Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein (Office Suite HSS 356) Political Science 1 – National & California Governments (Fall 2019) Sections 3333, 3337 and 3340 (Visit Canvas online through www.smc.edu) Office Hours: Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 a.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 p.m. Catalogue Description: This course surveys and analyzes the principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. national and California state governments. Professor’s Note: In this course we will examine and then interrogate the foundations of American democracy and both the formal and informal institutions of our national and state governments. We will study the concepts of democracy, power and order, freedom and liberty, and both political and social rights. We will address these concepts and their importance to our American political institutions as we work to identify and then analyze and discuss the often-competing political positions regarding the rights and obligations of American citizenship. Of particular interest to us in this course will be the ways in which the exercise of American politics has worked to exclude certain populations/groups-of-people and the ways in which politically marginalized peoples have both resisted and protested exclusion and marginalization. This class has a focused theme on a politics of difference in the United States: We will examine political questions pertaining to race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation/preference/attraction through the aesthetics of film. These discussions may, at times, be challenging and controversial. Student Learning Objectives: By the end of the semester students will be able to identify the democratic principles and philosophies that have, over time, defined the American Republic. With this knowledge, students will be better prepared to analyze, evaluate, and write critically about national and state government and politics & public policies using concepts and theories introduced during the term. Students will also have improved media literacy skills allowing them to critically analyze film texts and other cultural images. Required Texts:

1. Democracy & Difference – Through the Aesthetics of Film, 2nd ed. (2018), Tahvildaran Jesswein (Kendall Hunt Publishing)

eBook (recommended) is available online at a discount to students directly from the publisher at:

http://www.kendallhunt.com/tahvildaran

https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/democracy-and-difference-through-aesthetics-film This text, Democracy & Difference – Through the Aesthetics of Film, is supplemented with web resources. Students will find a web access code included in their eBook or new text book. Used text books will not provide the course required web access code (Do not buy from Amazon or any other website other than the publisher’s direct website printed above). Students should register with the Democracy & Difference website and complete the required syllabus quiz before the end of the first week of class. Once you have purchased an eBook or a hard copy (available at the Santa Monica College Bookstore) you will need to register your book with the Democracy and Difference website. eBooks are downloaded through VitalSouce. The following links to web tutorials will assist you once you have an access code. Access codes are provided with your electronic or traditional textbook purchase: http://streaming.greatrivertech.net.s3.amazonaws.com/trainingvideoexamples/registeringanaccessco de.mp4 http://downloads.vitalbook.com/tutorials/publish/index.html?did=generic

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2. The Challenge of Democracy, Janda, Berry & Goldman. Cengage Publishing Co. This text and supplemental resources are available on Canvas. Please select Modules from the Canvas homepage to (re)view these required materials. *Students are also expected to read the Los Angeles Times and/or the New York Times daily.

Required Film Texts: Beach Rats, 2017; Directed by Eliza Hittman Boys Don’t Cry, 1998; Directed by Kimberly Pierce Boyz ‘N the Hood, 1991; Directed by John Singleton Call Me By Your Name, 2017; Directed by Luca Quadagnino Cesar Chavez: An American Hero, 2014; Directed by Diego Luna Do the Right Thing, 1989; Directed by Spike Lee Get Out, 2017; Directed by Jordan Peele Loving, 2016; Directed by Jeff Nichols Milk, 2008; Directed by Gus Van Sant Moonlight, 2016; Directed by Barry Jenkins My Own Private Idaho, 1991; Directed by Gus Van Sant Selma, 2014; Directed by Ava DuVernay Smoke Signals, 1998; Directed by Chris Eyre Stonewall: Where Pride Began, 2015; Directed by Roland Emmerich Straight Outta Compton, 2015; Directed by F. Gary Gray The Birth of a Nation, 2016; Directed by Nate Parker Twelve Years a Slave, 2013; Directed by Steve McQueen *13th, 2016; Directed by Ava DuVernay A Place of Rage, 1991; Directed by Pratibha Parmar America in Black & White: A Question of Identity, 2003; Films for Humanities and Science A Family Portrait, 2011; Directed by Melissa Leu and Jeff Haig (Student Film) Cultural Criticism & Transformation, 1997; Featuring bell hooks and Directed by Sut Jhally Ethnic Notions, 1986; Directed by Marlon Riggs Exploring Society: Gender, 2005 Exploring Society: Race and Ethnicity, 2005 Exploring Society: Social Class, 2008 Further Off the Straight and Narrow: New Gay Visibility on Television, 2006; Katherine Sender Generation M: Misogyny in Media and Culture, 2013; Directed by Thomas Keith How Racism Harms White America, 2013; Directed by John Bracey *I Am Not Your Negro, 2016; Directed by Raoul Peck Latinos Beyond Reel: Challenging a Media Stereotype, 2012 Off the Straight and Narrow: Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals & Television, 1998 On White Privilege, 2008; Featuring Tim Wise Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People, 2006; Directed by Sut Jhally Responding to Diversity; 2011; Directed by Rise Sanders Weir and Tracy Ullman Soundtrack for a Revolution, 2009; Directed by Bill Guttentag The Brandon Teena Story, 1998; Directed by Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir The Bro Code: How Contemporary Culture Creates Sexist Men, 2011; Directed by Thomas Keith *The Celluloid Closet, 1995; Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman The Empathy Gap: Masculinity & The Courage to Change, 2015; Directed by Thomas Keith The Origins of Cultural Studies, 1989 ; Featuring Stuart Hall *The Times of Harvey Milk, 1984; Directed by Rob Epstein White Like Me, 2013; Featuring Tim Wise and Directed by S. Morris

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*While most of the films are available on the supplemental website, it is the student’s responsibility to secure these films for viewing. Participation Policy: If you miss more than four (4) class meetings, unless clear arrangements have been made with the instructor in advance, your participation grade will drop fifty (50) points for each absence over the allowance. Attendance will be taken for every class session, and it is your responsibility to sign-in on the attendance/participation sheet. Students who miss six (6) or more classes may be dropped from the class. Tardiness is not acceptable. If you cannot arrive on time for this class, please do not attend. There are no in/out privileges during class. Course Policies: Students are bound by the College’s Code of Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy: http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/HonorCouncil/ Also, Individual ideologies will differ, as will interpretations of American politics. We will strive to maintain an open forum, where a diversity of perspectives will be welcomed and explored. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

• The use of cell phones (calls and/or texts) is prohibited during class. • Audio and/or video recording of class sessions is strictly prohibited. • It’s expected that students will attend each 80-minute class session in its entirety. There are no

in/out privileges. Evaluation:

• Syllabus Quiz to be Completed by Thursday, August 29th – (Score Factored into the Course Participation Score)

The syllabus quiz is posted on the homepage of the Democracy and Difference website: http://www.grtep.com/

• Four (4) Unit Examinations (400 points or 40% of the overall course grade) These examinations will assess a student’s success in comprehending and retaining knowledge imparted from class lectures, videos, simulations, and assigned readings in the text, The Challenge of Democracy. These exams are accessible through Canvas.

• Four (4) Quizzes (200 points or 20% of the overall course grade) These quizzes will assess a student’s success in comprehending and retaining knowledge from assigned readings in the text, Democracy and Difference: Through the Aesthetics of Film. These quizzes are housed under the heading of “Chapter Quiz” within each of the assigned chapters on the Democracy & Difference website: http://www.grtep.com/

• Four (4) Critical Reviews (200 points or 20% of the overall course grade) These critical reviews are exercises geared at improving a student’s ability to write analytical essays. Students will develop a thesis statement and then outline an essay focused on an assigned film text. Critical reviews will be submitted online under the heading of “Critical Reviews” on the Democracy & Difference website: http://www.grtep.com/ Reviews are graded pass/fail (50/25/0). Please note that in order to receive credit for a Critical Review assignment a student’s work must be submitted in the proper location on the Democracy and Difference website; failure to do so will result in a zero score.

• Four (4) Threaded Discussions (200 points or 20% of the overall course grade) Threaded discussions are meant to expose students to their peers in the class. Participation in the discussions is required. All threaded discussions with full directions/instructions can be found on the Democracy & Difference website: http://www.grtep.com/

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(Student’s Preface; Documentary Film Review; Student’s Recommendations; and, Student’s Conclusion). Discussions are factored into the student’s Participation grade for the class. In this class, quizzes and exams may include short answer essay and/or multiple-choice questions. All quizzes and exams will be administered online. Assignments, including examinations and quizzes, are to be completed on time. Late assignments or exams/quizzes will not be accepted. Please refer to due dates and due times posted on this syllabus. Service Learning: During the course of the semester students may have an opportunity to work on a political campaign and/or attend a public policy forum or symposium for credit. Service learning is voluntary and is not extra credit. Additional information will be presented to the class after the start of the term. Grade Distribution Scale: A = 900 – 1000; B = 800 – 899; C = 700 – 799; D = 600 – 699. Course Outline: Unit I. The American Political System (Weeks 1-4; August 26th through September 20th) The Dilemmas of Democracy: Janda Chapter 1 – Freedom, Order, Or Equality? Janda Chapter 2 – Majoritarian or Pluralist Democracy? U.S. Constitution: Janda Chapter 3 – The Constitution Federalism & Subnational Diversity: Janda Chapter 4 – Federalism Public Opinion, Political Socialization, and the Media: Janda Chapter 5 – Public Opinion and Political Socialization Janda Chapter 6 – The Media The Politics of Difference: Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Preface and Chapters 1 – 4 Film Texts: Cultural Criticism and Transformation, bell hooks White Like Me: Reflection on Race from a Privileged Son, 2013 Milk, 2008; Directed by Gus Van Sant Boys Don’t Cry, 1998; Directed by Kimberly Pierce Additional Film Texts to be Announced Unit II. The Politics of American Democracy (Weeks 5-8; September 23rd through October 18th) Participation and Voting: Janda Chapter 7 – Participation and Voting Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections: Janda Chapter 8 – Political Parties Janda Chapter 9 – Nominations, Elections, and Campaigns Interest Groups: Janda Chapter 10 – Interest Groups The Politics of Difference: Preston, Theorizing Difference

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Edsall and Edsall, Race Film Text: My Own Private Idaho, 1991; Directed by Gus Van Sant Additional Film Texts to be Announced Unit III. Political Institutions (Weeks 9-12; October 21st through November 15th) The U.S. Congress & California Legislative Politics: Janda Chapter 11 – Congress The U.S. Presidency & California Executive Politics: Janda Chapter 12 – The Presidency The Courts: Janda Chapter 14 – The Courts Film Texts: Do the Right Thing, 1989; Directed by Spike Lee Ethnic Notions, 1986; Marlon Riggs Additional Film Texts to be Announced Unit IV. Equality, Civil Rights, and Public Policy in America (Weeks 13-16; November 18th through December 13th) Order and Civil Liberties: Janda Chapter 15 – Order and Civil Liberties Equality and Civil Rights: Janda Chapter 16 – Equiality and Civil Rights Policymaking and the Budget: Janda Chapter 17 – Policymaking Janda Chapter 18 – Economic Policy Janda Chapter 19 – Domestic Policy Janda Chapter 20 – Global Policy The Politics of Difference: Landsberg, Memory, Empathy, and the Politics of Identification Film Texts: A Place of Rage, 1991; Pratibha Parmar Boyz ‘N the Hood, 1991; Directed by John Singleton Smoke Signals, 1998; Directed by Chris Eyre Additional Film Texts to be Announced The instructor reserves the right to change, add or delete any of the reading material with advanced notice given to the class.

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Unit Exams — Due Dates: (Please enter these due dates and due times into your smart phones.) Exam No. 1 (The Challenge of Democracy: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) opens Wednesday, September 18th at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, September 21st at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.smconline.org/ Exam No. 2 (The Challenge of Democracy: Chapters 7, 8, 9 & 10) opens Wednesday, October 16th at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, October 19th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.smconline.org/ Exam No. 3 (The Challenge of Democracy: Chapters 11, 12 & 14) opens Wednesday, November 13th at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, November 16th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.smconline.org/ Exam No. 4 (The Challenge of Democracy: Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20) opens Wednesday, December 11th at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, December 14th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.smconline.org/ Quizzes – Due Dates: (Please enter these due dates and due times into your smart phones.) Quiz No. 1 (Democracy and Difference: Through the Aesthetics of Film: Chapter 1) opens Monday, August 26th and closes Friday, August 30th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Quiz No. 2 (Democracy and Difference: Through the Aesthetics of Film: Chapter 2) opens Monday, August 26th and closes Friday, September 6th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Quiz No. 3 (Democracy and Difference: Through the Aesthetics of Film: Chapter 3) opens Monday, August 26th and closes Friday, September 13th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Quiz No. 4 (Democracy and Difference: Through the Aesthetics of Film: Chapter 4) opens Monday, August 26th and closes Friday, September 20th at 11:59 p.m. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/

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Critical Reviews – Due Dates: (Please enter these due dates and due times into your smart phones.) Critical Review No. 1 (Professor’s Choice: Milk, 2008; Directed by Gus Van Sant) due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Critical Review No. 2 (Professor’s Choice: My Own Private Idaho, 1991; Directed by Gus Van Sant or Boys Don’t Cry, 1998; Directed by Kimberly Pierce or TBA) due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Critical Review No. 3 (Professor’s Choice: Do the Right Thing, 1989; Directed by Spike Lee or Smoke Signals, 1998; Directed by Chris Eyre or TBA) due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Critical Review No. 4 (Professor’s Choice: Boyz ‘N the Hood, 1991; Directed by John Singleton or Selma, 2014; Directed by Ava DuVernay or TBA) due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Threaded Discussions –Due Dates: (Please enter these due dates and due times into your smart phones.) Threaded Discussion No. 1 (Student’s Preface) must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 30th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Threaded Discussion No. 2 (Documentary Film Review) must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 18th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Threaded Discussion No. 3 (Student’s Recommendations) must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 6th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/ Threaded Discussion No. 4 (Student’s Conclusion) must be posted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 6th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/