Course Calendar

August 20 – December 14

American Government and Politics
8:30 – 9:20 MWF in Administration 435
_{Calendar last updated on September 9}

August 20 (Monday)

Nothing for today.

August 22 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Introduction to Class

Read for today: The Communist Manifesto, Part I

Note: Classes begin

August 24 (Friday)

Major assignment due today:
Scavenger Hunt

Discussion Topic: What is class. And why does Marx use this division?

Read for today: The Communist Manifesto, Part II

August 27 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: How close is America to Communism?

Read for today: The Communist Manifesto, Part III/IIII

August 29 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Final Thoughts on Marx’s Manifesto

Read for today: Cargo Cult Science (Feynman 1971)

Read for today: What Is Science? (Forsberg 2007)

August 31 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: What is science? Why does it matter?

September 3 (Monday)

Note: Labor Day

Holiday: Labor Day

Holiday: Labor Day: No Classes

September 5 (Wednesday)

Major assignment due today:
Write five hypotheses

Discussion Topic: Discuss/Critique your hypotheses

September 7 (Friday)

Major assignment due today:
What is the purpose of government?

Discussion Topic: Introduction to Political Theory

September 10 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Purpose = Support Justice

Discussion Topic: Purpose = Ensure Equality

September 12 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Purpose = Create Strength

Discussion Topic: Purpose = Protect

Discussion Topic: The State of Nature

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 1

Note: Mass of the Holy Spirit

September 14 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: The Constitutional Tradition

Read for today: The Articles of Confederation

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 2

September 17 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: The Articles of Confederation

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 10

Read for today: Article II (Constitution)

September 19 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: The Executive: Original Intent

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 11

September 21 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: The Bureaucracy

Discussion Topic: Electoral College

Read for today: Article I (Constitution)

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 9

September 24 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: The Congress: Original Intent

September 26 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Lawmaking Process

September 28 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Budgetary Process

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 12

Read for today: Article III (Constitution)

October 1 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: The Judiciary: Original Intent

October 3 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: US Court Structure

Discussion Topic: Momentous Court Cases

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 4

Major assignment due today:
US Supreme Court Paper

October 5 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Civil Liberties

October 8 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Civil Liberties

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 5

Holiday: Columbus Day

Holiday: Lailat Ul Qadr

October 10 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Civil Rights

October 12 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Civil Rights

Read for today: Constitution (Entirity)

Read for today: The Majesty of the Law (O'Connor)

October 15 (Monday)

Note: Fall Break

Holiday: Fall Break: No Classes

Note: Mid-Semester's grade reports due

October 17 (Wednesday)

Note: Fall Break

Holiday: Fall Break: No Classes

October 19 (Friday)

Note: Fall Break

Holiday: Fall Break: No Classes

October 22 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: The Rest of the Constitution

October 24 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Review

October 26 (Friday)

Examination: First Examination

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 8

Note: Last day to withdraw with a 'W'

October 29 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Campaigns, Elections, and Voting Behavior

Holiday: Cumhuriyet Bayramı

October 31 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Campaigns, Elections, and Voting Behavior

Holiday: Samhain

November 2 (Friday)

Note: No Class: Conference

Holiday: All Souls Day

November 5 (Monday)

Note: No Class: Conference

November 7 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Public Policy: Policy Process

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 13

November 9 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Domestic Policy

November 12 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Foreign Policy

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 14

Holiday: Veteran's Day (Observed)

November 14 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Foreign Policy

Read for today: Tocqueville. Democracy in America. Vol 1. Ch 14

Read for today: Tocqueville. Democracy in America. Vol 2. S 4. Ch 8

November 16 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Democracy

November 19 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Direct vs. Representative

Discussion Topic: Delegate vs. Trustee

November 21 (Wednesday)

Note: Thanksgiving

Holiday: Thanksgiving Recess: No Classes

November 23 (Friday)

Note: Thanksgiving

Holiday: Thanksgiving Recess: No Classes

November 26 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Structure Functionalism

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 7

November 28 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Political Parties and Interest Groups

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 6

November 30 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Public Opinion and Polls

December 3 (Monday)

Discussion Topic: Political Ideology

Major assignment due today:
Political Leanings

December 5 (Wednesday)

Discussion Topic: Political Socialization

Read for today: SSB: Chapter 3

Holiday: First day of Chanukah

December 7 (Friday)

Discussion Topic: Last Thoughts on Government

December 10 (Monday)

Note: Semester Exams begin

December 11 (Tuesday)

Examination:: Second Examination (8:00–9:40)

December 12 (Wednesday)

Nothing for today.

Today:

March 31, 2025

Major Assignments:

Scavenger Hunt

Write five hypotheses

What is the purpose of government?

US Supreme Court Paper

Political Leanings

Quizzes and Exams:

First Examination

Second Examination (8:00–9:40)