American Gov’t: Policy & Problems

Govt. 2302  Simulation Course

Dr. J. Philip Rogers, Spring 2008

At start of Semester students should be working on the following items:

I. Think About Whether You are Republican or Democrat:

  1. See http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/class2302/policy.htm for policy differences +

  2. take one or more from index of various on-line political quizzes at:  http://www.selectsmart.com/politics.html

  3. Compare the differences on issues at Democrats and Republicans

II. Select Your Bill Topic and Begin Working on Bill: Select general topic for your bill (education, veteran benefits, gas crisis, environmental restrictions,  war in Iraq, health care, medicinal marijuana, social security, abortion, prayer in schools, stem cell research, any FEDERAL issue).

  1. Check out republican party and democratic party websites for issues.

  2. Check out http://www.politics1.com/issues.htm and http://www.speakout.com/activism/issues/ for surveys of issues

  3. Look for relevant interest group whose views mirror your own (see links for interest groups and additional research sites at http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/class2302/senlinks.htm

 General Course Websites

Syllabus: This is an on-line version of the course syllabus.

Schedule: This is the most important page in the course. It includes a description of where we will be on a particular day, the class activity for the day & any reading assignments or deadlines. It also includes links to all the course lectures, Senate and Supreme Court simulation rules, and simulation research links. Note: Pay close attention to this schedule. There is a high probability that it will be altered periodically as the semester progresses.  Because of the participatory nature of this course & the possibility of dramatic international events - the course schedule is subject to change.  Any change will also be posted immediately to this site so this represents the most up-to-date schedule. You will also be notified of any change in class announcements & by email.  

Senate Simulation Websites

Preparation  for Senate Simulation: This site includes a number of useful research links for the Senate simulation.  This site will be updated periodically as new links are discovered - indeed, if you find useful sites not on this page - send the URL to Dr. Rogers by email.

Senate Simulation Procedures and Roles: These are under revision but when completed they will include a description of how the Senate simulation will operate, a list of the roles and (when these roles have been assigned for this class) a list of emails and phone numbers for each member of the class - next to the role they are playing.

Senate Lecture: This are the lecture notes on the operation of the Senate.  

Policy & Politics Lecture: This lecture covers a survey of policy differences between Democrats and Republicans and a discussion of the political makeup of the different states in order to prepare for the Senate simulation.

Senate Paper & Evaluations: Description of Evaluations on Senate Simulation + Senate Paper.

Supreme Court Simulation Websites

Research for Supreme Court Simulation: This site includes a number of useful research links for the Supreme Court simulation.  This site will be updated periodically as new links are discovered - indeed, if you find useful sites not on this page - send the URL to Dr. Rogers by email

Supreme Court Roles: This is a list of the roles for the Supreme Court Simulation next to the emails.

Supreme Court Lecture: This are the lecture notes on the operation of the Supreme Court.

Precedents: Once we select our Supreme Court Case - I will write a lecture on the relevant parts of the Constitution and the relevant case precedents for our case.

Supreme Court Paper and Evaluations: Description of Evaluations on Supreme Court Simulation + Supreme Court Paper.  Your Supreme Court Paper consists of your opinion (if Justice or Clerk) or your team brief – if attorney. 

Final Websites

Final Review:  Later in the semester I will post the description of the final take-home exam here.

Contacting Professor

General Philosophy of Student Contact:  I am here to help you and to answer any questions you may have on grades, assignments, or the content of the material you will be studying.  Don’t be afraid to contact me by some means anytime you have questions. 

Office Appointments: My office is CAC 210.  I am available for appointments. To make an appointment you may schedule it by speaking with me after class, by sending me an email, or by calling on my cell phone.

Email Contact: The single best way to reach me is by email.  My email is jphiliprogers@yahoo.com.  All students who do not already have an email – when set up one at the start of the semester, as email is the primary mode of communication among students in preparation for the simulations.

Cell Phone: My cell phone is 210-288-3112.  If you cannot reach me in time by email or in-person, you have my permission to call on my cell phone.  Please call at a “reasonable hour.”

 

 

Dr. Rogers' Homepage

Syllabus

Schedule