POLI 4500 - Senior Seminar

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
Fall Semester 2011

Fall Semester 2011 classes will meet in Clayton Hall, Room T-100

Operation Study: At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

Course Description: POLS 4500 - Senior Seminar in Political Science (3-0-3) Senior Seminar is open only to political science majors in their senior year (i.e. 90+ hours in the program). The seminar will emphasize readings and discussion concerning historical topics of broad significance. Students will complete a project requiring the application of social sciences research analysis and interpretation.

Prerequisites: POLS 1101. This course is taken at the point where apolitical science major is within approximately two semesters of graduation, or has a minimum of 90 credit hours in the major. This course is limited to declared political science majors.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class session. All students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Because the success of senior seminar course depends on a relatively high level of participation on the part of ALL students, you may have one excused absence - each additional absence may result in the deduction of 20 points from your total points earned for the course; Exceptions will be made where there are acceptable extenuating circumstances presented to the instructor. To comply with   University requirements, attendance will be taken each class session. Please make it a particular point of being present on on dates you are scheduled to introduce and lead the discussion of an assigned reading.

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. A CSU configured laptop should be brought to each class meeting. Students will use a laptop computer to access email from the instructor, access course related web pages in class, research and write the two essay exams, email the instructor each of their two Word formatted essay exams, receive scored exams back from the instructor, and to develop, write and email the research project to the instructor.

Course Communication: Course Communication will be primarily by means of email. Once the course begins we will be connected to each other by a closed email list serve for the exclusive use of the instructor and students in this class. If you wish to discuss a personal matter such as exam results or your grade, use my personal email address (I do not check voice may on a regular basis but I do check email all day, every day.): joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu . For email related computer problems, go to the HUB, or contact the HUB Help Desk at 678-466--HELP.

Required Computer Skills:

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 Fall Semester 2011 deadline to withdraw from a course without possible academic accountability is Friday, October 7th.

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

Political Science Degree 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.

·       Demonstrate ability to understand and apply social sciences research methods.

·       Research and compose a Senior Thesis in a subfield of political science.

·       Successfully complete a political science related internship.

Assessments:

·       POLS 1101 geography tests

·       POLS 2101 pre and post-assessment surveys

·       POLS 4490/POLS 4491 Internship/Practicum Site Supervisor Evaluation

·       POLS 3000 and 4000  level course research papers 

·       POLS 4501 Senior Thesis 

·       ACAT Area Concentration Achievement Test taken by graduating  
   seniors

Course Expectations: 

      1.   Attend class on a regular basis
 2.   Complete all reading assignments by the due date;
 3.   Introduce/provide an overview summary of assigned readings;
 4.   Participate in class discussions on a regular basis;
 5.   Participate fully in class discussions of assigned readings;
 6.   Complete the two essay examinations;
 7.   Complete a Preliminary Senior Thesis Proposal;
 8.   Complete a Senior Thesis Proposal;
 9.   Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade.
 

*NOTE: all students are required to comply with all course expectations; 50 points will be deducted from a student's total course points for failure
to complete the Survey of CSU Political Science Degree Program and take the ACAT Political Science Test and ETS Proficiency Profile Test.

Grading: 

Course Grading Scale - 350 Possible Points

A = 350 - 321 (30 point range)

B = 320 -291 (30 point range)

C = 290 - 261 (30 point range)

D = 260 - 231 (30 point range)

F = 230 points or less

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

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 350 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 40 points or more 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. More than half of course work is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.


Required Course Materials: (Available in the CSU bookstore.)

1.   Larry J. Sabato, A More Perfect Constitution. New York: Walker & Company, 2007;

2.   Fareed Zakaria, The Future of Freedom. New York: W.W. Norton 2007;

3.  Gregory M. Scott and Stephen M. Garrison, Political Science Student Writer's Manual 7th Edition, Longman, 2012;

4.  The New York Times (Available free on campus in A&S Bldg. & Clayton Hall hallway racks.)

For Your Information: (CSU Library or CSU Office of Student Affairs)

CSU Student Handbook

Course Outline: (Reading assignments from the required textbook are in the due dates section of this syllabus.)

I.  A More Perfect Constitution by Larry J. Sabato

Larry Sabato's Center for Politics website:

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/

First Examination Essay - 100 possible points

II.  The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria

Fareed Zakaria's CNN website:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/fareed.zakaria.gps/

III. The New York Times (Available free of charge on racks in A&S Bldg. & Clayton Hall daily.) - part of daily classroom discussions.

Final Examination Essay- 100 possible points (The final examination is not cumulative.)

Introduction & Discussion of Assigned Readings & Class Participation: Each student will be called upon at least once during the semester by the instructor to provide a verbal introduction/summary overview and then lead the discussion of a reading assignment; students will not know in advance who will be asked to lead that day's discussion.  If a student is not prepared to make the introduction of the assigned reading, they will have 25 points deducted from their total earned points at the end of the course. ALL students are expected to have read all assigned readings by the due date and to participate in seminar discussions on a regular basis. We will use The New York Times each class session to enhance our discussions; it is available daily free of charge n hall racks in A&S Bldg. and Clayton Hall.

Essay Examinations: (200 possible points) There are two essay examinations. The second essay examination will serve as the course final examination. Each exam is worth a possible total of 100 points, and, therefore, there are a total of 200 possible course points to be earned from exams.  The course outline lists the assigned readings to be covered on each of these two exams. Essay examination due dates are listed in the course assignment section at the end of this syllabus. Additional details will be provided in class before the first examination. A sample research essay examination and additional sample essay questions from other courses are provided at the end of this syllabus. The examinations will be written outside of class and emailed to me by Noon as a Word formatted attachment on the due date. Essay examinations will be double-spaces using 12 point Times Roman; include a list of all cited research resources at the end of your essay, and a title page with the student's name, the course name and number, the examination number, the date, and a restatement of each answered examination question above the typed answer you provide. Your scored examinations will be returned to you by email. The final examination is NOT cumulative. The essay examinations will be discussed further in class. Class will not meet on examination due dates. Sample Examination One; Sample Final Examination.

Essay Examination One, F'11

Final Essay Examination, F'11

Senior Thesis Proposal: (150 possible points) In preparation for the required POLS 4501 Senior Thesis course, to be taken the following Spring Semester, each student will develop a thesis topic to be approved by the instructor in a subfield of political science of particular interest to them, and then under the supervision of the POLS 4500 instructor, complete a Senior Thesis Proposal comprised of a title page, topic statement, thesis statement, thesis topical outline and a reference list  to be used in the composition the Senior Thesis in POLS 4501; see Political Science Student Writer's Manual 7th Edition, Part One, Chapters 1 - 5 for guidance. A Preliminary Senior Thesis Proposal must be submitted to the instructor by the due date (See: Due Dates section of this syllabus and Senior Thesis Proposal and POLS 4501 Senior Thesis Scoring Rubric. Details will be further discussed in class.

Missed Examinations: Please feel free to contact the instructor for course policy regarding the late submission of a completed examination. Generally, a late examination may not be accepted by the instructor without an understanding being reached prior to the due date between the instructor and the student.

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Dr. Joseph S. Trachtenberg, Professor of Political Science

Telephone (voice mail): (678) 466-4810

E-Mail address: joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu 
(Private email intended only for the instructor.)

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 less than 24 hours.

Fall 2011
Course email list serve:
pols4500-01fall11@lists.clayton.edu

(Course list serves are activated the first day of class each semester.)

CRN: 88762

Monday, Noon to 2:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall, Room T-100

For campus closing information due to weather or an electrical outage - tune to WSB TV Channel 2 or 1002.

OFFICE HOURS

Office: Clayton Hall, Room 105A

Fall Semester 2011

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

Due Dates For All Course Requirements 

Course Due Dates: (POLS 4500 Mondays, Noon to 2:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall, Room T-100)

Monday, August 15th  to Thursday, January 18th: Drop/Add;

Monday, August 15th: first day of class - course orientation (Read the course syllabus before class.);

Monday, August 22nd: Sabato, Preamble and Chapter One;

Monday, August 29th:  Sabato, Chapter Two;

Monday, September 5th: Labor Day holiday - CSU is closed; 

Monday, September 12th: Sabato, Chapter Three and Chapter Four; Preliminary Senior Thesis Proposal due as email for the instructor's review by Noon today;

Friday, September 16th: Fall 2011 graduation application deadline for submission to CSU Registrar;

Monday, September 19th: Sabato, Chapter Five;

Monday, September 26th: Sabato, Chapter Six;

Monday, October 3rd: Sabato, Chapter Seven, Conclusion and Afterword;

Friday, October 7th: last date to withdraw from a course without a possible academic penalty;  

Monday, October 10th: First Examination due today by Noon today as a Word formatted email attachment to the instructor- class will not meet today;

Monday, October 17th: Zakaria,  Chapter One;

Monday, October 24th: Zakaria Chapter Two; 

Monday, October 31st: Zakaria, Chapter Three;
Monday, November 7th: Zakaria, Chapter Four; Preliminary version of completed thesis proposal due as email for the instructor's review by Noon today;

Monday, November 14th: Zakaria, Chapter Five;

Monday, November 21st: Zakaria, Chapter Six, Conclusion and Afterword; Revised draft of thesis proposal due by Noon today;

 Monday, November 28th: Last day of class; Final Examination due today by Noon today as a Word formatted email attachment to the instructor- class will not meet today;

Friday, December 2nd: Completed Senior Thesis Proposal due by Noon today as an emailed Word formatted attachment to the instructor.