LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

C.W Post Campus

Course Title: American National Government Catalog No: POL2

and Politics Semester: Fall 2019
Professor: Dr. Melchiore J. Laucella Credits: Three
Office Tel#: 631-273-5112 Pre-requisites: None
Office Hours: Mon., Wed. 12:30 – 1:30 Contact Hours: 45
E-Mail Address: Melchiore.laucella@liu.edu

This course will assess the nature of American government and politics with specific
emphasis on the constitutional structure as well as the functions and operations of United States
national governmental institutions and processes. Political behavior will be critically examined in
terms of interest groups, political parties, public opinion, political socialization and electoral
politics. Attention will also be paid to the study of American executive political leadership and its
impact on public policy. Finally, the development of writing and analytical skills of the essay will
also be addressed.

Required Texts:
McClain, Paula D. and Steven C. Tauber. 2017. American Government in Black and White:
Diversity and Democracy. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780190298791.
Readings placed on Blackboard and handouts where appropriate.

Blackboard: I have set up a Blackboard class website containing the course syllabus, readings, links
and SafeAssign at http://blackboard.liu.edu/. Your Blackboard account is created as soon as you
activate your LIUMail account and are officially registered for a LIU course. Your LIU Mail
account will be ready for BlackBoard access 24 hours after it has been created. Your username is
your LIU ID (the same as you username@liu.edu), and your password is the same as your LIUMail
password.

Supplementary Reading:
It is expected that students will maintain an on-going familiarity with ongoing developments
concerning current events through daily review of newspapers, basic periodical literature and
electronic media, examples of which are listed below. As an aspect of class participation, during
any given class students are to provide comments, insights and questions in class.
Daily Newspapers: The New York Times (available in a library and online at www.nytimes.com to
be read daily). Other newspapers (and available on the internet) The Wall Street Journal, The
Washington Post, The Washington Times and so forth.
Periodicals: Newsweek, Time, U.S. News and World Report, National Review, National Journal,
Economist
Journals (Recommended): American Political Science Review, Foreign Affairs, Political Science
Quarterly, Foreign Policy, Presidential Studies Quarterly, American Politics Research (formerly
American Politics Quarterly), American Review of Politics, State and Local Politics Review, State
Politics and Policy Quarterly, White House Studies, International Studies Quarterly, Political
Psychology, International Social Science Journal, International Studies Quarterly, International
Studies Perspectives, International Studies Review, American Public Administration Review, Policy
Studies Journal, Review of Policy Research, Journal of Political Philosophy, Contemporary
Political Theory
Intellectual/Opinion Journals: American Prospect, Atlantic Monthly, Commentary, Dissent, Nation,
New Republic, New York Review of Books, Progressive
Television Broadcasts: C-SPAN, PBS News Hour, BBC
Radio Broadcast: National Public Radio
Fact Check Websites: http://www.factcheck.org/ ; http://www.politifact.com/

Instructional Objectives:

1. Through lectures, class discussions, readings and with a corresponding emphasis on written
work students will acquire a greater understanding and appreciation of areas of human
knowledge.

2. Through lectures, class discussions, written work students will be able to acquire an
understanding of key concepts characteristic of the nature of American government and
politics.

3. Students will obtain a greater ability to critically assess current domestic political problems and
issues associated with the nature of politics from multiple perspectives.

5. Students will develop the skills needed to critically analyze various phenomena
associated with American government and politics in order to better formulate their
impressions of the American political and governmental environment.

6. Students will acquire a greater understanding the nature of public policy, the manner
in which it is influenced .

7. Students will develop an understanding about some of the moral and ethical issues involved
in American politics and governance as well as become better able to be active and engaged
citizens.

Procedures for Accomplishing Objectives:

1. There will be lectures, class discussion, written work and the presentation of technological
including audio-visual and supplemental handouts where appropriate.

2. Students will successfully complete three critical essays. Students must submit their papers
through SafeAssign on Blackboard in POL2 – 001 and submit a hard copy of the essay to the
instructor.

Student Requirements for Completion of the Course:

Each critical essay should be thematic and must apply the concepts from the course
readings, lectures and at least six other sources to construct a well-written essay that addresses the
question that is posed for each essay dealing with American national government and politics. See
“Paper Specifications” for the paper below and posted on blackboard. Papers must be completed on
the dates assigned. A paper submitted after the due date will receive a grade lower for each session
after the date due. A paper that utilizes too few readings or unsophisticated internet sources will
result in a low grade.
It is customary to have questions concerning course assignments. For answers, first examine
the course syllabus. If the question(s) is unresolved then ask a classmate. If the question(s) still
remains, please ask the instructor. If the question(s) continue to remain then the instructor can meet
with the student immediately after class. Questions regarding the assignments should be raised well
before the assignment is due.
Extra credit assignments (other than the critical essay that may be written for question #2)
will not be offered. Unless expressly allowed, any type of collaboration with any other is not
permitted.
The final grade will be determined by the final version of each of the four essays and class
participation. There will be no make-up exams and papers. A grade of incomplete will not be
granted, except for extenuating circumstances determined by the instructor. A grade of “INC” is
granted only for students who have completed and submitted some of the assignments required for
the class.
Attendance and class participation are an integral part of the educational experience. The
instructor, therefore, will reduce the final grade of students who miss more than 4 hours of class
time and drop from the class any individual who has accumulated absences in excess of 5 hours of
class time. Students who stop attending for any reason must officially withdraw from the course.
Attendance affects the class participation grade. The student must keep the instructor informed as to
any absences that occur after the first absence is accrued.
Class participation consists of informed dialogue. Students must come to class prepared
to obtain the most from the course. Each student must complete the reading prior to coming to
class as well as stay abreast of political and governmental issues (both global and domestic) in
preparation for discussion.
The student will be evaluated each day based upon their understanding and assessment of
the readings as well as relating them to the overall themes and nature of the course. When reading
and/or writing about the assigned works and chapters address the following: 1) What is the author’s
intent? ; 2) What is the thesis and the argument(s) or theme(s) of the reading?; 3) What are the key
concepts, theories, frameworks presented in the reading?; 4) How strong (or weak) is the evidence
presented?; 5) In what manner does the reading relate to the other readings as well as to the nature
of the course?; 6) What are the strengths and weakness of the piece?
Electronic devices (e.g., cell phone use and text messaging and so forth is prohibited in
the classroom. Not only is such usage discourteous to the speaker, but it will result in a grade of F
for the class participation portion of the final grade.

Academic CW Post Campus Writing and Learning Support Centers

Contrary to some, I believe that it doesn’t hurt to get a little help along the way. Therefore,
to write assignments such as critical essays, research papers, profiles and so forth take advantage of
the Writing Center in Humanities Hall Rm. 202. You’re paying for it. Staff members is available to
work with you in one-on-one sessions to discuss your work and assist you in writing your
assignment. You may be able to submit drafts of papers with targeted questions via –email. The
Writing Center website also features such resources as citations, other stylistic issues and related
materials. Their website: http://www.liu.edu/post/writingcenter
 For students who confront additional learning challenges it is the policy of Long Island
University to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with such
challenges. The Learning Center provides the following support services that include information,
strategies and so forth to assist for diversity of students to assist in attaining their “personal,
academic, and career goals through... individualized programs.” The programs are: the academic
Resource Program, Disability Support Services, Peer Tutoring and Program for Academic Success
with the purpose to “educate the campus community about policies, procedures, and available
services.” Visit their website at: www.liu.edu/post/learningsupport or contact them by calling 516-
299-3057 or through e-mail at postlearningsupport@liu.edu. (LIU Post 2016-2017 Undergraduate
Bulletin, p. 47).
In particular, the office of Disability Support Services (DSS) provides qualified students
with “advocacy and coordination services at no charge to students with all types of” challenges
that can include: physical, neurological, emotional, social, a specific learning disability, attention
deficit disorder, and students with temporary impairments. Students are assisted in arranging
reasonable accommodations as mandated by federal/state laws, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act As Amended (ADAAA). (LIU Post 2018-2019
Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 44). Please read pp. 44-45 of the LIU Post Undergraduate Bulletin for
further information including policies, accommodations and, eligibility and so forth.
If you are a student with a documented disability, medical condition, or think you may have
a disability, and need accommodations, academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or other services,
please contact Marie Fatscher in Disability Support Services (Post Hall, Lower Level, C10) at 516-
299-3057) or through e-mail at mariefatscher@liu.edu to request services, accommodations or for
additional information. Additional information is also available on the DSS website at:
www.liu.edu/post/dss.
Any student who presents with the above stated challenges and would like to request
accommodations to complete the course requirements, see the instructor as soon as possible
following the conclusion of the first class session. Because documentation requirements exist
contact the Disability Support Services prior to meeting with the instructor. Additional information
is available at:
http://liu.edu/CW Post/ Campus-Life/Student-Services/Learning-Support-Center/Diability-Support-
Services-DSS.

Evaluation of Requirements and Grades

Four critical essays (including first draft) 90%

Class participation 10%
100%

1. All assignments must be completed to pass the class.

2. Grades will be based on the weighting listed above. To earn a grade in the range of an A (90% +)
students will need to demonstrate a high level of a comprehension of political science concepts and
approaches and be able to apply them to and explanation of current political issues and problems.
To earn a grade in the range of a B (80-89%) students will need to demonstrate that they possess a
basic understanding of how such concepts and approaches and be able to apply to current political
issues and problems. Students who cannot acquire a sufficient ability to understand political science
concepts and approaches and are not able to apply them to an explanation of current political issues
and problems, or who do not complete all required elements of the course in a satisfactory manner,
will earn a grade of C or lower. In addition, students whose written work uses too few sources
and/or unsophisticated internet sources as well as rely solely on the text and class notes will receive
a grade of C or lower

Topic: Reading:

1 Introduction/Setting Chap. 1; Appendixes:

Roots of the Constitution Decl. of Ind, US Const.,
Fed. #10, #51
2 The Living Constitution Chap. 2; Appendixes “ “
and Amendments
First Paper

3 Federalism/Intergovernmental Chap. 3
Relations (Extra Credit Paper)

4 Civil Liberties, Equality Chap. 4

and Justice
First Paper

5 Interest Groups/ Movement Politics Chap. 8; Truman; Lowi

Fed. #10

6 Political Parties/Public Opinion Chaps. 6, 5; Party Gov’t;

Political Participation

7 Media/Electoral Politics Chaps. 9, 7; Key

Second Paper

8 Congress Chap. 10;Dodd; Mayhew

9 The Presidency: An Institutional Approach Chap. 11; Rossiter, Neustadt

10 The Presidency: A Study of Leadership Barber

11 Judiciary/Bureaucracy Chaps. 12,13

12 Public Policy/Foreign and Chap.14, pp.386-

Defense Policy 394; Chap. 15

13 Economic Policy Chap. 14

14 Final Paper Research For Paper

 LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
C.W. Post Campus

Professor: Dr. Melchiore Laucella Course: POL 2

Dates Due: Papers due: #1 no later than October 9th, 2019; #2 no later than November 6th,
2019 and #3 no later than TBA. A paper submitted after the due date will receive a reduction
of 1 grade for every class session following the due date. Papers are to be submitted on
SafeAssign in Blackboard for this course. A hard copy must also be submitted to the
instructor. Both copies are to be submitted on the due dates assigned.

Paper Specifications

The purpose of the papers is for the student to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts,
terms and theoretical foundations of the American national political and governmental landscape. In
addition, the assigned papers require the student to synthesize the readings, lectures, and academic
research that culminate in a final written piece of work. Here the student must be disciplined to
work hard to acquire the necessary mastery of content, research, writing and analytical skills needed
to produce the assigned essays.
Directions: Answer the questions below. Each essay must be roughly 5-7 pages of content
(the cover page and “Work Cited” pages do not count) in length and centered around: 1) explaining
(include a comprehensive definition, related characteristics and, its significance) the major
concepts, terms and theoretical underpinnings that were presented in the course and in the readings
and; 2) you must apply the concepts and theoretical notions to a particular political issue(s) of
importance that you track on an ongoing basis. You must utilize your class notes, the textbook and
at least 6 other relevant scholarly sources for each question. Use library resources such as books,
scholarly journals, newspapers, government documents, and so forth, with strong supporting
evidence and plausible inferences to write your papers. If you utilize internet sites they must be of
good quality (e.g., The Brookings Institution; Bill of Rights Institute, etc). Also, consider utilizing
the resources in the supplementary readings as well as any links that may be provided in
Blackboard. Suggestions for producing a well-written critical essay will be presented in class.
The essays must be comprehensive and well structured. They will be evaluated on the basis
of accuracy, coherence, logical development, attention to detail and English usage. Spelling errors
are inexcusable. If you are in doubt consult a dictionary. (I strongly recommend that as a student
you purchase a copy of the American Heritage Dictionary.) Each paper must be double-spaced with
appropriate font (12pt.) and include a bibliography as well as the use of proper citations. Provide
citations, not just for quotations, but for sentences, or passages or any material for your essay, that is
wherever you obtained any information. Each paper must be properly and completely cited,
using in-text citations and a “Works Cited” page with complete bilographical entries. You
must closely follow your style manual, whichever one you choose. A good resource in this area is
Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. Warning: A
paper that is not properly cited will receive a grade of “F.” A paper that relies too heavily on
class notes or internet sites and/or utilizes too few sources and/or sources lacking in quality
will result in a low grade. Only hard copy papers will be accepted; emailed papers will not be
accepted.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will be dealt with in the
strictest sense. The following is the excerpt from the LIU Post 2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin
on Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the use or presentation of ideas, works, or work that is not one's
own and that is not common knowledge, without granting credit to the originator.
Plagiarism is a practice that is not only unacceptable, but which is to be condemned
in the strongest terms possible on the basis of moral, educational and legal grounds.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to the following: falsification of statements or
data; listing sources that have not been used; having another individual write your
paper or do your assignments; writing a paper or creating work for another student to
use without proper attribution; purchase of paper or research work for one's
submission as his/her own work; using written, verbal, electronic or other sources of
aid during an examination (except when expressly permitted by the instructor
depending on the nature of the examination); or knowingly providing such assistance
to aid other students (LIU Post 2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 23; Read The
LIU Post Pride Student Handbook).

The questions are as follows:

I. Political beliefs, values, perceptions and so forth, though not the sole influence on a political
leader, are important in the governance of a nation-state. Moreover, key experiences and
events in an individual’s life can contribute toward shaping the person’s thinking. Therefore,
assess primary events and experiences in the socialization of the framers of the United States
Constitution that helped to shape their political thinking and, in turn, contributed to the
political dynamics in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 primarily in the form of major
debates and compromises? Include in your assessment an evaluation of major sources and
the constraints on power among the three branches of American government featured in the
document? (30 pts.)

II. (Extra Credit) At the 1787 convention, an arrangement known as a federal system was built
into the U.S. Constitution, as opposed to a confederation or unitary form of governance.
Assess the theory of federalism that is behind the notion of a federal system as well as its
historical evolution from 1787 to the present. Include in your assessment the types of grants-
in-aid and their role in the interplay between federal, state and local governments.

III. Analyze of the dynamic interplay among the forces involved in the American political
system with particular reference content areas of electoral politics the linkages areas of
interest group activity and political parties along with political participation, public opinion
and political socialization. Center your assessment within the context of a discussion of a
debate between a pluralist perspective that perceives a proliferation of interest groups to be
more beneficial for America’s national interest and an elite theorist view that, instead, calls
for energetic strong broad-based competitive political parties to better address the U.S.
national interest. (30 pts.)

IV. Assess the influence of the constitutional and political roles of the American Presidency as
well as the constraints on the Chief Executive in terms of his formulation and
implementation of public policy. With the United States Congress, serving as an important
constraint on presidential power, assess the constitutional and political role of Congress
together with the various actors involved (30 pts.).