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Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein (Office Suite HSS 356)
Political Science 1 – National & California Governments (Spring 2020)
Sections 3206, 3210 and 3213 (Visit Canvas online through www.smc.edu)
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30-12:30p.m. and Wednesdays 7:00-8:00a.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 Friday, February 21st – (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; February 17th through March 13th)

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; March 16th through April 10th)

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; April 20th through May 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; May 18th through
June 12th)

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, March 11th
at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, March 14th 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, April 8th at
12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, April 11th 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, May 13th at
12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, May 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,
June 10th at 12:00 p.m. and closes Saturday, June 13th 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
Wednesday, February 19th and closes Friday, February 21st 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
Wednesday, February 19th and closes Friday, February 28th 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
Wednesday, February 19th and closes Friday, March 6th 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
Wednesday, February 19th and closes Friday, March 13th 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, March 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, April 8th. (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, April
22nd. (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, May
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,
February 21st. (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, April 10th. (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, June 5th. (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, June 5th. (All times are PST) http://www.grtep.com/

Boyz n the Hood. Dir. John Singleton. Columbia Pictures, 1991. Film.

Boyz n the Hood has the power to change one’s political sensitivities because it reveals the gravity of the contradictions of capitalism and makes the audience rethink the value of capitalism in the whole human relationship.

People are only adore people who are successful in their lives and ignore the poor.

African-Americans are still in poverty and threatened by the “rich”. Obviously only the “rich” have the opportunity to approach capitalism.

Not only does capitalism separate families by viewing their economic situation, but it also separates their human relations.

1. The mother of Doughboy and Ricky, Brenda Baker, seems to adore more with Ricky rather than Doughboy because Ricky has a great academic future. (00:59:35)

2. There is a scene where Styles debates that the main society tends to eliminate poor African Americans from the major community because the environment of the major community is much safer than the black people’s community. (01:24:27)

3. Even though Ricky is going to enter the university, both Ricky and Doughboy died from getting shot in the end. (01:28:34)

In the current social environment, there are still some people who are oppressed and contradicted. More seriously, society often ignores the importance of those who are oppressed by political or economic conditions, and capitalism is one of the most important factors contributing to this phenomenon. John Singleton’s film, The Age of Youth, vividly describes the controversial issues in slums. (This film has the ability to change a person’s political sensitivity because it reveals the seriousness of capitalist contradictions and changes the audience’s thinking about the value of capitalism in the entire interpersonal relationship.)