POLS 3360

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.

CHAT ROOM ACCESS

Go to http://clayton.view.usg.edu
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.

Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
Three Semester Credit Hours
Fall Semester 2008 & Fall Semester 2009

You are required to bring a CSU configured laptop computer to course orientation and the three examinations.

MANDATORY ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION SESSION:

A student not present for course orientation may be dropped from the course as a "No Show";
Only the dean may reinstate a dropped student.

Please Plan ahead and adjust your personal schedule to be in class on all four of these on-campus meeting dates!

(Please email the instructor if you have questions regarding this CSU policy.)

Course Orientation: Saturday, August 16th, 11:00 a.m. to Noon, Location: A&S Bldg., G-229;

ON-CAMPUS REQUIRED EXAMINATION DATES:
First Examination: Saturday, September 27th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

Second Examination: Saturday, October 25th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229
NOTE: students will NOT meet on campus for the second essay exam;
I emailed the class the exam on 10/13/08 and posted it within the online course syllabus -
read the examination instructions and question carefully.

Third/Final Examination: Saturday, December 6th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229
NOTE: students will NOT meet on campus for the second essay exam;
I will email the class the exam on 11/12/08 and posted it within the online course syllabus -
read the examination instructions and question carefully.

Please Plan ahead and adjust your personal schedule to be in class on all four of these on-campus meeting dates!

(Please email the instructor if you have questions regarding this CSU policy.)

Course Orientation: Saturday, August 15th, 11:00 a.m. to Noon, Location: A&S Bldg., G-229;

ON-CAMPUS REQUIRED EXAMINATION DATES:

First Examination: Saturday, September 26th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

Second Examination: Saturday, October 24th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

Third/Final Examination: Saturday, December 5th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

Course Description: POLS 3360 - The U.S. Congress (3-0-3) The U.S. Congress and the Legislative Process presents an in-depth treatment of the origins, development, operation of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This is a course designed primarily for political science and other Department of Social Sciences majors with 60 or more credit hours towards their degree.

Prerequisites: POLS 1101.

Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken each class session. This class will meet on the CSU campus only 4 times. Therefore, it is essential that ALL students attend the course on-campus orientation and take the three examinations. Please make an effort to be on time - once an examination begins you will have only the allotted examination time remaining.

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: A CSU configured notebook computer is required for this course. You are expected to bring your laptop to course orientation and all three examinations. Students will use their laptop computer to receive and send course related email from and to the instructor, access course web pages for examination study, write examinations in class, and receive examination results from the instructor.

NOTE: This online course does not use WebCT Vista software except to access the course chat room.

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 Fall Semester 2008 deadline to withdraw from a Full Session course without possible academic accountability is Friday, October 10th.

The Fall Semester 2009 deadline to withdraw from a Full Session course without possible academic accountability is Friday, October 9th.

Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Civic Engagement:
Civic Engagement at Clayton State University is defined as an intentional learning experience that contributes to a student’s understanding of social and civic responsibility, community leadership, and service to a diverse, democratic society. Civic Engagement outcomes are located at the Political Science Program website:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/politicalscience/default.htm

Course Expectations:
1. Attend all four on-campus course meetings;
2. Take all three course essay examinations;
3. Complete all required textbook reading assignments;
4. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade.

NOTE: Course grades will be determined on a straight scale with the total number of points you earn dictating the letter grade you receive. Simply subtract any points lost on an exam or the assigned project from the 450 total possible course points, and see the course grading scale to determine your letter grade at that point. For example, if your score on the first examination is 125 out of 150, you have lost 25 points; you remain in the A grade range; if you have lost 50 points on exams and, or the project assignment, you will be in the B grade range, etc. At the end of the semester any student within 3 points of a higher letter grade will receive the higher grade for the course. There are no bonus or extra credit assignments.Grading will be further explained in class.

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, approximately 30% of all scored assignments and examinations. More than half of the scored work in this course is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.

Essay Examinations: (450 possible points) Course grades will be determined by your performance on three essay examinations. The three examination will be taken on-campus. The dates for these three examinations are provided later in the syllabus. Additional examination details will be provided at course orientation and when the examinations are distributed to the class.

Each of the three essay examinations is worth a possible total of 150 points, and a total of 450 possible course points may be earned from all three essay examinations. The Reading Assignments section of this syllabus lists the textbook chapters to be covered on each of the three examinations. You will be expected to study the assigned readings in preparation for each on-campus examination. Your essay question answers should exhibit proper grammar, syntax, spelling, successful application of critical thinking skills, your understanding of the assigned readings, and knowledge of relevant history and current political events.

Approximately a week prior to each examination I will email the class possible essay questions drawn from the assigned textbook chapters. When you arrive for an examination I will inform you which one of these possible examination questions are on the examination. You will have the class period in which to answer the assigned essay question, or the time remaining, if you arrive late for an examination. You may use the textbook and your research notes in answering the assigned essay examination question. You will be expected to include a separate References page at the end of your essay examination.

I will expect you to bring a CSU configured laptop computer to campus for each examination; all essay examinations MUST be in WORD format. Be sure your computer is CSU configured, and that you have a CSU email address, a wall plug, and an Ethernet cable or wireless card. When you have completed your essay examination, you will email your answers as attachments to the instructor: joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu using CSU email.

Essay examination dates are listed at the beginning and near the end of this syllabus. Additional examination details will be provided at the course orientation, elsewhere in this syllabus, and by email. Your scored examinations will be returned to you by email.

NOTE: Sample essay examination questions from other similar courses are provided at the end of this syllabus.

Missed Examinations: You may not make up a missed examination. Instead, the lowest of the scores on the other two exams taken will be used as your score for the missed examination. I will substitute the lowest examination score, using the curve for the missed examination (if there is one), because I do not want to reward people for missing an examination when everyone else took all three examinations. If you miss more than one examination, you will have a zero recorded as your score for that second missed examination. Please feel free to contact the instructor with any questions you may have regarding this policy.

Congress and Its Members 11th Edition, Davidson, Oleszek and Lee. CQ Press, 2007

Selective List of Websites for your use:
(The information displayed at these websites may interest you; this information is not be included in course examinations.)

For Election and Opinion Polling 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.

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press: Highly regarded, non-partisan opinion polls.

Course Examination Reading Assignments
(Your course grade will be determined by these three examination scores;
there are no other assignments to prepare and turn in to the instructor.)

Chapter 16: Not assigned.
Third/Final Examination - 150 possible points: (The final examination is NOT cumulative.)

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.

I prefer email to voice mail as both you and I may provide a more detailed message;
I check my email regularly Monday through Friday.

Generally, I will respond to your CSU email message within 24 hours or less.

Fall Semester 2008
MTWR:11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Online course meeting dates: Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and following class;
By prior appointment at other mutually convenient times.

Fall Semester 2009
MTWR:11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Online course meeting dates: Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and following class;
By prior appointment at other mutually convenient times.

For campus closing information due to weather or an electrical outage - tune to WSB AM 750.

Class meeting room for all sessions: A&S Bldg., Room G-101;
See exam dates & times below.

Fall Semester 2008

IMPORTANT REQUIRED COURSE MEETING DATES

You are required to bring a CSU configured laptop computer to course orientation and the three examinations.

MANDATORY ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION SESSION

A student not present for course orientation may be dropped from the course as a "No Show";
Only the dean may reinstate a dropped student.
(Please email the instructor if you have questions regarding this CSU policy.)

Plan ahead and adjust your personal schedule to be in class on all of these on-campus meeting dates!

Course Orientation: Saturday, August 16th, 11:00 a.m. to Noon, Location: A&S Bldg., G-229;

ON-CAMPUS REQUIRED EXAMINATION DATES:

First Examination: Saturday, September 27th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

*********************************************

Fall Semester 2009

IMPORTANT REQUIRED COURSE MEETING DATES INFORMATION

Please Plan ahead and adjust your personal schedule to be in class on all four of these on-campus meeting dates!

(Please email the instructor if you have questions regarding this CSU policy.)

Course Orientation: Saturday, August 15th, 11:00 a.m. to Noon, Location: A&S Bldg., G-229;

ON-CAMPUS REQUIRED EXAMINATION DATES:

First Examination: Saturday, September 26th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Location: A&S Bldg., G-229

Sample Essay Examination Instructions & Questions From Other Upper Level POLS Courses

Prof. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
POLS 4500 Senior Seminar
Spring Semester 2008
Research Essay Final Examination

Instructions:
     Your examination will be prepared outside of class and emailed to the instructor by 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 1st as a Word formatted attachment. The instructor will reply to your email verifying that your exam has been received; if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours, it is likely your examination was not received. Essay examinations will be double-spaced, using the 12 point Times Roman font. Include as your first page a title page with your name, the course name and number, the examination number, and the date submitted. Restate the examination question above your typed answer at the top of page two. Provide a list of all “Resources” used and, or referred to and, or quoted on a separate last page of the essay. Your scored examination will be returned to you by email. Class will NOT meet on the examination due date.
    While points will not specifically deduct points for grammar, syntax or spelling mistakes, remember, common sense dictates that a well written (i.e. correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and clarity of meaning), logically organized, detailed, analytical essay, providing an in-depth treatment of the topic will earn more points than a short, poorly written, superficial treatment of the same subject. How long of an answer should you provide? If you have dealt clearly, effectively and fully with all aspects of the question asked, the answer should be sufficient - approximately 3-5 pages double spaced, plus the references page.

    Assume the instructor knows very little or nothing specifically about your chosen issue or problem. The facts and explanations provided in your essay will show how well you understand the topic and its complexities. A strong essay may include information from the textbook, but it will rely principally on the use of outside primary and secondary resource materials, provide accurate in depth factual information, the opinions of recognized scholars and other experts, and your own objective logical analysis and conclusions regarding the topic. Think about and explain the factual situation and concepts involved. Do not simply quote from and paraphrase the source materials you have identified in your research. Of course, the inclusion of relevant historical and recurrent events will strengthen your essay considerably.

Resources:
A list of the online and hardcopy resources used in the research and composition of this essay examination on a separate last page of the essay. Each cited resource listed will include the name/s of the author/s, article title, publication or website name, date, and, or Internet address (if an online resource). Please do not list the course textbook as a resource; I will assume you have made use of it.

Examination Question: (150 possible points)
(A reminder: all of the work on this examination will be yours alone.)
For your final examination essay consider how the states and the federal government might revise the presidential nomination caucus and primary process to make them more directly reflective of each party’s point of view, and in the case of the general election, the popular vote. Provide details, statistics, quotes and analysis of the information you include in your discussion. If a particular solution appears more promising than others, indicate which one and explain why this is so.

Remember, the more detailed your documentation (use of quotes, statistics and other relevant supporting information), both within your essay discussion of the problem and the list of references, the better.

Part One: Regarding the three principle institutions of the federal government: the Congress, the Presidency, or the Supreme Court, research and then describe the policy making process that is employed to propose and/or develop public policy in one of the following circumstances:

One, annual consideration by Congress of the federal budget;
Two, Executive Branch preparation of the federal budget for consideration by the Congress;
Three, the U.S. Supreme Court procedures for accepting cases on appeal, preparing for and conducting oral argument in a case, and development of the majority opinion in a case.

If you find it helpful, you may compose a diagram of the policy making process you are describing.

Part Two: Whichever of the three processes you have described, critique the process to identify its strengths and weaknesses, and finally, where you have found weaknesses, suggest changes that would improve that policy making process.

Summarize the presidential election process. What do the experts suggest should be done to reform the presidential election process to ensure that the will of the voting public – the popular vote for President - is accurately reflected in the Electoral College vote?

Michael Genovese states on page 33: “There is not one great leader, not one good leader, and barely an above average leader in the lot.” What personal characteristics, qualities, talents and strengths must combine to make a “great president”?

Compare and contrast the presidency described in Article II the U.S. Constitution with the modern institution of the Presidency.

Discuss how the role of the White House staff has evolved from one presidency to another beginning with the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt and extending to the presidency of George W. Bush. As you prepare for the exam, watch a few episodes of “The West Wing” television drama on NBC or BRAVO; compare and contrast how the presidential staff of the “West Wing” series illustrates the role played by staff in the White House.

1. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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.