FEDERALISTS vs. ANTIFEDERALISTS

(AMH3990-2115)

Monday

5:30 – 8:25 pm

Building 52, Room 162

Dr. Steve Belko

Building 50, Room 138

474-2680

wbelko@uwf.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the debates over the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution of 1787.  First, as a study of the creation of the Constitution itself, this course will examine the debates among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 over various selected provisions that came to be adopted in the final document.  Second, this course will examine the extensive debates over the ratification of the Constitution that occurred from the fall of 1787 through the summer of 1788, featuring the arguments of the Federalists and the Antifederalists, and culminating in the eventual adoption of the U. S. Constitution.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Demonstrate a general comprehension of the economic, social, political, and constitutional issues that resulted in the Constitution of 1787.
• Demonstrate a general comprehension of the personal and public considerations and the theoretical perspectives of the Founders, both Federalist and Antifederalist.
• Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the Federalist and Antifederalist positions regarding the adoption of the Constitution of 1787.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the respective merits of the delegates’ positions on the proposals for the revision of the Articles of Confederation and the respective merits of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist positions on the adoption of the Constitution of 1787.
• Summarize and compare important aspects of the debates over the Constitution of 1787 with contemporary political, social, and moral dilemmas in American public life.
• Identify the major individuals that participated in the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 and in the succeeding ratification debates of 1787 and 1788.

READINGS

• All Readings for this course are provided online and can be found at the following website:

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/

• Other readings, namely the articles and book chapters, will be provided by the professor.
• Follow the Class Schedule provided at the end of the syllabus for the respective readings found online and provided by the professor.

ASSIGNMENTS

There will be no exams or research papers over the course of this semester.  Instead, you will have weekly assignments requiring critical analysis of both the readings assigned herein and the nightly lectures, as well as a participation requirement.  Due dates for the assigned readings, both primary and secondary, are provided in the Class Schedule.

Weekly Assignments

• Due before each class period is three-page paper that summarizes the readings assigned for that class.  This summary involves an important element of critical thought: identifying the argument of each reading and distinguishing the important features of the debate from peripheral comments or discussions.  The paper should accord one page each for the following:
  • Summary of the central issues debated in the Records of the Federal Convention and the major position(s) of the delegates.
  • Summary of the Federalist argument(s)
  • Summary of the Antifederalist argument(s)

• By the following Thursday after each class, you must write a two-page paper that critiques the Antifederalist position made by Dr Belko in the class lecture.  The critique should be divided into two parts:
  • Summary of the Antifederalist argument(s) provided in the lecture
  • A critique of the Antifederalist argument from the Federalist point of view (Critiques should borrow from Dr. Alvis’s lecture of the same night and the Federalist readings assigned; critiques should present a thoughtful argument, not mere assertions, and critiques should respond to the argument for the Antifederalists included in your summary)

Participation

Participation scores for this course will based on rankings.  There are a total of 72 points, as there are 72 students in the class.  You will be ranked between 1 and 72 depending on your performance in the following two requirements for participation:

• (25%) For each class meeting, one of the professors will present for 50 minutes on either the Federalist or Antifederalist viewpoint.  This will be followed by a 50 minute presentation by the other professor on the opposite view.  Class participation will be limited during this period to the professors directing several questions covering the readings.  During the final 30 minutes of class, there will be a rebuttal given by one of the professors.  During this time, you are encouraged to shout questions, make argumentative statements, or heckle. Any use of profanity, vulgarity, or badgering during the course of the semester will result in a profound reduction of your participation score.  Only professors may use profanity, vulgarity, and badger other students.

• (75%) The other opportunity for participation in this course will be online under the “Discussion” tab for the course.  Please either enter a thoughtful question (e.g., “if x thinks, then wouldn’t the problem with y be . . . ”)  There you will find tabs with the date of each class.  During the course of the semester, you are required to submit comments for discussion.  How many comments you submit and the consistency of your comments is up to you – remember that your grade will be determined by rankings.  Rankings of students will be determined according to the following criteria: (1) thoughtfulness of questions or remarks, (2) consistency of questions and comments (i.e. weekly), (3) quantity of questions and comments, and (4) balance – posting questions equal to quantity of comments.

• After two absences, your ranking for Participation will drop by 15 points per absence.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is expected and will be taken at every class period.  For every lecture you miss, twenty-five points will be deducted from your final total.  Each night class counts as two lectures.  If you have completed all the assignments and finish the semester with a borderline grade, then perfect attendance will raise your final grade one full average point to the next grade level.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ACADEMIC CONDUCT

As members of the University of West Florida academic community, we commit ourselves to honesty. As we strive for excellence in performance, integrity—both personal and institutional—is our most precious asset. Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share community resources in ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to individual performance. We will compete constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high performance and standards. Finally, we accept adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a condition of membership in the UWF academic community. (From the Student Life Handbook)

If you cheat or plagiarize on an assignment, you will fail the course and face academic misconduct charges at the university level which could result in your suspension or expulsion – in either case, it will be stamped permanently on your official transcripts.  (From Dr. Belko)

For more information on the University’s academic conduct policies, see the following resources:

• Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
• Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
• Student Handbook: (PDF Format)

Tags: Anti-Federalists, Federalists, Steven Belko, United States Constitution, University of West Florida

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