POL 241: American Political System

Instructor: Benjamin Toll Winter 2016
Office: 001 Harrison Hall Online
E-mail: tollbt@miamioh.edu
Phone number: 812-929-9025
*If you have an iphone you can text me, but tell me your name so I know who I am talking to.

Office Hours:
Monday 2:30-4:00pm
Tuesday 9:30-11:00am,
Wednesday 9:30-11:00am, and by appointment

Skype:

toll.ben
*If you are not on campus, I will also be available via Skype. Please do not hesitate to contact me in this method if you want to discuss something with me.

Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the study of American politics from a scientific perspective. The goal of this course is that you will leave with a clear understanding of the American political system, its limitations and strengths. We will devote time to discussing not only the structure of government, but also what it means for us today as citizens.

However, it is very important you understand the nature of this course. Being a fully online course means there is a great amount of responsibility being placed on you the student. The course is designed so that you have to keep working in at least a certain pace, but you can work as quickly as you like. Therefore, it is very important that you look at the grading scale, and schedule. It is your responsibility to keep up with the schedule of this class.

Because it is an online course, it is also your responsibility to contact me with questions or concerns. You will have no formal lecture, although you will have an introductory video before each chapter. Thus, learning the material rests more on you in this format than an in-class format. Please do contact me with questions you have. I have also set up a discussion page on Canvas for you to ask questions. That