PS 483/583
POLITICAL PARTIES
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Spring 1999
Dr. Joe Kunkel
Office 222 B Morris Hall
Mailing Address Box 7 Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56002-8400
Phone 389-6930 (my office) 389-2721 (main office)
FAX 389-6377
e-mail Joe Kunkel at joseph.kunkel@mankato.msus.edu
website http://krypton.mankato.msus.edu/~jak3
OFFICE HOURS
Monday10:00-10:30 am 1:30-3:00 pm
Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am
Wednesday 9:00-10:00 am 1:00-3:00 pm
Thursday 9:00-10:00 am
Friday 10:00-10:30 am1:30-3:00 pm
Appointments welcome but not necessary. I am available for drop-in at other times.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Subject Matter Goals
We seek a better understanding of American political parties at the federal and state level with a special emphasis Minnesota's parties. Comparisons with other nations, other American states and with earlier eras of American history should be helpful to this end. In addition to these subject matter goals students should:
Improve ability to apply principles and generalizations
Distinguish between fact and opinion
Improve memory, listening speaking, reading and writing skills
Improve study skills, strategies and habits
Improve ability to use both printed and on-line sources
Develop a commitment to exercising rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Develop a more informed historical perspective
Develop a more informed understanding of the role of science and values
Improve ability to follow directions, instructions and plans
Develop a commitment to accurate work.
Develop a commitment to personal achievement
Gain experience setting tasks for themselves to reach a desired outcome
Gain experience speaking in and before groups
Improve ability to organize and use time effectively
Develop capacity to think for one's self.
Develop a commitment to one's own values.
Improve self esteem and self-confidence
Develop respect for others.
REQUIRED READING
Paul Allen Beck. 1997. Party Politics in America. Eighth Edition. New York. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Riordin, William L. 1994. Plunkitt of Tammany Hall. Boston. Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press. E. P. Dutton & Co. Inc.
EVALUATION
Your grade will be based on the following requirements:
| Undergraduates | Grad Students | |
| Exam#1 | 80 points | 80 points |
| Exam #2 | 80 points | 80 points |
| Exam #3 | 100 points | 100 points |
| Simulation Roles | 20 | 20 |
| Term Paper Proposal | 10 | 10 |
| Annotated Bibliography | 20 | 20 |
| Research Paper | 70 | |
| Other Participation | 8 | 15 |
| TOTAL | 318 | 405 |
GRADING
Course grades will be based on your percent of the total points. To calculate your final average, divide your total points by the maximum total points.
| Undergraduates | Grad Students |
| A = 90-100 | A = 93-100 |
| B = 80-89 | B = 83-92 |
| C = 70-79 | C = 70-82 |
| D = 60 - 69 | D = 60 - 69 |
| F = below 60 | F = below 60 |
EXAMS
There will be three examinations. The final will not be comprehensive. The exams will combine multiple choice, short and longer essays. The exact format will be discussed in class. Graduate student exams will be different. Grad student exams will be different and will include more essay. The graduate final will be partially comprehensive. Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate learning at a more sophisticated level.
SIMULATIONS
PURPOSE
All students are required to participate in the simulations. By participating fully undergraduates can earn up to 5 points and graduate students 7 points for each simulation.
1. The Trial of George W. Plunkitt
Read and study Plunkitt of Tammany Hall. The simulation will consist of a mock trial of Plunkitt on charges of corruption. Sign up for a role as prosecutor, defense attorney, defense or prosecution witness, or juror. Legal expertise is not required. Our goal rather is to study the Plunkitt book, and discuss the party machine system through the vehicle of the trial. Earn points according to your participation level.
2. Precinct Caucus 2000
Learn about Minnesota's precinct caucuses through video, lectures, text and class handouts. Play a role in the mock caucus. Earn points according to your participation level.
Papers
All papers should be typed, double spaced with 1 inch margins. Use section headings in bold, as is done in this syllabus. Cite all sources using APA or APSA style. A basic style guide will be handed out in class. Citations to internet sources must include title, author (if available, date on page or date viewed and the URL.
Research Proposal
Write a one page proposal for a research paper you might (or might not) do this for this course. Include one paragraph explaining question, problem or issue in the study of political parties. Include also the full citation for three articles related to the paper topic.
Annotated Bibliography
Turn in a two page annotated bibliography of 6 to 10 sources which would be useful if you wrote the research paper for this course. These should be sources that are actually available to you. The bibliography should include a full citation for each source and a paragraph describing and evaluating the source. The sources must be related to each other and to a paper topic. Type this bibliography. Use correct APSA style for identifying sources.
Research Paper
Write a secondary research paper that discusses an interesting and important question, problem or issue in the study of political parties. The paper should be 7 to 10 pages in length Include answers to questions such as: How does this fit into the whole field of political parties research? Why is it important? What controversies or issues are raised? How does recent research compare to earlier studies? What further research needs to be done? Be sure to use the authors' names in your discussion and cite the sources as you have seen it done in the journal articles.
Participation
Attendance and attention are presumed to be the responsibilities of all students. The quality and quantity of contributions to class discussions will be considered.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Please review The Basic Stuff: 1994-95 Student Handbook (or more recent edition) pp. 7 & 58 for MSU policies on academic honesty and student responsibilities. The presentation of someone else's or words as your own constitutes plagiarism. To avoid this you must identify your sources when quoting or paraphrasing someone else's words or presenting information from another source. When presenting quantitative data or other evidence remember your reader will want to know the answer to the question: "How do you know this?" Presenting a paper two courses without the permission of both professors in inappropriate.
ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS
The professor is employed by the university to help students learn. Too often students wait until they are in academic trouble before seeking assistance. You are encouraged to visit with the professor as soon as you need help. This goes for everyone. Students with disabilities are particularly invited to meet with the professor to discuss any special instructional needs they may have.
LATE WORK
Late exams or papers will be permitted only with a "Late Assignment Permission Form" signed by the professor. Failure to gain permission will result in a 5% penalty for each school day (MTWRF) until permission is granted. The permission form will set the new time for the exam or paper. Work not completed at that time will incur the penalty, unless additional permission is given. Late work will be most likely to be permitted if you speak with the professor before the due date. If you are unable to reach the professor before a due date, leave a message with the P.S. Department Office (389-2721).
SYLLABUS
Changes in the syllabus may be made from time to time in order to correct errors, adjust the schedule, or fine tune course details. Such changes will not affect the structure or requirements of the course in a major way. Changes will be announced in class a reasonable time in advance, and the professor will consider student advice on such changes. The professor assumes that you are aware of any syllabus changes announced in class.
ALWAYS BRING TO CLASS Your Beck textbook
CALENDAR
|
MONDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
FRIDAY |
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January 11
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January 13 Read: ch 1 In Search of Parties Definition of parties Parts of political parties Activities and Functions |
January 15
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January 18
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January 20 The number of parties |
January 22 How competitive is the U.S. party system?
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January 25
Third Parties
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January 27 Read: ch 3 State/Local Party Organizations
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January 29 Statutory Regulation
|
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February 1
Formal Organization
|
February 3 Read: Riordin, Plunkitt Party Machines
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February 5
Party Machines |
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February 8 Video: Daley |
February 10 Video: Daley |
February 12
Simulation: Trial of George W. Plunkitt |
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February 15 Simulation: Trial of George W. Plunkitt |
February 17 Discuss Simulation and Video Contemporary Party Organizations |
February 19 Read: ch 4 Nat'l Organizations |
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February 22 EXAM #1 |
February 24 Read: ch 5Party of the Activists Incentives for Activity |
February 26 Amateurs and Professionals
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March 1 Read Beck ch 6 Realignments |
March 3 Acquisition of Party ID. Social Basis of Party ID
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March 5 Issues, Ideology & Party ID
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March 8 Read: ch. 7 Party ID & Voting Independents |
March 10
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March 12
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| March 16 No Class Spring Break | March 11 No Class Spring Break | |
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March 22 Read ch. 9 Naming of Party Candidates History of nominations |
March 24
Preprimary Convention Endorsements |
March 26 Research Paper |
|
March 29 EXAM #2 |
March 31 History of national delegate selection |
April 2 Delegates and Conventions Video: Iowa Precinct Caucus |
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April 5
Simulation: Mock Caucus |
April 7
Simulation: Mock Caucus |
April 9 Annotated Bib Due |
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April 12
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April 14 Legislative Partisanship |
April 16 Party Cohesion
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April 19 Read: ch. 14 Party in Exec. & Judiciary |
April 21
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April 23 Party Responsibility |
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April 26
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April 28 Read: ch. 16 Parties in Am. Politics Decay of Parties |
April 30
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May 3 EXAM #3 |
PS/LE Department, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN 56002-8400
joseph.kunkel@mankato.msus.edu Joe Kunkel
last update 29 January 1999