Dr. Paul Lenchner                                           Hours:  MTWRF 8:25-9:25 a.m. and by appointment

Fall 2007                                                         Phone:  (903) 886-5314

Office:  SS-152                                               Paul_Lenchner@tamu-commerce.ed

PSCI 344:  AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTORAL POLITICS

 TEXTS

            Marjorie Randon Hershey, Party Politics in America, 12^th ed.

            Charles Prysby and Carmine Scavo, Voting Behavior:  The 2004 Election; available at             http://www.icprs.umich.edu/SETUPS/index.html

            Stephen J. Wayne, The Road to the White House 2008

SCHEDULE

Please Note

• Modifications in the syllabus are possible.  If any changes are made, they will be announced in class.
• This syllabus and selected other course materials may be accessed on-line through the A&M—Commerce website (www.tamu-commerce.edu).  Click on Academics, then Political Science, then Faculty, then Paul Lenchner, and finally Political Science 344.

OBJECTIVES, REQUIREMENTS, AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES

OBJECTIVES

This course focuses on political parties and elections in the United States.  Parties and elections are intertwined in many ways.  Elections are contested along party lines, the parties help organize and staff campaigns, party identification is a major determinant of voters’ choices, and Democrats and Republicans behave differently in office.  The American people have always had mixed feelings about parties and party politics, and the parties have always had problems.  Problems continue, but there is also unmistakable evidence of party revitalization.  We will examine these subjects, among others.

In analyzing elections, we will give particular attention to presidential races, especially the 2004 and 2008 contests.  We will study the major aspects of the quest for the White House, including the primaries and caucuses, fund-raising, strategies and tactics, media use, exploiting issues, and other subjects.  The vital question of the impact and meaning of elections will also concern us.  Subpresidential races will be studied as well.  Through a series of data analysis exercises, students have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in understanding why voters behave as they do.

Elections are crucial to democracy.  They are a principal means through which citizens can choose their leaders and helps shape public policy in an organized, peaceful manner.  Political parties are a fundamental component of the electoral process.  The subject matter of this class should therefore be of interest not only to political science majors and minors, but to any concerned citizen.

Class meetings will not have a single, fixed format.  Some sessions will be devoted to discussions of assigned readings led by the instructor.  The hope is that there will be much participation and no more than a limited amount of lecturing during these periods.  Other meetings will entail small-group discussions, videos, data analysis workshops, student presentations, and related activities.

REQUIREMENTS

Each member of the class will be required to:

• Complete assigned readings and participate in discussions of them.  Depending upon the conscientiousness of the class in keeping up with the readings and being able to discuss them thoughtfully, quizzes may be given.  Conscientious reading and participation will reduce the need for quizzes.
• Take three examinations, two during the term and a comprehensive final.  The questions will stress understanding of concepts and trends.  Ability to analyze and synthesize will be very helpful.
• Complete a number of exercises analyzing 2004 election data.  Detailed instructions will be provided separately.
• Complete a project on a 2008 presidential candidate.  The project will include submitting a paper and making a presentation to the class.  Detailed instructions will be provided separately.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Grades will be calculated according to the following formula:

            First exam                                           15%

            Second exam                                      15%

            Final exam                                          20%

            Data analysis exercises                     20%

            Candidate project                                20%

            Participation and quizzes                   10%

                                                                      100%

Grades may be enhanced in two ways:

• Attendance:  Roll will be taken at each class, and students who maintain a good attendance record will receive a small bonus at the end of the term.
• Extra credit opportunities:  There will be several of these during the term.  Details will be announced.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

1. Lateness for class.  It is rude and disruptive to arrive late for class.  While anyone can be a minute or two late on rare occasions (say, once during the term), chronic lateness is unacceptable.  Everyone is expected to be in class on time.  The door will close very soon after 11:00 a.m., and no one will be allowed to enter after then.  To avoid problems and the embarrassment of being locked out, arrive on time.

2. Proper behavior in class.  All students at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment.  (See the Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct.)  Besides arriving on time and staying for the whole class, these tenets include the following:

·         not leaving the room during class except for major emergencies; use the restroom before class; if you leave during class, do not return.

·         being attentive during class; doing work for another class, sending text messages, listening to music, or reading personal materials is unacceptable.

·         turning off cell phones and all other electronic devices; if your cell phone goes off during class, it may be taken from you.

·         showing respectful tolerance for views other than your own; a university is a place for thoughtful exchange of ideas; there is no justification for disrespectful behavior when someone else is speaking. 

       3.  Academic integrity.  Honorable behavior is expected of all students.  Cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration will not be tolerated.  They will result in the imposition of severe penalties.

       4.  Students with disabilities.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination law that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services, Room 303D, Halladay Student Services Building, 886-5835, Josie_Davis-George@tamu-commerce.edu.

ADVICE

1.         The likelihood of success on an assignment is greatly enhanced if three simple guidelines are kept in mind:  (1) follow instructions; (2) use clear, correct English; and (3) submit your work on time.

2.         Feel free to visit with me.  If you are having problems or concerns in class, please come in early.  The longer you delay, the harder it will be to address your needs.  I will work with you in developing strategies appropriate for your situation.  But I cannot help if I’m unaware of your concerns.  So please come in.

3.         Don’t feel that you must have a problem to stop by my office.  If you want to pursue matters raised in class more fully, discuss other political topics, inquire about the political science program (requirements, career opportunities, etc.), or simply want to chat, please come in.  I’ll be glad to visit with you.    

4.         A good way to reach me is through e-mail (Paul_Lenchner@tamu-commerce.edu).  I will make every effort to respond promptly to messages.

5.         I want every student to do well in this class.  The better you do, the happier I will be.  Let’s work together for a positive, rewarding experience.