American Government

Course Objectives

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the workings of the American Government. The course will cover the political theories as they relate to the structure of American government and its various institutions (Presidency, Congress and the Courts) as well as the importance of political parties and lobbyists. The course will also provide students with an understanding of the Georgia Constitution.

 Course Materials

Ross, Robert S. . American National Government: Institutions, Policy, and Participation. 4ed. Ed. . Connecticut: The Dushkin Publishing Group. Inc., 1988.

Woll, Peter. American Government: Readings and Cases. 12th Ed..

Boston: Scott, Foresman & Co., 1987.

New York Times. (You will fill out a subscription in class.)

Course Requirements

Midterm Exam (Take Home). . . . 40%

Final Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50%

PART I       The Need for Government and the Foundation of a New Republic.

Questions: Why was a new government needed; and who benefitted from this new government?

                     A. The Constitution

Week 1.      Introduction to key concepts and the instructorÆs expectations.

                     Read: -Woll, pp. 4-11 John LockeÆs Second Treatise of Civil Government.

                     - The Constitution Articles 6-7 & Amendments 10,13,14, 24.

                     - Ross, pp. 33-54 Politics of the Constitution.

Week 2.

                     Read: - Ross, pp. 33-54 Politics of the Constitution. (Continued)

                     -Woll, pp. 11-31 The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action

                     pp. 31-42 Framing the Constitution.

Week 3.

                     B. Toward a Working Constitution.

                    Read: -[On Reserve at Library] Katznelson, pp. 15-19 Representative Democracy.

                    -Woll, pp. 53-63 Federalist 16,17 and 39.

Week 4.

PART II      The Institutional Structure of U.S. Government.

                    Question: Does the separation of powers still work today?

                    A. The President.

                     Read: - Woll, pp. 63-72 Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America.

                      -pp. 72-77 McCulloch v. Maryland.

                     Lecture: Gibbons v. Ogden

                     Hart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S.

Week 5.

                    Read: Read: -Ross, pp. 58-77 The Federal System.

                     -Woll, pp. 42-48 Federalist 47,48 and 51.

                     -Ross, pp. 158-180 & 199-201 The Presidency.

                     -Woll, pp. 270-273 Federalist 70,

Week 6.

                     Read: - Woll,pp. 278-282 Presidential Power.

                     [Lecture] Against Presidential Greatness

                     Read: -The Constitution Art. II & Amend. 20, 21, 25.

                     [Lecture] Katznelson, pp. 103-111 ôThe President as Manager of  Corporate America.

Week 7.

                    Read: -Woll, pp. 358-366, Federalist 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63.

                    - Hand Out Midterm Question.

                    B. The Congress.

                     Read: -Ross, pp. 105-133 ôThe Congress.ö

                    -The Constitution Art. I & Amend. 7&17

                    -Woll, pp. 366-375, The Rise of the Washington Establishment.

Week 8.

                    Read: -Woll, pp. 395-402, The Broken Branch

                    -pp. 375-387,Congress and the Quest for Power

                    [Lecture]: The Place of Congress

Week 9.

                    [Lecture]: The Representatives

                    Read: -Katznelson, pp. 168-173 Lobbying and Interest Groups"[On Reserve].

                    C. The Judicial Branch

                     -The Constitution Art. III & Amend. 11.

                    -Woll, pp. 440-444 Federalist 78.

Week 10.

                    Read: -Ross. pp. 208-228 The Supreme Court.

                    -Woll, pp. 444-448, Marbury v. Madison

                    -Woll, pp. 448-454, Judicial Self-Restraint

Week 11.

                    [Lecture] What Did The Founding Fathers Intend?

                    [Lecture]: For Strict Construction

                    Read: -Woll, pp. 470-480, For Loose Construction.

Week 12.

                    [Lecture] The Development of Formal Legalism.

                    [Lecture] The Role and Power of the Supreme Court.

                    [Lecture] The Good, the Bad, and the Law (Law and Society).

Week 13.

PART III      Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

                    Questions: What are the Civil Liberties and Civil Rights that Americans enjoy; and how are they                                          strengthened or threatened?

                    Read: -The Constitution, Amend. 1-10, 18, 21.

                    -Ross, pp. 80-101, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties"

                    -Woll, pp. 107-112, Gideon v. Wainwright.

                    -The Constitution, Amend. 13-15,17,19, 23, 24, 26.

                    [Lecture:] -Dennis v. United States

Week 14.   Vacation.

Week 15.   Read: -Woll, pp. 111-117 , Liberty of Thought.

                    [Lecture] Brandenburg v. Ohio.

                     -Woll, pp. 129-136, Brown v. Board of Ed. of Topeka (1954), & Brown v. Board of Ed. of Topeka                      (1955).

Week 16.

                   Read: -Woll, pp. 137-144, Engel v. Vitale & pp.144 -154, Roe v. Wade

                   -Woll, pp.163-177, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Week 17.

                   Read: - Constitution of the State of Georgia.

                   *Hand Out Final Paper

CUT POLICY- We will adhere to the College Policy. After the equivalent of one and a half weeks of absences from class, (3-5 classes depending on class schedule) regardless of cause, the student is subject to being withdrawn from the class at the discretion of the instructor.

TAPING POLICY- Taping is permitted.