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Political Science 301, section 01 Fall 2002 |
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Syllabus
Professor: Dr. Dave Rausch, Ph.D.
Office: 404C Old Main
Phone: 651-2423
Email: jrausch@mail.wtamu.edu
Webpage: http://www.wtamu.edu/~jrausch
Office hours: MWF 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.; TuTh 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.; other times
by appointment; please feel free to email
me
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Course Description
Course Goals
Required Texts
Assignments
Exams and Grading
Class Participation
Academic Integrity
Student ADA Policy Statement
My Expectations
Course Outline and Schedule
Course Description
This course examines the politics of Europe from
an inherently comparative perspective. More specifically, it is an
investigation of the political systems and practices in those states located
in Europe. We also will investigate the development of the supra-national
polity, the European Union (EU).
Course Goals
This course has three primary goals: (1) to
introduce and explain the state of politics within Europe in the 20th Century;
(2) to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between
political systems in Europe; and (3) to further the understanding of the
institutions, policies, and politics of the European Union, and how these
relate to and affect national politics. As a result, this course
will examine such topics as the historical origins of “Europe,” national
politics in countries such as Germany, the UK, Poland, and the Czech Republic,
among others.
Note: Political science can involve issues that raise strong personal opinions. While your thoughts, opinions, and observations are a welcome and necessary part of this course, it is vital that you remember two key points:
- Uniformed opinions are not welcome. Observations and normative statements must be justified from an academically informed perspective.
- Tolerance must be shown to all students and perspectives in this class. Discussions and debates must take place in an environment that demonstrates respect for not only other students, but also the cultural, political, and linguistic perspectives they may hold. DO NOT assume that everyone in this class has the same opinions, experiences, ideologies, or that such perspectives are invalid simply because they are different.
Kesselman and Krieger, et al. 2002. European Politics in Transition, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.Additional readings will be distributed in class or made available on reserve in Cornette Library.
Davis. 2002. The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Writing with Sources. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Assignments
Instead of having one large semester project, I
will space five assignments throughout the semester. The assignments
will be posted on my website “Virtual Rausch” (http://www.wtamu.edu/~jrausch).
The assignments will require you to review some information available on
the Web and write a short paper (about five pages). Each assignment
will have its own guidelines. You will need to properly cite all
information in your paper. The Davis book will assist you in the
process of citing material.
Exams and Grading
Your primary responsibility is keeping
up with the reading. Only by doing so will you gain from class discussion.
I will freely call on students to contribute thoughts about the reading.
The reading assignments are listed below. You will be graded on (1)
a mid-term exam, (2) a final exam, and (3) the five assignments.
The final exam will NOT be comprehensive. The exams may consist of
multiple choice, "short answer," or identification questions, and essay
questions. I will announce the exact format of the exams as we approach
the mid-term.
Points will be distributed as follows:
| Mid-term exam | 100 points |
| Final exam | 100 points |
| 5 assignments
(25 points each) |
125 points |
The mid-term exam is scheduled for October 3. The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, at 8:00 a.m. The deadlines for the assignments will be announced well in advance (at least one week).
The last day to drop or withdraw with an automatic "X" grade is October 11, 2002.
Class Participation
Class participation is very important.
Academic Integrity
It is the responsibility of students and instructors
to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University by refusing to
participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Commission of any
of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty. This
listing is not exclusive of any other acts that may reasonably be said
to constitute scholastic dishonesty:
- acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source;
- informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given in subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup;
- plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so (CODE OF STUDENT LIFE, Rules and Procedures for Students, West Texas A&M University).
http://www.wtamu.edu/administrative/ss/code/code.html#procedures[Back to Table of Contents]
Student ADA Policy Statement
West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable
accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This
University will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations
as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the
student’s responsibility to register with Disabled Student Services
and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable
accommodations.
My Expectations
As an upper-division course, I expect students to
attend class regularly, take exams when scheduled, and meet assigned deadlines.
Assignments that are not completed on time will be penalized.
[This schedule is subject to change and you will be notified of any changes.]
August 27
Introduction to Course Objectives and Procedures
A. Understanding Modern Europe
August 29
American Political Science Association meeting,
Boston
Become thoroughly acquainted with the European Union
Read: Chapters 1-5
September 3 - 10
European Politics: Concepts, Context, and the European
Union
Reread: Chapters 1-5
B. Britain: The “civic polity” – Europe’s Special Case
September 12
From Whence British politics come?
Read: Chapter 6
September 17
British Economy and Society
Read: Chapter 7
September 19
British Government and Public Policymaking
Read: Chapter 8
September 24
The British Populace: Is It Represented?
Read: Chapter 9
September 26
Changing British Politics
Read: Chapter 10
October 1
More on British Politics
October 3
Mid-term exam
C. France: “The Classic Polity” – Survival and Leadership
October 8
Understanding the development of France
Read: Chapter 11
October 10
French Economy and Society
Read: Chapter 12
October 15
French Government and Public Policymaking
Read: Chapter 13
October 17
The French Populace: Is It Represented?
Read: Chapter 14
October 22
Changing French Politics
Read: Chapter 15
D. Germany: The Politics of Discontinuity
October 24
It Might be Difficult, But We Have to Understand
the Development of Germany
Read: Chapter 16
October 29
German Economy and Society
Read: Chapter 17
October 31
German Government and Public Policymaking
Read: Chapter 18
November 5
The German Populace: Is It Represented?
Read: Chapter 19
November 7
Changing German Politics
Read: Chapter 20
E. Italy: The Politics of Transformation
November 12
The Development of the Italy Polity
Read: Chapter 21
November 14
Italian Economy and Society
Read: Chapter 22
November 19
Italian Government and Public Policymaking
Read: Chapter 23
November 21
The Italian Populace: Is It Represented?
Read: Chapter 24
November 26
Changing Italian Politics
Read: Chapter 25
November 28 – Happy Thanksgiving; no class
December 3
What about East Central Europe?
Tuesday, December 10, at 8:00 a.m. – Final Exam