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Politics is a contest between parties over what
vision of the good will guide our common life. Aristotle
Every human benefit, every virtue and every prudent act,
is founded on compromise. Edmund Burke

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Handouts

Purpose: The basic premise of this course is that most Americans do not think about the American National Government. Everyone has an opinion, and most people can argue their opinion when prompted. However, very few Americans have an informed opinion about issues, or understand the origins of American governance, thus understanding the process. Most do not take the time to analyze events, within a theoretical framework, to arrive at a good understanding of events.

The course is designed with two types of students in mind: one is the student who wants to be a better informed citizen and a well-rounded individual/student. The second student is one who is "shopping for a major"; a beginning college student who has no idea what Political Science or, more generally, the Social Sciences are. If you do not fit into either category please do not disturb the class.

Goals: The goals in this course are modest; they are to acquaint you with the actual workings, the stated and unstated principles, and the formal and informal structures of the American government. I hope to nurture in you some interest in American politics, some respect for learning and studying, some ability to read more critically and think more rigorously, and some excitement about the college experience.

Procedure: Most classes will be of the lecture format. This does not abrogate the student of any work. This is a course of ideas but the ideas come from the students. There will be many opportunities for you to have ideas but you must create your own personal set of ideas. They may be the same as your friends or your parents but they must be yours, not theirs. Thus, participation in class is crucial, not just for the course but for your personal development.

The Ethics of the Course: What are our aims, and how are we going to achieve them? The central value of all education should be truth seeking. Truth cannot be acquired if we do not eschew nihilism (saying ‘there’s no such thing’), emotivism (believing what makes you feel good), or populism (to avoid "weird" beliefs). The main constraints on how we pursue truth are a limited rationality, mutual respect and civility. Limited rationality is being prepared to give reasons and evidence for what you believe, reasons that are at least understandable to your audience and do not pursue ends at all costs, ad nauseam. Mutual respect is that each of us as human beings has a natural aptitude for truth-seeking. Moreover, we are naturally social beings -- we need each other in order to fully realize this truth-seeking aptitude. This does not require us to blunt the edge of disagreement, or lapse into an easygoing relativism. Lastly, civility is a mutual respect. It expresses itself in deference and humility. Criticize the ideas, not the person! We will not accuse each other of evil (e.g., racism, sexism, etc.) on the basis of sincere expressions of ideas. [thanks to Robert C. Koons for this construction].

Policies: All University policies are in effect for this course. [http://www.colorado.edu/policies] The University Honor Code [http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/Home.html] is the most important policy in this class. It is taken, by me, with the utmost seriousness. Familiarize yourself with these policies especially in regards to incompletes, drops/add, withdrawal, etc. Students are expected to attend all classes, do all reading prior to the class and take all exams at the appointed times. No make-up exams will be given. No ‘extra credit’ is ever given. Every effort shall be made to accommodate all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671).
If you have any problems with the college, the course, the material or me, please come see me. If there is anything I can help you with please come see me. I am here to help.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Textbook: James Q. Wilson, John J. DiIulio, Jr., "American Government: Institutions and Policies, The Essentials" 9 ed., 2004, ISBN: 0-618-29981-5 (Wilson) Textbook Link

Reader: The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, 2^nd Ed. Lanahan Publishers, Baltimore: 1999. ISBN 0-9652687-1-3 (LRAP)

James V. Schall "A Student's Guide to Liberal Learning" Intercollegiate Studies Institute: ISBN 1-882926-53-6

Books are on sale at the UMC bookstore and Colorado bookstore on the hill. The student is responsible for acquiring the books. They are also available on-line at, e.g., bigwords.com or textbooks.com

Evaluation:

Tests: There are three midterm exams and a final exam, which is cumulative. Each is worth 20% of the grade. 50% of each exam is objective, short answer questions. They cover all the readings to that point. An additional 50% of each exam are two short essays drawn exclusively from class lectures. All essays will be written in dark blue or black ink. I will provide a Scantron answer sheet for the exams. For the final exam an 8.5 x 11 "blue book" is required (also available in the bookstore). Lateness is not an excuse for any exam.

To attain a passing grade ALL exams must be taken

Quizzes: there will be five unannounced quizzes given at random times throughout the semester. Each is worth 25% of the quiz grade (20% of the total) or 5% of the total grade. These quizzes will be taken from the readings due that day or from prior weeks. One of the quizzes will be dropped, either the lowest grade or one not taken.

E-mail list: Each student must subscribe to the class's E-mail list. For more info visit: http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/emaillists/faq.html

Page last updated: 08/17/05
  visitors since March 25, 1999