Arkansas State University-Newport’s mission is to provide an accessible, affordable, quality
education that transforms the lives of our students, enriches our communities, and strengthens
the regional economy.
POSC 2013 Introduction to U. S. Government
ACTS: POSC 2003
Summer 2015
A survey of the structure and process of American national government. Focus on the
constitution, government, and politics of the United States.
Hours: 3 Type: Lecture
Instructor Name: Professor Traci Burgess
Office: Newport
Walton Hall
162
Office Phone: 870-512-7852
Email: traci_burgess@asun.edu
Office Hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Or by Appointment
Department Information
Course Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Academic Department: General Education
Dean: Joe Campbell
Dean contact number: 870-358-8725
Dean Email: joe_campbell@asun.edu
Materials: Required and Optional
Required Text(s): Wilson, James Q, American Government: Brief Version.
eText: ISBN-10 1285303040 , ISBN-13 9781285303048
Print: ISBN-10 1133594379 , ISBN-13 9781133594376
Optional Text(s): Other readings and materials may be provided
Required Materials: Internet
Optional Materials: Other materials may be provided
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
Upon graduating from ASU-Newport with any Associate Degree, a student will be proficient in
the following:
•
Oral and Written Communication Skills
•
Math Skills
•
Critical Thinking Skills
•
Technology Skills
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:





Identify the basic structure, functions, and processes of American government.
Explain the historical and philosophical roots of the American political system and its
function.
Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
Identify and explain the basic theories used by Political Science to understand American
political behavior and political culture.
Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues/policies
using relevant theory and data.
Learning Outcomes Assessments
Reading Quizzes (15)
Primary Source Activities (2)
Critical Thinking Activities (2)
Institutional Grading Scale
Instructor Weighting Policy
Grading Scale:
 A: 90-100
 B: 80-89
 C: 70-79
 D: 60-69
 F: 0-59
Reading Quizzes
30%
Primary Source Activities
40%
Critical Thinking Activities 30%
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Academic Dishonesty
The ASUN policy for Academic Dishonesty can be found on pages 238-240 of the ASU—
Newport Catalog (The Student Handbook Section). Cases of cheating and plagiarism can result
in failing an assignment, failing the course, the student being reported to the Dean of General
Education and/or a report of the event being placed in a student’s record.
•
Plagiarism detection software will be used to aid in maintaining academic honesty and
integrity.
•
Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
•
The first offense will result in a 0 grade for the assignment.
•
The second offense will result in a failing (F) grade for the course and the reporting of the
incident to the Dean of General Education.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
In order to obtain appropriate disability related accommodations and services to which they are
entitled, students with documented disabilities should voluntarily and confidentially provide the
Office of Disability Services (870-358-8636 or disabilityservices@asun.edu ) with appropriate
medical documentation regarding the nature and extent of their disability, make their needs
known to this Office and follow established procedures for acquiring needed services and
accommodations in the classroom or online.
Information Technology Services
If you experience any problems or issues with the Portal or other equipment, please contact ITS
at 870-512-7783 or its@asun.edu.
Course Policies and Procedures
Correspondence Policy
Please specify your correspondence policy. Provide the students with information concerning
the best way to correspond concerning the class. Give students a general idea of how soon you
will respond to their correspondence. You may also want to let them know that according to
FERPA we cannot technically discuss grade issues via email or over the telephone because we
have no idea who is actually sending the email or talking to us on the phone. Grades should be
up to date on portal.
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Attendance Policy
Because this is a summer course it will move rapidly. I would like to encourage everyone to login and participate in the course at least once a day.
Classroom Policies
Contacting the Instructor
The best way to contact me is through email: traci_burgess@asun.edu. I check my email
frequently throughout day and I have it programed to come in on my cell phone as well. That
being said please understand that there are a lot of you and one of me. I do try to answer all my
emails within 12 hours. When you email please include the course name and number in the
subject line. POSC 2103 D1 25 - Intro to US Govern (Just copy exactly and paste in the subject
line).
Next, you may call me. If you call please leave a message and I will return your call as quickly
as possible; within 12 hours.
Another good way to contact me is through the course itself. Leave a message on one of your
assignments or ask a question on the Classroom Chatter discussion forum. This is a good way to
get feedback from your classmates as well. If you are having difficulty there is a good chance
someone else in the class is as well.
Student Online Code of Conduct
Appropriate academic conduct includes doing assigned work, meeting deadlines, participating in
online discussions, and completing all the required elements of the course. It also means
following these basic rules of netiquette:
•
Using proper capitalization, spelling, and grammar.
•
Signing your name to all email messages and discussion postings.
•
Providing descriptive but concise subject lines.
Furthermore, appropriate academic conduct means maintaining a safe learning environment
based on mutual respect and civility. All participants in OTC Online courses are expected to
behave professionally by adhering to these standards of conduct in the online environment:
•
Never transmit or promote content known to be illegal.
•
Respect other people's privacy as well as your own.
•
Forgive other people's mistakes.
•
Never use harassing, threatening, embarrassing, or otherwise abusive language or actions.
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Online communication that fails to meet these standards of conduct will be removed from the
course. Repeated misconduct may result in being blocked from online discussions, receiving a
grade penalty, or being dismissed from the course.
If you ever feel as though our online classroom is inappropriate or uncomfortable, please
first contact your instructor with your concerns.
Course Outline Week 1:

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

June 1 - 7 Primary Source Activity: Common Sense
What Should We Know About American Government?
Reading Quiz
The Constitution
Reading Quiz
Civil Liberties
Reading Quiz
Civil Rights
Reading Quiz
Week 2: June 8 - 14
 Critical Thinking Discussion (Civil Rights)
Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Federalism
Reading Quiz
Public Opinion and the Media
Reading Quiz
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Reading Quiz
Campaigns and Elections
Reading Quiz
Week 3: June 15 - 21
 Primary Source Activity: Reagan State of the Union Address 1982
Chapter 9: Congress
 Reading Quiz
Chapter 10: The Presidency
 Reading Quiz
Chapter 11: The Bureaucracy
 Reading Quiz
Chapter 12: The Judiciary
 Reading Quiz
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Week 4: June 22 - 28
 Critical Thinking Activity (The Media)
Chapter 13: Making Domestic Policy
 Reading Quiz
Chapter 14: Foreign and Military Policy
 Reading Quiz
Chapter 15: How American Government has changed
 Reading Quiz
Explanation of Assignments
Reading Quizzes: Reading quizzes will be assigned for each chapter in your text.
1) 20 points each
2) All quizzes are due on the Sunday evening of the week assigned.
3) Quizzes are worth 40% of your overall grade
Primary Source Activities:
1) 50 points each
2) Due dates:
a. June 7:
Common Sense
b. June 21: Reagan State of the Union 1982
3) Read the primary source document and answer the corresponding questions. The
primary source and questions can be accessed through the Coursework Tab on portal.
4) For all short answer questions, answer must be more than one or two words. Answer
the questions completely.
5) Primary Source Activities are worth 30% of your overall grade
Critical Thinking Activity
1) 50 points each
2) Due dates:
a. Initial Post: June 10, 11:55 PM Responses Due by: June 14, 11:55 PM
b. Initial Post: June 24, 11:55 PM Responses Due by : June 28, 11:55 PM
3) Participate in a discussion with your classmates based on your readings. I will post a
thought provoking question on the Discussion Forum. Your responsibility is to
discuss the question fully and respectfully. I encourage and fully expect that you will
have varying opinions and ideas. Please follow the Student Online Code of Conduct.
4) You must make an initial post of 150 words before you can see the post of your peers.
All initial posts are due by the Wednesday night (11:55 PM) the assignment is due.
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
You must then respond to at least two (2) of your peers’ responses. Your responses
must be at least 50 words in length. “I agree” or the likes is NOT an adequate
response and will not receive credit.
5) Again…Your initial post is due by Wednesday night at 11:55 PM of the week the
assignment is due. I will not give full credit for initial posts made after Wednesday
night. I will not reopen a discussion once the dead line has past.
Late Work and Retakes
Late work and retakes will only be granted under extreme circumstances. If you are having
difficulty please email me as quickly as possible and provide evidence of your situation.
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.
Primary Source Assignment 1: Common Sense
Thomas Paine published the pamphlet, Common Sense, anonymously in 1776. Common Sense
challenged the authority of the British government, and it became an instant best-seller, both in Europe
and in the colonies. Written in plain language, it spoke to the common people of America and was the
first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Paine said, “The cause of America is, in
the great measure, the cause of all mankind.” He used biblical references such as, “In the early ages of
the world, according to the scripture chronology there were no kings; the consequence of which was,
there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throws mankind into confusion.” This document
captured the sentiments and concerns of many colonists then, and it reminds us today of the dangers of
tyrannical government.
Read Common Sense and then take the brief quiz found in Coursework.
Primary Source Assignment 2: Reagan’s State of the Union Speech of 1982
President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Speech of 1982 was his first. Presidents typically give their
first address to both houses of congress in January of the year following their inauguration. The
Constitution requires the President to address Congress from time to time with information on the State
of the Union and recommends measures for their consideration. This is found in Article II, Section 3, and
Clause 1 of the Constitution. Reagan’s speck was of particular importance due to the economic crisis of
the time and the fact that he had recently survived an assassination attempt. Reagan’s administration
marked a shift in policy from his recent predecessors on the Cold War and fiscal policy, and as is the case
with all presidents, this message set the agenda for the coming year.
Take a look at that speech and complete the associated assignment found in Coursework.
Additional Information or Comments from the Instructor
This syllabus and all documents associated with the syllabus are considered a contract between the
student and the instructor. Students are expected to carefully read and review the syllabus and all
associated documents in order to be familiar with course expectations and policies.