POLS
3320 - PUBLIC POLICY
COURSE
REQUIREMENT: Access to communication between the instructor and students
will
require use of CSU email:
The instructor will only respond to CSU
email messages from students.
Go to: http://thehub.clayton.edu
and click "Service" for
information on configuring your laptop
computer to comply with CSU IT requirements. You MUST have your laptop computer
configured
to access CSU email. You will need to take your laptop computer to
The
HUB, located on the ground
level of the
University Center. You should have
your computer configured and set up for CSU email
BEFORE classes begin, or as
soon as
possible there after. The HUB is located in the University
Center, or contact the HUB at 678-466-4357.
This syllabus will be updated each semester the course is offered.
Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
Three Semester Credit Hours
Spring Semester 2004
Course Description: The analysis of selected public policy issues and the interplay of organizations and politics in the policy-making process.
Prerequisites:
POLS 1101
Teacher
Education Program:
The content of this course
syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state
education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/
professional education associations. Please refer to the course
correlation matrices located at the following web site: http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%20Outcomes.htm
Attendance: Attendance will meet each class session. Because the success of the course depends on a relatively high level of student participation, you will have one excused absence - each additional absence may result in the deduction of 5 points from your total points earned for the course; Exceptions will be made where there are acceptable extenuating circumstances presented to the instructor.
CSU Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in
every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to
absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through
the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course,
determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades
and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university
reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or
not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Computer Usage: Students will be expected to bring a notebook computer to class on a regular basis to perform work on group projects and classroom presentations. Students also will make regular remote site use of the Internet to access course related email, and various websites as they study required materials, work on individual assignments, classroom presentations, prepare group project reports, and study for examinations.
Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook.
The instructor and students will treat each other with the proper respect at all times.
Children are NOT permitted in any CSU classroom under any circumstances, nor may they be left unattended anywhere on the campus.
PLEASE, NO SMOKING, EATING AND DRINKING, OR USE OF BEEPERS & CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM.
IF YOU MUST LEAVE EARLY, TELL ME BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
IF YOU COME INTO CLASS LATE, TAKE THE FIRST AVAILABLE SEAT AS YOU ENTER THE ROOM.
TALKING AMONG STUDENTS WHICH DISTURBS THE INSTRUCTOR OR OTHER STUDENTS IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR.
CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL BE DEALT WITH
IN KEEPING WITH THE CSU STUDENT HANDBOOK.
CSU Conduct Code and
Judicial Procedures
Withdrawals and Incompletes: Students may wish to review college policy regarding course withdrawals and incompletes in the CSU catalog. Do not hesitate to speak with me, or your advisor, if you need information relating to a course withdrawal or an incomplete.
The Spring Semester 2004 deadline to withdraw from a course without possible academic penalty is Friday, February 27th.
Disabilities: For information about Disability Services or to obtain this document in an alternative format, contact Disability Services in the Student Center Building, Room 214 at 678-466-5445 or disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu .
Regents
Testing: The University System of Georgia requires that each student
receiving a degree must have successfully demonstrated competence in reading
comprehension and writing by passing two courses: Regents Writing Skills
RGTE 0199 and Regents’ Reading Skills RGTE 0198. Students satisfy these
course requirements through examination. The University System of
Georgia Regents Tests are administered each semester by the
Political Science
Program Outcomes and Assessments:
Outcomes: Graduating political
science majors should
·
Apply concepts related to the
structures and principles of the U.S. Constitution to historical and current
politics.
·
Explain and criticize U.S.
political institutions and processes.
·
Define and distinguish how aspects
of the Georgia Constitution and government differ from the U.S. Constitution and
government.
·
Assess and compare how
other national political systems and international political organizations
differ from the U.S. political system and recognize the importance of political
geography.
·
Research and compose a project
report in a subfield of political science.
· Successfully complete a political science related internship.
Assessments:
·
POLS 1101 pre and post assessment surveys & geography tests
·
POLS 4490/POLS 4491 Internship/Practicum Site Supervisor Evaluation
·
POLS 4500 Senior Seminar research paper
·
POLS 4500 Senior Political Science
Program Exit Survey
· ETS Political Science Field Test taken by graduating seniors
Course Expectations:
1. Attend class on a regular basis and complete all assignments by the date they
are due;
2. Complete all required textbook reading assignments, individual presentations,
group projects and presentations;
3. Participate fully in all group and class activities and presentations;
4. Take daily tests and course examinations;
5. View all required Lyceum lectures either live, or on tape in the Library;
6. Turn in all three Lyceum/Internet Assignments;
7. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade.
Required Textbook: (available in the CSU Campus Store)
Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, Second Edition. James P. Lester and Joseph Stewart, Jr., Wadsworth, 2000.
Sprawl City: Race, Politics, and Planning in Atlanta. Edited by Robert D. Bullard, et. al. Island Press, 2000.
Course Outline:
NOTE: For information on the federal government that may be of interest to
you: Click on this link.
For
public opinion survey polling results, click
on this website link.
PART ONE – The Context of Public Policy Studies
Ch. 1 . The Nature of Public Policy
Ch. 2. The Evolution of Public Policy and Policy Studies
Ch. 3. Approaches to Policy Analysis
Ch. 4. Models and Public Policy Studies
First Essay Examination - 100 possible points
PART TWO - Analysis in the Policy Process
Ch. 5. Agenda Setting
Ch. 6. Policy Formulation
Ch. 7. Policy Implementations
Ch. 8. Policy Evaluation
Ch. 9. Policy Change and Termination
Second Essay Examination - 100 possible points
PART THREE – Analyzing Public Policy Choices
Ch. 10. Educational Policy
Ch. 11. Welfare Policy
Ch. 12. Crime Policy
Ch. 13. Environmental Policy
Third Essay Examination - 100 possible points
NOTE: Chapter 14 will not be assigned.
Course Presentations, Group Reports, Project Reports, Lyceum & Internet Assignments, Quizzes, Examinations and Grading: (800 possible course points.) Course grades will be determined on a straight scale with the total number of points you earn dictating the letter grade you receive (Each time a presentation, report, quiz or exam is scored, subtract any points lost from the 800 total possible course points, and see the course grading scale to determine your letter grade at that point.).
How points will be earned:
(1) In-class presentations: You must do textbook chapter presentations, with a minimum of one assigned to each student. Additional available dates will be assigned by the instructor (30 possible points). If a student is not prepared on the date they are to make a presentation, 30 points will be deducted from the total points earned during the semester. This policy reflects how important it is for each of us to act responsibly and not let the class down by coming to class unprepared. (Exceptions will be made where there are acceptable extenuating circumstances presented to the instructor.)
IF AT ALL POSSIBLE LET THE INSTRUCTOR KNOW AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN
ADVANCE THAT YOU CANNOT MAKE A CHAPTER PRESENTATION OR THAT YOU INTEND TO
WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE, SO OTHERS MAY BE ASSIGNED TO TAKE YOUR PLACE.
(2) One group project written report and group project report classroom presentation (150 possible
points for the written report and 50 possible points for the classroom
presentation);
(3) Two Lyceum Guest Lecture assignments and one Internet assignment: (Assignments One and Two are each worth 30 possible points, and Assignment Three is worth 40 possible points, for a possible total of 100 possible points);
(4) Daily quizzes (17 quizzes worth 10 possible points each for a maximum of 170 possible points); there will be a total of 19 of these 10 point quizzes; however, students will have the combined option of the instructor dropping the two lowest scores or not taking up to two of the quizzes.
(5) Three essay examinations ( 100 possible points each for 300 possible total exam points).
Grading:
The Course Grading Scale - 800 Possible Points
A = 800 - 721 (80 point range)
B = 720 -641 (80 point range)
C = 640 - 561 (80 point range)
D = 560 - 481 (80 point range)
F = 480 points or less
Note: At the end of the class if you are within 3 points of a higher letter grade I will assign you that higher grade for the course.
Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester. More than half of the scored work in this course is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.
Group Project Reports and Presentations: (200 possible points for each group member: 150 possible points for each group's project report, and 50 possible points for each group's classroom report presentation) The class will be divided into small groups, the number of students in each group and the number of groups will depend on total class enrollment. Each group will be assigned a chapter in the required textbook Sprawl City to use as the genesis for a researched project report on the central issue/s discussed in that chapter as they relate to the Atlanta metropolitan area (worth 150 possible points), and a class presentation of the group report, with each group member presenting one of the three parts of the report (worth 50 possible points). Details will be provided in class. Periodically during the semester group members will have an opportunity to evaluate individual member performance and group performance. The instructor will monitor all groups to assist them with their projects, and to ensure ALL group members carry their share of the responsibility for the group's successful complete of the project report and classroom presentation.
*The project report on a public policy issue in the
Metro-Atlanta Area will be in three parts:
Part One: A history of the problem
NOTE: As the chapters review more than one policy problem, discuss which
topic your group will focus on with the instructor.
Part Two: A description of the alternative policy solutions to the problem, who
supports each potential solution and why, who opposes each solution and why.
Part Three: Identify your group's preferred policy solution, and provide
reasons for the group's choice.
*The written project report will include a title
page, text, and a list of reference and source materials. It should be double
spaced, in twelve point type. Please turn in both a hard copy and a soft copy of
the report.
The four Sprawl City chapters which will be assigned for group projects are Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five and Chapter Six:
Group One (Chapter Three: "Impact of Building Roads to
Everywhere"):
Bernard Asubonteng, Jaimee Gossett, Stephanie Mostiler, Mary Pate, Kevin Young
Group Two (Chapter Four: "Closed Doors: Persistent Barriers to Fair
Housing"):
Jason Byrd, Melissa Carter, Shanica Fallings, Kennon Taylor, Debra Massoud White
Group Three (Chapter Five: "The Legacy of Residential Segregation"):
Meredith Beck, Beverly Butler,
Francene Garrett, Krystal Jackson, Molly Martin, Kelly Rodgers
Chapter Four (Chapter Six: "Widening Educational Gap"):
Craig Butts, Lachisa McLean, Pauletta Russell, Genita Walker
Resources for Group Projects: Your group will want to make use of a variety of hard copy and Internet resources. Here are links to a few of many useful online websites; You will discover many more as you begin researching your group reports and presentations:
Atlanta Journal/Constitution: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
The Atlanta Regional Commission: http://www.atlreg.co
Federal Government: http://www.infoctr.edu/fwl/#jumps
Georgia Government: http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel/0,2141,4802_4973,00.html
Georgia Government: http://www.state.ga.us/index/state.cgi
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority: http://www.grta.org/
Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority: http://www.itsmarta.com/lo/index1.asp
Research Atlanta, Inc : http://www.researchatlanta.org/
For opinion poll information and survey results:
Polling Report: A compilation of
surveys from a variety of sources on politics and public affairs.
Roper Center: Access to the main repository
in the United States of public opinion polls on government and politics.
Student Chapter Presentations: (30 possible points per presentation) Each student will be assigned/volunteer to present an assigned textbook reading in class (see assignment/exam dates at end of syllabus); All students are expected to read each textbook chapter reading assignment by the due date. See the course assignment section for further information about presentations, including format and the dates on which you should have completed each textbook reading assignment; PLEASE BE PREPARED WHETHER YOU ARE LISTENING OR PRESENTING. Your presentation will be evaluated and scored for content, organization and clarity, not specifically for speaking skill. A presentation is worth a maximum of 30 possible points. The number of presentations required of each student will be determined by total course enrollment. Details will be provided in class.
Daily Short Essay Quizzes: (170 possible points) There will be a 10 point short essay quizzes at the beginning of each class session where a reading assignment in the Lester & Stewart textbook, or the Bullard reader is due. Each short essay question will focus on an aspect of that particular day's reading assignment which students will be likely to answer correctly if they have read the chapter in question. There will be a total of 17 of these 10 point quizzes; the 17 quizzes are worth a possible total of 170 course points; Details will be provided in class. Students may not make up a missed quiz; an exceptions may be made by the instructor where there are extenuating circumstances. Please feel free to contact the instructor with any questions you may have regarding this policy.
Essay Examinations: (300 possible points) There are three essay examinations worth a possible total of 100 points each, and, therefore, there are a total of 300 possible course points to be earned from exams. The course outline lists the textbook chapters to be covered on each of these three exams. Essay examination dates are listed in the course assignment section at the end of the syllabus. Additional details will be provided in class.
Missed Examinations: Please feel free to contact the instructor regarding a late or missed examination.
Lyceum Guest Lecturers & Related Internet Assignment: (100 possible points) Fall and Spring semesters students will be expected to attend two Lyceum guest lectures from among those options listed at the Department of Social Sciences lyceum guest lectures website, and then completing a Lyceum assignment for each guest lecture attended, and the related Internet assignment. If you are unable personally to attend two guest lectures, video tapes of the Lyceum presentations will also be available at the CSU Library Circulation Desk. Lyceum Assignments One and Two each are worth 30 possible points, and Internet Assignment is worth 40 possible points, for a total of 100 possible points. These three assignments will be discussed further in class. Detailed assignments information is provided in the due dates section of this syllabus. There are no Lyceum/Internet Assignments Summer Semester.
NOTE: Proper consideration for others requires that you remain seated until a Lyceum guest lecture program has been concluded; In other words, members of the audience should remain seated for both the lecture and questions that may follow. If you know in advance that you must leave prior to the conclusion of an event, please take a seat, or stand, at the very back of the lecture hall. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated both by the speaker and others in attendance. Be prepared to explain an early exit, if requested to do so by the instructor.
Keep Informed: Current events will be discussed each class session and related directly to materials assigned in the course. Read a major daily newspaper, and/or NEWSWEEK, TIME or U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT on a regular basis. Watch a daily national news program or monitor a news website such as those maintained by ABC, CBS, CNN, MSN/NBC and/or PBS (I highly recommend the THE NEWS HOUR With Jim Leher on Channel 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Channel 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., M-F.); and the CNN, and Headline NEWS channels. Listen to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" on WABE, FM 90.1, M-F.. at 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
NOTE: This syllabus is subject to revision where
necessary to achieve course goals. If you have any questions regarding
assignments, class sessions, tests or grading please speak with me, or Dr. Randy
Rosenburg, Chair, Department of Social Sciences, A&S Bldg., G-110, 678-466-4808.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dr. Joseph S. Trachtenberg, Professor of Political Science
Telephone (voice mail): (678) 466-4810
I
prefer email to voice mail as you may provide me with a more detailed message;
I check my email regularly Monday through Friday.
Generally, I will respond to your message within 24 hours.
E-Mail address: joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu (private mail)
Course e mail list serve: pols3320-01spring04@lists.clayton.edu
Home Page Web Site: http://www.a-s.clayton.edu/trachtenberg
CRN 21698: TTh - 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.,
Arts & Sciences Building, Room G-116
OFFICE HOURS:
Office: Arts & Sciences Bldg., Room 105-E
Spring Semester
2004
MW: 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 to 10:00
a.m.; TTh: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. to Noon;
Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and
1:00 to 1:30 p.m. on online course meeting dates;
By prior appointment at other mutually convenient times.
For
campus closing information due to weather or an electrical outage - tune to WSB
AM 750.
CHAT
ROOM ACCESS
Go
to http://.usg.edu
and select
Login using your five digit CSU e-mail number as the user ID and their DUCK pin
as the password.
If you are having trouble logging in, please check with the Hub.
Course Due Dates For All Reading Assignments/Presentations, Short
Essay Quizzes, Group Presentations, Group Reports and Essay Examinations:
(Note: The date of
a tentatively planned Georgia General Assembly
field trip will
be announced later.)
Assignments and due dates may be revised as circumstances require.
Wednesday, January 7th to Saturday, January 10th: Course Add-Drop Period;
Thursday, January 8th:
First day of class; Course syllabus review;
Tuesday, January 13th:
Assignment presentation sign-up day; Everyone is expected in class today!
Thursday, January 15th:
Dr. M. L. King, Jr. 2004 Commemoration Guest Lecturer:
Ambassador Andrew Young:
Event One:
January 15th, 6:15 to 7:00 p.m., Arts & Sciences Building, Room G-132:
Student
Dialogue with the Honorable Andrew Young
"The
Civil Rights Act: An Historical
Perspective"
Event Two:
January 15th, 7:15 p.m., Spivey Hall: Amb. Young - "Memories of Martin
Luther King, Jr."
Course Required Event: You are required to attend at least one of these two programs, or watch them on video tapes, which are on reserve at the Library Front Desk; A written summary of either or both of the Amb. Young events is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, January 28th; See the Lyceum guest lecture assignment instructions below.
PART ONE:
Chapter One:
pp. 2-8: Debra Hastings
pp. 8-16: Melissa Carter
NOTE: We will not cover "The Plan of the Book" section at the end of the chapter.
Monday, January 19th: MLK, Jr. holiday - CSU is closed today;
Tuesday, January 20th:
Chapter Two:
pp. 22-26: Pauletta Russell
pp. 26-32: Stephanie Mostiler
Thursday, January 22nd:
Chapter Three:
pp. 35-40: Pauletta Russell
pp. 41-47: Jason Byrd
Tuesday, January 27th:
Amb. Young Lyceum assignment due at the beginning of class today;
Distribute Examination One in class.
Chapter Four:
pp. 51-56: Craig Butts
pp. 57-62: Bernard Asubonteng
Thursday, January 29th:
PART TWO:
Chapter Five:
pp. 66-76: Dan Hare
pp. 76-83: Fredrick Caldwell
Tuesday, February 3rd:
Examination One due at the beginning of class; Class will not meet today.
Thursday, February 5th:
Discussion of current policy issues and events; review current print, radio and
or TV news before
class, so you will be prepared to participate in the discussion.
Tuesday, February 10th:
Chapter Six:
pp. 87-94: Molly Martin
pp. 94-100: Francene Garrett
Thursday, February 12th:
Chapter Seven:
pp. 104-113: Mary Pate
pp. 113-120: Meredith Beck
Tuesday, February 17th:
Chapter Eight:
pp. 125-134: Shanica Fallings
pp. 134-140: Kennon Taylor
Thursday, February 19th:
Chapter Nine:
pp. 144-153: Kevin Young
pp. 153-160: Debra Massoud
Distribute Examination Two in class.
Tuesday, February 24th:
Examination Two due at the beginning of class; Class will not meet today;
PART THREE:
Thursday, February 26th:
Snow day - no class
Friday, February 27th: Last day to withdraw from classes without any
academic penalty;
March 1st to 7th: Spring Break - classes will meet this week!
Tuesday, March 9th:
Dr. Merle Black Lyceum guest lecture: "The 2004 Democratic
Presidential Primaries,"
Noon to 1:20 p.m.; Location: Arts & Sciences
Bldg., G-132.
Chapter Ten:
pp. 164-173: Debra Massoud
pp. 173-183: Jaimee Gossett
Thursday, March 11th:
Chapter Eleven:
pp. 188-198: Genita Walker
pp. 198-208: Beverly Butler
Tuesday, March 16th:
Chapter Twelve:
pp. 211-216: Krystal Jackson
pp. 217-223: Kelly Rodgers
Thursday, March 18th:
Dr. Black Lyceum assignment due today at the beginning of class;
Distribute Examination Three in class.
Chapter Thirteen:
pp. 226-232: Beverly Butler
pp. 232-242: Lachisa McLean
NOTE: We will not cover Chapter 14.
Tuesday, March 23rd:
Presentation by instructor regarding group projects and classroom
presentations;
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL STUDENTS BE PRESENT
TODAY!
The four Sprawl City chapters which will be assigned for group projects
are Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, and Chapter Six.
Group One (Chapter Three: "Impact of Building Roads to
Everywhere"):
Bernard Asubonteng, Jaimee Gossett, Stephanie Mostiler, Mary Pate, Kevin Young
Group Two (Chapter Four: "Closed Doors: Persistent Barriers to Fair
Housing"):
Jason Byrd, Melissa Carter, Shanica Fallings, Kennon Taylor, Debra Massoud White
Group Three (Chapter Five: "The Legacy of Residential Segregation"):
Meredith Beck, Beverly Butler,
Francene Garrett, Krystal Jackson, Molly Martin, Kelly Rodgers
Chapter Four (Chapter Six: "Widening Educational Gap"):
Craig Butts, Lachisa McLean, Pauletta Russell, Genita Walker
Thursday, March 25th: Class will meet
today;
Examination Three due at the beginning of class today;
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Dr. Carol Pierannunzi, Lyceum guest lecture: "Election Year
Politics in Georgia," Noon to 1:20 p.m.;
Location: Arts & Sciences Bldg., G-132.
Tuesday, March 30th:
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Tuesday, March 30th:
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Thursday, April 1st:
Dr. Pierannunzi Lyceum assignment due today at the beginning of class;
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Tuesday, April 6th:
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Thursday, April 8th:
Groups work on projects and presentations;
Tuesday, April 13th:
Ten point short essay quiz on Sprawl City, Chapter 3;
Group One classroom presentation: "Impact of Building Roads to
Everywhere;"
Thursday, April 15th:
Ten point short essay quiz on Sprawl City, Chapter 4;
Group Two classroom presentation: "Closed Doors: Persistent Barriers to
Fair Housing;"
Tuesday, April 20th:
Ten point short essay quiz on Sprawl City, Chapter 5;
Group Three classroom presentation: "The Legacy of Residential
Segregation;"
Thursday, April 22nd:
Ten point short essay quiz on Sprawl City, Chapter 6;
Group Four classroom presentation: "Widening Educational Gap;"
Tuesday, April 27th: Read carefully, a lot is happening today!
Group project reports due at
beginning of class;
Fourth Lyceum/Internet assignment due today at the beginning of class;
Student evaluations;
Last day of class;
NOTE: The group project report will serve as the equivalent of the course final examination.
Wednesday, May 5th:
Final examination date; Graded group project reports will be available in the pocket on my office.
____________________________________
Three Lyceum & Internet Assignments
Please do NOT email assignments to the instructor, as this may transmit a
virus.
The more accurate, precise and complete
your discussion, the more points you will earn.
______________________________________________________
Lyceum/Internet Assignment
Three:
Part One
(This assignment is worth 40 possible
points.)
You will access Assignment One by clicking on the link above. Save the web page as a WORD document, so that you may type the information necessary to complete Part One of the assignment. Once you have found and entered the information, print Part One, turn it in with Part Two at the beginning of class on the date due.
Lyceum/Internet
Assignment Three:
Part Two
E-mail your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators (Do NOT e mail any state legislator; Also, do NOT include any information on your members of Congress regarding their previous careers; Only include information regarding their present elected office.) expressing your opinion regarding a current national or international political issue or problem. The issue or problem may be one which has been discussed by a Lyceum speakers this semester. Explain to the members of Congress the action you are asking the government to take concerning this issue or problem. Be as detailed as necessary to make clear your position and concerns. Generally, members of Congress limit email messages from constituents to 200 words. Mention in the opening of your email letter who you are and that you are a political science student attending Clayton State University. Include the text of one of your three email letters in the assignment you turn in to the instructor. Staple Part One and Part Two together.
To locate an email address for your U.S. Representative and/or U.S. Senators go to: www.congress.org.
Sample Essay Examination Questions
In each of these examinations students were given the possible questions by the instructor prior to the examination, and then came into class and took a closed-book examination, using no notes or other supplementary materials to compose their answers.
1st
Examination
Assume I know nothing about the questions you are to answer –
explain everything to me so that I will know how well you have come to
understand the subject matter central to each of the examination questions. A
good essay will not only include information from the textbook, but exhibit
evidence of a serious effort to provide in depth analysis and an informed,
considered opinion that is the logical result of that analysis.
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS: (each question is worth 50 possible points – respond to two of the questions below – provide the question number selected with each answer.
Question One: Explain how power, influence, authority, legitimacy and linkage collectively provide the means to control the acts of others and achieve your own particular political objectives.
Question Two: Compare and contrast liberalism, conservatism and socialism
Question Three: How does a nation’s type of political system influence its choice of economic systems - Answer this question in terms of the U.S. and capitalism.
Question Four: Define "socialization" a then explain the role of each of these five agents plays in the human learning process: family, school, peers, news media and political events.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2nd Examination
INSTRUCTIONS: This essay examination is worth 100 possible points. You will have the class period to complete your exam.
Assume I know nothing about the questions you are to answer – explain everything to me so that I will know how well you have come to understand the subject matter central to each of the examination questions. A good essay will not only include information from the textbook, but exhibit evidence of a serious effort to provide in depth analysis and an informed, considered opinion that is the logical result of that analysis.
ESSAY QUESTION: (possible points distribution: description 30 pts.; analysis 70 pts.)
In this unit of the course we have considered individual behavior, interest groups, political parties, the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judiciary. You are to apply what you have learned about these political entities, in conjunction with what your internet research can provide, first, to a succinct, chronological description, and, second, a detailed analysis of the evolving political and legal developments of the past three or more years relating to the Ms. Paula Jones - President Bill Clinton political scandal, and sexual harassment civil case, which is scheduled to go to trial in federal district court on May 29, 1998, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Be sure to include in your response the specific roles played by these six political entities at various points in the evolving scandal and case. While the description is important, the quality and depth of analysis will indicate an understanding of concepts.
Keep in mind that you are expected to remain politically objective. By this point in your political education you probably understand that any political scandal, especially one focusing on the president, takes on a life of its own, with various entities becoming involved primarily to advance their own political objectives.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3rd/Final Examination
INSTRUCTIONS: This essay examination is worth 100 possible points. You will have the class period to complete your exam.
Assume I know nothing about the questions you are to answer – explain everything to me so that I will know how well you have come to understand the subject matter central to each of the examination questions. A good essay will not only include information from the textbook, but exhibit evidence of a serious effort to provide in depth analysis and an informed, considered opinion that is the logical result of that analysis.
ESSAY QUESTION:
Make as strong a case as you can for the United Nations as an effective keeper of World peace, and then as strong a case as you can against the United Nations as an ineffective keeper of World peace. Use the UN’s handling of the on going Iraqi – Security Council presidential site inspection controversy as the basis for your analysis.