Course Calendar for Political Science 1

Course Calender for Political Science 1:

Spring 2000

Mr. Barclay

Corresponding Webpage:

Http://www.members.tripod.com/mtbarclay/index.htm

Week of:

1/25 America at Odds: Chapter 1: America enters the Twenty-First Century (pgs. 1-17) Check out "Rock the Vote" webpage at my Http address above. Why not register to vote while you are there? Requirement: Students who do not have an Email address must sign up with Yahoo to get a free one.

1/27 Chapter 2: The Constitution (pgs. 21-53) Go to Suggested Links section of my webpage. Use Emory University Link and read the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Bill of Rights (I to X). Also read Jefferson's Letter to Madison. Answer 4 questions on page 50 in America at Odds. Turn in at next class session. Quiz.

2/1 (Continue Chapter 2). Turn in 4 questions.

2/3 Chapter 3: Federalism (pgs. 53-79)Check out Electronic Policy Network's "Mission Statement" off of the links section to my webpage. Also, Read Russell Heywood's short article on "The Change of Federalism found on my wepage under "Milestones in Growth of American National Power." Quiz

2/8 Continue Chapter 3

2/10 Chapter 4: Civil Liberties (pgs. 81-107) Check out American Civil Liberties Union Webpage. Take a look at "Freedom Scorecard." Also look at Vanderbilt University's "Freedom Forum." Check out Supreme Court Cases by Subject. Do some of you see a potential research topic based on Supreme Court cases? Quiz.

2/15 Chapter 5: Civil Rights (pgs. 109-137)

King Video (?). Check out Stanford University's Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Webpage. Read "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" Quiz.

2/17 Continue Chapter 5

2/22 Chapter 6: Political Culture and Ideology (pgs. 139-187). Check out Pew Research Center and take Survey. Print out page of survey and turn in. Choose any one of the political party websites and scan content. Also, take "World's Smallest Political Quiz". Are you clearer now on your own personal political ideology?

2/24 Continue Chapter 6

2/29 First Debate: Topics will be assigned. Class will divide into about 6 groups of 5. Each team will have put together their information.More details on the debate will be provided to you by instructor.

3/2 More Debates. Class session will be dedicated to debate.

3/7 Finish off Debate. Chapter 8: Political Parties (pgs. 185-211) Check out your favorite political party's website amongst choices on the webpage. Also, check out Green Party webpage. Answer 4 questions on page 208 of "America at Odds." Turn in at next class.

3/9 Continue Chapter 8

3/14 Chapter 9: Public Opinion and Voting (pgs. 211-235). Check out "Roper Center" link. Investigate American public opinion on US Foreign policy in 1995. Go to "Chapter One." Within this link, copy down the graph from 1975 (figure 1-1). Summarize on the copied page the findings of the graph. Turn in at next class.

3/16 Continue Chapter 9. Quiz

3/21 Chapter 10: Campaigns and Elections: (pgs. 237-263). Check out Federal ElectionCommission's webpage. Investigate campaign contributions of three top candidates. Print this out and bring to class for discussion. Also answer 3 questions from page 263 in America at Odds. Turn in at next class.

3/23 Continue Chapter 10, MIDTERM

3/28 Chapter 11: Politics and the Media: (pgs. 265-284). Go to The Media Research Center. Answer questions 1-3 in America at Odds on page 284. Turn in to class at next session.

3/30 Chapter 13: Congress (pgs. 309-334)Go to "VoteSmart"webpage. Click on "Vote Smart Classroom," Select "An Introduction to the U.S. Government," then choose "How a Bill Becomes a Law." Print out this step by step process. There will be a test on the basics of the process. Quiz.

4/4 Chapter 14: The Presidency (pgs. 338-360)2nd Debate. Should a President's Personal Behavior be the Subject of Impeachment? Students will choose a Pro or Con position. In groups of about 6 research, discussion, and summaries will have to be prepared.

4/6 Debates and presentations. Each group will have 15 minutes. TURN IN PAPER TOPICS AND RESEARCH LISTS

4/11 Conclude debates. Chapter 15: The Bureaucracy (pgs. 364-386). Go to National Performance Review. Find and read "Balancing Measures: Best Practices in Performance Management."

4/13            Continue Chapter 15, Quiz

4/17-24        SPRING BREAK

4/25            Chapter 16: The Judiciary (pgs.                 390-413)Go to Washington Law                 website. Find a case in site from                 California (9th District). Read the                 case and briefly summarize the                 facts. List names (i.e. company),                 date, and what happened. Turn in                 to next class.

4/27            Continue Chapter 16

5/2            Chapter 17: Domestic Policy (pgs.             415-436).Go to The Center for                 Community Economic Research                 from UC Berkeley. Go through the                 "National Budget Simulation."                 Answer questions on page 436 in                 America at Odds. Turn in answers             at next class.

5/4            Continue Chapter 17

5/9 Chapter 18: The Politics of Regulation (pgs. 439-461). Third Debate. Groups will design an argument that either favors or disfavors federal regulation. For example, some people may feel the government should step in and place heavy fines on oilcompanies that pollute. Others may feel that through regulation, the cost of driving a car may be too expensive. Take a position and argue it.

5/11 Debates continue.

5/16 Chapter 19: Foreign Policy (pgs. 463-486)Read Yale University Professor, John Gaddis' article entitled "Living in Candlestick Park." Answer questions on page 486 from America at Odds. Turn in at next session.

5/18 Continue Chapter 19

5/23 Chapter 20: State and Local Politics (pgs. 490-511). Go to the Center for Education Reform's Webpage. Answer questions from America at Odds on page 511.

5/25 Continue Chapter 20, RESEARCH PAPERS DUE; FINAL REVIEW

6/1 FINAL