Department of Political Science
POL 102 — Introduction to American Government
Spring Online Session - 2021
February 1 - May 8, 2021
Instructor: Jason Rose Phone: 631-632-7650
Office: SBS N-747 Email: jason.rose@stonybrook.edu
Office Hours: Fridays 2:00pm - 4:00pm, By Appointment Web: https://blackboard.stonybrook.edu
Course Description: This class is conducted entirely online and therefore may be taken anywhere in
the world and at your own pace, given that you are prepared for your online exams within the time
period allotted. Lectures, exams and discussion are entirely online. POL 102 is a core course (Social
and Behavioral Sciences, SBC;SBS;USA; Category DEC F under previous curriculum) covering the
themes of the foundations of American government, institutions, and political behavior. The course is
designed to achieve these objectives by introducing students to the academic study of American
Government.
The first part of the course will discuss the major concepts and theoretical arguments in founding the
U.S. Constitution. The second part of the course will apply these ideas in practice by studying the
institutions established by the United States’ government. Lastly, we explore political behavior in
American politics.
Readings: Geer, Herrera, Shiller, and Segal, 2019. Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to
American Government, 4th Edition. Boston, MA.: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781337893343
You should read a major daily newspaper (e.g., The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal) or
watch several hours of news each week (e.g., Meet the Press - NBC: Sundays 10:30am, PBS
NewsHour – PBS, Channel 13: 7pm weeknights) CNN, MSNBC, FOX, ABC
Grading: All work will be graded on an 0-100 scale. Scores of 100-94 receive an “A"; 93-90 an “A-";
89-87 a “B+"; 86-84 a “B"; 83-80 a “B-"; 79-77 a “C+"; 76-74 a “C"; 73-70 a "C-"; 69-67 a “D+"; 66-64 a
“D"; “63-60 a “D-"; and below 60 an “F." Grades will consist of 3 online exams, and participation in the online
discussion. The final exam will not be cumulative. Make-up exams will only be offered under extraordinary
circumstances, i.e. a death in the family or medical emergency. Proper documentation is required. Note that
simply visiting a doctor is not sufficient. There must be written documentation stating that the student was
physically incapable of taking the exam within the online period allowed. All make-up exams must be completed
within one week (7 days) of the original exam due-date. This window will only be increased for the most extreme
cases. Failure to schedule a make-up exam within the allotted time will result in a grade of zero for the exam. The
format of the make-up exam is left to the discretion of the instructor.
Midterm 1: (28.33%)
Midterm 2: (28.33%) (85%)
Final Exam: (28.33%)
4 Online Discussion Boards: (15%) (Lowest Grade Dropped)
Objectives and Assessment: This goal of this course is to provide the student with a fundamental
understanding of the U.S. Constitution and how the American political system - both in theory and
practice - developed and currently operates. This course is the foundation for all future scholarship in
the study of American Government.
Initially we focus on U.S. Constitution and the principles it establishes. What was the theory of the
founders' structure of federalism and how do the different branches of government work today? We
then focus on the Civil Liberties and Civil Rights through a study of the Bill of Rights. What are your
liberties and rights as an individual and what are their limits? What is a right? What is a liberty?
We then turn to the institutions established by the U.S. Constitution - the United States Congress,
Executive and Supreme Court. How have the three branches evolved over time? What are their roles
and how do they check and balance each other? How is policy chosen and implemented in this federal
system?
The course will conclude with an examination of the political activities and beliefs of the public. Is the
public well-informed about the government and the policies it considers? How do citizens shape public
policy?
Assessment of student progress toward these objectives is accomplished through three midterm
examinations and a final cumulative examination, along with a minimum of 5 unannounced quizzes as
outlined in the "grading" section of this syllabus.
Computer use: Students are expected to check their e-mail account and Blackboard for information
and correspondence with the instructors. BLACKBOARD SYSTEM:
The University has some computer software – BLACKBOARD – that will be used to maintain a website
for our course. Blackboard will allow students to access course videos and readings. The Blackboard
system is available from any computer with access to the Internet. The Blackboard address is
http://blackboard.stonybrook.edu
Logging into Blackboard requires a NET ID and a Password:
You can check (or change) your Net ID by logging into the SOLAR system and entering the “Security
and Personal Data” Folder. Initially the password is the SOLAR ID number: this should be changed for
security purposes.
For additional assistance in using Blackboard, see the student consultants in the Main Library SINC site
(S1460 Library).
Extra Credit opportunities are usually provided every Spring and Fall semester for participation in
social science studies conducted within the department. You will be informed of this on blackboard
and/or by email. Additional extra credit may be provided by attending one or more foreign policy films.
Student Accessibility Support Center: If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning
disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Student Accessibility Support Center,
128 ECC Building, (631) 632-6748, or at sasc@stonybrook.edu. They will determine with you what
accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.
Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs
with their professors and the Student Accessibility Support Center. For procedures and information go
to the following website:
https://ehs.stonybrook.edu/programs/fire-safety/emergency-evacuation/evacuation-guide-people-
physical-disabilities
and search Fire Safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.
Critical Incident Management
Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people.
Faculty are required to report to the Office of University Community Standards any disruptive behavior
that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits
students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of Medicine are required to follow
their school-specific procedures. Further information about most academic matters can be found in the
Undergraduate Bulletin, the Undergraduate Class Schedule, and the Faculty-Employee Handbook.
Academic Integrity
Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all
submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty is required
to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the
Health Sciences Center (School of Health Technology & Management, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental
Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. For more
comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty please
refer to the academic judiciary website at:
http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.html
Class Behavior
If the instructor decides that you are disturbing the class, you may be removed from the class for the
day - by campus police if necessary. If the behavior persists, further action may be taken. Cell-phone
use in class constitutes disruptive behavior. Incessant talking in class constitutes disruptive behavior.
Computer laptops may be used for taking notes in class only. ANY STUDENT TALKING OR USING A
CELL-PHONE, I-PAD OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE DURING AN EXAM (whether you are done
with the exam or not / whether you have turned in the exam or not) WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR
THAT EXAM WITH NO MAKEUP OPPORTUNITY. Teaching Assistants' duties include reporting of
the above.
Note: Some of the above is not applicable to online courses.
COURSE SCHEDULE
* This syllabus serves a general plan for the course; deviations announced by the instructor may be necessary and Online
Students may follow their own schedules so long as they are prepared for the exam dates.
Week 1: February 1 - 6
Course Introduction, Intro to Analyzing Policy in Political Science;
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Reading (optional) : Ch. 1
Week 2: February 7 - 13
Collective Action Problems, Declaration of Independence, Constitution Building
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 2
Week 3: February 14 - 20
The Founding; Constitution Overview
Watch 1 lecture video posted in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Constitution, Federalist #51and #10
Discussion Board 1: Reflections on the First Lecture, Due Feb. 20, 11:59pm (Saturday)
Week 4: February 21 - 27
Intro to Federalism, Horizontal vs. Vertical, Dual vs. Cooperative Federalism
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Constitution, Federalist #51and #10 (Blackboard in DOCUMENTS section)
Week 5: February 28 - March 6
Federalism and Civil Liberties, Supreme Court Cases on Federalism
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 3
Week 6: March 7 - 13
Federalism and Civil Liberties, Supreme Court Cases on Federalism
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 4
MIDTERM EXAM 1: March 10, 6am - March 14, 11:59pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Go to the TESTS section on Blackboard to take the online exam!
The exam will cover, The Founding, Federalism, Civil Liberties
Week 7: March 14 - 20
Civil Rights and the Struggle for Equality
Watch 3 lecture videos posted in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 5
Discussion Board 2: Plato's Warning and Critique of Democracy,
Due March 20, 11:59pm (Saturday)
Week 8: March 21 - 27
Civil Rights and Intro to the U.S. Congress
Watch 4 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 5 and 12
Week 9: March 28 - April 3
Congress, The Committee System, Redistricting, Reapportionment, Gerrymandering
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 12
Week 10: April 4 - April 10
Congress, Structure of Congress, Leadership, How a Bill Becomes a Law
Watch 1 lecture video in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 12
MIDTERM EXAM 2: April 7, 6am - April 11, 11:59pm (Wednesday - Sunday)
Go to the TESTS section on Blackboard to take the online exam!
The exam will cover Civil Rights and Congress
Week 11: April 11 - 17
The Presidency and the Bureaucracy
Watch 1 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 13 and 14
Week 12: April 18 - 24
The Bureaucracy: The Role of the Government vs. Private Sector
(Case Study - SpaceX vs. NASA)
Watch 1 lecture videos posted in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 14
Discussion Board 3: The Role of the Government and the Private Sector,
Due April 24, 11:59pm (Saturday)
Week 13: April 25 - May 1
The Judicial Branch
Watch 2 lecture videos in the ASSIGNMENTS section on Blackboard
Required Reading: Ch. 15
Week 14: May 2 - 8
Supreme Court Case Study: Kelo vs. New London, Federal Power
Read all materials and watch all videos in the Discussion 4 section of the Discussion Board
Discussion Board 4: The Federal and State Power of Eminent Domain -
Kelo vs. New London, Due May 8, 11:59pm (Saturday)
Finals Week: FINAL EXAM: May 5, 6am - May 12, 11:59pm (Wednesday - Wednesday)
Go to the TESTS section on Blackboard to take the online exam!
The exam will cover The Executive, The Bureaucracy and the Judiciary
