POLS 4421 American Political Thought
Spring 2012
Course Syllabus
CRN 23825
3 semester credit hours (3-0-3)(Prerequisite: POLS 1101)
Mon., Wed., 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.
U265
Professor Sean Mattie, Ph.D.
Office: Clayton Hall T115
Office Hours: Mon., Wed., 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Office Email: [email protected] [NOTE: When emailing, a student must use only his or her
CSU email account. Please allow 48 hours (not counting weekends) for replies.]
Office Telephone: 678-466-4801
Course Overview
This course is a survey of the leading ideas or principles that have informed the United States’
experiment in popular, constitutional government by free citizens, through the public speeches
and actions of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln thought deeply about these ideas, and in his political
career he had to articulate and apply them the turbulent politics of the 1850s-1860s––first in the
national debate about slavery expansion, then in secession and armed rebellion.
These crises tested every principle and institution in American political life: equality, liberty,
popular government, the rule of law, executive discretion, the power of the national government
and of the states, the Constitution, and the meaning of the Union. Lincoln addressed each of
these, not as a private person, but as U.S. President, whose decisions would affect those
practical meaning of those ideas and institutions.
Textbook and Readings
• Don E. Fehrenbacher, ed., Abraham Lincoln: A Documentary Portrait (Stanford, 1964)
• Occasional other primary source documents (indicated by * and located on
GeorgiaVIEW, which is accessed through the SWAN login page)
Computer Policy and Related Requirements
University policy requires that all students have access to a computer. Please contact the HUB to
have your computer set up with sufficient software for coursework, internet access, and emailing.
HOWEVER, as declared above, use of notebook computers is neither needed nor permitted
during class sessions. Those students who happen to carry notebook computers with them to
class should keep them stowed during class sessions.
Disability Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability
Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, [email protected].
Complete Syllabus
A complete syllabus, with schedule and other information about the course, is posted on
GeorgiaVIEW (accessed through the SWAN login page). You should save, print, and read this
course syllabus as soon as possible, and continue to refer to it during the semester.
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Learning Outcomes
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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The course intends for students to: learn the ideas behind and debates about the fundamental
aspects of American politics, such as liberty, equality, and constitutional government.
Graded Assignments
• First in-class examination, during semester [100 possible points]
• Second in-class examination, during Finals Week [100 possible points]
• One paper [100 possible points]
• Five in-class quizzes, assigned randomly [10 possible points each/50 possible total]
NOTE: You are allowed to make up one of the first two exams if you are absent on its scheduled
day. Make-up period will be during the session of the last exam.
Course Grade (as Total Points Earned)
315-350 = A; 280-314 = B; 245-279 = C; 210-244 = D; 209 or less: F
NOTE: The professor reserves the right to raise a student’s course grade up to one letter grade
for excellent class participation (comments and questions demonstrating that a student has read
class material carefully and has thought about it seriously).
Attendance, Lateness, Absence
The professor expects you to attend all sessions, and reads the class roll at the beginning of each
session.
Lateness disrupts the proper atmosphere in the classroom for learning and distracts your fellow
students. Thus, the course’s lateness policy is the following:
Class begins with the calling of the class roll. If you are not present when your name is called,
you are officially absent, no matter if or when you arrive after.
Do not ask the professor after the session to mark you present on the roll. He will not.
The course’s absence policy (remember - each instance of lateness counts as an absence) is the
following:
You are allowed 3 absences. No excuses are necessary. Each absence beyond 3 lowers
your course grade by 5%, or one half a letter-grade. No excuses are accepted.
“Mid-Term” Progress Report
The DUCK with display a student’s “mid-term” grade (based on graded assignments to date) by
March 2, the deadline for withdrawing from the course with a “W” grade.
Classroom Conduct and Civility
For the professors to teach and students to learn effectively, it requires both ethical behavior by
the individual student and a civil and respectful environment in the classroom. As a Clayton State
University student, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the Clayton
State University Student Code of Conduct, which addresses both academic honesty (antiplagiarism) and classroom conduct. It is online here.
In particular, please observe the following decorum during class sessions:
Give the class your undivided attention by not talking as the professor is teaching the
material. However, the professor would be more than happy to receive your comments and
questions when you raise your hand.
Give the class your undivided attention by TURNING OFF AND STOWING ALL
ELECTRONICS. This includes notebook computers, smart phones, IM devices, and mp3
players. You will not need any of these items during class and their use in class will be
distracting both to you and those around you.
Disciplinary action: Any student that does not comply with this policy will be asked to leave
the class session and will be counted as absent for it, with the absence policy (above)
applying.
If you come to class late, please take your seat quietly. If you must leave class early, please
inform the professor before class begins.
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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Computer Policy and Related Requirements
University policy requires that all students have access to a computer. Please contact the HUB to
have your computer set up with sufficient software for coursework, internet access, and emailing.
HOWEVER, as noted above, use of notebook computers is NEITHER NEEDED NOR
PERMITTED during CLASS SESSIONS. Those students who happen to carry notebook
computers with them should keep them stowed during class sessions.
Operation Study
At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement.
Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance
your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to
earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.
Disability Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability
Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, [email protected].
Topics and Schedule
Documents by Lincoln are to be found in the Fehrenbacher book, except as indicated by *.
Documents indicated by * are to be found on GeorgiaVIEW.
To guide your comprehension of the reading, sets of questions for each topic are posted in
GeorgiaVIEW. These sets will also serve as questions for the five in-class quizzes.
You should complete each week’s reading before the first class session that week, and bring
each week’s texts with you to class.
WEEK ONE
1/9, 1/11
Introduction
American Political Fundamentals: The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution
Reading: The Declaration of Independence*; U.S. Constitution*
WEEK TWO
1/18 (No class on 1/16)
Lincoln’s Political and Moral Philosophy
Reading: Lincoln, Lyceum Address, January 27, 1838 (Doc. 4 in Abraham Lincoln: A
Documentary Portrait)
WEEK THREE
1/23, 1/25
Lincoln’s Political and Moral Philosophy
Reading: Lincoln, Lyceum Address, January 27, 1838 (Doc. 4); Temperance Address, February
22, 1842 (Doc. 7)
WEEK FOUR
1/30, 2/1
Majority Rule and Slavery: Kansas-Nebraska Act and Lincoln’s Response
Reading: Kansas-Nebraska Act, May 30, 1854*; Lincoln, Speech at Peoria, October 16, 1854
(Doc. 20)
(continued...)
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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WEEK FIVE
2/6, 2/8
The Constitution and Slavery: Dred Scott Decision and Lincoln’s Response
Reading: U.S. Supreme Court (Chief Justice Taney), Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)*; Lincoln,
Speech at Springfield, June 26, 1857 (Doc. 26)
WEEK SIX
2/13
The Constitution and Slavery: Dred Scott Decision and Lincoln’s Response
Reading: Lincoln, “House Divided” Speech, June 16, 1858 (Doc. 28)
2/15
What Is “Popular Sovereignty”? Lincoln-Douglass Debates
Reading: Excerpts from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 1858 (Doc. 29 and 30)
WEEK SEVEN
2/20
What Is “Popular Sovereignty”? Lincoln-Douglass Debates
Reading: Excerpts from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 1858 (Doc. 29 and 30)
2/22
Exam 1
WEEK EIGHT - WEEK SEVENTEEN
General Theme: Lincoln as President
WEEK EIGHT
2/27
Campaign and Election of 1860
Reading: Lincoln, Cooper Institute Address, February 27. 1860 (Doc. 36); Party Platforms in 1860
election*; Map of Electoral Vote, 1860*
2/29
Union against Secession
Reading: South Carolina Declaration of Secession, December 24, 1860*; Lincoln, First Inaugural
Address, March 4, 1861 (Doc. 44)
WEEK NINE
Spring Break - No Classes 3/5 or 3/7
WEEK TEN
3/12, 3/14
Executive Response to Insurrection
Reading: Lincoln, Presidential Proclamation, April 15, 1861 (Doc. 45); Message to Congress in
Special Session, July 4, 1861 (Doc. 47)
WEEK ELEVEN
3/19
Commanding the Generals
Reading: Lincoln, Letters to Gen. McClellan February 3, 1862 (Doc. 55); October 13, 1862 (Doc.
64); Letter to Gen. Hooker, January 26, 1863 (Doc. 71); Letter to Gen. Meade, July 14, 1863
(Doc. 81)
3/21
Emancipation and Race Relations
Reading: Map of Slavery in 1860*; Lincoln, Message to Congress on Compensated
Emancipation, March 6, 1862*; Letter to Greeley, August 22, 1862 (Doc. 60)
(continued...)
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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WEEK TWELVE
3/26, 3/28
Emancipation and Race Relations
Reading: Lincoln, Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, September 22, 1862 (Doc. 62); Final
Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863 (Doc. 68); Frederick Douglass, “Men of Color, to
Arms!” March 21, 1863*; Lincoln, Letter to Conklin, August 26, 1863 (Doc. 85); Annual Message
to Congress, 1863 (Doc. 89, p. 250-251); Letter to Gov. Hahn, March 13, 1864 (Doc. 91); Letter
to Hodges, April 4, 1864 (Doc. 92)
Paper Due 3/30 by 5:00 p.m.
WEEK THIRTEEN
4/2, 4/4
Reconstruction during War
Reading: Letter to Gen. Nathaniel Banks, August 5, 1863 (Doc. 83); Proclamation on Amnesty
and Reconstruction, December 8, 1863 (Doc. 88); Annual Message to Congress, 1863 (Doc. 89);
Last Public Address (on reconstruction), April 11, 1865 (Doc. 108)
WEEK FOURTEEN
4/9, 4/11
Politics During War
Reading: Congress, Wade-Davis Bill, 1864*; Lincoln, Statement on Wade-Davis Bill, July 8, 1864
(Doc. 95); Party Platforms in 1864 Election*; Response to Serenades, October and November
1864 (Doc. 98 and 99)
WEEK FIFTEEN
4/16, 4/18
Civil Liberties in War
Reading: Lincoln, Address to Congress in Special Session, 1861 (section on habeas corpus)
(Doc. 47); Letter to Corning, June 12, 1863 (Doc. 77); Congress, Habeas Corpus Act of 1863*
WEEK SIXTEEN
4/23, 4/25
The Meaning of the War, and the Union
Reading: Lincoln, Address to Congress in Special Session, 1861 (section on “people’s contest”)
(Doc. 47); Lincoln, Letter to Conkling, August 26, 1863 (Doc. 85 - p. 242); Gettysburg Address,
November 19, 1863 (Doc. 87); Second Inaugural, March 4, 1865 (Doc. 105)
WEEK SEVENTEEN
4/30
The Meaning of the War, and the Union
Reading: Second Inaugural, March 4, 1865 (Doc. 105); Last Public Address, April 1865 (Doc.
108)
Second (“Final”) Exam: Monday, May 7, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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RUBRIC FOR SCORING PAPER ASSIGNMENT (next page)
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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RUBRIC FOR PAPER ASSIGNMENT
For Paper (100 points possible)
Excels
Meets
Standards
Standards
CRITERIA
Approaching
Standards
Below
Standards
Failure to
Perform
Addresses the Addresses the
Prompt (P)
prompt directly
and fully
(30-25 pts)
Addresses the Addresses the Barely
Does not
prompt mostly prompt partly, or addresses
address prompt
directly, or
in roundabout prompt, or
in any
addresses most way (19-10 pts) addresses
meaningful way
of the prompt
misunderstood (5-0 pts)
(24-20 pts)
prompt
(9-6 pts)
Cites Evidence Identifies all
Identifies most Identifies some Refers to few
Does not refer
(E)
relevant
relevant
relevant
relevant
to any relevant
documents or documents or documents or documents or document or
opinions
opinions
opinions,
opinions,
opinion
precisely
precisely
imprecisely
vaguely
(5-0 pts)
(30-25 pts)
(24-20 pts)
(19-10 pts)
(9-6 pts)
Depth and
Shows a solid Shows a basic Shows a
Shows only a
Shows no
Breadth of
understanding understanding passing
superficial
understanding
Commentary of the central
of central idea understanding understanding of of central idea
(C)
idea or ideas
or ideas
of the central
central idea or or ideas
(30-25 pts)
(24-20 pts)
idea or ideas
ideas
(5-0 pts)
(19-10)
(9-6 pts)
Mechanics
No grammar
One or two
Multiple
Writing difficult Makes no
(M)
and/or spelling grammar and/or grammatical
to understand or sense
errors (10 pts) spelling errors. spelling and
unintelligible
(0 pts)
(8-4 pts)
errors
(2-1 pts)
(3 pts)
POLS 4421 American Political Thought
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