POLS 3360

NOTE: This course uses GeorgiaView, accessible through the CSU Swan.

This syllabus will be updated each semester the course is offered.

Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
Three Semester Credit Hours
Next Scheduled Offering: TBD

Important: It is essential that all students attend the POLS 3360 required course orientation. Please be in the classroom by --:--; any student who is not recorded as present will be dropped from the course as a "No Show' and may not be readmitted to the class.

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 at the required course orientation and each subsequent on-campus class meeting. It is essential that ALL students attend the required course orientation to avoid being recorded as a "No Show" and dropped from the course. Please make an effort to be on time for all class sessions.

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. Students will use their laptop computer to receive and send course related email from and to the instructor, access GeorgiaView, course web pages for examination study, write examinations in class, and receive examination results from the instructor.

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 2012 deadline to withdraw from a Full Session course without possible academic accountability is Friday, March 2nd.

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 on-campus course orientation and class sessions;
2. Complete all required textbook reading assignments;
3. Take the two course research essay examinations;
4. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade.

Grading: There are 300 possible course points in this course. Course grades will be determined on the basis of a straight 300 point scale, with total points earned (NOT a percentage of points earned on each examination equaling a letter grade on each exam) on the two essay exams determining your course grade. For example, if you loose more than 30 points, you will be in the B range, or if you loose more than 60 points, you will be in the C range, etc. 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 the results of the first of the two course examinations and in no way is a predictor of future performance or the letter grade a student may earn for the course at the end of the semester. In fact, a student who earns a B midterm grade actually has done so poorly on the first exam, loosing at least 30 points on that exam, that they have dropped a whole grade level before even taking the second exam. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.

Important: Cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of F for the course.

NOTE: Examination scores and course grades will be accessible via GAView. There are no bonus or extra credit assignments. Examination scores will not be curved. Grading will be further explained at orientation.

Research Essay Examinations: (300 possible points) Course grades will be determined by your performance on the first and final essay examinations. The two examinations will be taken off-campus and emailed to the instructor by 1:00 p.m. on the due dates specified in this syllabus. Additional examination details will be provided at course orientation and when the examinations are emailed to the class.

Each examination is worth 150 possible points. A total of 300 possible course points may be earned from the two essay examinations. The Course Outline Reading Assignments section of this syllabus lists the textbook chapters to be covered on each of the two examinations. You will be expected to study the assigned readings in preparation for each 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.

A week prior to the examination due date the actual essay examination instructions and essay question will be mailed to the class and will be accessible at a link in this syllabus. You will not come to campus to take the two essay examinations; you will email them to the instructor (joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu) as a Word formatted attachment no later than 1:00 p.m. on the examination due date. You will use the textbook and your research notes in answering the assigned essay examination questions. You will be expected to include a separate references page at the end of your essay examination (See examination links below in this syllabus.). Sample essay examinations are provided at the end of this syllabus. Examination scores, midterm grades and course grades will be accessible via GAView. Please contact the instructor with any questions.

Final Examination

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. If you cannot provide your examination to the instructor by the due date (See exam due dates later in the syllabus.), please email him as soon as possible (Prior to the examination if possible.) when you become aware that there is a problem. Examination scores will not be curved. Please feel free to contact the instructor with any questions you may have regarding this policy.

Congress and Its Members 13th Edition, Davidson, Oleszek and Lee. CQ Press, 2012

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 Reading Assignments
Your course grade will be determined by your scores on these two research essay examination scores
(There are no other assignments to prepare and turn-in to the instructor.).

Important: While this information will not be covered specifically on an examination, it is strongly recommended that you refresh your knowledge
of Congress by reading these materials: Textbook Chapter on Congress .

Final Examination - 150 possible points: (The final examination is cumulative, drawing upon themes discussed throughout the textbook.)

* The course syllabus will not cover Chapters 11, 15 or 16 in this course; you are encouraged to read them on your own.

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. Rafik Mohamed, Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Clayton Hall, Room 111, 678-466-4605.

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.

MTWR: 10:00 to Noon;
Online course meeting dates: Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.;
By prior appointment at other mutually convenient times.

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

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Course Due Dates: (Class will meet on Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. in Clayton Hall, Room T-100)

January 7th: required course orientation - anyone not present may be recorded as a No Show and dropped from the course;

January 14th: Chapter 1: The Two Congresses - class will not meet today due to the MLK, Jr. Holiday weekend observance;
Written Assignment: prepare a two page, double-spaced summary of Chapter 1 due at the beginning of class on January 21st
(Use Times Roman 12 pt font); you are encouraged to participate in holiday events occurring across the Atlanta metro area;

January 21st: Chapter 2: Evolution of the Modern Congress; Chapter 1 written summary is due at the beginning of class (Failure to complete this assignment will result in 25pts. being deducted from your total earned course points.);

January 28th: Chapter 3: Going for It: Recruitment and Candidacy;

February 4th: Chapter 4: Making It: The Electoral Game;

February 11th: Chapter 5: Being There: Hill Styles and Home Styles;

February 25th: Chapter 6: Leaders and Parties in Congress;

March 3: Spring Break - CSU is closed - class will not meet today;

March 10th: Chapter 7: Committees: Workshops of the Congress;

March 17th: Examination One is due by Noon today as an email to the instructor - class will not meet;

March 24th: Chapter 8: Congressional Rules and Procedures

March 31st: Chapter 10: Congress and the President

April 7th: Chapter 12: Congress and the Bureaucracy

April 14th: Chapter 13: Congress and the Courts

April 21st: Chapter 14: Congress and Organized Interests

April 28th: the Final Examination is due by Noon today as an email to the instructor - class will not meet;

Important: The final examination is cumulative, drawing upon themes discussed throughout the textbook.

NOTE: we will not cover Chapters 11, 15 or 16 in this course; you are encouraged to read them on your own.

Sample Research 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.