Fall 2011-2012
SYLLABUS
POL 211
3 Semester Hours A
I.
American National Government
3 Contact Hours
Course Description
This course surveys the background, constitutional principles, organization, and
operation of the American political system. Topics include the U. S. Constitution,
federalism, civil liberties, civil rights, political parties, interest groups, the media,
political campaigns, voting behavior, elections, the presidency, bureaucracy, Congress,
the judiciary, and public policy.
II.
Prerequisite: None
III.
Course Textbook
Cummings, Milton C., Jr., and David Wise.
Learning, 2009.
IV.
Democracy Under Pressure. Cengage
Course Learning Outcomes
A. The student will be able to explain the origins and functions of government, the
impact of government on people, and the impact of people on government.
B. The student will be able to describe the foundations, development, and content
of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
C. The student will be able to discuss the foundations, development, and features
of the U. S. Constitution.
D. The student will be able to explain the pros and cons of federalism and to
trace the evolution of American federalism to present day.
E. The student will demonstrate an understanding of civil liberties and concepts and
responsibilities of citizenship.
F. The student will be able to trace the historical background of the struggle for equal
rights in the United States.
G. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the roles public opinion,
interest groups, and the media play in American national government.
H. The student will be able to explain the roles political parties, voting,
campaigns, and elections play in American government.
I. The student will be able to explain the structure, functions, and operations of the
the three branches of the United States government.
J. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the development and
implementation of both foreign and domestic policies.
K. The student will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of relevant current events.
V.
Activities Promoting General Learning Outcomes
A. Communication
Reading--Students will read select current events articles from The New
Times on-line.
B. Cognition
Critical thinking—Students will be required to submit written analyses
of political cartoons.
VI.
Outline of Course Topics
A. Government and people
1. The reciprocal nature of democratic power
2. What is government?
3. The concept of a political system
4. Public policymaking
5. Democratic government and a changing society
B. The constitutional framework
1. The political foundations of the American democracy
2. The American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence
3. Toward a more perfect union—the Constitutional Convention
(background, the delegates, the setting, the compromises, the document)
4. The battle over ratification and the significance of The Federalist Papers
5. A synopsis of what the Constitution says
a. Preamble
b. Seven articles
c. Twenty-seven amendments
C. The federal system
1. The advantages and disadvantages of federalism/a federal system
2. The checkerboard of governments
3. The historical basis of federalism
4. The constitutional basis of federalism
5. The growth of strong national government
6. The impact of federalism on government and politics
D. Civil liberties and citizenship
1. The Bill of Rights
a. Freedom of speech
b. Freedom of the press
c. Obscenity
d. Privacy
e. Freedom of assembly
f. Freedom of religion
g. Loyalty and security
h. Due process of law
i. An expanding umbrella of rights
j. Balancing liberty and order
2. Citizenship
E. The struggle for equal rights
1. Historical background
2. The civil rights movement: freedom now
3. Affirmative action
4. Equal rights: a balance sheet
F. Public opinion
1. The formation of public opinion
2. Qualities of public opinion
3. Polling
4. Basic beliefs of Americans
G. Interest groups
1. Theories as to “who governs”
2. Interest groups at work
3. Regulating interest groups
4. Interest groups and the policy process
H. The media and politics
1. The media—a protected institution
2. Ownership of the media
3. Television and the American political system
4. The press: legal and constitutional issues
5. The press and government
6. The press in a democratic society
I. Political parties
1. Definition of the term “political party”
2. Development of American political parties
3. The two-party system
4. Party structure
5. The national convention
6. Political parties and democratic government
J. Political campaigns and candidates
1. Organization of campaigns
2. Campaign strategy
3. The issues
4. Campaign techniques
5. Campaign finance
K. Voting behavior and elections
1. Who votes?
2. How the voter decides
3. Voting patterns
4. Election 2000: a case study
5. Election 2002: a case study
6. The electoral system
7. Elections and democratic government
L. The Congress
1. The varied roles of Congress
2. The legislators
3. The House of Representatives
4. The Senate
5. The party machinery
6. The committee system
7. Congressional reforms and ethics
8. Congress and the budget
9. Passage of a bill
M. The President
1. The paradox of the presidency
2. The American presidency—the institution, the person
3. The expanding presidency
4. The impossible burden: the many roles of the chief executive
5. The tools of presidential power
6. The Watergate scandal and the resignation of a president
7. Presidential impeachment, disability, and succession
8. The “splendid misery”: personality and style in the White House
N. Justice
1.
2.
3.
4.
The system of justice
The law
The U. S. Supreme Court
The American court system
5. Criminal justice in America
6. Organized crime
7. Justice and the American political system
O. Government and the economy
1. Managing the economy
2. Tools of economic policy—fiscal, monetary, international trade
3. The American economy in the 21st century
P. Promoting the general welfare
1. Government as regulator and promoter
2. Government as protector
Q. Foreign policy and national security
1. A brief history of post-World War II American foreign policy
2. How foreign policy is made
3. The defense establishment
4. The military-industrial complex
5. America’s world role in the 21st century
VII.
Methods of Instruction
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Lectures
Class discussion
Textbook and supplemental reading assignments
Audiovisuals
Research assignments
Oral presentations
Companion websites for students (see textbook web icons)
VIII. Evaluation and Assessment
A. Procedures for the Assessment of Student Learning
1. Written exams
2. Written/oral quizzes
3. Written book reports
4. Oral presentations (individual and/or group)
5. Class participation
6. Research assignments
7. Homework
Grades will be given based upon A = 90 – 100%, B = 80 – 89%, C = 70 – 79%,
D = 60 – 69%, and F below 60%.
B. Departmental Assessment of General Education Outcomes
1. The general education outcome concerning reading will be assessed
through select questions on the comprehensive current events examination
given at the end of the course.
2. The general education outcome concerning critical thinking will be
assessed through students’ written analyses of at least two political
cartoons selected by the instructor.
3. Every five years all POL 211 instructors will conduct an assessment of
the course. The appropriate forms will be completed by each instructor
and submitted to the division chair.
C. Use of Assessment Findings
During the Fall in-service of the year following the scheduled review of POL 211, a
committee will review all course assessment materials submitted by the instructors
and division chair. The committee will send a report of any recommended
curriculum changes to the division chair, who will then submit them to the Student
Learning Outcomes (SLO) Committee. Upon approval by the SLO Committee, a
copy will be filed with the Office of Institutional Planning and Assessment.
IX.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students who
are unable to attend class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstance, should
withdraw from that class before poor attendance interferes with the student’s ability to
achieve the objectives required in the course. Withdrawal from class can affect
eligibility for federal financial aid.
X.
Statement on Discrimination/Harassment
NACC and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both
employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related
to an individual’s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such
harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any policy or behavior
that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
XI.
Statement of Adherence to ADA Guidelines
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990 state that qualified students with disabilities who meet the essential functions
and academic requirements are entitled to reasonable accommodations. It is the
student’s responsibility to provide appropriate disability documentation to the College.