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Pol 111-Introduction to U.S. Politics

Pol 111-Introduction to U.S. Politics. Summer 2009 Dr. Kevin Parsneau Morris Hall 204 B Kevin.parsneau@mnsu.edu. Today’s Outline. “The Weather Report”  Syllabus  Survey Introductory Comments American Political Culture Elements of the U.S. Constitution. “The Weather Report”.

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Pol 111-Introduction to U.S. Politics

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  1. Pol 111-Introduction to U.S. Politics Summer 2009 Dr. Kevin Parsneau Morris Hall 204 B Kevin.parsneau@mnsu.edu

  2. Today’s Outline • “The Weather Report”  • Syllabus  • Survey • Introductory Comments • American Political Culture • Elements of the U.S. Constitution

  3. “The Weather Report” • How are you doing today? • Three Answer Options • Thumbs Up • Thumbs Down • Mugwump

  4. What’s a “Mugwump”? • 1884 Election • Democrat Grover Cleveland vs. Republican James Blaine • Mugwumps were Republicans who supported Cleveland instead of Blaine • Dwight D. Eisenhower was a “Mugwump”

  5. Syllabus • It’s your responsibility to read the syllabus • Recurring theme… not a civics class • Grading • Course readings • Attendance • Contacting me • Class Discussions • Disabilities • Plagiarism

  6. First-Day Survey • This is not graded but I will discuss it during the course…

  7. Introductory Comments • This is not a high school civics course • Goals of High School Civics • Motivate students to be active citizens • Assume democracy generally works • Build support for U.S. government institutions

  8. “The State Religion” The U.S. system is great and should be supported because: • “Founding fathers” were wise and agreed on basics • Our constitutional system is the best possible • Voting elects people who enact what the majority wants • Minority has rights and gets to “fight” another day • “Will of the People” is translated into policy • We should all vote and get involved because we can affect the government

  9. Really? • Disagreement and Compromises • Federalists and Antifederalists • Checks, balances and the “blame game” • Clear choices between candidates? • Are some people permanently disadvantaged? • Some political science professors say voting is not rational

  10. My Other Pet Peeves • No baseless singing praises or unfair damning • Please… they were framers of the Constitution • Democrats and Republicans vs. democrats and republicans • Incumbents et al.

  11. Other thoughts • Get ready for a challenge • Pay attention to the syllabus • Best use of class time and in between • Serious, reality-based understanding • Good luck

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