American Government: A Historical Introduction POLSC 110(W) Prof. Sanford Schram 1721HW, 610-772-5108 ss1745@hunter.cuny.edu Discussion Sections Sec1D01 M12:10-1 HW1729 Logan Sec1D06 TH12:10-1 HW706 Makhene Sec1D2 W12:10-1 Sec1D07 HW208 Ibur Sec1D3 Fuerderer Sec1D08 Sec1D4 Sec1D09 Sec1D5  

Syllabus http://urban.hunter.cuny.edu/~schram/introamericanspring2018.pdf

Contact Office Hours: Schram: M/TH 9-10am & by appt Teaching Assistants: Drake Logan Mr. Aaron Ibur Max Fuerderer Ms. Mammotsa Makhene Office: 1742W Phone: 212-772-5504 Office: 1730A Phone: 212-772-5536 Office: 1741W Phone: 212-772-5497 dlogan@gradcenter.cuny.edu ai643@hunter.cuny.edu mfuerderer@hunter.cuny.edu makhm683@newschool.com Hours: W11 am-12:00pm & by appt. Hours: TH 1:30-2:30 & by appt. Hours: M 1:15-2:15 pm & by appt. Hours: M1:10-2:10pm & by appt.

Textbook American Government by Glen Krutz, University of Oklahoma, PDF version ISBN-10 1-947172-19-0. OpenStax. Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/American-government This is an open source textbook, which means there is no cost to you for reading it online or downloading it.

Top Hat I will use Top Hat to take attendance and encourage your participation & engagement. Visit Student Quick Start Guide.  Once you have registered and entered in your subscription code, your course can be directly accessed via the following:  Top Hat course name: Fall 2017 American Government Direct URL: https://app.tophat.com/e/971518 6-digit course code: 971518

The New York Times Read the New York Times every day. Come to class in command of current events, especially those relating to American politics. Discounted home delivery for students is available, which includes access to NYTimes.com and the apps for tablets and smartphones. Go to nytimes.com/collegerate to subscribe.

Blackboard & online readings (http://bb.hunter.cuny.edu) The syllabus, announcements, and any handouts will all be posted on Blackboard. Check your Blackboard page frequently. All readings including those that supplement the textbook are available by clicking the links on the syllabus. Discussion sections will focus on the readings. Reaction paper in response to the readings have due dates in the syllabus.

Grading Policy 1) Midterm Exam (March 8th) 20% 2) Final Exam (May 21st, 11:30am-1:30pm) 25% 3) Weekly writing assignments critiquing assigned readings (5 will be graded) 20% 4) Short historical paper, class presentation (due November 13th) 20%, 5% 5) Attendance & Participation (using Top Hat in lecture) 5% & 5%

Course Goals Why do we have governments? What is politics? Substantive Goals Why do we have governments? What is politics? Understand how government decisions are constrained by Constitution. Understand how people participate in politics. Understand how our institutions work. Make you informed participants in our political system.

Course Goals Developmental Goals Critical thinking (concepts and theories). Raise questions. Use and evaluate evidence of claims Public speaking skills Writing (clear, concise summaries & explanations, make arguments, use evidence to support arguments)

Some Basic Questions Why do we institute governments? How much government should we have? How pervasive should the government be in our lives? How does the U.S. government work?

Key Analytical Perspectives Historical institutionalism Rational choice Behavioralism