GOVT 2302.

501, Fall 2007 --- Political Institutions of the US and Texas

Casey Class meets Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 1230-1320

Phone: 972-883-4594 Classroom: GR 2.302
caseyfessor@yahoo.com Webpage: www.caesaigh.org
Office : GR 3.224 Office Hours (in GR 3.220) : Wednesdays, 1100-1200 & 1330-1500, or by app’t

Nota Bene: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change

I. Course Description-
This course and Government 2301 comprise an introduction to the study of politics and government in the United
States. Topics include an examination of the Legislative, Executive, Bureaucracy, and Judicial branches of the United States
and Texas governments. You will also explore Civil Liberties and Civil Rights as well as the policymaking process including
economic, welfare and foreign policy. (3 credit hours--a core curriculum course)

II. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Upon completing this course students will be able to:
A. provide examples and apply important theoretical and scholarly approaches to explaining state and national
institutional behavior, citizen involvement, and interaction between citizens and institutions of government.
B. analyze and appreciate historical trends in the development of government institutions and their constitutional
foundations.
C. identify, describe, and analyze various mechanisms of citizen political involvement.

III. Prerequisites: None, but GOVT 2301 is helpful. This course is reading intensive, with in-class written examinations of
student prowess. Therefore, students must have competency in written and spoken English.

IV. Required Textbooks-

There are four books required for this class:

A. The Challenge of Democracy (8th or 9th edition), Janda /Berry /Goldman. Houghton-Mifflin (hereafter Janda)
B. Essentials of Texas Politics, 10th edition. Kramer-Newell-Prindle. Thompson-Wadsworth (hereafter Kramer-Newell)
C. Democracy for the Few, by Michael Parenti. Wadsworth Publishing; 7th edition. Hereafter “Parenti”.
D. Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the U.S. Government. P.J. O’Rourke, Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Hereafter “PJ”’

All are available at the UTD bookstore, Off Campus Books, and you can probably buy a copy online somewhere as well. You
are expected to read ahead.

V. Other assigned materiél - From time to time, I will provide additional reading to supplement the learning process. These
materiél and any discussion are always testable.

You can learn a great deal about both the U.S. government and Texas government merely by digesting the news. I
*highly* recommend reading the NY Times, Washington Post, Guardian (UK), L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, or
even the Dallas Morning News. All of these have free online editions. Every exam will have a couple of extra credit
questions that will test your knowledge of current events (i.e. have you been keeping up on the news).

VI. Office Hours –Wednesdays 1100-1200 & 1330-1500, and by appointment (No Friday Appointments).

VII. Attendance -
A. UTD requires "Regular and Punctual attendance". It has been my experience that poor attendance DOES result
in a lackluster performance. Nonetheless, you are adults, so I feel no need to take attendance- Come only if you intend
to learn.
B. Verification of Enrollment: The State of Texas requires that all persons residing in the state carry an identification
card, and:
1) have on their person this card, and
2) be ready to surrender it for examination to any duly constituted authority.

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 For our purposes, this means I may ask for your I.D. when you turn in an examination. Not having one on you
means I will not grade that work until I see an ID. This is not meant to belittle or insult you, but with as many
students as there are just in my sections, getting to know all by sight is very difficult- but I'll try.
C. Tardies: Class is scheduled to begin at 1600, thus, I will begin class at that time. There is not much leeway allowed
due to the amount of material being covered. You are adults, you signed up for this class at this time. I will not
repeat material for the benefit of those without the incentive to arrive promptly. If you know you will be late, please
do your classmates the courtesy of not entering the room. Excessive tardiness will be penalized through your final
grade.
D. Leaving Early: Due to the amount of material being covered, leaving before class is complete will hurt your
interactive note-taking. Moreover, doing so is an unnecessary breach of etiquette and a distraction to your
colleagues. If you must leave early, inform me before class, or else your leaving will be treated as if a tardy and your
grade will be penalised.
E. Seating will be assigned the first week of class. You are expected to sit in only your assigned seat.
F. WITHDRAWING FROM THIS COURSE-
1) If you decide that you must drop the course, it is your responsibility to fill out the appropriate form in the
college office on campus. Withdrawal from the course after the official day of record (24 January 2007) will
result in a final grade of “W” on the student transcript and no credit will be awarded. Prior to the official
day of record, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a request for withdrawal from any
course. I do not automatically drop students. You do your own paperwork.
2) The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These
dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed.
It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot
drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final
grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
3) Translation: If you stop attending class and do not fill out the drop form, you will receive an "F" in the
course.

VIII. Examinations and Assignments -

A. You will have eight (8) short multi-format tests,, an expository comprehensive mid-term, and a cumulative Final
examination. You will need to bring two (2) bluebooks to class by August 24th , which will then be re-distributed on
test days. You will also need your own supplies of working black or blue pens.
B. Exams will occur on regular class days. If you are involved in an official campus activity, I expect you to take the
exam early. All assigned book chapters, as well as any and all material discussed or assigned in class, are all sources
eligible for all examinations.
C. MAKE-UPS : arranged with me prior to the scheduled date, no exemptions. Unarranged (post-exam) make-ups
are administered solely at my discretion.

IX. Classroom Conduct –

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and
efficient conduct of their business. It is the students responsibility to know the rules and regulations which govern student
conduct and activities. General information on this may be found in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to
all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established
due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas
System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students,
where staff members will assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972-883-6391).
More specifically: We are all adults, at least legally. Adult behaviour is thus expected. Disrespectful language,
gestures, shouting, insults, et cetera, are all improper and will be handled through the Dean of Students office, and most likely
will result in a grade of F.
Some Details:
A. Turn off your cell-phones- if they ring I will answer for you- and turn off your pagers as well. I reserve the right to
have you removed from the classroom if this turns out to be a persistent problem, and your grade will be penalised.
B. No hats permitted to be worn while in the classroom, nor headphones.
C. I do not care if you eat or drink, simply do so quietly and unobtrusively.

In other words: I fully expect you to behave as if you are mature, reasonable, sane people.

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X. Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities
Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and
procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the
website address given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

XI. Participation - The views of the instructor are not dogma, and are open to question and discussion. Please feel free to
disagree, but be prepared to logically and empirically back up your argument!
• Please remember the basic courtesies when disagreeing with others in the room- Speak clearly, concisely, and
do not engage in shouting matches. At the same time, if you merely sit there and absorb without examining the
issues critically, you are missing out. The college campus is truly one of the last places in this country to voice your
ideas in a public forum, and these issues DO affect you for the rest of your lives.
• Your participation is expected, and will be a consideration on your final grade.

XII. WebCT - WebCT is used sparingly, mainly to check your progress in the class. If you do not have a computer at home or
prefer to work on campus, you may do this at the library or in the many computer labs on campus.
---If you are unfamiliar with Webct, go to the following website for directions:
http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/webct_login.htm
---If you need help with a netID or unix password, go here: http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/netid.htm
---WebCT is a technology based learning aid. Because of this, occasional, brief outages are possible.

XIII. Grading – You will be graded on the standard 100-point scale, conformed to Letter grades. I DO NOT CURVE
GRADES- such only rewards those lacking incentive to perform better, and punishes those who strive to achieve.

Grading Scale:
100-98=A+ 87-89=B+ 77-79=C+ 67-69=D+
93-97=A 83-86=B 73-76=C 63-66=D Below 60=F
90-92=A- 80-82=B- 70-72=C- 60-62=D-

• You will be assigned grades based upon your performance on the examinations. There are eight (8) short multi-
format tests, an essay mid-term, and a comprehensive essay final. Each short test is worth 8% of your total grade.
Your mid-term is worth 16&, and the final is worth 20%, for a total of 100%.
• Extra Credit opportunities will not be granted to any student who has not completed all six exams, and any extra
credit will not account for more than five percent of your total grade. Detail on Extra Credit will become available
later on my web-site.

XIV. ADA Statement and Disability Services

The University of Texas at Dallas is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all
students. The college district promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations
as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you have any special needs which affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me. Appropriate steps will
be taken to assist you with your needs. Any student with a documented disability (physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services, Ms. Kerry
Tate, Coordinator, in the Student Union, Room 1.804. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Office of Disability Services. (http://www.utdallas.edu/legal/title9/contactada.html)
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of
their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

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 Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate
discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape
recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be
substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled
students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities.
The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility
assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability
Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs
accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

XV. Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and
efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable
about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and
discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established
due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas
System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students,
where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is
expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules.
Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus,
or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

XVI. Academic Integrity and Scholastic Dishonesty -

UTD is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the
academic community, UTD students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards
includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarising written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments,
collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an
academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a
student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general
rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic
records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the
web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the
university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com (and other
resources) for searches on the web for possible plagiarism, it is over 90% effective.

A. Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers
during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes,
texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of
an exam.
B. Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving proper credit
by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or project that someone else has prepared,
in whole or in part.
C. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be completed independently. These
definitions are not exhaustive.

With instructor permission only, tape recorders and laptops may be used during lectures only for the purpose of helping
students take notes. The use of such devices for any other purpose may result in loss of device use for remainder of semester,
system charges of academic dishonesty, and administrative drop from the course. No other electronic devices will be allowed
during class without specific instructor approval.

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In case of personal emergencies, check with the instructor before class. I will keep your device at the front of the room, and
you may take it outside should the emergency arise.

THE POSSESSION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING EXAMS WILL BE CONSIDERED PROOF OF

CHEATING.
Such devices must be left in purses/backpacks at the front of the room.

When there is any scholastic dishonesty, I will assign an “F” for the course, and additional sanctions may
include being expelled from UTD and the UT System, and punishments appropriate under State of Texas
Criminal Code, Penal Section §32.49, (HB 0762).

XVII. E-mail Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and
students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each
individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a
student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is
to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas
provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

XVIII. Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s
Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other
fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter
with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the
respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter
cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s
School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a
written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a
written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be
distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff
members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

XIX. Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end
and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from
the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade
is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade changes automatically to a grade of F.

XX. Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and
observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20,
Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence,
preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one
week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the
absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for
that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious
holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any
missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer

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of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of
TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

XXI. UTD and this course seek to achieve more than merely rote learning. To that end, this course has the following
requirements and objectives-

A. Core Requirements
•READING at the college level, meaning having the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials--books,
articles, and documents.
•WRITING at the college level, meaning having the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose, adapted to purpose,
occasion, and audience. This includes not only grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but also the writing process itself.
•SPEAKING effectively, meaning oral communication in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose,
occasion, and audience.
•LISTENING at the college level, meaning the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.
•CRITICAL THINKING , embracing methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and
creatively to the subject matter in order to evaluate arguments, solve problems, and construct alternative strategies.
•COMPUTER LITERACY, meaning having the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving
problems, and acquiring information. Students should also be able to evaluate the limits, problems, and possibilities
associated with the use of present and future technologies.
B. Exemplary Educational Objectives
•To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the
human condition.
•To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures.
•To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
•To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
•To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the subject of study.
•To comprehend the origins and evolution of the U.S. and Texas political systems, with a focus on the growth of political
institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. and Texas, federalism, civil liberties, and human rights.
•To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world.
•To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing points of view.
•To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research.
•To analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems.
•To recognize and assume one’s responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging
in public discourse, and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about
politics and public policy.
•To identify and understand differences and commonalties with diverse cultures.
•To establish broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world and to
understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.
•To stimulate a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to
understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.
•To use logical reasoning in problem solving.

XXII. Lecture, Assignment, and Examination Schedule

Week 1 (August 17-24) Introduction & Constitutions, Redux
Read Janda Chapter 3, Kraemer-Newell Chapter 2, Federalists 10 & 51;
PJ Preface & “The Mystery of Government”; Parenti Chapters 1 & 4.

Week 2 (August 27-29--- LAST FREE DROP, August 31.)) Congress:

Read Janda Chapter 11, PJ “National Busybodies”, Parenti Chapter 15. Test 1

Week 3 (September 5-7) - Texas Legislature :

Read Kraemer –Newell Chapter 6 Test 2

Week 4 (September 10-14) The Presidency

Read Janda Chapter 12,
PJ “Only Human, in His Own Immortal Way”; Parenti Chapter 16 Test 3

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Week 5 (September 17-21) Texas Governor :
Read Kraemer-Newell Chapter 7

Week 6 (September 24-28) Bureaucracy

Read Janda Chapter 13, PJ “Protectors of a Blameless Citizenry” and
“Would You Kill Your Mother to Pave I-95?”; Parenti Chapter 17 Test 4

Week 7 (October 1-5) The Federal Courts

Read Janda Chapter 14, PJ “Doing the Most Important Kind of Nothing”; Parenti Chapter 18.

Week 8 (October 8-12 ) Texas Judiciary :

Read Kraemer-Newell Chapter 8 Mid-Term.

Week 9 (October 15-19) Policymaking

Read Janda Chapter 17; Parenti Chapter 2

Week 11 (October 22-26) Economic Policymaking:

Read Janda Chapter 18, Kraemer-Newell Chapter 10;
Parenti Chapters 3, 5, & 6, Economic theories (online) Test 5

Week 12 (October 29-31, November 2) Social Policy

Read Janda Chapter 19; PJ “Drug Policy”, “Poverty Policy”,
“Agricultural Policy”; Parenti Chapters 8 & 9. Test 6

Week 13 (November 5-9) Public Policy in Texas :

Read Kraemer-Newell Chapter 11 Test 7

Week 14 (November 12-15) Foreign & Security Policies

Read Janda Chapter 20, PJ “Very Foreign Policy”,
“Defense Policy”; Parenti Chapters 7 & 11. Test 8

Week 15 (November 19-21) Local Government in Texas :

Read Kraemer-Newell Chapter 9. Local Government Handout

Week 16 (November 26) All Extra Credit Due. Optional Review.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28- 11:00 - - -Final Examination. Grades Available after last exam has been graded.

PLEASE NOTE:
I reserve the right to amend or append this syllabus as need dictates. Any and all changes will be announced in sufficient time
to allow for your personal adjustment.

-----------------------------------------detach here --------------------------------------

UNIVERSITY of TEXAS at DALLAS

By my signature affixed, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will comply with all terms and conditions of the
above syllabus:

____________________________________________,________________________________
(Printed name) (UTD Student ID)

_______________________________________________________,______________________
(Signature) (Date)
(Last updated: 15 August, 2007)
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