Assignment due dates are listed on the course outline page. Students are responsible for keeping track of when assignments are due. Late assignments will be marked and penalized. Browsing and texting in class. Don't do it! It is disrupting and rude. The instructors reserve the right to deduct points from grades if they observe either activity during class. There will be no warnings.
UW Plagiarism Policy If you have questions about what is acceptable for particular assignments, please ask. Do not begin these assignment until you have received instructions. The version posted here may be different from the one that is actually assigned. 5 pts 4 pts (2 pts each) Procedural Quiz 1 -The password is Hastert. Begins with "Who has ultimate control.. Procedural Quiz 2 - The password is Hastert. ."Begins with "Which is the correct way..." 5 pts My Legislative Agenda (updated) 5 pts (group project) 5 pts 7.5 pts 2.5 pts Committee Report 10 pts Section attendance is mandatory. Participation is based on attendance and contributions to section-related activities such as discussions and committee markups. 10 pts In addition, section instructors will develop their own approach to assessing student comprehension of the two assigned books, Dance of Legislation and American: The Owners Manual.
LegSim Participation (16 pts) 1 pt One Minute floor speech (1:16 example!) 5 pts On-line activities. Each representative must contribute a minimum of two thoughtful posts to on-line floor debates on legislation that is not his or her own. By thoughtful we mean that the post should provide evidence of preparation and should advance the conversation about the merits of the bill (or amendment). Of course, we hope that representatives contribute much more frequently!
10 pts Legislative effectiveness. This is based on a subjective judgment of the instructors that recognizes that there are many different that lawmakers can contribute to the collective work of Congress. Our judgment will not be based on any specific action such as whether a legislator manages to pass a bill. An effective legislator might be exceptionally well prepared for in class debates. She might demonstrate leadership skills, such as an ability to negotiate or knowledge of legislative procedure. She might be exceptionally effective in representing her constituency, her party, or she might demonstrate exceptional statesmanship. Extra credit opportunitiesThere are limited number of extra credit opportunities in this class. If you are interested in one of them, please contact see me during my office hours. The points indicated below refer to additional points out of 100 total points possible in the course. The instructor reserves the right to allocate fewer points for unsatisfactory work 1. LegSim Leadership Assignments The class will be electing a Speaker and committee chairs. 2 pts Elected Speaker 2 pts Re-elected Speaker 1 pt Elected Committee chair 1 pt Re-elected Committtee chair 2. LegSim Campaign cash The Speaker and each Committee chair receives class points that they can choose to distribute to other students at the end of the course. The intention is to provide legislative leaders with a little leverage in a manner similar to how leadership PACs are used in Congress. The instructors will not reveal who receives these points. 3. Moderate the conversation with an invited guest.2 pts (3 legislators) The Speaker can distribute a maximum of 2 pts to 4 different legislators 2 pts (2 legislators) Each committee chair can distribute a maximum of 2 pts each to 2 different legislators Research the individual's background, responsibilities, interests, and record; Develop a set of questions to guide a conversation. Submit the questions to the instructor in advance. Rehearse. Execute. 2 pts each, no more than 3 students per guest 4. Update Gowen 201 Display Case Contact librarian to discuss options. Propose display idea. Work with librarian to develop materials. Complete new display by end of semester. 15pts, to be divided equally among no more than 3 students 5. Identify best C-Span videos for POLS 353 Propose a list of subjects where video illustrations would be most helpful for students. Register on the C-Span website. Search the video catalogue for videos touching on those subjects. Select one or two videos that best illustrates each subject. 6 pts, to be divided equally among no more than 3 students
| Rubric This rubric (below) clarifies what distinguishes better essay responses. The instructors will be relying on this general rubric for grading. If you have questions, please contact us. |
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assignments, grading and rubric |