POLI 4500 - Senior Seminar
COURSE REQUIREMENT: Access
to communication between the instructor and students
will require use of CSU email: The
instructor will only respond to CSU email messages from students.
Go to:
http://thehub.clayton.edu
and click "Service" for information on configuring your laptop computer
to comply with CSU IT requirements. You MUST have your laptop computer
configured to access
CSU email. You will need to take your laptop computer to
The HUB,
located on the ground level of the University
Center. You should have your computer configured and set up for CSU email BEFORE
classes begin, or as soon
as possible there after. The HUB is located in the University Center, or contact
the HUB at 678-466-4357.
This syllabus will be updated each semester the course is offered.
Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
Three Semester Credit Hours
Spring Semester 2010
Location: Clayton Hall, Room T-128 (NEW CLASSROOM LOCATION 1/28/2010)
Course Description: POLS 4500 - Senior
Seminar in Political Science (3-0-3) Senior Seminar is open only to political
science majors in their senior year (i.e. 90+ hours in the program). The seminar
will emphasize readings and discussion concerning historical topics of broad
significance. Students will complete a project requiring the application of
social sciences research analysis and interpretation.
Prerequisites: POLS 1101. This course is taken at the point where apolitical science major is within approximately two semesters of graduation, or has a minimum of 90 credit hours in the major. This course is limited to declared political science members.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class session. All students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Because the success of senior seminar course depends on a relatively high level of participation on the part of ALL students, you may have one excused absence - each additional absence may result in the deduction of 20 points from your total points earned for the course; Exceptions will be made where there are acceptable extenuating circumstances presented to the instructor. To comply with University requirements, attendance will be taken each class session. Please make it a particular point of being present on on dates you are scheduled to introduce and lead the discussion of an assigned reading.
CSU Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Computer Usage: A CSU configured notebook computer is required for this course. A CSU configured laptop should be brought to each class meeting. Students will use a laptop computer to access email from the instructor, access course related web pages in class, research and write the two essay exams, email the instructor each of their two Word formatted essay exams, receive scored exams back from the instructor, and to develop, write and email the research project to the instructor.
Required Computer Skills:
Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook.
Disruption of the Learning Environment:
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities
will not tolerated. This includes belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or
threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty
direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating
in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed
is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as
possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be
administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
Click on this link to read the Clayton State University
Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities Statement.
The
instructor and students will treat each other with the proper respect at all
times.
Children are NOT permitted in any CSU classroom under any circumstances,
nor may they be left unattended anywhere on
campus.
There will be no use of cell phones in
the classroom - please turn your phone to "vibrate" or off.
If you come late to class, please take
the first available seat nearest the door.
If you must leave class early, please inform
the instructor before class begins.
There will be no talking among students
that disturbs the instructor or the class.
Cheating Will Not Be Tolerated, And Will Be Dealt With In Keeping With The CSU Conduct Code.
CSU Conduct Code and Judicial Procedures.
Withdrawals and Incompletes: Students may wish to review college policy regarding course withdrawals and incompletes in the CSU catalog. Do not hesitate to speak with me, or your advisor, if you need information relating to a course withdrawal or an incomplete.
The Spring Semester 2010 deadline to withdraw from a course without possible academic accountability is Friday, March 5th.
Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.
Civic
Engagement:
Civic Engagement at Clayton State University is defined as an intentional
learning experience that contributes to a student’s understanding of social
and civic responsibility, community leadership, and service to a diverse,
democratic society. Civic Engagement outcomes are located at the
Political Science Program website:
http://a-s.clayton.edu/politicalscience/default.htm
Political Science Degree Program Outcomes and Assessments:
Outcomes: Graduating political science majors should
· Apply concepts related to the structures and principles of the U.S. Constitution to historical and current politics.
· Explain and criticize U.S. political institutions and processes.
· Define and distinguish how aspects of the Georgia Constitution and government differ from the U.S. Constitution and government.
· Assess and compare how other national political systems and international political organizations differ from the U.S. political system and recognize the importance of political geography.
· Research and compose a project report in a subfield of political science.
· Successfully complete a political science related internship.
Assessments:
· POLS 1101 pre and post assessment surveys & geography tests
· POLS 4490/POLS 4491 Internship/Practicum Site Supervisor Evaluation
· POLS 4500 Senior Seminar research paper
· POLS 4500 Senior Political Science Program Exit Survey
· ETS Political Science Field Test taken by graduating seniors
Course Expectations:
1. Attend class on a regular basis;
2. Daily reading of The New York Times and bring to class for discussion;
3. Complete all reading assignments by the due date;
4. Introduce/provide an overview summary of assigned readings;
5. Participate in class discussions on a regular basis;
6. Participate fully in class discussions of assigned readings;
7. Complete the essay examinations;
8. Complete a research project;
9. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade;
10. All seniors graduating this semester will take the Educational Testing Service political science field examination - details to follow.
Grading:
Course Grading Scale - 350 Possible Points
A = 350 - 321 (30 point range)
B = 320 -291 (30 point range)
C = 290 - 261 (30 point range)
D = 260 - 231 (30 point range)
F = 230 points or less
NOTE: Course grades will be determined on a straight scale with the total number of points you earn dictating the letter grade you receive. Simply subtract any points lost on an exam or the assigned project from the 400 total possible course points, and see the course grading scale to determine your letter grade at that point. For example, if your score on the first examination is 125 out of 150, you have lost 25 points; you remain in the A grade range; if you have lost 40 points or more on exams and, or the project assignment, you will be in the B grade range, etc. At the end of the semester any student within 3 points of a higher letter grade will receive the higher grade for the course. There are no bonus or extra credit assignments. Grading will be further explained in class.
Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester. More than half of course work is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.
Required Course Materials: (Available in the CSU University
Bookstore.)
1. Haynes Johnson and Dan Balz, The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election. New York: Viking Press, 2009.
2. The New York Times (Available free on campus in A&S Bldg. hallway racks.)
Selective List of 2008 Election Websites:
CQ Politics Election 2008 Information
FOX News 2008 Election Information
The New York Times 2008 Election Information
The Online Newshour 2008 Election Information
The Votemaster 2008 Election Information
2008 Electoral Vote & Congressional Elections Website
Course Outline: (Reading assignments from the required textbook are in the due dates section of this syllabus.)
First Essay Examination - 100 possible points
Second Final Essay Examination - 100 possible points
(The final examination is not cumulative.)
Introduction & Discussion of Assigned Readings & Class Participation:
Each student will be called upon at least once during the semester by the instructor to provide a verbal introduction/summary overview and then lead the
discussion of a reading assignment; students will not know in advance who will be asked to
lead that day's discussion. If a student is not
prepared to make the introduction of the assigned reading, they will have 25 points deducted from their total earned points
at the end of the course.
ALL students are expected to have read all assigned readings by the due date and
to participate in seminar discussions on a regular basis.
Essay Examinations: (200 possible points)
There are two essay examinations. The second essay examination will serve as the
course final examination. Each exam is worth a possible total of 100 points,
and, therefore, there are a total of 200 possible course points to be earned from
exams. The course outline lists the assigned readings to be covered on each of
these two exams. Essay examination due dates are listed in the course assignment
section at the end of this syllabus. Additional details will be provided in
class before the first examination. A sample research essay examination and additional
sample essay questions from other courses are provided at the end of this
syllabus. The examinations will be written outside of class and
emailed to me by Noon as a Word formatted attachment on the due date. Essay examinations will be
double-spaces using 12 point Times Roman; include a list of all cited research
resources at the end of your essay, and a title page with the student's name, the course name and
number, the examination number, the date, and a restatement of each answered
examination question above the typed answer you provide. Your scored
examinations will be returned to you by email. The final examination is
NOT cumulative. The essay examinations will be
discussed further in class. Class will
not meet on examination due dates.
Examination One; Final Examination:
to be posted
Research Project: (150 possible points)
Each student will perform a comprehensive research project on national
healthcare reform legislation. The completed paper will be
emailed to the instructor as a Word formatted document by the due date; see Due
Dates section of this syllabus. Assignment details will be further
discussed in class: Research
Project Assignment.
Missed Examinations: Please feel free to contact the instructor for course policy regarding a missed examination. Generally, a late examination may not be accepted by the instructor without an understanding being reached prior to the due date with the student.
Keep Informed: Current events will be discussed each class session and related directly to materials assigned in the course. Read a major daily newspaper, and/or NEWSWEEK, TIME or U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT on a regular basis. Watch a daily national news program or monitor a news website such as those maintained by ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSN/NBC and/or PBS (I highly recommend the THE NEWS HOUR With Jim Leher on Channel 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Channel 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., M-F.); and the CNN, and Headline NEWS channels. Listen to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" on WABE, FM 90.1, M-F.. at 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
NOTE: This syllabus is subject to revision where
necessary to achieve course goals. If you have any questions regarding
assignments, class sessions, tests or grading please speak with me, or Dr. Rafik
Mohamed, Chair, Department of Social Sciences,
Clayton Hall, Room 111, 678-466-4605.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dr. Joseph S. Trachtenberg, Professor of Political Science
Telephone (voice mail): (678) 466-4810
E-Mail address: joetrachtenberg@clayton.edu
(Private email intended only for the instructor.)
I
prefer email to voice mail as you may provide me with a more detailed message;
I check my email regularly Monday through Friday.
Generally, I will respond to your message within less than 24 hours.
Course email list serve:
pols4500-01spring2010@lists.clayton.edu
(Course list serves are activated the first day of class each semester.)
Spring Semester 2010 CRN: 23993
Monday, Noon to 2:50 p.m. in Clayton Hall,
Room T-128
For
campus closing information due to weather or an electrical outage - tune to WSB
AM 750.
OFFICE HOURS
Office: Clayton Hall, Room 105A
Spring Semester 2009
M: 11:00 a.m. to Noon; TWR: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Online
course meeting dates: Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and following class;
By prior appointment at other mutually
convenient times.
Course Due Dates For All Reading Assignments & Essay Examinations
Course Due Dates: (POLS 4500 Mondays, Noon to 2:50 p.m. in Clayton Hall, Room T-215)
Monday, January 11th to Thursday, January 14th: Drop/Add;
Monday, January 11th: Class begins - review course syllabus: attendance, assignments, examinations, research project, grading;
Monday, January 18th: Dr. MLK, Jr., Holiday Break - CSU is closed;
Monday, January 25th: pp. xiii-14; Chapters 1 and 2;
Thursday, January 21st: Dr. MLK, Jr. Celebration
Monday, February 1st: Chapters 3 and 4; research paper topic due for the instructor's approval - you will be asked in class for your topic;
Monday, February 8th: Chapters 5 and 6;
Monday, February 15th: Chapters 7 and 8;
Monday, February 22nd: Chapters 9 and 10;
Monday, March 1st: Chapters 11, 12 and 13;
Friday, March 5th: last date to withdraw from a course without a possible academic penalty;
March 6th to 14th:
Spring Break - CSU is closed;
Monday, March 15th:
Chapter 14, 15 and 16;
Monday, March 22nd: First Examination due today by Noon as a Word formatted email attachment to the instructor- class will not meet today;
Monday, March 29th: Chapters
17, 18 and 19; Very Important: Political Science Program Surveys
today - please be with us and be on time for class;
Monday, April 5th: No Class - Read Chapters 20, 21 and 22 and email the
instructor a 2-3 page double-spaced essay summarizing each of the three chapters:
the essay is due Monday, April 12th - worth a possible 50 points;
Monday, April 12th: Chapters 23, 24, and 25;
essay summarizing Ch. 17, 18, 19 due today as an email to
the instructor; Guest Speaker: David Whorley, esq., member, Democratic
National Committee for Georgia; PLEASE BE WITH US TODAY
FOR OUR GUEST SPEAKER;
Monday, April 19th: Chapters 26, 27 and 28;
Monday, April 26th: Chapter 29, 30 and Epilogue;
the research
project is due by Noon
as a Word formatted email attachment to the instructor;
Monday, May 3rd:
last day of class;
Final Examination due by
Noon as an emailed Word formatted attachment
to the instructor; the final examination is NOT cumulative - late exams will not
be accepted.