The Case Dor Judicial Activisim
American Government
This class will focus on American political institutions and how differing groups of
people interact with these institutions.
Course Format:
This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion mode. You are encouraged to raise
questions and to participate in class discussions, and to do so in a manner that is
respectful of the interest of others.
Rfj!jre~texts: J? L.grey, California Government.
Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle & Ansolabehere American Government: Power & Purpose.
Course requirements:
Assignments:
1) 5-7 page paper & presentations €¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦. .50% ofthe grade.
Instructions for this paper are spelled out later in this syllabus.
2) Five Quizzes €¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦€¦.. 50% ofthe grade.
One of your first four quiz scores will be dropped. Completing your last quiz (final
exam) is mandatory for completing this class, and it is worth Y2 of the quiz portion of
your grade (1/4 of your overall grade). There are no quiz make-ups.
3) Attendance: You will be subject to being dropped from this class with five or more
absences. With three or more unexcused absences your final grade for the class will drop
one full grade.
Assignments due:
1) 5-7 page paper & presentations €¦€¦€¦ 4/18
2) Quizzes €¦. 2/5, 2/19,3/5,4/2 and the final exam class.
3) Presentations €¦€¦.. 4/18-
*Y our papers will generally take two weeks to be graded.
*Check the Saddleback College Schedule of Classes for important deadlines concerning
your classes.
,.
Jan22
Introduction
Jan24
Columbus & the WISC
Readings:
Handout
Jan 29, 31, Feb 5
Class Lectures & Reading Schedule
Required Materials for
Quiz#l
Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract
s:
eclaration of Independence (Lowi & Ginsberg, A3)
Federalist Paper # 10
Lowi & Ginsberg, chs. 1,9
.American Indians
Readings:
No readings
N~O rv
~ (l.£A~IM>hb 7, 12, 14 IFST eYU 19-. l’l1 .I_
1ite Colonial Period & the U.S. Constitution
Required Materials for
Quiz#2
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch. 2
Federalist Paper #51
Women
Readings:
No readings
Feb 19
Federalism
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch.3
Feb21
Civil Liberties
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch.4
Required Materials for
Quiz#3
·~
Feb 26, 28, March 5,7
Civil Rights & African Americans
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch. 4
March 12, 14
Elections
Readings;
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch. 10
March 26, 28, April 2
-c;J.JvJJ €“ (Vj-r c€¦Li~8;Zcl-l_
Understand The Legislative Process: The Iron Triangle.
Readings:
Required Materials for
Quiz#4
Lowi & Ginsberg, chs. 5, 6 & 7
April4, 9
Judiciary
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch.8
Aprilll
Political Parties/Interest Groups
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, chs 11, 12
April16
Media
Readings:
Lowi & Ginsberg, ch. 13
Aprill8-
Last classes
California Politics
Readings:
Korey (the entire book)
Required Materials for
Quiz#5
Presentations
Final exams are administered between May 17 & May 23. Check the schedule of classes
for the time of the final examination for this class. The last quiz will be given on the
required final examination time for this class.
~
PS 1 American Government
Mr. Twicken
uv~
A PP-tL 18 l’-1
Paper Assignment
This 5-7 page paper is to be typed and double-spaced. In terms of writing style, you
should follow the MLA format. Your papers must have at least 7 sources, only two of
which can be internet sources. Late papers will be penalized one full grade each day {not
class) that it is tardy. If the paper is not received in class, but is received later that day, it
is one day late. Your paper is worth 50% of your final grade. Five percent of this
paper’s grade is based on attendance during the presentation portion of this class. One
missed class will result in 5% of your paper grade at 0. Five additional percentage points
will be based on your presentation. Your papers will be subjected to Turnitin for review.
Choose (with my approval) one of the following topics for your 5 to 7 page paper and 10
minute presentation.
, Write OR My 9Re Qf~ fQU9wiRg swejeets flam t:we lliifetiBg ideologieai positieBS fel:H’td
ill ¥9ar text boolEs-
Electoral College Good idea/Bad idea
DNA & the Judicial System
School Vouchers Good idea/Bad idea
Mandatory Minimum Federal Sentencing Guide Lines
Is the War Powers Act Constitutional Yes/No
Should each State have 2 Federal Senators?
Should all American elections be publicly financed?
Racial Profiling: Yes
Racial Profiling: No
Should the United States change to a parliamentary system? Yes/No
Judicial Review: A good/ bad idea
Make the case for Judicial Restraint
Make the case for Judicial Actiyisw
lit.tiative:l?o’oaTdea
Initiative: Bad Idea
Taxes: Good Idea
Taxes: Not such a good idea
Checks and Balances: Good Idea
Checks and Balances: Bad Idea
Should you get your news from CNN or Fox?
Is the American political system capable of solving the problem of global warming?
Global Climate Change Real/ Fake/ Exaggerated
Obamacare Good idea/Bad idea
Social Security Good idea/bad idea
Franklin D. Roosevelt Good President/Bad President
Ronald Reagan Good president/Bad President
I
Legalize drugs
Gay marriage
GoodideanBadidea
GoodideanBadidea