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Catalog Description

Prerequisite: None • Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1. California Articulation Numbering System (CAN): Government 2. This course surveys and analyzes the principles, problems, and structure of the U.S. and California governments. It presents competing theories of American politics and government and encourages critical thinking on the part of students. Classes will be geared toward lectures and discussion.

This course partially satisfies: the Social Science Group A General Education Requirement for an A.A. degree at Santa Monica College; the U.S. Constitution and American Ideals requirements for graduation from the CSU system; the CSU General Education Requirement in American History and Institutions; and the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements of UC/CSU systems (IGETC Area 4). It also satisfies requirements for Political Science majors at many of our transfer institutions (consult the college catalog).

Textbooks

Karen O'Connor and Larry J. Sabato. 2005. American Government: Continuity and Change, Alternate 2004 Election Edition. New York: Pearson/Longman.

Bernard L. Hyink and David H. Provost. 2004. Politics and Government in California, 16th ed. New York: Pearson/Longman.

Grading

Student success in this class will require an ability to: (1) master important facts about the history and politics of the United States; (2) apply analytical and critical thinking to historical and contemporary political issues; (3) read and write English prose at the college level.

Grades will be based on three exams and a final. The exams will comprise multiple choice questions and essays. Students should bring a Scantron Mini Essay Book, form no. 886-E, and a No. 2 pencil to class for the exams unless instructed otherwise. In addition, students must bring a Santa Monica College photo identification card for each quiz and exam; no student will be allowed to take a quiz or exam without an I.D.

Some questions will come from the Companion Website for the textbook. While students might pass this class (i.e., a grade of "D") by using only these study aids, higher grades (e.g., "A") require more thorough preparation. Also, please be aware that there may be mistakes in the answer keys in the online sample quizzes. Please use these materials carefully. You are responsible for information in the textbook, not the study aids.

Your exam essays will be graded on their substance and your ability to express yourself in clear, concise, grammatically correct, college level English prose. Students may use dictionaries with the permission of Dr. Buckley; electronic dictionaries are not permitted during exams.

The Final Exam will be conducted at a time scheduled by the College (see the College Exam Schedule as published in The Schedule of Classes). The exam will be cumulative and comprise multiple choice questions only. Many Final Exam questions will come from the first three exams. The Final will last approximately one hour; students arriving 30 minutes or more late for the Final Exam may not be allowed to take it. Bring a Scantron form 882 and a No. 2 pencil with you for the Final Exam.

Dr. Buckley will return graded exams as quickly as possible. Unclaimed quizzes and exams will be retained for only two weeks, after which they will be discarded.

Each of the exams is worth 25 percent of your course grade. The exam schedule and reading assignments are listed below. Dates of the exams are tentative. A standard grade scale will be used. Make-up quizzes and exams will not be offered without a written request and documented evidence of an unavoidable emergency. The deadline for submitting a make-up request is 3 p.m., Wednesday, Novemer 30. All make-ups without exception will be given on Friday, December 9, from 9:00-10:30 a.m.. Please note that make-up exams will be in a different form than the regular exams; make-ups comprise objective short-answer questions, which are generally much more difficult than multiple-choice and essay questions. In addition, extra credit assignments will not be offered and course grades of "I" (incomplete) will be given only in accordance with college policies.

Withdrawals from this class are the sole responsibility of the student. Students withdrawing after Sunday, October 23, will receive an "F" if they are not earning at least a "C" grade and no student may withdraw after Friday, November 18.

Participation in class discussions is encouraged but not graded as such. Students whose participation exceeds the expectations of the instructor may receive special consideration in "borderline" grade situations at the end of the semester. Tape recordings of the Lecture are not permitted without the prior permission of Dr. Buckley. Finally, students are bound by the College's Code of Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy (AR 5312.1-121791), a copy of which is available from the College Disciplinarian, Ms. Judith Penchansky, (310) 434-4655.

Dr. Buckley will be available in his office on Monday and Wednesday, 2 to 3 p.m., and on Tuesday from 7 to 11 a.m., or by appointment. Dr. Buckley is not available to meet students in-between classes.

Class Assignments

August 29 , Introduction to American Democracy, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 1; and Hyink and Provost, Chap. 1
August 31, The U.S. Constitution, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 2
September 5, Labor Day--No Class
September 7, The U.S. Constitution, continued
September 12, Federalism, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 3
September 14, Federalism, continued
September 19, Interest Groups, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 16

FIRST EXAM--Wednesday, September 21

September 26, Campaign Finance, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 14
September 28, Political Parties, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 12 and ; Hyink and Provost, Chap. 6.
October 3, Political Parties, continued.
October 5, Voting, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 13
October 10, U.S. Congress, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 7
October 12, U.S. Congress, continued
October 17, The Presidency, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 8
October 19, The Bureaucracy, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 9

Sunday, October 23--Last day to drop without a grade check.

October 24, The Bureaucracy, continued.

SECOND EXAM-- Wednesday, October 26

October 31, The U.S. Judiciary, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 10
November 2, The U.S. Judiciary, continued.
November 7, The California Judiciary, Hyink and Provost, Chap. 8
November 9, The California Judiciary, continued.
November 14, Civil Liberties, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 5
November 16, Civil Liberties, continued.

Friday, November 18--Last day to drop.

November 21, Civil Rights, O'Connor and Sabato, Chap. 6
November 23, Civil Rights, continued
November 28, Civil Rights, continued

THIRD EXAM--Wednesday, November 30

Deadline for Submitting Make-up Request
Wednesday, November 30, 3 p.m.

December 5, California's Progressive Legacy and Direct Democracy, Hyink and Provost, Chaps. 2, 3, 4, and 5
December 7, The California Executive, Hyink and Provost, Chaps. 7 and 10

MAKE-UP EXAMS
Friday, December 9, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: T.B.A.

December 12, The California State Legislature, Hyink and Provost, Chap. 6