PS 493C Special Topics:
Great Books in American Politics
Political Science 493C
Lucinda
A. Potter, Senior Lecturer
301H
Woodburn Hall
304-293-3811
extension 5274
Summer
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 AM to noon & 1 PM to 3 PM and by
appointment
Updated
May 10, 2005
Course
Objectives:
This
web-based course introduces students to great books, important works of
literature in politics, and the broad scope of American political science and
politics. It is designed for students who want to learn and receive college
credit through independent reading, study and research.
This
course is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines that are
interested in learning about the history, institutions, and major actors of the
American political system. Students are expected to have some, but not
extensive, knowledge of political science and American politics.
Course
Requirements:
Students
choose six books from a reading list of over 100 possible selections
(available on the course Home Page in WebCT VISTA).
The reading list is divided into six major areas that include:
Presidents and the Presidency;
The Electorate, Elections and Parties;
Bureaucratic Politics and Political Institutions;
Diaries, Journals and Biographies of Influential Individuals;
Political Theory/Philosophy; and
Selected Policy Areas: History
& Analysis
In consultation with the instructor,
students will select one book from each of the six major areas, read them, post
a paragraph about each book to the discussion board, and submit a paper that
reflects the insights they have gained about American politics for each book
they have read. Each paper is worth
up to 100 points. Each posting is
worth up to 15 points.
Grades for the course are based on
the quality of the discussion board postings and the papers.
Each discussion board posting should be at least 100 words long.
Each paper should be 7 to 10 pages in length (about 2,500 words) and
should have your name, the course (PS493C), the assignment number (for example,
paper #1) and the date at the top of the page.
Papers must be well thought-out, logical and well-written.
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count.
Each paper should:
Outline the major points in the book (no more than four pages);
Summarize opposing points of view or major theories described in
the book;
Comment on the relevance of the book to current political events;
Discuss the insights about American politics gained from the
book; and
Outline how this book has enhanced your understanding of the
discipline.
All
papers and discussion board postings must be completed and submitted in order to
pass the class,
regardless of the total number of points received on all assignments.
Technical
Requirements:
In
addition to an Internet browser, you need an e-mail account to send your
assignments. Use your “mix” e-mail to send in assignments.
Because e-mail attachments occasionally become corrupt in transit, send
your assignments both as an attachment (preferably in Microsoft Word or Corel
WordPerfect) and in "cut and paste" form within the body of your
e-mail. If you use a Mac, save your
assignments in RTF format so that I can read them.
When you e-mail assignments to me, please put
your name, the name of the class, the assignment number and the semester in the
subject line and at the top of any documents your attach (for example, John
Doe PS493C paper #1 Summer 1 2005) so that I will see it right away.
Use the return receipt requested feature available in “mix” because
it provides you with means to be sure that your assignment has been received.
You can generally expect me to pick up your e-mail within a day or two
except for weekends and holidays. I
will let you know that your assignment has been received and has not become
corrupt in transit by responding with a return e-mail to you.
If you do not hear from me within a day (except for weekends and
holidays) your assignment did not reach
me. Send another copy immediately.
Throughout
the session, I will be placing announcements, notes of clarification, and grades
in WebCT VISTA. To access these, you
will need to be certain to check the class regularly.
If you have had other classes that have used WebCT, you will find that
WebCT VISTA is very similar. Detailed
instructions are available at http://vistainfo.wvu.edu/students.html.
Be certain to do a browser
check-up so that you will be able to see and access all the features in WebCT
VISTA.
Please
activate your "mix" account and make it a practice to check
"mix" e-mail regularly. This
is where I will send lengthy general announcements to the class, feedback on
your assignments, and special instructions.
If you have a technical problem or cannot activate your account, please
contact the OIT Help Desk by phone at 304-293-4444 extension 1.
Required
Text:
This
course has no required textbooks. Rather,
readings are selected from a list of over 100 books.
Most of the books are available at the WVU Libraries, any major
university library, or the public libraries in large cities.
In some cases, Extended Learning students may have selected materials
shipped to them. For more
information on WVU Library services for Extended Learning students, see the WVU
Library web site at http://www.libraries.wvu.edu/distance/eresources.htm
The
reading list is available on the Home Page in WebCT VISTA.
Log in using this web site:
Assignments
and Course Schedule:
The
course is structured to accommodate students who will not be on campus during
the semester. All papers are
submitted by e-mail (see technical requirements, above).
The
first three papers (papers 1, 2 and 3) and discussion board postings are due no
later than midnight on Monday, June 6,
2005.
The
last 3 papers (papers 4, 5 and 6) and discussion board postings are due not
later than midnight on Monday, June 27,
2005.
You
are strongly encouraged to turn in your papers and submit your discussion board
postings as you finish them (approximately weekly) as long as they arrive before
the due dates.
Absolutely
NO assignments will be accepted after
the last day of class on June 30, 2005.
Grading:
Course
grades will be based on the total number of points earned. You can earn up to
100 points for each paper and up to 15 points for each discussion board posting.
A
= 621-690 points
B
= 552-620 points
C
= 483-551 points
D
= 414-482 points
F
= 0-413 points
Missing
Assignment Due Dates:
It
is your responsibility to be sure
that assignments arrive on time. All
work must be received by midnight on the
due date. Late work will be penalized!
If
you fail to complete an assignment by the due date without a valid, university
approved absence (i.e., confirmation of a legitimate, serious medical illness or
confirmation of a death in the immediate family, etc.) you can turn in your
assignment at a later date, but your grade will be penalized. The longer the
time interval involved, the larger the penalty. My general rule is to penalize
your assignment the equivalent of a full letter grade (10 points for papers and
2 points for discussion board postings) for every day (24 hours) that has passed
since the assignment due date. It is your responsibility to complete the
assignments and to turn them in on time. If
you know you have a condition or commitment that will prevent you from handing
in an assignment on time, please let me know by the end of the first week of
class. Absolutely
NO assignments will be accepted after the last day of class on June 30, 2005.
WVU
recognizes the diversity of its students and the needs of those who wish to
participate in Days of Special Concern, which are listed in the Schedule of
Courses. Any student should notify me by the end of the second week of class
regarding Day of Special Concern observances that will affect your ability to
participate in class. I will make reasonable accommodations for any assignment
or announcement a student misses as a result of observing a Day of Special
Concern.
Office
Hours:
My
office is located in Woodburn Hall 301H. My summer office hours are from 9 AM to
12 noon and 1 PM to 3 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you need to speak with me, but can not see me during my office hours,
call me for an appointment at 304-293-3811 extension 5274 or send me an e-mail
at Lucinda.Potter@mail.wvu.edu.
Students are my top priority. Do not hesitate to call, to e-mail, or to
drop by the office to discuss class business.
Statement
on Social Justice:
I
will foster a learning environment based on open communication, mutual respect,
and non-discrimination. Any person that feels that this commitment is not being
met should contact me immediately. Also, if you are a person with a disability
and anticipate needing any type of accommodation to participate in this class
please advise me and, if necessary, make any appropriate arrangements with
Disability Services (293-6700).
Special
Notice:
Students
enrolled in web-based courses at