🇺🇲 [Fall 2024] Syllabus: Introduction to American Po…

American Politics: An Introduction

Professor Andrew Reeves (reeves@wustl.edu)

Lecture on Mon and Weds, 11 to 11:50 in Steinberg 105

Office Hours on Tues, 1PM to 2PM in Seigle 191

The Biden presidency concludes amidst international turmoil, the fallout from a global pandemic, and increasing economic dissatisfaction among Americans. American institutions are being tested by a polarized political environment, regular mass protests, and are still adjusting from the former and possibly next president, who challenged many political norms. We will explore how we got here and consider the future of American politics.

The first part of the class deals with the institutional building blocks of the American political system. After we discuss the principles of political science, we’ll discuss the operation and evolution of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. In the second part of the class, we’ll consider the things that happen just outside the purview of the U.S. Constitution, like public opinion, the media, elections, political parties, and interest groups. Finally, we’ll go back to the beginning and discuss the founding and the core principles of civil rights, civil liberties, and federalism.

In successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

• Empower Your Political Engagement: Gain invaluable skills to actively participate in the political process, whether in personal debates, academic endeavors, or professional pursuits. Cultivate the knowledge and confidence to make your voice heard and contribute meaningfully to political discussions.
• Master the Art of Collective Action: Unravel the complexities and challenges of mobilizing collective efforts to achieve political objectives. Discover the delicate balance between individual interests and common goals in the political arena.
• Decode the News: Equip yourself with the analytical tools of political science to interpret and make sense of current political events. Learn to navigate the ever-evolving political landscape with confidence and clarity, using key concepts and theories.
• Uncover the Roots of American Governance: Dive deep into the origins and evolution of the institutions that structure the United States. Explore the foundational principles of American government and understand how they shape the functioning and identity of the nation today.

Learn not only about American politics but also how to engage with the world around you. These objectives are stepping stones to becoming a more informed, engaged, and articulate participant in the democratic process.

Course Format

• Twice weekly lectures, which meet in person on Mondays and Wednesdays, discuss current events related to that week's topic. We may occasionally have guest speakers.
• Sections (or labs) meet in person. You must register for a section. If you have questions about how to register for classes, please contact your advisor. Sections meet every week on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. They are led by outstanding students, almost all of whom have taken this class before. Sections are an opportunity for you to review, discuss, and expand upon the material from the lecture.

Taking Care of Yourself

You may be dealing with issues related to the physical or mental health of yourself or your loved ones. Be attuned to self-care during this time. If you are facing challenges that interfere with your academic progress please let us know. Do not wait until the end of the semester to raise these concerns with us.

Assessment

• Section Attendance (24%): We have a flexible section attendance policy (see below).
• Section Participation (1%): UTAs assign a point based on quality/frequency of participation
• Module Assignments (10%): These are completion grades unless otherwise announced. Due at dates are usually on either Monday or Friday and are posted on Canvas. Extensions are automatically granted, but we will award only half credit for the assignment.
• Four Exams (65%): There will be four exams consisting of between 45 and 50 multiple-choice and true-or-false questions. They are not cumulative, and all exams are taken in class. Each exam is an equally weighted share of your grade.

Grade cutoffs are ≥ 93 for A; ≥ 90 for A-; ≥ 87 for B+; ≥ 83 for B; ≥ 80 for B-; ≥ 77 for C+; ≥ 73 for C; ≥ 70 for C-; ≥ 67 for D+; ≥ 63 for D; ≥ 60  for D-; < 60 Fail. I will not make ad hoc adjustments. For students taking the class pass / fail, passing is a grade of C- or higher.

Course Schedule

Teaching Staff

Graduate Student Assistants in Instruction (AIs) can help you with administrative issues such as grading or section issues. They can also answer questions about the content of the course. Their contact information and office hours are posted here.  Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) will lead a weekly section and answer your questions about the course content.

Section Attendance Policy

If you must miss your assigned section in a particular week, you can still receive credit by attending another section that week. You can ask permission from another UTA to attend their section if you need to. Email the UTA of the section you’d like to attend, explain why you need to temporarily attend another section, and cc the AIs and your UTA. If you need to do this more than twice in a given semester, see an AI. If you are sick, please do not come to section. You will automatically be excused from one section.

Some Additional Details

Important Course Documents

• See the Course Reading List to see what readings are due.
• See the Teaching Staff Contact List see contact info, section info, and office hours.
• See Additional Policies for the course.