PSCI 2305.001 Page-by-Page Notes

Page 1

• Course information and contact

  • US Political Behavior and Policy PSCI 2305.001 Fall 2025
  • Professor: Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha
  • Office: 156 Wooten Hall
  • Phone: 565-2329
  • E-mail: Matthew.Eshbaugh-Soha@unt.edu
  • Class: MWF 11:00–11:50 am, Lyceum
  • Office Hours: MWF 10:00–11:00 am, or by appointment
  • Teaching Assistants (TAs) and contact details:
  • Diana Amaro [A-C]; Wooten 110; email: DianaAmaro@my.unt.edu; Office Hours: T 2–4 pm
  • Catarina Bezerra [D-H]; Wooten 110; email: CatarinaRoseBezerra@my.unt.edu; Office Hours: (not specified)
  • Leah Fraser [I-M]; Wooten 173A; email: LeahFraser@my.unt.edu; Office Hours: M 12:30–2:30 pm
  • Maria Lara [N-S]; Wooten 110; email: MariaLara@my.unt.edu; Office Hours: MW 9:30–10:30 am
  • Cameron Maxwell [T-Z]; Wooten 140; email: CameronMaxwell@my.unt.edu; Office Hours: MW 9:30–10:30 am

• Course overview

  • Focus: Introduction to political behavior and public policies of American and Texas governments.
  • Topics: Policymaking within the American constitutional and federalist system; key stages of policymaking; role of parties, interest groups, and the media; connections between public preferences and policymakers in both American and Texas governments.
  • Application: Apply understanding to current events, topics, and public policies.

• Course learning objectives and outcomes
  By the end of the course, students should be able to:
  1) Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in American and Texas politics.
  2) Analyze national, state, and local election processes.
  3) Analyze issues and policies in US and Texas politics.
  4) Think critically and communicate effectively about the course topics.
  5) Describe how course topics affect social and personal responsibility.

• Required reading

  • Soomo Webtext (The Workbook)

• Course grade distribution
  1) Syllabus quiz — $5\%$
  2) Letter to the Editor — $10\%$
  3) Workbook assignments — $35\%$
  4) Three exams — $50\%$

Page 2

• Grading and communication policies

  • Grading scale: 90–100 is A, 80–89 B, 70–79 C, 60–69 D.
  • Grades are not changed except for computational errors.
  • Grades are not revealed via email/phone; no extra credit except as announced in class.
  • Exams are often curved; curves are typically posted on Canvas within 48 hours after exam time.
  • Final grades posted for viewing at my.unt.edu during finals week.
  • For questions about the class, use office hours or schedule an appointment; email is fastest.
  • If you need a makeup exam, you must see the professor in person to arrange.
  • If you perform poorly on assignments or exams, seek help early. Pleading for a higher grade after completing all work will not help.

• Syllabus Quiz

  • A 10-question syllabus quiz is the first assignment to encourage learning the syllabus.
  • Due by September 5; no late quizzes accepted.

• Exams

  • There are three in-class exams; no comprehensive final.
  • Each exam: $16.67\%$ of the total grade, in-person, 40 multiple-choice questions, covering material since the previous exam.
  • Scantron will be provided.

• Exam rules and procedures

  • Entire class period to complete the exam.
  • Exam starts promptly at 11:00 am; late arrivals cannot take the exam.
  • All notes/devices must be inaccessible during the exam; access could constitute academic misconduct.
  • Exam scores posted on Canvas by the following day.

• Makeup exams

  • Limited makeup opportunities.
  • Request in person at the instructor’s office.
  • Makeup exams will be held on a single day: December 3, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Lyceum.
  • Paper exam with no notes; may be an essay exam.
  • Only one makeup exam allowed per student.
  • Makeup is not an exam retake; the score earned on an exam is final.

• Exam preparation

  • Best approach: attend class, take good notes, keep up with workbook readings.
  • Readings are in the workbook; access to notes and PowerPoints for study.
  • Students will have access to potential exam questions by following along with lectures and workbook.

Page 3

• Workbook assignments

  • Workbook chapters/exercises supplement lecture notes; some material discussed in class.
  • To encourage progress before exams, assignments related to each exam are due the day before the exam at 11:59 pm.
  • Late policy: assignments not completed before the deadline are late; a 50% penalty applies for assignments completed within one week after the due date (except for Exam 3).
  • There are four sections of questions in eight workbook chapters, totaling 32 workbook grades.
  • Four lowest section grades are dropped.
  • No workbook submissions after December 4.
  • Submitting work: save, submit, and post to receive credit.
  • For each MCQ, you have only two chances to answer. Confirm your selection before submitting.
  • Access options: purchase an access code at the bookstore or access the workbook online via the Canvas link.
  • A 30-day trial is available (or 3 chapters).
  • For questions/issues, contact the TA.

• Letter to the Editor

  • Purpose: Practice practical civic writing, presenting evidence to support your position on a current issue.
  • Due by October 31.
  • Requirements:
    1) Identify a current political issue affecting you and your community.
    2) Read three reputable articles about the issue.
    3) Draft a ~200-word letter to the editor of a local media outlet, following Canvas-provided directions.
  • Grading: using the rubric provided; submitted to Turnitin.
  • Late submission: accepted with a 50% penalty if turned in by November 7, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

• Attendance

  • Attendance is expected but not required; attending helps performance. You are responsible for all material covered in class.

Page 4

• Course schedule overview

  • POLITICAL PARTICIPATION I: THE PUBLIC, NEWS MEDIA, AND GROUPS
  • August 18: Course Introduction
  • August 20–22: Introduction to American Government
  • August 25–29: Public Opinion; Read Workbook, Chapter 1
    • September 28: Chapter 1 Exercises Due
  • September 1: No Class (Labor Day Holiday)
  • September 5: Syllabus Quiz Due
  • September 3–22: Media; Read Workbook, Chapter 2
    • September 28: Chapter 2 Exercises Due
  • September 12: No Class (Professor at APSA)
  • September 24–26: Interest Groups; Read Workbook, Chapter 3
    • September 28: Chapter 3 Exercises Due
  • September 29: Exam 1, in class

• In-class progression: Political Participation II (Parties, Nominations, and Elections)

  • October 3–10: Political Parties; Read Workbook Chapter 4
  • October 13–20: Political Nominations and Campaigns; Read Workbook Chapter 5
  • October 22–29: Elections and Voting Behavior; Read Workbook Chapter 6
    • October 31: Letter to Editor Due (NO CLASS)
  • November 3: Exam 2, in-class

• In-class American Government and Public Policy

  • November 5–7: Constitutional Foundations of Public Policymaking; Foreign Policy; Read Workbook Chapter 7
  • November 30: Chapter 7 Exercises Due
  • November 10–21: Domestic Public Policy; Read Workbook Chapter 8
  • November 30: Chapter 8 Exercises Due
  • November 24–28: No Class (Thanksgiving Week)

• End of semester and exams

  • December 1: Exam 3, in class
  • December 3: Makeup Exam Day
  • December 4: Last Day to Complete Workbook Assignments

Page 5

• University policies and procedures (summary)
  • Dropping Courses: See UNT fall academic calendar link for drops/withdrawals and administrative information.
  • Course Evaluation (SPOT): If >75% class completes SPOT, each student earns +1% extra credit.
  • Mobile Device Policy: Laptops/tablets allowed but not recommended; note-taking by hand improves retention; silence/store phones during class.
  • Academic Misconduct: UNT Policy 06.003; includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating dishonesty, forgery, plagiarism, sabotage; penalties range from admonition to expulsion; first violation may result in penalties including failing the class; multiple violations may trigger a formal review.
  • AI Writing Tools: Use of AI writing tools (including ChatGPT) is not permitted; AI-generated submissions violate academic integrity.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): UNT provides reasonable academic accommodations; students must register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify eligibility and obtain accommodation letters each semester.
  • Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (Policy 16.004): UNT prohibits discrimination/harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.
  • Acceptable Student Behavior: Disruptive behavior is not tolerated; such students may be directed to leave and referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for potential Code of Conduct violations.
  • Emergency Notification & Procedures: UNT uses Eagle Alert for emergency notices; in university closure, refer to Canvas for contingency plans.
  • Retention of Student Records: Exams, answer sheets, and papers kept for at least one calendar year after course completion; Canvas records stored for one year; students can view their records with proper consent.
  • Attendance: Regular attendance is expected; communicate with the professor regarding absences.
  • Course Materials and Copyright: Course handouts are copyrighted; copying is prohibited unless permission is granted by the instructor.

Page 6

• Supplemental Instruction (SI)

  • SI sessions are led by a trained student facilitator to help groups review notes, discuss concepts, build study strategies, and prepare for exams.
  • Attendance is free and voluntary; students who attend weekly tend to earn higher grades.
  • SI sessions begin the second week of class and continue through the semester.
  • Session schedule will be announced in class.
  • For program information and updates: http://learningcenter.unt.edu/si

• Supplemental Instructor contact information

  • Name: [not provided in transcript]
  • E-mail: [not provided in transcript]

Page 7

• Supplemental Instruction (continued)

  • SI sessions are described again: led by a student, aim to help compare notes, review material, discuss important concepts, develop study strategies, and prepare for exams.
  • Schedule and updates announced in class.
  • For more information on the program and schedule: http://learningcenter.unt.edu/si
  • Supplemental Instructor Contact Information:
  • Name: [not provided]
  • E-mail: [not provided]

• Final notes

  • The transcript covers the course structure, grading, policies, schedule, and support resources for PSCI 2305.001.
  • Students should routinely check Canvas for updates to schedules, assignments, and exam postings.