More Related Content
Similar to Political Science 100 Introduction to American GovernmentCOURSE DES.docx (20)
More from LeilaniPoolsy (20)
Political Science 100 Introduction to American GovernmentCOURSE DES.docx
- 1. Political Science 100: Introduction to American GovernmentCOURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING GOALS: 100 American Government (3) People, their politics, and power; contemporary issues, chang ing political styles and processes, institution and underlying values of the American political system. Satisfies state requirements in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government. One or more sections offered online. This course is a college level introduction to American government. Students will begin to develop the body of knowledge necessary for informed civic participation. More specifically, students will learn about democratic principles, the structure and institutions of government, the role that ethnicity, race, gender, class, culture and the economy play in shaping the political landscape in America. By the end of the course students will have learned: · what the fundamental characteristics of American government are and how the U.S. Constitution affects the organization of government, the relationship between national and state governments, and the relationship between government and citizens. · understand human political behavior as it is expressed individually, collectively, and in groups. · how the executive, legislative and judicial branches are organized and the role they play in the policymaking process. · the institutions and politics of California. · how to effectively use this knowledge as thoughtful citizens participating in civil society. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS/REQUIREMENTS: Exams. There will be three exams in this class. The two midterm exams are worth 100 points each and will cover
- 2. distinct units identified on the course schedule below. The final exam will be comprehensive. All exams will include multiple choice and essay questions. Students must bring a blank Scantron form #882-E and a blank Bluebook to each exam (both can be purchased at the bookstore). Quizzes. There will be weekly quizzes in multiple choice format. Scantron form 882E is required for each of the quizzes. Students will also be graded on a short newspaper report. The objective of the report is to take something you learned in class and apply it to current events. As such, students will be required to write a 5 page paper on a newspaper article, where students analyze the article and discuss how it applies to or incorporates a key concept covered in the course. A more detailed description of this assignment will be passed out to students later on in the semester. Attendance and Participation. Learning is an active exercise. Students at all levels of learning and accomplishment benefit when they become actively engaged in class. Therefore, weekly quizzes will be given in order to ensure attendance and to make sure students keep abreast of the readings, Grading: Midterm One: 20% of course grade Midterm Two: 20% of course grade Weekly Quizzes 20% of course grade Writing Assignment: 20% of course grade Final Exam: 20% of course grade Grading Standards: A = 90-100% (outstanding proficiency in relevant course objectives) B = 80-89.99% (above average proficiency in relevant course objectives)
- 3. C = 70-79.99% (average proficiency in relevant course objectives) D = 60-69.99% (partial/below average proficiency in relevant course objectives) F = 0-59.99% (little to no proficiency in relevant course objectives) Required Reading: Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page. The Struggle for Democracy. 10th Edition and up. Pearson-Longman. Special Needs Statement: If you have a disability or special need for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, please inform me and contact the Office of Disability Support Services, located in the University Hall 101, as early as possible in the term. For more information, the Office of Disability Support Services can be reached by calling (657) 278-3117 or visit their website at www.fullerton.edu/DSS/. Confidentiality will be protected. Course Policies: Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic integrity. Policies on academic integrity will be strictly enforced. Familiarize yourself with the academic dishonesty policy, which can be found in the current student handbook or on the web at http://www.fullerton.edu/senate/documents/PDF/300/UPS300- 021.pdf There are no make-up examinations. In cases of verifiable illness or other emergency, a make-up exam may be granted with the consent of the instructor. In such cases, students should obtain documentation; other emergencies will also require written documentation. An incomplete (I) will not be granted for this course under any
- 4. circumstances. Students that do not take the final exam will receive a failing grade for the course. EmergencyInformation: Students should familiarize themselves with the actions they should take in an emergency at http://prepare.fullerton.edu/. Schedule of Topics and Assigned Readings: Unit 1: The Structure of American Government Week 1: Introduction to the Course & What is Democracy? Reading: Greenberg & Page (hereafter G & P) chapter 1 Week 2: The U.S. Constitution Reading: G & P Chapter 2 Week 3: Federalism/ Structural Foundations of American Government Reading: G & P Chapter 3 & Chapter 4 Week 4: Structural Foundations of American Government Reading: G & P Chapter 4 **Exam 1: Thursday, September 18Unit 2: Political Linkages Week 5: Public Opinion Reading: G & P Chapters 5 Week 6: Media & Politics Reading: G & P Chapters 6 Week 7: Interest Groups and Social Movements Reading: G & P Chapters 7 & 8Week 8: Political Parties, Political Participation, Elections & Campaigns
- 5. Reading: G & P Chapters 9 & 10 Week 9: Elections and Campaigns Readings: G & P Chapter 10 **Exam 2: Thursday, October 23Unit 3: Government and Governing Week 10: Congress Reading: G & P Chapter 11 Week 11: Congress continued and The Executive Reading G & P Chapter 11 & 12 Week 12: The Executive Reading: G & P Chapter 12 No class: Tuesday, November 11…Veterans Day Week 13: The Federal Bureaucracy and the Judicial Branch Reading: G & P Chapter 13 & 14Week 14: Fall Break….No class Tues, Nov 25 and Thurs, Nov 27!!!!Unit 4: What Government Does Week 15: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Reading: G & P Chapters 15 & 16 : Week 16: State and Local Government Readings: To be announced (will be available on Titanium)
- 6. Final Exam: Thursday, Dec 16: 5:00-6:50 pm **Please note that this a tentative course schedule, I reserve the right to amend the schedule as our progress dictates** 1 POSC 100—American Government Newspaper Report Assignment Sheet Due: Saturday, December 20 Assignment Overview: One of the main themes throughout this course is that the American political system is remarkably adaptable to accommodate the current circumstances of the nation. The objective of the report is to get you thinking about how concepts covered in the course apply to things that are happening around the nation and in your own community. The objective of this assignment is to analyze a newspaper article and discuss how it applies to or incorporates key concepts covered in the course. The written report is worth 20% of your course grade. Requirements: Students should discuss and analyze how the article relates to key concepts from this course (approx. 2 pgs). In this discussion be sure to include: definitions of the terms and concepts being employed (students may wish to cite the textbook definition), and an analysis of how the newspaper article relates to the course concepts (i.e. does the article show how the concepts are applied/used in politics?, does the article challenge our understanding of the concepts in the real world of politics?, etc.)
- 7. The assignment should be approximately 2 pages in length, typed, double-spaces, in 12 pt. times new roman font, with 1- inch margins all around. Choosing Key Concepts for the assignment: Choose an article and topic that you’re interested in! You may choose to write on any majorconcept in the textbook. (I.e. federalism, political ideology, redistricting, civil liberties, civil rights, campaigns, media and politics, etc.) In your paper please make sure to identify where you found the concept in the textbook (I.e. chapter and page). You must provide citations from the textbook and the article!!! List of Approved Newspapers: (Students MUST attach a copy of the article to their paper in order to receive credit for the assignment.) Associated Press Los Angeles Times New York Times Orange County Register Chicago Sun-Times San Francisco Chronicle New York PostUSA Today
- 8. Washington Post Chicago Tribune Wall Street Journal New York Daily News (Most of these newspapers can be accessed on-line)