(Introduction to) American Politics PS 125(D)

My info Dr. Casey Dominguez Office: 254B IPJ Office Hours: –After class 1 hour –also MWF 11:05-12:05 E-Reserve Password POLS125

Policies Tardiness: It’s rude. I notice. I do not repeat information. Late papers: 1/3 grade for every day late Cheating: I will report you to the Dean for even a minor infraction. –All papers must be uploaded to turnitin.com.

Get to know a classmate!

What did we disagree about most?

Do you approve or disapprove of the job that George W. Bush is doing as president? ApproveDisapprove 3463 CNN/Opinion Research Corp.1/19-21/07

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling terrorism and homeland security? ApproveDisapprove 4153 Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Jan , N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time? ApproveDisapprove 3062 Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Jan , N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

Do you favor or oppose President Bush's plan to send about 20,000 more U.S. troops to Iraq in an attempt to stabilize the situation there? FavorOpposeDon’t Know CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan , N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).

Thinking specifically about the additional troops President Bush plans to send to Iraq, what would you want your members of Congress to do? Should they vote to allow the government to spend money in order to send more troops to Iraq, or vote to block the government from spending money to send more troops to Iraq? AllowBlockDon’t Know CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan , N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).

Which of the following statements comes closest to your view of global warming? Global warming is a proven fact. Global warming is a theory that has not yet been proven. ProvenUnprovenDon’t Know CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan , N=approx. 500 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.5.

Do you think the government should or should not put new restrictions on emissions from cars and industrial facilities such as power plants and factories in an attempt to reduce the effects of global warming? New restrictions No restrictions Don’t Know CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan , N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).

Many of the tax cuts passed in 2001 were temporary and are set to expire in a few years. Should those tax cuts be made permanent or should they be allowed to expire? FavorOpposeDon’t Know CBS News Poll. Jan , N=1,168 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

Do you think the United States has a responsibility to do something about the ethnic genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, or doesn't the United States have this responsibility? DoesDoesn’tDon’t Know Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Dec. 6-10, N=1,502 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

Would you favor or oppose a law that would ban gay marriage, requiring that marriage should be between a man and a woman? FavorOpposeDon’t Know Associated Press/AOL poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Jan , N=1,005 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

Why do we disagree?

Upbringing & values Information sources & processing

How can we decide on common rules when we disagree? Dictatorship Simple majority/plurality rules Supermajorities, Checks and balances, that protect the status quo and minority interests

PS 125 Democracy Project As a class, you will decide how much of your grade each assignment will be worth. Goals: Think about your own learning goals Think about the challenges of reaching agreement by democratic means when people have different values, and different personal interests.

Class assignments Midterm #1 Midterm #2 Final Exam Project essay Class presentation about project “Democracy project” review essay Pop Quizzes Daily Attendance and participation

Projects Media, Feb. 15 Participation, Feb. 20 Gay marriage, Mar. 1 Representation, Mar. 20 Parties in Congress, Mar. 22 Presidential Election, Mar. 27 – when you sign up, please list which 2 candidates you will profile, and try not to duplicate! Global Warming Project, April 24 National Security Project, May 3

PS 125 Democracy Project As a class, you will decide how much of your grade each assignment will be worth. Goals: Think about your own learning goals Think about the challenges of reaching agreement by democratic means when people have different values, and different personal interests.