J. Bryan Cole POLS 1336: U.S. and Texas Politics and Constitution Course Introduction What is Politics? What is Government? January 20, 2015 J. Bryan Cole POLS 1336: U.S. and Texas Politics and Constitution

Who am I? J. Bryan Cole Basic Information Personal Interests Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana PhD in Political Science (American Politics), The Ohio State University, 2012 Personal Interests Reading Swimming Hiking/backpacking/camping…anything outside!

Getting Help Contact information Office: PGH 381 (the building w/ the Einstein Bros. Bagels); Phone: 713.743.3904 Office hours: MW 1:00-2:30, TR 10:00-11:15 and by appt., Google Chat Tuesdays from 7:30-9:00 Sending e-mails jbcole@central.uh.edu Be sure to check the syllabus BEFORE sending an e-mail; the syllabus usually has the answer!

TA Information Delaram Peimani Email: dpeimani@uh.edu Office information: Location: PGH 426 Office hours by appointment Procedural/logistical questions should go to Ms. Peimani; other questions should go to me

Who Are You? Please share with me… -Your name -Where you’re from -Year in school -Major (it’s ok if you’re undecided; just tell me what you’re leaning toward) -Your expectations for the course (What do you want to learn? Be specific, e.g. a certain current event you want to discuss, etc.) -Are you also taking POLS 1337 this semester? Who’s your instructor? -An interesting fact about yourself

Grading Attendance @ 10% 2 website assignments @ 20% (10% each) Learn Smart modules @ 25% 2 midterms and a final @ 45% (15% each)

MANDATORY SYLLABUS QUIZ Once you buy the eBook access, you will need to take a short syllabus quiz that covers course policies You must score 100 percent on it no later than Sunday, January 25 @ 11:59 PM! Any student who does not meet this requirement will be dropped from the course!

Clickers 10% of your grade You MUST purchase a clicker and register it on Blackboard Clickers are optional this week, mandatory next week NO APPS

Attendance Participate in discussions -Be courteous to all -Offer arguments, not opinions Don’t do the following: cell/texting/headphones/ Facebook/talking Ask for help when you need it

Website Assignments 20 percent of your grade (10 percent each) You’ll sign up in class for 2 of 4 website assignments Additional guidelines appear in the syllabus

Textbook We’ll use an eBook with an optional upgrade to a print edition Make sure to complete the assigned readings before class on the first day on which they’re listed on the syllabus Learn Smart modules count 25 percent of course grade; due the nights before exams at midnight

Exams Midterms and final (not cumulative), each worth 15 percent of course grade 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes You’ll take them at CASA; their website is http://www.casa.uh.edu/ More information is also available on Blackboard

My Responsibilities Facilitator of learning Begin and end class on time Grade papers and respond to e-mails on a timely basis

What Can You Expect? This class deals with political behaviors; POLS 1337 concerns political institutions Therefore, we are interested in learning about how people participate in politics We’ll also talk about current events, including the upcoming state and federal elections What current event is taking place TODAY???

Why Study Participation? It’s all about you! Our government is “of the people, by the people and for the people” What if people don’t participate? What if they don’t vote?

Why Do Some People Participate While Others Abstain? People Participate Because People Abstain Because

Why Do Some People Participate While Others Abstain? People Participate Because: People Don’t Participate Because:

Why Vote? A Lonely Voter “‘I just think it’s important to vote. If you have the right, you ought to exercise it – whether you are going to make a difference or not’” (Traci Hodgson, from “Voter Flocks to the Polls – And Casts Precinct’s Only Ballot.” By Brian C. Mooney. Boston Globe. Sept. 28, 1989). Is voting alone sufficient?

What is “politics?” Politics is “who gets what, when and how” (Harold Lasswell 1936) We see politics everywhere But we will be studying politics in the government

What is “government?” Government is an “organization extending to the whole of society that can legitimately use force to carry out its decisions” (Dye 2001) “Extending to the whole of society” Legitimate use of force 20 20

Types of Government - Aristotle Ruled by True Corrupt One Kingship Tyrant-dictator Few Aristocracy Oligarchy Many Constitutional Democracy government 21 21

Is the United States a Democracy or a Republic? Everyone votes on all applicable laws Examples: Ancient Greek city-states, some towns in New England, initiatives and referenda in Western states The people vote on representatives who will vote on laws on their behalf Examples: US Congress, Texas Legislature, Houston City Council

Might Aristotle Have Been Right? 23 23

Course Overview Outline of the course Participation How can we participate in government and politics? What benefits does participation afford us? As individuals? What about society as a whole? What is required for effective participation? Should anyone refrain from participation? If so, who? Why or why not? Could you pass the citizenship test?