Books

Five books are available for purchase at the University of Rochester Bookstore.  These books are also on reserve at Rush Rhees Library:

 

     1. Samuel Kernell and Steven S. Smith, eds., Principles and Practice of American Politics, 2d ed.

     2. Richard H. Fallon, Jr., The Dynamic Constitution.

     3. Alexander Keyssar, The Right to Vote.

     4. Richard D. Polenberg, The Era of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-1945.

     5. Morris P. Fiorina, Culture War?

 

Coursepack

All other required readings are contained in the coursepack, available for purchase at the University of Rochester Bookstore.  The coursepack was created in response to student requests from past years.  It allows students to have hard copies of all readings quickly, easily, and for far less money than it would cost to print out readings from the website.

 

Course website

http://www.courses.rochester.edu/gamm/PSC103/

The website contains up-to-date information for the course, including recitation lists.  It also includes links to required readings, though students are urged to purchase the coursepack rather than rely on these links.  If any link on the website does not work, please let Professor Gamm know immediately, by phone or e-mail, so he can address the problem.

 

 

Requirements

 

Class participation (15%).  Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings, including lectures and recitations, having read the assigned material.  Students are encouraged to draw others into class discussions and to take risks by asking questions and throwing out new ideas (in lectures as well as in discussions).  The baseline participation grade is determined by participation in recitations.  For most students--who attend lectures regularly but do not speak up much--the recitation grade will be recorded as the participation grade.  Recitation grades will be revised upward for students who not only attend lectures regularly but also speak up in lectures.  Recitation grades may be lowered for students who do not attend lectures regularly.

 

Three short papers (35% total).  In 500-700 words (about two pages), students should address three of the paper questions listed below.  Keep papers short and to the point.  No paper may exceed 750 words.  Double-space the papers, use 12-point fonts, and no funny stuff with the margins; an inch on each side is about right.  Students may write papers for any three of the nine units that include a paper question, though all students must submit a paper in at least one of the first three units that include a paper question.  Students may write as many as five papers; in calculating the course grade, only the three highest paper grades will be included.  (This policy does not include students who fail to submit papers in at least one of the first three units: in this case, students will receive a “0” for the missing paper, and that paper grade will be included in calculating the course grade.)  Place your recitation leader’s name at the top of your paper.  Papers are due in your recitation leader’s box in Harkness 314 no later than 12:30 on Tuesday afternoons.  No late papers will be accepted without prior permission.  Students must submit at least three papers to receive credit for the course.

 

Two hourly exams (25% total).  The hourly exams will be administered in class on Monday, Feb. 14, and on Wednesday, Mar. 30.

 

Final exam (25%).   Students must take the final exam to receive credit for the course.