Students are advised to read the assigned material closely prior to class. On days designated for discussion, students should also be prepared to ask questions and offer critical commentary. If you will be unable to attend class on the day of the final, you must notify the instructor during the first week of the course in order to make alternative arrangements. In place of completing the short paper assignments handed out by the instructor each week, students may elect to write an alternative set of papers related to a public policy issue selected by the student. Examples of policy issues students might select are education, welfare, affirmative action, national defense, criminal justice, taxation, environment and natural resources, or transportation.
Topics require the approval of the instructor.
Students selecting the alternative short paper assignment option will write four short, 2-3 page papers, like other students, due on the Monday of each week. This alternative assignment will require a small amount of outside research, such as reading newspapers, news magazines, or Congressional Quarterly , in order to pick up facts about the student's policy issue. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America , ed. Optional readings, along with all required readings, are on reserve at Harper Library. Note that the optional readings will be covered in lecture.