GOVT 3333.

002, Summer 2008 --- Political Behaviour

Casey Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Phone: 972-883-4594 Classroom: GR 4.204
caseyfessor@yahoo.com Webpage: www.caesaigh.org
Office : GR 3.224 Office Hours (in GR 3.220) : Tu- after class (until 7), Th- 11-1, Wed- 1-4, and by app’t
Nota Bene: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change
I. Course Description-
This course addresses the questions of why some people vote but others do not, how individuals
make political choices, and how people participate in other ways. It examines the behavioural approach to
the study of government and politics, the major theories of political behaviour; and, the effects of: long-
term changes, socialisation processes, media uses, and political attitudes and institutions. (3 credit hours)

II. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Upon completing this course students will be able to:
A. analyse and apply important theoretical and scholarly approaches to explaining citizen
behavior, citizen involvement, and interaction between citizens and institutions of government.
B. identify, describe, and analyse various mechanisms of citizen political involvement.
C. identify, describe, apply and analyse examples of political behaviours.

III. Prerequisites: None, but this course is reading intensive, with substantial written components. Therefore,
students must have competency in written and spoken English.

IV. Required Textbooks-

There are three books required for this class:

-Dalton, Russell J. 2008. Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Western
Democracies. 5th Edition. Washington: CQ Press.

-Flanigan and Zingale, 2008. Political Behavior of the American Electorate. 11th edition with Supplement.
Washington: CQ Press. (hereafter “F&Z”)

-Peterson, Steven. Political Behavior: Patterns in Everyday Life. 1990, Sage Publications.

These should be available at the UTD bookstore, Off Campus Books, and you can probably buy a copy online
somewhere as well. You are expected to read ahead.

V. Other assigned materiél – you will need to acquire additional readings from the UTD Libraries; some of
which will be on reserve and the remainder of which you will need to access online. You are responsible
for all assigned readings.

You can learn a great deal about political behaviour merely by digesting the news. I *highly* recommend reading the
NY Times, Washington Post, Guardian (UK), L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, or even the Dallas Morning News. All
of these have free online editions.

VI. Office Hours –(in GR 3.220) : Tu- after class (until 7), Th- 11-1, and Wed- 1-4, and by appointment
(No Monday or Friday Appointments).

VII. Attendance -
A. UTD requires "Regular and Punctual attendance". It has been my experience that poor attendance DOES
result in a lackluster performance. Nonetheless, you are adults, so I feel no need to take attendance- Come
only if you intend to learn.
B. Verification of Enrollment: UTD requires that all persons enrolled in coursework carry an identification
card, and:
1) have on their person this card, and
2) be ready to surrender it for examination to any duly constituted authority.

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For our purposes, this means I may ask for your I.D. when you turn in your work. Not having one on you means I will
not grade that work until I see an ID. This is not meant to belittle or insult you, but with as many students as there are
just in my sections, getting to know all by sight is very difficult- but I'll try.

C. Tardies: Class is scheduled to begin at 1300, thus, I will begin class at that time. There is not much
leeway allowed due to the amount of material being covered. You are adults, you signed up for this class at
this time. I will not repeat material for the benefit of those without the incentive to arrive promptly. If you
know you will be late, please do your classmates the courtesy of not entering the room. Excessive tardiness
will be penalized through your final grade.
D. Leaving Early: Due to the amount of material being covered, leaving before class is complete will hurt
your interactive note-taking. Moreover, doing so is an unnecessary breach of etiquette and a distraction to
your colleagues. If you must leave early, inform me before class, or else your leaving will be treated as if a
tardy and your grade will be penalised.
E. WITHDRAWING FROM THIS COURSE-
1) If you decide that you must drop the course, it is your responsibility to fill out the appropriate form in the college
office on campus. Withdrawal from the course after the official day of record will result in a final grade of “W” on the
student transcript and no credit will be awarded. Prior to the official day of record, it is the student’s responsibility to
initiate and complete a request for withdrawal from any course. I do not automatically drop students. You do your own
paperwork.
2) The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and
times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's
responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you
choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Translation: If you stop attending and do not fill out the drop form, you will receive an "F" in the
course.

VIII. Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies
and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be
found at the website address given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

IX. WebCT - WebCT is used sparingly. If you do not have a computer at home or prefer to work on campus, you
may do this at the library or in the many computer labs on campus.

---If you are unfamiliar with Webct, go to the following website for directions:
http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/webct_login.htm

---If you need help with a netID or unix password, go here:

http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/netid.htm

---WebCT is a technology based learning aid. Because of this, occasional, brief outages are possible.

X. Assignments -
A. Prior to class (excluding the first class, but including the final one), you will submit via e-mail from
your UTD account 3 questions about the topical readings for that class. These are due no later
than 5:00 p.m. the day before the class.

B. Following class (excluding the final class, but including the first one), you will submit a one-page,
(MS Word,12pt font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single spaced, no title, header = “Integrative Summary
# X for PSCI 3333”, name at the bottom) integrative summary of the
i) class discussion
ii) class lecture, and
iii) assigned readings.
These are due no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before the next class.

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 C. a final Literature Review of the contemporary thinking on Political Behaviour, due NLT Thursday
August 7th, 1:00 p.m.- approx 15 pps (MS Word,12pt font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, double-
spaced, no title, header = “Literature Review for PSCI 3333”, name on last page at the bottom).

D. a Research Design on a modern puzzle in political behavior, due NLT 5:00 p.m. August 15th-
approx 15 pps, (MS Word,12pt font, Times New Roman, 1“ margins, double-spaced, no title, header =
“Research Design for PSCI 3333”, name on last page at the bottom).

B., C., & D. will be also sent as an e-mail attachment in .doc format, and will be scanned through TurnItIn.com

XI. Participation - The views of the instructor are not dogma, and are open to question and discussion.
Please feel free to disagree, but be prepared to logically and empirically back up your argument!

A. Please remember the basic courtesies when disagreeing with others in the room- Speak clearly, concisely, and do
not engage in shouting matches. At the same time, if you merely sit there and absorb without examining the issues
critically, you are missing out. The college campus is truly one of the last places in this country to voice your ideas in
a public forum, and these issues DO affect you for the rest of your lives.

B. Your participation is expected, and will be a consideration on your final grade.

XII. Grading – Standard 100-point scale, conformed to Letter grades. I DO NOT CURVE GRADES- such
only rewards those lacking incentive to perform better, and punishes those who strive to achieve.

Grading Scale:
100-98=A+ 87-89=B+ 77-79=C+ 67-69=D+
93-97=A 83-86=B 73-76=C 63-66=D Below 60=F
90-92=A- 80-82=B- 70-72=C- 60-62=D-

You will be assigned grades based upon your performance in your assignments. The pre- and post- class
assignments are worth 18% each, and the Research Design and Literature Review are worth 25% each.
The remaining 14% is participation, for a total of 100%.

XIII. E-mail Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security
and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email
correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree
of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel.
The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas
mail forwarded to other accounts.

XIV. Classroom Conduct; Student Conduct & Discipline –

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the
orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the students’ responsibility to know them. Such may be found in
the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. These are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The
University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of
the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members will assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations
(SU 1.602, 972-883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. You are
expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. You are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes
place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

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 More specifically: We are all adults, at least legally. Adult behaviour is thus expected.
Disrespectful language, gestures, shouting, insults, et cetera, are all improper and will be handled through
the Dean of Students office, and most likely will result in a grade of F.

Some Details:
A. Turn off your cell-phones- if they ring I will answer for you- and turn off your pagers as well. I
reserve the right to have you removed from the classroom if this turns out to be a persistent problem, and
your grade will be penalised.
B. No hats permitted to be worn while in the classroom, nor headphones.
C. I do not care if you eat or drink; simply do so quietly and unobtrusively.

In other words: I fully expect you to behave as if you are mature, reasonable, sane people.

XV. Academic Integrity and Scholastic Dishonesty -

UTD is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part
of the academic community, UTD students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. The faculty expects
from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree
depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student
demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Failure to uphold these standards
includes, but is not limited to, the following: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records.
Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially
from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt
with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of
turnitin.com (and other resources) for searches on the web for possible plagiarism.
Some Definitions:
A. Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or
receiving answers during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or
assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or
distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam.
B. Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without
giving proper credit by documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or
project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part.
C. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be
completed independently. These definitions are not exhaustive.

With instructor permission only, tape recorders and laptops may be used during lectures only for the
purpose of helping students take notes. The use of such devices for any other purpose may result in loss
of device use for remainder of semester, system charges of academic dishonesty, and administrative
drop from the course. No other electronic devices will be allowed during class without specific instructor
approval.

When there is any scholastic dishonesty, I will assign an “F” for the course, and
additional sanctions may include being expelled from UTD and the UT System, and
punishments appropriate under State of Texas Criminal Code, Penal Section §32.49,
(HB 0762).

XVI. Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of UTD’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of
academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor,
supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).

Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is
not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the
grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or

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Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic
Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.Copies of these rules
and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students
in interpreting the rules and regulations.

XVII. Incomplete Grade Policy

As per UTD policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the
semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be
resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to
complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the
incomplete grade changes automatically to a grade of F.

XVIII. ADA Statement and Disability Services

The University of Texas at Dallas is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning
environment for all students. UTD promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of
reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section
504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to
participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you have any special needs which affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me.
Appropriate steps will be taken to assist you with your needs. Any student with a documented disability
(physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
must contact the Office of Disability Services, Ms. Kerry Tate, Coordinator, in the Student Union, Room
1.804. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Office of
Disability Services. (http://www.utdallas.edu/legal/title9/contactada.html )
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student
Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30
a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate
discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders
or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for
example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with
mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities.
The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. It
is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides
students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

XIX. Religious Holy Days

UTD will excuse a student from class for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of
worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. You are encouraged to notify me as
soon as possible regarding the absence, in advance of the assignment. The student, if excused, will be allowed to complete the
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week.
A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or
assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy
day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the
institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC
51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

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XX. Course topics and tentative schedule:
“O” = online via UTD Libraries (you’ll need to be logged in to a campus computer) “R” = course Reserve, at McDermott Library

July 8th - - - Introduction: “What is “political behavior”, how do we study it? And: How much do Americans
really know about their government, or politics (or anything, really)?

Readings: Dalton 1; F&Z 1, 4, and appendix; Peterson Preface and 1.

In addition:
- Converse, Philip E. 2000. Assessing the Capacity of Mass Electorates. Annual Review of Political
Science 3: 331-353.
O, http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.polisci.3.1.331

- Pateman, Carole, 1984 Participation and Democratic Theory, 1, 2, 6. R

- Kavanagh, Dennis, 1983. Political Science and Political Behviour. 1 R

We will also discuss what comprises a Literature Review and a Research Design. Examples are available
on WebCT
July 10th - - - Socialization: What it is, what it does to us. Readings: Dalton 2; Peterson 2&3

In addition:
- Easton, David and Jack Dennis. 1967. “The Child's Acquisition of Regime Norms: Political Efficacy”,
American Political Science Review 61 (1, March): 25-38.
O, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1953873.pdf

- Searing, Donald D., Joel J. Schwartz, and Allen E. Lind. 1973. "The Structuring Principle: Political
Socialization and Belief Systems", American Political Science Review 67: 415-32.
O, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1958774.pdf

- Sears, David O. and Carolyn L. Funk. 1999. "Evidence of the Long-Term Persistence of Adults' Political
Predispositions" Journal of Politics 61 (1, February): 1-28.
O, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2647773.pdf
July 15th - - - Participation: CPA and UPA, Who participates, and why. Readings: Dalton 3 & 4

In addition-
- Putnum, Robert. 1996. "The Strange Disappearance of Civic America", The American Prospect, 7:24.
O, http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=4972

- Sunstein, Cass, 2003. Why Societies Need Dissent, Ch 1-3, 6. R

- Moore, Kelly, 2007. Disrupting Science Ch 1 R
- Ozler, Ilgu, 2008. “the Relationship between Political Party System and Social Movements” Paper
prepared for the Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association. R
- Norris, Pippa, 2001. Democratic Phoenix: Political Activism Worldwide. Ch 10 R
-and-
Voting & the rationality of participation, Voter turnout- Why it's declined, attempts to raise it.

Readings: F&Z, 2

In addition:
- McDonald, Michael P. and Samuel L. Popkin. 2001. “The Myth of the Vanishing Voter.” American
Political Science Review 95 (4, December): 963-974. O, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3117725.pdf

July 17th - - - Ideology and Values Readings: Dalton 5 & 6, F&Z 5

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July 22nd - - - Influences on behavior & participation: The Media. Readings: F&Z 6 & 7; Peterson 10

In addition-
- Zaller, John 1992. The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion. 3, 10-12 R
-and-
Interest Groups and Political Behaviour:
- Classics of Interest Group Behavior- Intro, 9, 11, 13, 17 and 22. R
July 24th - - - Religious institutions as political operators. Readings: Dalton 8; Peterson 9

In addition-
- Wald, Owen and Hill, "Churches as Political Communities," American Political Science Review 82
(1988):531-548. O, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1957399.pdf

July 29th - - - Political Parties: Who belongs, and why. Readings: Dalton 7 & 8; F&Z 3-5

In addition-
- Franklin, Charles, and John Jackson, 1983. "The Dynamics of Party Identification." American Political
Science Review 77 (4): 957-73
(Nota Bene: This is a pretty tough article. Concentrate on the introductory section and the conclusion. Especially the conclusion!)
O http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1957569.pdf

- Niemi, Richard G. and M. Kent Jennings. 1991. "Issues and Inheritance in the Formation of Party
Identification." American Journal of Political Science 35 (4): 970-988.
O http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2111502.pdf

July 31st - - - Political Parties, II- How do parties influence political behavior?

Readings: Dalton 9, 10, & 12; F&Z 8; Peterson 3, 5-8

In addition-
- Livant, William, 1963. “Cumulative Distortion of Judgement”, pp274-278 in David Singer, Human
Behaviour and International Relations. R

August 2nd
- Not an official class day, but for those who want, I will hold a round-table discussion on what we have
learned, and wrap up any loose ends.
August 15th
- Research Design and Literature Review due NLT than 5:00 p.m.
Grades available after last paper has been graded.
PLEASE NOTE:
I reserve the right to amend or append this syllabus as need dictates. Any and all changes will be
announced in sufficient time to allow for your personal adjustment.

-----------------------------------------detach here --------------------------------------

UNIVERSITY of TEXAS at DALLAS

By my signature affixed, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and will comply with all terms and conditions of this syllabus:

_________________________________________________,________________________________
(Printed name) (UTD Student ID)

___________________________________________________________,______________________
(Signature) (Date)

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 (Last updated: 15 May, 2008)