Course Syllabus
Welcome to PLSC 020: Introduction to European Politics
Overview
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Delivery | Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com) |
| Dates | See the Calendar. |
| Instructor | See the Orientation module under the Modules tab. |
Description
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the politics and institutions of Western European countries in the period since World War II. Each week we will explore an important aspect of politics, such as political parties, elections, interest groups or social cleavages. The students will also learn about European integration and immigration, two of the most salient post-war developments in the region.
Objectives
- Define key concepts important for understanding the American legal process
- To gain basic understanding of the major concepts governing politics in West European countries, with the goal of being able to analyze individual countries and events using these concepts.
- To learn about the workings of European countries and the European Union
Organization
This course is made up of 15 lessons. Since this is an introductory level course you will be introduced to the various ways political scientists study Europe, as well as the basics of how European parliamentary systems and the European Union function. The last three lessons examine salient issues in European politics.
For each lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:
- Listen to and view all online course content.
- Read assigned readings.
- Complete assignments for each lesson found in the course calendar.
Online Learning and Attendance
This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.
How to succeed in this course
I operate under the assumption that you have read all the material in this syllabus and understand it. If you are not following the policies discussed in this document, that is your responsibility, not the instructor’s. For example, this syllabus includes a grading rubric for discussion posts as well as cardinal rules and discussion board policies. I expect you to use this information when participating in discussions. Those who do follow the cardinal rules, abide by the discussion board policies, and take time to read the rubric usually receive high marks on their discussion grades.
Even though this is an online course you have assignments due every lesson and are expected to abide by all the deadlines laid out in the course calendar and lesson folders. Those of you who think you can wait to start working on this course until a few weeks into the semester will find yourselves already far behind and having received no credit for the quizzes and discussions you missed. There is no extra credit in this course. (See the extra credit policy in this syllabus.) Below are some pointers that can help you succeed in this course and help you to avoid some of the mistakes that are particularly common in online courses.
- Read and pay close attention to all the information in the orientation folder. You are responsible for all of it.
- Keep up with the readings on a lesson by lesson basis.
- Consistently view the lectures after having done the readings. Skipping lectures in an online course is equivalent to skipping class in a classroom setting. If you find a particular lecture too long you may pause it at any time and come back to it later. Take notes on the lectures just as you would in a classroom. If the lecture is moving too quickly pause it. Take your notes, and continue with the lecture when you are ready. The text of each lecture is also available for you to read as you listen to the lecture. Do not let the lecture text substitute for taking notes on the lectures.
- Engage actively in discussions.
- If something is not clear, do not hesitate to ask a question.
- Clarify expectations with the instructor if you are unsure.
Materials
Texts
There is one required text. There are also readings and supplemental information provided in the lessons.
- Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver and Peter Mair. 2011. Representative Government in Modern Europe. 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0077129675
Course Reserves
There are electronic resources on reserve for this course that can be accessed through the Penn State Libraries. To access your Course Reserves, please use the Library Resources tab in the course navigation menu. For any questions you may have about viewing or printing your Course Reserves, refer to the View and Print Electronic Course Reserves page at https://libraries.psu.edu/services/course-reserves/using-electronic-reserves/view-and-print-electronic-course-reserves.
Library Services
Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.
Grading
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.
Scale
| LETTER GRADE |
MINIMUM % | MAXIMUM % |
|---|---|---|
| A | 95 | 100 |
| A- | 90 | 94.9 |
| B+ | 88 | 89.9 |
| B | 82 | 87.9 |
| B- | 80 | 81.9 |
| C+ | 78 | 79.9 |
| C | 70 | 77.9 |
| D | 60 | 69.9 |
| F | 0 | 59.9 |
Due Dates
All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10622.
Late work is not accepted. (you will get a zero for late assignments). It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (hospitalization, jury duty, or family emergency) will be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work and need to contact the instructor prior to missing the deadline to make arrangements for submitting their work.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Extra Credit Policy: I do not give extra credit because I do not like to give more work to students who are already having trouble meeting the requirements for the course.
Assignments
Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.
You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within seven days of their due date.
| ASSIGNMENT GROUP |
% OF GRADE |
|---|---|
| 3 Exams | 30% (10% each) |
| 8 Quizzes | 25% (3.1% each) |
| 3 Class Discussions | 15% (5% each) |
| 2 Mini Papers | 30% (15% each) |
| Total | 100% |
Exams
Value: 3 x 100 PTS, 30% of total grade
There are two midterms and a final exam in this course. The exams consist of multiple choice questions. They will also be timed exams that must be completed once you open them. Lessons 5 and 11 are the midterms and the final is during finals week. There is an exam review discussion board in each of those folders. This is a way for you to study with you classmates. You may ask and answer each other’s questions here.
Quizzes
Value: 8 x 100 PTS, 25% of grade
There are eight timed quizzes made up of multiple choice questions. The first quiz is an orientation quiz found in the orientation folder as part of lesson 1. It is a timed quiz. Once you open it you will not be able pause it or go back and complete it at a later time. Lesson 2 includes a map quiz over countries in Europe. It is a 20 question multiple choice quiz. You have 20 minutes to complete the quiz upon opening it. A list of countries you need to know will be emailed to you during the first week of class. The rest of the quizzes are quizzes on the lessons in which they are found. They will consist of five multiple choice questions each based on the readings and lectures for that lesson. You have eight minutes to complete the quizzes once you open them. The quiz in lesson 15 is a review quiz with questions from all previous lesson quiz and lesson 15. This is a 20 question quiz with 30 minutes to complete it once you open it.
Discussions
Value: 3 x 100 PTS, 15% of grade
There are three discussions in this course, and all will be graded using the discussion rubric provided below. Discussions are not a forum for your own personal opinion but are an opportunity for you to critically evaluate and apply course material. Your discussion responses are to be based on material from your readings and the lectures. This is an opportunity to learn from each other as you interact with the material from the course. The more effort you put into them, the more you will gain from them. Your discussions based will be graded based on the rubric located in each discussion, and are noted below.
| Points | Evaluation | Grading Criteria |
| 9-10 |
Excellent |
The critical question and comments are accurate, relevant, and original. They teach us something new or lead us to consider an issue brought up in the readings or assignments. The entries are well-written and show depth of thinking and consideration of the topic. The question/comments stimulate additional thinking and discussion about the issues perhaps drawing on direct experience or outside resources. |
| 7-8 | Strong | The critical question/comments lack at least one of the qualities above, but show above average thinking about the issues. |
| 5-6 | Satisfactory | The critical question/comments lack 2 or 3 of the above qualities. For example, they may be well-written and accurate, but simply repeat what is already presented in the readings or show little depth of analysis. |
| 3-4 | Developing | The critical question/comments present little or no new information to further the discussion. It may be difficult to understand what is being asked in the question. However, the question/comments may be useful to building social presence and collegiality and may show a beginning engagement in the material we are concerned with. |
| 1-2 | Minimal | The critical question/comments add little value to the discussion. They are off-topic, inaccurate, unprofessional in tone, or too brief to be of help in furthering our collective thinking and understanding. |
| 0 | Unacceptable | Questions/comments are absent |
(Rubric adapted from: Pelz, B. JALN Volume 8, Issue 3, June 2004)
Minipapers
Value: 2 x 100 PTS, 30% of total grade
Students are required to write two analytic mini papers due in lessons 10 and 14. The papers require you to apply concepts studied during the semester to salient issues in European politics.
Due dates are also listed in the course calendar. There is a module dedicated solely to these papers in Canvas. Please read all of the material in it now so you can plan ahead for the rest of the semester.
Discussion Policies
Written communication is different than oral communication. The policies and pointers listed below cover common issues that crop up in an online discussion forum. They are designed to enhance organization, help you convey your ideas more clearly, and prevent misunderstandings.
- Try to think of discussion forums as an extension of your real-life classroom.
- Endeavor to share ideas among your classmates, not to prove that you are right and they are wrong.
- Be aware that differences of opinion are going to occur in any forum. Multiple perspectives on a topic or problem are often valuable.
- Compose long messages in NotePad (or TextEdit) and then copy/paste into CANVAS. Or add an attachment and provide a simple explanation of its contents.
- Keep closely related ideas organized under a single post.
- To respond to the original post, click in the Reply field, type your response, and click Post Reply. Title your post so that individuals know what your post is about. The title of your post should be a brief phrase that summarizes your post.
- To respond to another individual, click the Reply button just below the individual's original response. Type in your response and then click Post Reply.
- To express a new idea, click in the Reply field again, similar to adding your original post. Remember to add a title.
- Don’t feel obligated to make a reply to a post if you feel it does not warrant one. Numerous posts that contain no essential new ideas may create more work for everyone.
- Don’t be offended if no one replies to your message. Often people will read postings on a discussion forum but not make a reply.
- Act professionally and be considerate of others.
- Remember that not everyone comes from the same background, or shares the same values and ideals as you.
- Be mindful of your “tone.” If you are unsure of your tone, try reading your discussion forum post out loud before you submit it. When you read it out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
- Remember that a message can easily be misunderstood. Making a joke or being ironic in a discussion forum is a great way to break the ice, but you have to let people know your intentions. If you wish to convey a humorous tone, try using emoticons or adding comments like “Just kidding!” Do not use slang.
- Alert your instructor as soon as possible if there is a message on the discussion forum that strikes you as inappropriate or offensive.
- Keep in mind that the author may not realize how the message “sounds” to you. Try to think of the situation as a growth opportunity facilitated by the instructor.
- Allow the instructor to handle the situation. Rest assured that your instructor is determined to prevent breakdown of group process.
- Be aware that the instructor has the right to remove any inappropriate or offensive messages.
- Be aware that any student who posts an inappropriate of offensive message will be blocked from participating in the discussion forum and will receive an F for that assignment. Students are also subject to relevant policies in the student code of conduct.
University Policies
Academic Integrity
Penn State defines academic integrity as “the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.” (Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without permission from the instructor or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students facing allegations of academic misconduct who drop the course will be returned and will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines until the allegations are dismissed and the drop is permitted. Students responsible for academic misconduct often receive academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for disciplinary sanctions assigned by the University's Office of Student Conduct (see Senate Policy G-9).
Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:
- Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
- All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
- All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
Disability Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
Nondiscrimination
Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.
Reporting a Bias Incident
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.
TEACH Act
The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
University Emergency Procedure
In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.
In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at https://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at https://news.psu.edu.
To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.
Syllabus Subject to Change
The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|