell.com/ps101 .html Classroom: Oliver H. Raymond Building Rm 226Meeting Time: Monday through Friday, 10:00-12:00Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:30 and Thursday 8:30-9:30 or by appointment

IntroductionPolitical Science 101 is a course that is designed to provide students with a broadoverview of the American political system. Attention will be given to how the

American government is structured and operateswe will not be involved indiscussing the merits of one political candidate or party versus another, policy debates,current events, etc., unless it explicitly illustrates a point being made in class. This willpredominantly be a lecture course, but I strongly encourage active participation. Feelfree to ask questions, offer original observations or interpretations, and to discuss any of the themes presented in class.

Book Shea, Daniel M., Joanne Connor Green, & Christopher E. Smith. 2009. Living Democracy . Brief National Edition. 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

Prentice Hall.

Grade Your grade will be based on the following components:

-Attendance, Class Participation and Quizzes (10%)-Four Weekly Exams (15% Each)-Final Exam (30%)

Final student grades will be assigned as follows: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79,D=60-69, and E=0-59.

Quizzes The instructor reserves the right to conduct unannounced quizzes at any time. Ianticipate one a week, but if I feel the class is not keeping up with the reading, there

will be MANY more. Make up quizzes will only be allowed with excused absences NO EXCEPTIONS. Quizzes may include multiple choice, short answer, or in-classor take-home essays.

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Attendance/ParticipationStudents are expected to read the assignment before class. For example, readChapters 1 and 2 before class on Wednesday May 12. There will be no formalattendance policy. However, failure to regularly attend class can be severely detrimental to ones grade. Keep in mind I reserve the right to have an unannouncedquiz during every session. Also, while I will offer lectures thematically in line with thebook, I will not be lecturing straight from the bookmaterial from other sources

will frequently be utilized in lecture, and students will be responsible for both thereadings and lecture for all quizzes and tests.

Absences The University of Kentucky considers an absence to be excused if it falls under one of the following: Serious illness of the student, a member of the students household, or

a member of the students immediate family; death of a member of the studentshousehold or a member of the students immediate family; University sponsored trips;major religious holidays; Any other circumstance which the instructor findsreasonable cause for nonattendance.

In each of these cases the student must provide written documentation for theabsence. Students are expected to provide documentation for their excused absence

within one week. If documentation is not offered within a week of the absence, it willnot be considered excused. If you are to miss a class, excused or otherwise, let meknow in advance.

CheatingUnder no circumstances will cheating be tolerated. If a student is found to havecheated on an exam or quiz, they will receive a 0 for the assignment. If a students

work is found to have been plagiarized, they will be punished to the fullest extent which can include suspension or dismissal from the University. If you are unsure of what plagiarism is, or its penalties, I encourage you to consult the following:

http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/Plagiarism.pdf http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html

Expectations I expect students to act in a professional manner. Be courteous and respectful to yourclassmates. Turn off cell phones and pagers during each session, and ARRIVE ON

TIME. Classroom interruptions will have a negative impact on participation grades.If a legitimate reason requires you to arrive late, leave early, or to have a cell phone on

while in class, let me know in advance. Failure to do so can negatively impact yourgrade.

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Special NeedsIf any student has a documented disability that requires academic accommodations,please notify the instructor as early in the semester as possible. In order to receiveaccommodations in this course, the student must provide the instructor with a Letterof Accommodation from the disability Resource Center (Room 2, Alumni Gym, 257-2754, jkarnes@email.uky.edu ).

Course Schedule NOTE THAT THIS IS SUBJECT TO REVISION

Week 1May 11: IntroductionMay 12: Chapter 1 & Chapter 2May 13: Chapter 3

May 14: Exam I

Week 2:May 17: Chapter 4 & Begin Chapter 5 (Read to pg 160)May 18: Chapter 5May 19: No ClassMay 20: Chapter 5May 21: Exam II

Week 3May 24: Chapter 6

May 25: Chapter 7 & Start Chapter 8May 26: Chapter 9; Last day to dropMay 27: Chapter 10May 28: EXAM III

Week 4May 31: NO CLASSJune 1: Chapter 11June 2: Chapter 12June 3: Chapter 13June 4: EXAM IV

Week 5June 7: ReviewJune 8: FINAL EXAM