Chabot College
Fall 2004
Course Outline for Political Science 1
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Catalog Description:
1 – Introduction to American Government
3 units
Introduction to the historical development of American political ideals and institutions
including the Federal and California Constitutions, civil liberties, civil rights, citizenship
duties, political parties, participation and elections. . Strongly recommended: Eligibility
for English 1A. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
distinguish between direct democracy and representative democracy;
explain the basic principles of a republican form of government;
discuss the concept of federalism and evaluate its impact on the American
political system;
explain the basic principles of the Federal and California Constitutions and place
the values expressed in the context of American history;
discuss the separation of powers and identify the roles of the three branches of
government;
discuss the expansion of suffrage and its impact on government and society;
describe the historical context of the United States Constitutional Amendments;
identify and explain the concept of civil liberties and their civil rights and its
application in American society;
describe the development of the Federal and California political party system and
evaluate the role of political parties in American government and politics;
apply general knowledge gained in the class to every day events that take place
locally, nationally and internationally.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The role of democratic theory on American and California state political
institutions
The influence of democratic institutions on national and California state and local
governments institutions
The Constitutional sources of American ideologies
The History of American Federalism including Federal/State Relations and
conflicts between states
The expansion of the Federal Constitution and amendments
The development of the California Constitution
Chabot College
Course Outline for Political Science 1, Page 2
Fall 2004
7.
8.
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12.
The development of California’s political institutions
a. The Plural Executive
b. The Legislative
c. The Judiciary
An analysis of the unique characteristics of Californian’s politics
The origins of the American political process including:
a. Role of political parties, special interests, public opinion and the media
b. Role of rights and duties of citizenship
c. Importance of the initiative referendum and recall for California politics
The development of political institutions including:
a. The Congress
b. The Presidency
c. The courts and judicial review
The implications of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights including:
a. The Bill of Rights
b. Constitutional Amendments
c. Due Process and Equal Protection of Law
d. History of Civil Rights Movement
The ramifications of economic and social policies for national, California and
local governments
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
Lecture – discussion
Audio and video presentation
Computer assisted instruction
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments:
a.
Provide a comprehensive written analysis of the Federal Constitution
showing how it meets the requirements of Popular Sovereignty, Political
Liberty and Political Equality
b.
Provide a critical written analysis and summary of a leading Supreme
Court decision showing its relationship to a principle of Constitutional
Law
c.
Provide a detailed written evaluation of an observation of a City Council
or Board of Supervisors meeting
d.
Provide a critical written evaluation comparing California’s Political
Parties’ values and philosophies
Chabot College
Course Outline for Political Science 1, Page 3
Fall 2004
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Midterm exams and quizzes
b.
Written assignments
c.
Oral presentations
d.
Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Democracy Under Pressure, Cummings and Wise, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Publishing Company, 2001, or latest edition.
Government by the People, Burns, Peltason, Cronin and Magleby, Prentice Hall
Publishing Company, 2001, or latest edition.
The Challenge of Democracy, Janda, Berry and Goldman, Houghton Mifflin, 2001, or
latest edition.
California: Politics of Diversity, Lawrence, West Publishing Company, 2001, or latest
edition.
California Government, Kory, New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999, or latest
edition.
Governing California, Giventer, McGraw-Hill, 2004, or latest edition.
Special Student Materials:
None.
tf : Word\PolSci 1.doc
Revised 12-5-03