PS 101 Summer 2010

American Government

Instructor: Jonathan Powell

Office: 1618 Patterson Office Tower
Email: jonathan.powell@uky.edu - include “PS 101” in subject line
Website: www.jonathanmpowell.com/ps101.html
Classroom: Oliver H. Raymond Building Rm 226
Meeting Time: Monday through Friday, 10:00-12:00
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:30 and Thursday 8:30-9:30 or by appointment

Introduction
Political Science 101 is a course that is designed to provide students with a broad
overview of the American political system. Attention will be given to how the
American government is structured and operates—we will not be involved in
discussing the merits of one political candidate or party versus another, policy debates,
current events, etc., unless it explicitly illustrates a point being made in class. This will
predominantly be a lecture course, but I strongly encourage active participation. Feel
free to ask questions, offer original observations or interpretations, and to discuss any
of the themes presented in class.

Book
Shea, Daniel M., Joanne Connor Green, & Christopher E. Smith. 2009. Living
Democracy. Brief National Edition. 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Prentice Hall.

Grade
Your grade will be based on the following components:
-Attendance, Class Participation and Quizzes (10%)
-Four Weekly Exams (15% Each)
-Final Exam (30%)

Final student grades will be assigned as follows: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79,

D=60-69, and E=0-59.

Quizzes
The instructor reserves the right to conduct unannounced quizzes at any time. I
anticipate one a week, but if I feel the class is not keeping up with the reading, there
will be MANY more. Make up quizzes will only be allowed with excused absences—
NO EXCEPTIONS. Quizzes may include multiple choice, short answer, or in-class
or take-home essays.
Attendance/Participation
Students are expected to read the assignment before class. For example, read
Chapters 1 and 2 before class on Wednesday May 12. There will be no formal
attendance policy. However, failure to regularly attend class can be severely
detrimental to one’s grade. Keep in mind I reserve the right to have an unannounced
quiz during every session. Also, while I will offer lectures thematically in line with the
book, I will not be lecturing “straight from the book”—material from other sources
will frequently be utilized in lecture, and students will be responsible for both the
readings and lecture for all quizzes and tests.

Absences
The University of Kentucky considers an absence to be excused if it falls under one of
the following: Serious illness of the student, a member of the student’s household, or
a member of the student’s immediate family; death of a member of the student’s
household or a member of the student’s immediate family; University sponsored trips;
major religious holidays; “Any other circumstance which the instructor finds
reasonable cause for nonattendance.”

In each of these cases the student must provide written documentation for the
absence. Students are expected to provide documentation for their excused absence
within one week. If documentation is not offered within a week of the absence, it will
not be considered excused. If you are to miss a class, excused or otherwise, let me
know in advance.

Cheating
Under no circumstances will cheating be tolerated. If a student is found to have
cheated on an exam or quiz, they will receive a 0 for the assignment. If a student’s
work is found to have been plagiarized, they will be punished to the fullest extent—
which can include suspension or dismissal from the University. If you are unsure of
what plagiarism is, or its penalties, I encourage you to consult the following:
http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/Plagiarism.pdf
http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html

Expectations
I expect students to act in a professional manner. Be courteous and respectful to your
classmates. Turn off cell phones and pagers during each session, and ARRIVE ON
TIME. Classroom interruptions will have a negative impact on participation grades.
If a legitimate reason requires you to arrive late, leave early, or to have a cell phone on
while in class, let me know in advance. Failure to do so can negatively impact your
grade.
Special Needs
If any student has a documented disability that requires academic accommodations,
please notify the instructor as early in the semester as possible. In order to receive
accommodations in this course, the student must provide the instructor with a Letter
of Accommodation from the disability Resource Center (Room 2, Alumni Gym, 257-
2754, jkarnes@email.uky.edu).

Course Schedule – NOTE THAT THIS IS SUBJECT TO REVISION

Week 1
May 11: Introduction
May 12: Chapter 1 & Chapter 2
May 13: Chapter 3
May 14: Exam I

Week 2:
May 17: Chapter 4 & Begin Chapter 5 (Read to pg 160)
May 18: Chapter 5
May 19: No Class
May 20: Chapter 5
May 21: Exam II

Week 3
May 24: Chapter 6
May 25: Chapter 7 & Start Chapter 8
May 26: Chapter 9; Last day to drop
May 27: Chapter 10
May 28: EXAM III

Week 4
May 31: NO CLASS
June 1: Chapter 11
June 2: Chapter 12
June 3: Chapter 13
June 4: EXAM IV

Week 5
June 7: Review
June 8: FINAL EXAM