Download James Madison University Department of Political Science US

James Madison University
Department of Political Science
US Government/Honors
GPOSC 225
Fall 2005
Professor Robert Roberts
MWF 9:05-9:55
Office: Maury G13-G14
Pho ne: 568-6323
E-Mail: [email protected]
Course Description: From the ratification of the United States Constitution more than two centuries ago, the United
States has successfully maintained the vision of the founding fathers despite facing numerous struggles,
controversies and disputes over the future of the nation. This course will provide students the opportunity the
opportunity to explore in depth the fundamental characteristics of United States Government. The course will
hopefully challenge students to examine the broad question whether the present structure of U.S. Government
provides the necessary institutions needed to help the nation dealing with the pressing issues faced domestically and
internationally.
Course Objectives:
1. To provide students an opportunity to gain an understanding of key characteristics of the major institutions of the
United States Government specifically, Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court.
2. To provide students an opportunity to study the Bill of Rights and the role of the Supreme Court in defining basic
civil liberties in the United States.
3. To provide students an opportunity to examine the political behavior of voters in the United States.
4. To provide students an opportunity to examine the role of political parties in the electoral process.
5. To provide students an opportunity to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral process and
proposals to increase citizen participation in the electoral process.
6.
Required Texts:
— Burns, Peltason, Cronin, Magleby, O’Brien, Light. Government By the People. Prentice Hall, 2005.
Evaluations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Exam One
Exam Two
Exam Three
Quizzes
5. Written Assignments
6. Participation
7. Journal
Journal Requirement:
Please remember that all students are to carefully complete the journal requirement for the course. Students
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who complete an exceptional journal will be eligible for bonus points at the end of the semester. However, students
who fail to complete all the journal requirements will face a the possibility of a reduction in their final grade.
Additional Meeting Times: During the semester, students may be required to attend additional classes. Please
remember that the course is a four hour credit and not a three hour credit course. These additional meeting times
may be used for movies, videos and additional class discussion.
Research Paper: All students are required to complete a ten page research paper.
Course Grading:
Assignments and Attendance:
When reviewing the following course assignments please remember that all assignments should be
completed prior to the assignment date. During the semester, however, we may fall behind on covering course
material. Despite this fact, please complete the assigned reading by the date specified on the semester session
schedule.
Web Links:
Course Sessions:
Session One: August 29: Course Overview: What Does the Study of U.S. Government Involve?
Why require students to take and American course?
– Course Requirements
– Honor Code
– Course Attendance
– Course deadlines
– Course success hints
– Course attendance
– Course behavior
– Office Hours
– Video Nights
I. THE FOUNDATIONS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE:
Session Two: August 31: From Revolution to Nation Building:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter One: 1-24
– The Declaration of Independence
A1
– Articles of Confederation: Link: http://www.ushistory.org/documents/confederation.htm
Discussion Questions:
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1. What were the major characteristics of the Articles of Confederation?
2. How effective were the Articles of Confederation in dealing with the aftermath of the American Revolution?
3. What were the major problems facing the new States which were not dealt with adequately by the American
revolution?
4. What led the States to call for a constitutional convention?
5. What were the most serious threats facing the new nation?
Session Three: Sept: 2: The Constitution, the Grand Compromises and the Battle for Ratification:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter One, 14-24.
– Federalist 10: A-2
– Federalist 51 A-5
– Federalist 78 A-6
Discussion Questions:
1. At the beginning of the constitutional convention, what were the major differences between the large and
small states?
2. At the beginning of the constitutional convention, what were the major differences between Northern and
Southern States?
3. At the beginning of the constitutional convention, what were the major economic issues facing the delegates
to the convention?
4. What compromises did the constitutional convention make to reconcile the differences between the large and
small states?
5. What compromises did the constitutional convention make to reconcile the differences between Northern
and Southern States?
6. How did the constitutional convention attempt to deal with concerns that a new federal government would
exercise too much power over the States?
7. How did the constitutional convention address concerns that the new federal government might violate
individual civil liberties?
8. How would the compromises impact the relationship between the States and different regions of the country
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through the Civil War?
9. What provisions in the Constitution were designed to protect the States from the new federal government?
Session Four: Sept 5: Separation of Powers: Check and Balances: The Evolution of the Constitution:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 2, 25-45.
Required Cases:
– Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha (1983)
– Morrison v. Olson, 487 U.S. 654 (1988)
– Clinton v. New York (1998)
– Gonzaga University v. John Doe, 536 U.S. 273 (2002).
Discussion Questions:
1. What Article of the Constitution defines the legislative powers of Congress?
2. What are the enumerated powers of Congress? Did the founding fathers grant Congress too many or
too few powers?
3. What provisions in the Constitution provides Congress the ability to check the potential abuse of power by
the President of the United States? How effective have these provisions been in checking executive power?
4. What limits did the Constitution place on the powers of Congress?
5. Did the Constitution prohibit Congress from making use of any type of revenue source?
6. What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?
7. What is a Bill of Attainder?
8. What is an appropriation bill?
9. What super majority provisions limit the power of Congress?
10. What are the most important informal controls on the exercise of power by Congress?
11. What power does the Constitution give Congress over the federal courts?
12. What is the electoral college? How does it operate?
13. What are the most important formal powers granted to the President by the Constitution?
14. What powers does the Constitution specifically grant to the Supreme Court?
15. What power of the Supreme Court did Chief Justice John Marshall find implied in the Constitution?
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Session Five: Sept. 7: Formal and Informal Methods of Constitutional Change:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter Two: 40-45.
Discussion Questions:
1. What provisions does the Constitution provide for Amendments?
2. How many Amendments has there been to the Constitution?
3. Does the President have a role in the Amendment process?
4. What was the last Amendment to the Constitution ratified by the States?
5. What was the last Amendment sent to the States which has yet to be ratified by the States?
6. Does the Amendment process include a super majority provision?
7. What are the major criticisms of the amendment process?
8. What are the Bill of Rights? Why were they not included in the original Constitution?
9. What are the major subjects dealt with by the Amendments?
10. What impact has the Amendments had on the national government?
11. How does the method used to Amendment the United States Constitution compare with the methods used by
the states to amend the United States Constitution?
12. Is Congress presently considering any Amendments to the Constitution?
Session Six: Sept: 9th: The Constitution, Civil Liberties and Reform: The Quest for Equality: Freedom of Speech
Association and Freedom of the Press; Freedom of Assembly.
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 16: 406-425.
– Text: Chapter 15: 378-384.
Required Cases: Please use Oyez to prepare case abstracts for journal.
– Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919) Freedom of Speech
– Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925)
Freedom of Speech
– Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494 (1951) Freedom of Speech
– Pickering v. Board of Education, 391 U.S. 563 (1968) Freedom of Speech
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– Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969) Freedom of Speech
– Tinker v. Des Moines, 393 U.S. 503 (1969) Freedom of Speech/Symbolic Speech
– Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988) Freedom of Speech
– New York Times v. Sullivan,
(1964) Freedom of the Press/Libel
– New York Times v. United States
(1971) Freedom of the Press/ Injunction
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the organizational structure of the federal court system?
2. How does the federal court system relate to state court systems?
3. What is meant by the term jurisdiction?
4. Who determines the jurisdiction of the federal courts to hear certain types of cases?
5. What concerns led the constitutional convention to send a separate Bill of Rights to the States for
ratification?
6. What protections did the original Bill of Rights provide citizens?
7. What impact did the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment have on the Bill of Rights?
8. What is the difference between the total and selective incorporation doctrines?
9. How did the adoption of the selective incorporation doctrine by the Supreme impact the First Amendment
Freedom of Speech rights of citizens?
10. During the 20th century, what tests has the Supreme Court applied in determining the First Amendment rights
of citizens?
11. What rights to government officials have to limit or regulate demonstrations in the United States?
12. Do students attending public schools have freedom of speech rights?
13. Do public employees have First Amendment Freedom of Speech rights?
14. Do employees working for government contractors have First Amendment rights?
15. Do employees working for private companies, such as Wal-Mart or Target, have First Amendment rights?
Session Seven: Sept. 12: First Amendment: Symbolic Speech, Obscenity, Establishment of Religion:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 16, pp. 408-418
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Required Cases:
– Texas v. Johnson
(1989) Symbolic Speech
– Cohen v. California
(1971) Obscenity
– Miller v. California
(1973) Obscenity
– Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc.
(1991) Obscenity
– Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition
(2002) Obscenity
– Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421
(1962) Establishment of Religion
– Abington School District v. Schempp.
(1963) Establishment of Religion
– Epperson v. Arkansas
(1968) Establishment of Religion
– Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602
(1971) Establishment of Religion
– Stone v. Grahman
(1980) Establishment of Religion
– Wallace v. Jaffree
(1985) Establishment of Religion
– Zelman v. Simmons-Harris,
(2002) Establishment of Religion
Discussion Questions:
1. What restrictions do recent Supreme Court decisions place on so-called symbolic speech?
2. What are examples of protected and non-protected symbolic speech?
3. What standard has the Supreme Court established regarding the authority of state governments to regulate
obscenity?
4. What types of religious activities may occur on public property or in public building under recent Supreme
Court decisions?
5. According to the Supreme Court, when does religious activities on public property or in public buildings
violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment?
6. According to the Supreme Court, what types of financial support may government provide to religious
institutions?
7. Do Supreme Court decisions prohibit moments of silence in public schools?
8. Does Virginia law require a moment of silence in Virginia public schools?
Session Eight: Sept. 14. Rights To Life, Liberty and Property: Judicial Federalism:
Required Readings:
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– Text, Chapter 15: pp. 378-384:
– Text, Chapter 17: Citizenship, Property and Due Process Rights:
Required Cases:
– Lochner v. New York, 198 U.S. 45 (1905) Substantive Due Process
– North American Cold Storage v. Chicago, 211 U.S. 306 (1908) Substantive/Procedural Due Process
– Londoner v. Denver, 210 U.S. 373 (1908) Procedural Due Process
– Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365 (1926) Substantive Due Process
– West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish, 300 U.S. 379 (1937) Substantive Due Process
– Goldberg v. Kelley, 397 U.S. 254 (1970). Procedural Due Process
– Board of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564 (1972)
– Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1976).
– Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976).
– Regents of the University of Michigan v. Ewing, 474 U.S. 214 (1985).
Discussion Questions:
1. What is substantive due process?
2. What is procedural due process?
3. What constitutional amendment prohibits government from taking life, liberty or property without due
process?
4. What are examples of protected liberty interests recognized by the Supreme Court?
5. When did the Supreme Court apply the so-called “liberty of contract” doctrine?
6. What does the Supreme Court define as protected property interests for purposes of procedural due process?
7. Do individuals who receive government benefits have a constitutionally protected property interest in
those benefits?
8. Do students attending private colleges have a constitutionally protected property interest in their education?
9. Do students attending public colleges have a constitutionally protected property interest in their education?
10. Do all public employees have a constitutionally protected property interest in their public jobs?
11. What types of procedural safeguards must public agencies provide to individual with a protected property
interest prior to depriving the individual of a protected property interest?
12. Has the Supreme Court distinguished between pre and post termination hearings?
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Session Nine: Sept. 16: Privacy Rights and Criminal Procedure:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 17, pp. 428-434.
Required Cases:
– Griswold v. Conn, 381 U.S. 479 (1965).
Privacy
– Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973).
Privacy
– Bowers v. Hardwick,, 478 U.S. 186 (1986).
Privacy
– Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
Privacy
– Map v. Ohio,
(1961)
Fourth Amendment (Exclusionary Rule)
– Katz v. United States (1967)
Fourth Amendment (Right to Privacy)
– Terry v. Ohio
Fourth Amendment (Investigatory Stop/Frisk)
(1968)
– Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985)
Fourth Amendment/Deadly Force
– Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). Fifth Amendment (Due Process)
– Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387 (1977). Fifth Amendment (Due Process)
– Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963) Sixth Amendment Right to Council
– Moran v. Burbine, 475 U.S. 412 (1986)
Sixth Amendment Right to Council
– Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972)
Eighth Amendment
– Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 (1976)
Eighth Amendment
– Roper v. Simmons
Eighth Amendment
(2005)
Discussion Questions:
1. What privacy rights are protected by the Constitution? Where are these privacy rights found in the
Constitution?
2. When the Supreme Court first recognize a right to marital privacy?
3. When did the Supreme Court first hold that illegally seized evidence must be excluded from criminal
trials?
4. Where is the so-called exclusionary rule found in the Fourth Amendment?
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5.
Do law enforcement officers always need a search warrant to conduct a search of a private residence?
6. What do law enforcement officers need to obtain a search warrant?
7. When must law enforcement officers provide individuals a Miranda warning?
8. What constitutes interrogation under the Fifth Amendment?
9. When must the criminal justice system provide someone placed under arrest a lawyer?
10. What constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment?
11. Has the Supreme Court prohibited the execution of certain types of individuals? If so, why?
Session Ten: Sept: 19: Equal Rights Under the Law: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 18, 450-462, 464-465.
Required Cases:
– Brown v. Board of Education
(1954)
– Rodriquez v. Independent School District
(1974)
– Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
(1978)
– Miss. Univ for Women v. Hogan
(1974)
– Mass. Board of Retirement v. Murgia
(1976)
– Michael M. v. Superior Court of Sonoma County
(1981)
– City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Company
(1989)
– United States v. Virginia
(1996)
Discussion Questions:
1. Where is the Equal Protection Clause found in the Constitution?
2. How has the Supreme used the Equal Protection Clause to prohibit certain types of discrimination?
3. What types of discrimination has the Supreme prohibited under the Equal Protection Clause?
4. What types of discrimination are subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause?
5. What types of discrimination are not prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause?
Session Eleven: Sept. 21: Statutory Civil Rights: Equal Employment Opportunity:
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Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 17, pp.
Required Cases:
– Griggs v. Duke Power, 401 U.S. 424
(1971)
– Dothard v. Rawlinson
(1977)
– Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson
(1986)
– Smith v. City of Jackson
(1989)
– Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education (2005)
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the major laws passed by Congress to prohibit various from of discrimination in American society?
2. What types of discrimination are prohibited by federal laws passed by Congress?
3. Does federal law prohibit certain types of discrimination by public and private employers?
4. What types of discrimination does Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?
5. What types of discrimination does Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?
6. What types of discrimination does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?
7. What types of discrimination does the Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibit?
8. What types of discrimination does the Americans With Disabilities Act prohibit?
9. Does any federal law protect employees from sexual harassment?
10. Do any states and local governments provide employees greater protections than afforded by federal law?
Session Twelve: Sept 23: Models of Federalism:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 3, pp. 60-77.
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Required Cases:
– National League of Cities v. Usery, 426 U.S. 833 (1976)
– Garcia v. San Antonio Metro Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528 (1985).
– South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203 (1987).
– United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995).
– City of Boerne v. Flores, 529 U.S. 507 (1997).
– Printz v. United States, 521 U.S. 1036 (1997).
– United States v. Morrison, 529 U.S. 598 (2000).
– Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509 (2004)
Discussion Readings:
1. What were the major characteristics of the dual federalism period of American federalism?
2. What were the major characteristics of the cooperative federalism period of American federalism?
3. What were the major characteristics of the creative federalism period of American federalism?
4. What provisions of the Constitution give Congress the authority to impose mandates on state and local
governments?
5. How has Congress used the Commerce Clause to impose mandates on state and local governments?
6. What impact did the 1924 Gibbons v. Ogden decision have on the authority of the federal government to
regulate interstate commerce?
7. How has Congress used Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to impose mandates on state and local
governments?
8. What are the most important direct mandates imposed by Congress on state and local governments?
9. What are the most important indirect mandates imposed by Congress on state and local governments?
10. What are the major intergovernmental programs operated jointly by federal and state governments?
11. What is the difference between the Medicaid and Medicare programs?
12. How has the national supremacy article led to the expansion of the power of the national government and
a reduction in the independence of state and local governments?
13. What protection does the Tenth and Eleventh Amendments provide States from federal mandates?
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14. What are examples of concurrent powers exercised by both the national and state governments?
Session Thirteen: Sept 26: Fiscal Federalism:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 3, pp. 77-78.
– Web Site: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What types of funds does the federal government provide to states and local governments?
2. What is the most common type of federal grant-in-aide?
3. What are the major disadvantages and advantages of categorical grants?
4. What are the major advantages and disadvantages of block grants?
5. What is the major difference between a formula categorical and a project categorical grant?
6. What are examples of major intergovernmental block grant programs?
7. What are the major differences between categorical and block grants?
8. Do federal grants typically include a state or local matching requirement?
Session Fourteen: Sept 28: Regulatory Federalism: Direct and Indirect Mandates
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 3, pp. 79.
– Environmental Protection Laws: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/laws.htm
– Occupational Health and Safety Administration http://www.osha.gov
– Department of Education: No Child Left Behind http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
– Department of Justice: Americans With Disabilities Act http://www.ada.gov/adahoml.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most costly direct and indirect federal mandates imposed by the federal government on state
and local governments?
2. What role does the federal courts play in the enforcement of these mandates?
3. What are the most effective arguments for and against Congress imposing direct and indirect unfunded
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mandates on state and local governments?
4. What is the position of the Supreme Court on unfunded federal mandates?
5. How does the doctrine of federal preemption limit the regulatory power of the states?
6. What are the strongest arguments for and against the current system of federal mandates on state and local
governments?
Session Fifteen: Sept 30: Exam One: Objective Section:
Tentative Date
Session Sixteen: Oct. 3:
Tentative Date
Exam One: Essay/Short Answer:
II. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY:
Session Seventeen: October 5: Federalism And the Electoral Process:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter Eighteen, pp. 462-464
– Text: Chapter Eight, pp. 202-213
– Text, Chapter Nine, 216-224
– Congressional District Maps: http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/congress.html
– http://www.fec.gov/law/law.shtml
– Constitutional Amendments: Elections: http://www.megalaw.com/top/election.php
Required Cases:
– Baker v. Car
(1962)
– Reynolds v. Sims
(1964)
– Shaw v. Reno
(1993)
– Bush v. Gore
(2000)
– Vieth v. Jubelirer
(2004)
Discussion Questions:
1. What amendments to the Constitution deal with elections and voting?
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2. Why did Congress pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965? How did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 impact
voting in the United States?
3. Why did Congress pass the National Voter Registration Act of 1993?
4. Why did Congress pass the Help America Vote Act of 2002?
5. Does federal law mandate specific registration requirements for voters?
6. What impact did Supreme Court reapportionment decisions have on state election systems?
7. What problems arouse during the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections that has led some critics to argue
for greater federal regulation of elections?
Session Eighteen: Oct. 7: Campaign Finance and Election Reform:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 9: pp. 230-245
– Text, Chapter 7: pp. 185-189.
– The Federal Election Campaign Laws: A Short History: http://www.fec.gov/info/appfour.htm
– Quick Answers: Federal Campaign Finance Laws: http://www.fec.gov/sitemap.shtml
– Citizens Guide: FEC: http://www.fec.gov/pdf/citizen_guide_pub.pdf
– http://www.opensecrets.org
– http://www.fec.gov/law/law.shtml
– http://www.fec.gov/law/law.shtml
– http://commoncause.org
Required Cases:
– Buckley v. Valeo
(1976)
– McConnell v. FEC
(2003)
Discussion Questions:
1. What constitutional amendment makes it difficult for Congress to regulate campaign contributions to
candidates to federal offices?
2. When did Congress first enact legislation which sought to limit campaign contributions to candidates for
federal office?
3. How did the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 change restrictions on campaign contributions to
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candidates for federal office?
4. How did the 1974 FECA amendment alter campaign finance restrictions?
5. What impact did the 1976 Supreme Court decision in Buckley v. Valeo have on the enforcement of key
provisions of the FECA?
6. What is meant by an independent political expenditure?
7. When did the FEC first approve the use of soft money for party building activities?
8. How did the McCain-Feingold law change the financing of federal elections?
9. What are 527 organizations?
10. Did the enactment of McCain-Feingold result in the reduction of campaign contributions to candidates
for federal office?
Session Nineteen: October 10: History of Political Parties And Realigning Elections:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 5: pp. 110-131.
– Text: Chapter 7: pp. 169-172:
Discussion Questions:
1. What have been the major political parties throughout the history of the United States? What have these
parties stood for?
2. What is meant by term political culture of a state or region?
3. What are the major ideological political factions in the United States? Do these factions align with a major
political parties? If so why?
4. What are the major demographic groups in the United States? Do these groups align with a major political
party? If so, why?
5.
What are the major racial groups in the United States? Do these groups align with a major political party?
If so, why?
6. What impact does one’s religious orientation on one’s level of political participation?
7. Are there major differences between the political behavior of rural, suburban and urban voters?
8. What are the most important factors that help to predict whether an individual will vote?
9. What has been the long term trend in the percentage of eligible voters participating in the electoral process?
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10. What steps can political parties and governments take to increase voter participation?
Session Twenty: October 12: The Management of Modern Political Parties:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 7: pp. 160-168, 172-188,
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the formal structure of political parties in the United States?
2. What are the most important roles performed by political parties in the United States?
3. What explains the general failure of third parties to seriously challenge the dominance of the two major
political parties?
4. What are the most common methods used by political parties to select candidates for federal offices?
5. What role does state law play in determining the methods used by political parties to select candidates for
federal office?
6. What is the difference between closed primaries and open primaries?
7. What type of assistance does political parties provide to candidates for federal office?
Session Twenty-One: October 14: Running for President:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 9: pp. 224-230
– Election 2004: The Primary, Caucus Convention Stage http://www.thegreenpapers.com
– Voter Primary Eligibility: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/Definitions.html#Vote
– History of presidential debates: http://www.debates.org./pages/history.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What methods do the Republican and Democratic parties use to nominate presidential candidates?
2. What is the major difference between a presidential caucus and primary?
3. During a presidential election year, during what part of the year do most presidential caucuses and primaries
occur?
4. What methods do the Republican and Democratic parties use to allocate delegates?
5. Besides selecting the presidential candidate, what role do modern presidential conventions serve in the
presidential campaign?
6. Since the first televised presidential debate in 1960, what impact has presidential debates had on the outcome
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of presidential campaigns?
7. How does the public funding of presidential campaign operate?
8. What is the difference between so-called hard money and soft money in presidential campaigns?
9. How did the 2003 McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform law impact soft money fund raising?
10. What is the role of independent expenditures in presidential campaigns?
11. What are the most common arguments made for and against changing the electoral college?
Session Twenty-Two: October 17: Running for Congress:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 9: pp. 220-224.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most common backgrounds for individuals who run for the House of Representatives?
2. What are the most common backgrounds for individuals who run for the United States Senate?
3. What explains the great difficulty faced by any candidate for the House of Representatives attempting
to unseat an incumbent representative?
4. How has political gerrymandering impacted the competitiveness of House races?
5. What explains the significant increase in the number of minority members of the House during the last thirty
years?
6. How often are the boundaries of congressional districts redrawn?
7. How does the redrawing of congressional districts impact the outcome of congressional elections?
8. What advantages to House incumbents have in reelection battles?
9. What reforms might make it easier for challengers to unseat incumbent members of the House?
10. What impact does the lack of competitive have on the behavior of House members?
Session Twenty-Three:
October 19: The Role of Interest Groups in American Political History:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 6: pp. 133-135:
– Lobbying History:
http://www.senate.gov
Go to Virtual Reference Desk then to lobbying
Discussion Questions:
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1. What have been the most influential interest groups in American history?
2. During the first half of the 19th century, what type of lobbying did Congress face?
3. What issues produced the greatest amount of lobbying through the 19 th century?
4. After the Civil War, what private interests sought preferential treatment from Congress?
5. Did the 19th century see the development of any major social movements that would lobby Congress to enact
legislation directed at social change?
6. What methods did interest groups use during the later half of the 19th century to attempt to influence
members of Congress? If so, what were they? What actions did Congress take?
7. Did the 20th century see the development of any major social movements that would successfully lobby
Congress to enact legislation directed at social change? If so, what were they? What actions did Congress
take?
Session Twenty-Four: October 21: Types of Interest Groups:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 6: pp. 135-143.
– Lobbying Database: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/index.asp
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the major types of interests groups in the United States?
2. What are the major types of economic interest groups?
3. Do economic interest groups tend to agree on most issues that come before Congress?
4. Do economic interest groups have a history of aligning themselves with specific political parties. If so, why?
5. What help has economic interests groups traditionally provided to political parties and candidates for public
office?
6. Does federal law limit the help that economic interest groups can provide to candidates for federal office?
7. What are examples of major ideological or single-issue interest groups?
8. Do major ideological or single-issue interest groups tend to align with certain political parties?
9. What are examples of public interest groups? How do they differ from other types of interest groups?
10. What are the major methods used by modern interest groups to attempt to influence government decision
makers and public opinion?
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11. Over the last twenty years have interest groups become more or less influential in the policy making process?
Session Twenty-Five:
October 24: Interest Group Influence, Tactics and Regulation:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 6: pp. 143-159.
– CRS Report to Congress: Lobbying Congress: An Overview of Legal Provisions and
Congressional Ethics Rules/September 2001
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL31126.pdf
– Post Employment Restrictions: Former Federal Employees:
http://www/usoge.gov/pages/misc.files/siteindex.html Go to Common Ethics Issues: Post Employment
Discussion Questions:
1. What are examples of legal and illegal lobbying methods?
2. What laws govern the conduct of lobbyists?
3. What laws govern campaign contributions by PAC’s to candidates for federal office and political parties?
4. What do lobbyists get in return for campaign contributions?
5. What is meant by a quid pro quo?
6. Under federal law, what is the difference between a bribe and an illegal gratuity?
7. What are the backgrounds of many lobbyists?
8. What are “revolving door” restrictions on former government employees?
9. How effective has lobbying disclosure laws been on reducing the influence on lobbyists on public policy?
10. Should Congress enact additional restrictions on the activities of lobbyists.
Session Twenty-Six: October 26: The History of Media and Politics.
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 10: 248-255:
Discussion Questions:
1. From a historical perspective how has the role of media changed since the birth of the United States?
2. During the 19th century, what was the relationship between newspapers and established political parties?
3. During the first half of the 19th century, how did political parties and political machines help newspapers?
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4. What changes in the newspaper business helped to increase the independence of newspapers during the
period following the civil war?
5. What factors led to newspapers assume the role of a watch dog for public corruption and misconduct?
6. When did journalists begin to take up the mantle of good government reform?
7. Who were some of the major muckraker journalists? What types of corruption did the expose? What impact
did there work have on public policy?
8. What impact did the development of commercial radio networks have on the coverage of politics?
9. What impact did the development of network news have on the coverage of politics?
10. What impact has the development of twenty four hour news channels have on the coverage of politics?
Session Twenty-Seven: October 28: The Media, Politics and Public Opinion:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 10: pp. 255-260:
– News Audiences Increasingly Politicized: June 8, 2004: Pew Center For the People And the Press.
http://people-press.org/reports/
– Cable and Internet Loom Large in Fragmented Political News Universe: January 11, 2004
http://people-press.org/reports/
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most frequent criticisms of how the media covers politics in the United States?
2. How do political actors attempt to control media coverage?
3. Are political actors successful in managing the news and public opinion?
4. What explains the distrust of the public towards the media?
5. What changes has occurred in the media in an attempt to attract more readers, listeners and viewers?
6. What is meant by the phrase “watch dog” journalism?
7. What is meant by the term “tabloid journalism”?
8. How much power does the media have to set or influence the public policy agenda?
9. What steps might the media take to restore public trust?
10. What implications does the rise of the “new media” have for future of the traditional media?
Session Twenty-Nine: October 31: Media Coverage of Elections:
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Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 10: pp. 261-267.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most common methods used by the media to cover political campaigns?
2. What is meant by the term horse race coverage of political campaigns?
3. What is the role of polls in the coverage of political campaigns?
4. How do political campaigns attempt to control media coverage during the course of a political campaign?
5. What is meant by the phrase “sound bite” campaign coverage.
6. How do political campaigns stage campaign events in order to maximize media coverage?
7. Are there major differences in the coverage of political campaigns by local media than national media?
8. How might the media improve the coverage of political campaigns?
9. What is the public journalism movement?
10. How do supporters of the public journalism movement believe it would improve the coverage of political
campaigns?
Session Thirty:
November 2: Exam Two: Objective Section:
Session Thirty-One:
November 4: Exam Two: Essay: Short Answer
III. CONSTITUTIONAL INSTITUTIONS:
Session Thirty-One: November 7: Representative Democracy and Congressional Elections:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 11: pp. 270-275:
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the major democratic characteristics of members of Congress?
2. What is the primary background for members of Congress?
3. What impact has reapportionment had on congressional races during the last thirty years?
4. What methods do members of Congress use to head off challengers for their seats?
5. How much does it cost to run a competitive congressional race?
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6. What reforms might make congressional races more competitive?
Session Thirty-Two: November 9: The Structure and Management of Congress:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 11: pp. 275-287:
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the major similarities and differences between the House and Senate?
2. What are the major leadership positions in the House and Senate?
3. What are the major responsibilities of House and Senate committees and standing committees?
4. What are the major legislative agencies of the United States Congress?
5. What are the major ethical restrictions placed on sitting members of Congress?
Session Thirty-Three: November 11: The Role of Congress: Legislation: Oversight: Casework:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 11, pp. 287-298:
Discussion Questions:
1. What is meant by the term legislative oversight?
2. What powers does a congressional committee have to conduct a legislative investigation?
3. What factors limit the ability of Congress to conduct effective oversight of government operations?
Session Thirty-Four: November 14:
Issues in Congressional Reform:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 11, pp. 298-303.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most common recommendations to improve the operation of Congress?
2. What changes in congressional ethics rules do good government reform groups advocate?
3. What happened to the term limitation movement as a way to address criticism of Congress?
Session Thirty-Five:
November 16: The Evolution of Presidential Power: Formal and Informal Powers:
Required Readings:
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– Text: Chapter 12, pp. 306-320:
– Text: Chapter 13, pp. 321-351
Discussion Questions:
1. What have been the most significant changes in the presidency since the ratification of the Constitution?
2. Which 19th century Presidents had the greatest impact on the evolution of the presidency?
3. What are the formal powers of the President?
4. How did the presidency change during the 20 th century?
5. What tools does the President have to persuade Congress to implement the President’s legislative agenda?
6. What are the major units located within the Executive Office of the President?
7. What is the role of the Office of Management and Budget within the Executive Office of the President?
8. How important are a President’s appointments to the success or failure of a presidency?
9. What are the most important informal powers available to a President?
10. How does the White House attempt to control media coverage of the President?
11. Which recent Presidents have been most effective in dealing with the media?
12. Which recent Presidents have experienced a great deal of difficulty with the media?
Session Thirty-Six:
November 18: Presidential Government:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 12, pp. 320-331:
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most common methods used by the White House to shape public policy?
2. What are formal and informal methods used by the White House to control the behavior of federal
organizations?
3. What methods do federal organizations use to resist presidential control?
4. What methods does the White House use to overcome bureaucratic resistence to the President’s agenda?
5. What are the major criticisms of the long-term trend towards greater presidential government?
6. What are the major arguments in support of increased presidential government?
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7.
Session Thirty-Seven:
November 21: Evaluating the President
Required Readings:
– To Be Assigned
Discussion Questions:
Session Thirty-Eight:
November 28: The Fourth Branch and Bureaucratic Government: The Formal
Structure:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 14: pp. 354-362.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the different types of federal government organizations?
2. What were the original departments established by Congress after the ratification of the Constitution?
3. How many departments are there today?
4. What is the difference between a Department and an independent federal agency?
5. What is an independent regulatory agency? How do they differ from other federal organizations?
6. What are examples of independent federal regulatory agencies?
7. What are examples of federal corporations? How do they differ from other types of federal organizations?
8. How many civilian employees work for federal organizations?
9. What percentage of civilian federal employees belong to civil service systems?
10. What explains the effort by the Bush Administration to out source a significant number of federal jobs to
private companies?
Session Thirty-Nine:
November 30: The Federal Budget Process:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 14: pp. 366-367.
– The Federal Budget Process: http://www.house.gov/rules/budget_pro.htm
– Budget Term: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2006/glossary.html
Discussion Questions:
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1. What are the roles of the President and Congress in the federal budget process?
2. What are the primary sources of revenue for the federal government?
3. What is the largest type of revenue received by the federal government?
4. What are the main areas of mandatory expenditures?
5. What are the main areas of discretionary expenditures?
6. Over the last thirty, what areas of the federal government has seen the largest budgetary increases?
7. Over the next thirty years, what area of the federal budget will see the largest projected increases?
8. What is the difference between discretionary and non-discretionary federal expenditures?
9. Why has Congress found it so difficult to control mandatory expenditures?
10. How is the controversy surrounding Social Security related to the growing federal budget deficit?
Session Thirty-Nine:
December 2:
Reforming Bureaucratic Government and Bureaucratic
Accountability:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 14: pp. 362-366, 368-375.
Discussion Questions:
1. How many civilian employees does the federal government employ?
2. Has the number of federal employees increased or declined over the last forty years?
3. From 1950 through today, what has been the increase in the size of the federal budget?
4. What are the different types of federal organizations?
5. What were the first federal departments?
6. What is the newest federal department?
7. What are examples of federal independent regulatory agencies?
8. Should political appointees in federal agencies and departments have greater discretion to hire an fire
the employees they are responsible for supervising?
9.
11. What are examples of federal corporations?
12. What tools does a President have to control the behavior of federal agencies and departments?
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13. Should a President or his appointees have greater authority to hire and fire federal employees?
14. Would it be more efficient for the federal government to contract out with private companies for the
delivery of certain federal services? If so, why? If no, why not?
Session Forty:
December 5:
The Structure And Politics of the Federal Judiciary:
Required Readings:
– Text: Chapter 15, pp. 384-392:
– Federal Court Links http://www.firstgov/Agencies/Federal/Judicial.shtml
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the role of Federal District Courts in the federal court system?
2. How many federal judicial districts are there in the United States?
3. What are the most common situations where federal district judges review the decisions of state courts?
4. What is considered a federal question?
5. Which federal judges are not appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate?
6. What are the responsibilities of magistrate judges?
7. What is meant by the diversity jurisdiction of the federal courts?
8. What does it mean when a federal court issues and injunction?
9. What is the difference between a civil and criminal case?
4. What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?
5. What are the role of United States Courts of Appeals in the federal courts system?
6. Which Court of Appeals is considered one of the most conservative in the federal court system?
7. Which Court of Appeals is considered one of the most liberal in the federal court system?
8. How many federal courts of appeals are contained in the federal judicial system?
9. Are there any specialized federal courts?
Session Forty-One:
December 7:
The Supreme Court
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 15, pp. 393-401:
– The Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/
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Discussion Questions:
1. What is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
2. Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court?
3. Does the Supreme Court issue advisory opinions?
4. How many cases does the Supreme Court consider, on average, every year?
5. What types of cases does the Supreme Court typically agree to consider?
6. What is the difference between a majority and plurality opinion?
Session Forty-Two:
December 9:
Judicial Power In a Constitutional Democracy:
Required Readings:
– Text, Chapter 15, pp. 400-403
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to describe a judge as a judicial activist?
2. What are the key voting blocks on the Supreme?
3. What are the key issues that will likely come before the Supreme Court over the next decade?
4. What are examples of judicial activism by the Supreme Court over the last fifty years?
5. Over the last fifty years, which Justices have typically been categorized as judicial activists?
6. Who are the so-called swing votes on the high court?
7. Which of the current Justices on the high court are regarded as judicial activists?
8. Which of the current Justices are considered strict constructionists?
Final Exam: Monday December 12: 8:00-10:00
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