Political Science 1101 Section  Welcome  About Me  Goals & Teaching Philosophy  Roll Call & Introductions  Suggestions for Studying Effectively  Office Hours and Contact Information  For Next Time

About Me  Barry Edwards  Political Science Ph.D. Student  Currently writing dissertation, “Quantitative Models of President Behavior”  May post materials on my web site,

Goals & Teaching Philosophy  Immediate Goals  Long Term Goals  I am here to help you with Political Science  I try to make expectations clear and grade fairly.  It is important that we respect one another’s time and viewpoints.

Roll Call & Introductions  Section attendance is required.  Per Gurian: each unexcused absence = -2%  What is excused absence?  Introduce Yourself, Help Me Learn Your Names  Your Name (if you go by nickname)  Hometown  Who represents you in the U.S. House of Representatives? (Look-up at

Suggestions for Studying Effectively  1. Know How Your Grade is Determined In this class (per syllabus): Midterm 1 x 25% + Midterm 2 x 25% + Final Exam x 35% + Section Participation x 15% = Your Grade

Suggestions for Studying Effectively  2. Know When to Study  You absolutely need to keep a calendar  Print the syllabus and keep it with you  Midterm 1: Wed, 2/13 and Fri. 2/15  Midterm 2: Wed, 3/27 and Fri. 3/29  Final Exam: Mon, 5/6 (12 – 3 pm)

Suggestions for Studying Effectively  3. Know Your Resources and Use Them  Take Note of Recurring Themes in Lectures  Keep Notes and Handouts Organized (so you can easily use them when it’s time to study)  Book has web site: wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product _isbn_issn=  Good practice multiple choice questions: liticalsystemcore/welcome.aspx  Identify Things You Don’t Understand

Suggestions for Studying Effectively  4. Study to Increase Your Test Scores  Where should you focus your time and energy? Box I, II, III, or IV?  Most students spend time in Boxes I and III… What You Know:What You Don’t Know: Material that’s on test:I.II. Material that’s not on test:III.IV.

Preparing for Specific Question Types  1. Studying Terms Effectively (use Chapter glossaries)  A. Definition (key distinctions)  B. Example  C. Why Important  2. Term Sets Make Good Multiple Choice Questions  3. Study Predictable Short Answer Questions  See Learning Outcomes at start of each chapter  Compare and contrast X in U.S. and Georgia  What are the pros and cons of X?

Preparing for Specific Question Types  4. Master paragraph essay form  We’ll work on this, it’s an essential academic and life style.  Make good use of example and evidence that support your argument (this is how you score points). “For example, …” “This is exemplified by …”  Consider and refute opposing argument. “Some argue …, but this view is mistaken.”  News articles make good examples (discuss the article about the Amish)

Office Hours & Contact Information   Please put “Poli Sci 1101” in subject line  Office Hours:  Location: Main Library Café  Café is on first floor (enter and turn left)  Possible Times: Wed. 10 am or Wed. 12:30 pm (vote)

For Next Time…  You must have all test dates written in your planner, I may check next week and grade like a pop quiz.  Locate Main Library Cafe  Highly recommend getting Poli Sci 1101 spiral notebook and folder  Read book chapters per syllabus and assigned news articles