Assignment for Thursday, 11/1

REMINDER: There is no class on Tuesday, 10/30.

For Thursday, read Shively's Chapter 17, "Law and the Courts."

Assignment for Thursday, 10/25

For Thursday, read the following:

• Shively, Chapter 14, "National Decision-Making Institutions: Parliamentary Government"
• Shively, Chapter 15, "National Decision-Making Institutions: Presidential Government"

You may summarize ONE of these readings; we will discuss both in class.

Short Paper Assignment

Assignment: Download, and read, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s final televised speech as President of the United States. The speech is available at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/dwightdeisenhowerfarewell.html. In this speech, originally presented on January 17, 1961, Eisenhower warns of the importance of fighting the Cold War, but identifies two additional threats that confront the United States: the military-industrial complex and the technological revolution.

Now that you have the hindsight of 50 years, write a short essay that evaluates Eisenhower’s warnings. Was he correct to focus on these two dangers? Has the United States heeded his warning? There is no need to conduct additional research, but I expect you to provide well-reasoned arguments for or against Eisenhower, using whatever evidence is available to you. (Note: your opinion is NOT evidence.)

Your essay should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, and typed with 1” margins. There is no need to include a bibliography or page numbers for Eisenhower’s speech because, in this case, I know exactly what source you are using. However, if you quote from the speech, please format the quotation properly.

Deadlines: The paper is due in class on Thursday, November 8. Late papers without a valid, documented excuse, will be penalized a full letter grade.

Grading: I’ve included below my standard criteria for grading paper assignments. Please read these thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions about them; your paper will be assigned a letter grade based on these criteria.

A Expresses complex, independent thought with grace, clarity and force. Its purpose is clear from the start: it contains a thesis that is imaginatively, logically, and precisely developed. Not only is the paper organized, the organization does not seem mechanical or imposed. Any source material included is balanced and smoothly integrated into the essay. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea, solid detail, and smooth transitions. The sentences are varied in length and structure. The writer chooses concrete, specific words and uses them correctly, employing diction that is distinctive and mature, with effective metaphors and analogies for clarity and emphasis. The essay contains no colloquialisms, clichés, or trite expressions. It is virtually free of grammatical and mechanical errors.

B Contains a clear thesis statement supported with good examples. The writer controls the essay’s development by arranging the examples supporting the thesis in an orderly and logical fashion. The essay is well-organized, but transitions are sometimes strained. Any source material included is smoothly integrated, and some independent conclusions are drawn. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea and good supporting detail. The sentences are usually varied. The word choice is generally correct. The writer often goes beyond the automatic word choice to find one more precise and effective. The paper is generally correct mechanically, though there are some problems with complex grammar and punctuation traps.

C Contains a recognizable thesis and adequate development. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the interest is not uniformly maintained and the purpose is not always clear. There are very few errors in sentence structure by the sentences are not varied. The word choice is generally correct, but the range of words is limited, and in some cases the wording is abstract and imprecise. Source material included is relevant but not carefully integrated. This essay also has errors in syntax, spelling and punctuation. More importantly, it lacks an original, significant purpose or point of view.

D Meets only the minimum requirements of college writing. The writer approaches the topic in a conventional and predictable manner. The essay lacks imagination and insight. Though it still contains a thesis, it is poorly or mechanically developed. It also lacks adequate support of generalizations. Source materials are cited improperly, are not directly relevant, and/or overwhelm the essay. Some principle of organization is apparent but it is not successful followed. The diction is often imprecise and monotonous. The writer uses vague, ordinary words and relies on clichés and jargon. The essay contains sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and numerous basic errors in syntax, agreement, reference, spelling, and punctuation.

Assignment for Tuesday, 10/23

For Tuesday, read (and, if you'd like, summarize) Shively, Chapter 3 on the Modern State.

Mid-Term Exam - Thursday, 10/18

[REMINDER: There is no class on Tuesday, October 16.]

Your mid-term exam will be given in-class on Thursday, October 18. The exam will consist of two essay questions. You will be randomly assigned two of the following four questions:

1. Why is authority such an important source of power? How do governments establish authority?
2. What makes being a citizen in a democracy more difficult than in other forms of government?
3. What consequences does this have for democratic government?In what ways are conservatism and socialism reactions to, and criticisms of, liberalism?
4. What are the characteristics of a good constitution? Which of these do you think is most important? Refer to examples from the US Constitution (or any other formal constitution with which you are familiar.)

You only have 80 minutes to complete both questions (although we can try to steal a few minutes from the break). So make sure you arrive to class ON TIME, and then make sure you manage your time carefully.

I look for two things in your answers. First is coherence; make sure you answer the question, and present a coherent, organized answer to it. It helps if you include an introductory paragraph that lays out your thesis and explains what will follow. A concluding paragraph that restates the thesis is also helpful. The second thing I look for is completeness. This does not mean to spit out everything you know about a subject; instead, include everything you can that is relevant to the question asked. Examples are helpful, but not required (unless the question specifically mentions it, like Q4 above). Finally, remember, there is no single right answer to these questions; your solution can be different from mine, as long as you provide evidence and argumentation.

Please note that you are allowed to bring ONE 3x5" index card to the exam. You can write whatever you would like on this card, on either side, using however small a font as you'd like - WITHIN REASON. Do NOT try to use 5-pt font to squeeze in every possible word you can; do NOT simply try to write out your essay, and then copy it into your exam book. You will have to submit your card with your exam, and I will not give credit for answers that are chiefly copied off of your card. I'm trying to give you the tools to succeed in this exam; please do not abuse my generosity.

One final note that is already in the syllabus: if you fail to show up for the exam, and are unable to produce a valid excuse WITH DOCUMENTATION, you will fail the exam.

Good luck! I'll see you Thursday.

Assignment for Thursday, 10/11

There is no reading assigned for Thursday. We may follow-up briefly on Constitutions, but the bulk of the class will be spent on exam review. You may want to look over your notes and review your readings before class.

Assignment for Tuesday, 10/9

For next time, read Shively's Chapter 9, "Constitutions and the Design of Government."

Please note that this will be your LAST CHANCE to submit a summary before the midterm. (There is no reading for Thursday, and then we have off the following Tuesday.)

Assignment for Thursday, 10/4

For Thursday, read Umberto Eco's short essay, "Eternal Fascism:Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt," available here. (FYI, Italian fascist groups were often known as "blackshirts.") Feel free to summarize this reading.