Florida Gulf Coast University
Fall 2023
American National Government
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Margaret E. Banyan, Ph.D., Professor
Contact: mbanyan@fgcu.edu phone: 239-590-7850
Office Hours: M 6-8:30PM; TH 8:30am-11:00am (Please notify me if you plan to join)
Virtual Office Hours Access:
https://fgcu-edu.zoom.us/j/86187498964?pwd=N1E4MFR6SVJjRUFwYVllR2hiYWxxZz09
Meeting ID: 861 8749 8964
Passcode: 248714
Class Meetings: Online Virtual Class – No Synchronous Meetings
Course Information: College: Arts and Sciences; Department: Political Science and Public Administration.
Course Number: POS 2041 CRN: 86090
Course Description and Learning Outcomes: This course will explore the foundations, forms, and
dynamics of our American national government. It will explore the foundational theories and institutions
that shape our current system and the role played by its actors. At the conclusion of this course students will
1) understand the design, activities, and politics of the U.S. national government; 2) become aware of the
citizen influence over government; and 3) understand the confluence of values, philosophies, and forces that
shape our system. The course draws heavily from modern political science and public administration
theories and practice(s). This course also will periodically provide students an opportunity to engage
synchronously in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of view.
The learning outcomes for this course include:
 An understanding of the basic principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our
republican form of government.
 Awareness of citizen engagement in policy making and government.
 An understanding of the United States Constitution.
 Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our
institutions of self-governance.
 An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on law and society.
 An understanding of the impacts of the evolution of American government since the founding.
Readings
 Lowi, et. al. American Government: Power and Purpose. Brief 17th Edition. ISBN: 9781324039808
 For those of you that may have purchased an electronic copy and you have a code, go to the
following to enter your code: https://digital.wwnorton.com/amgov17brief
 Electronic readings as assigned
Class Requirements:
Assignments are described in more detail at the end of this syllabus. All activities require active
participation in class and in your government.
Assignment Summary:
Syllabus Quiz (1 @ 25 pts)
Quizzes (7 @ 20 pts)
Canvas Activities (4 @ 10 pts)
20 pts
140 pts
40 pts
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 1
Total Points
Grading Scale
93 to 100%
90 to 92%
87 to 89%
83 to 86%
80 to 82%
77 to 79%
200 pts
A
AB+
B
BC+
73 to 76%
70 to 72%
69 to 67%
66 to 63%
60 to 62%
0 to 59%
C
CD+
D
DF
Each student’s point total will be divided by 200 to determine a final grade for the course. For example, if a
student earned 175 points on all assignments, their grade would be 87.5% or a B+. Please note that I do
round up for the purpose of grading. You may check your grades on the Canvas website to automatically
calculate your percentage grade.
Assignment Policies.
 Quizzes are available one week prior to the due date and you may take these at any time in that
previous week. Please do not wait until the last minute to take the quiz.

All assignments must be completed by the due date stated on the syllabus and on Canvas.

All late assignments will be graded down by 10% every day late including weekends.

After a period of 10 days, assignments cannot be turned in or made up.

In no case will missing assignments be accepted at the end of the term.

Make up quizzes or exams will be considered only in cases of third-party documented
emergencies..
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 2
COURSE SCHEDULE
Reading & Assignments: To be completed by the date noted on the schedule
Theme
Reading / Activities*
Due
Syllabus Quiz
DUE Sunday
8/20/2023
Canvas Activity #1
Optional Discussion
Week
1
8/14/2023
8/20/2023
Introduction to American
National Government
Course syllabus
Introductory Video
Week
2
8/21/2023
8/27/2023
Making Sense of Politics
Lowi Chapter 1
Week
3
8/28/2023
9/3/2023
The Founding &
Constitution
Lowi Chapter 2
U.S. Constitution
Quiz 1
Due 9/3
Week
4
9/4/2023
9/10/2023
Federalism & the
Separation of Powers
Lowi Chapter 3
Federalist #51
Canvas Activity #2
Optional Discussion
Week
5
9/11/2023
9/17/2023
Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Lowi Chapter 4
Quiz 2
Due 9/17
Week
6
9/18/2023
9/24/2023
The Congress
Lowi Chapter 5
Optional Discussion
Week
7
9/25/2023
10/1/2023
The Presidency
Lowi Chapter 6
Quiz 3
Due 10/1
Week
8
10/2/2023
10/8/2023
The Executive Branch
Lowi Chapter 7
Canvas Activity #3
Optional Discussion
Week
9
10/9/2023
10/15/2023
The Judiciary
Lowi Chapter 8
Federalist #78
Quiz 4
Due 10/15
Week
10
10/16/2023
10/22/2023
Public Opinion
Lowi Chapter 9
Optional Discussion
Week
11
10/23/2023
10/29/2023
Elections
Lowi Chapter 10
Quiz 5
Due 10/29
Week
12
10/30/2023
11/5/2023
Parties
Lowi Chapter 11
Canvas Activity #4
Optional Discussion
Week
13
11/6/2023
11/12/2023
Groups and Interests
Lowi Chapter 12
Federalist #10
Quiz 6
Due 11/12
Week
14
11/13/2023
11/19/2023
Public Policy
Lowi Chapter 13
Canvas Activity #5
Optional Discussion
Week
15
11/20/2023
11/26/2023
FGCU Study Days &
Thanksgiving Break
No Reading
No Assignments
Week
16
11/27/2023
12/3/2023
Foreign Policy
Lowi Chapter 14
Quiz 7
Due 12/3
12/4/2023
12/10/2023
Finals Week
No Reading
No Assignments
Please Note:
 *Every week there are videos and instructions in the weekly Canvas Modules that students are
responsible for completing. Watching the videos is required, but not listed separately here.
 All Quizzes and Activities are due on Sundays at 11:59 pm except where noted.
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 3
Assignments
Quizzes: 140 points (7 @ 20 points each)
There will be seven quizzes that will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The exams are
intended to ensure that you have integrated and thought critically about the material, lectures and discussions
related to the course. The quizzes are based on the book reading and on the course lectures. The purpose of
the examinations is to 1) ensure that reading and lectures is being integrated into your learning and 2) to
ensure that the purpose of the course is being met by increasing students’ understanding of American
national government.
Quizzes are open approximately one week prior to the due date. They are open for 2 hours. Open book.
Canvas Activities 50 points (10 @ 5pts each)
Participation is required through the canvas activities. Engagement and involvement in activities are essential
to grasping the many varied and detailed topics in the course.
If there are any discussion requirements, please note that students will be held to standards of civility. In
order to cultivate a learning environment that is both welcoming and conducive to learning, I expect students
to be respectful and civil to all. I welcome the expression of a diverse range of ideas, thoughts, and opinions
and, in order to facilitate their expression, I request that you build an atmosphere founded upon mutual
respect by accepting your classmates’ good faith efforts to express themselves and their ideas. No matter
what, be courteous when challenging the ideas of others.
Students are encouraged to debate opinions and ideas but not what someone else should think. Comments or
actions that target someone specifically or express hatred toward any group will not be tolerated. Students
who disrupt the learning environment make learning more difficult for their peers and harm the trust built
between classmates or engage in disruptive behavior will be subject to disciplinary action per the student
code of conduct.
We each must do our part to uphold civility and support other cohort members in our interactions. There is
much that we can learn from each other if only we will listen.
Extra Credit
There is no extra credit for this class except for what might be already be included in on a quiz. If you ask,
the instructor will redirect you back to this syllabus. Missing quizzes or other due dates is highly problematic
due to when the answers to the quizzes are posted. Plan ahead to avoid getting tripped up at the last minute
by illnesses or family emergencies. We all have emergencies, but if we plan ahead and get our work done
early, last minute emergencies have less of an impact.
Optional Discussion Sessions
Although this course is entirely asynchronous, there are optional synchronous discussion sessions that
students may attend virtually (in this case, over Zoom every other Friday at 8:30am). These discussion
sessions serve as opportunities to engage in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of
view and to master the ability to synthesize information that informs civic decision-making. These sessions
are ungraded and optional.
Join at:
https://fgcu-edu.zoom.us/j/99669294469?pwd=a0puam93allsdkhhbzZuRit6UWo4UT09
Meeting ID: 996 6929 4469
Passcode: 413286
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 4
Non-Course Related Information: Completing Florida’s Civic Literacy Requirement
Please note that this is for your information only. Do not contact the instructor for additional directions.
All of the information you need to know is at the link here and below:
https://www.fgcu.edu/testing/programs/civic-literacy-exam
Several years ago, Florida instituted a “Civic Literacy” requirement for all state university and college
students. In summer 2021, the Florida State Legislature and State Board of Governors modified the “Civic
Literacy” requirement for all state university and college students admitted Fall 2021 or thereafter. This is a
requirement for graduation, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with this requirement and the role
played by this course in helping satisfy it. You may also wish to consult an FGCU academic advisor for
additional information.
•
If you were admitted to FGCU beginning in Fall 2018 but before Fall 2021, you can satisfy
Florida’s Civic Literacy requirement by completing either POS 2041 American
National Government or AMH 2020 U.S. History Since 1877 with a grade of “C” of higher, or by
achieving one of the following: a score of 60 or higher on the U.S. Citizenship Test with
Supplemental Questions administered by FGCU’s Testing Center prior to your graduation from
FGCU; Advanced Placement Government and Politics: United States with a score of 3 or higher;
Advanced Placement United States History with a score of 4 or higher; CLEP American Government
with a score of 50 or higher.
•
If you are admitted to FGCU Fall 2021 or thereafter, Florida’s Civic Literacy requirement
has two components: successfully completing either POS 2041 American National Government or
AMH 2020 U.S. History Since 1877 with a grade of “C” or higher, and in addition, achieving a score
of 60 or higher on the U.S. Citizenship Test with Supplemental Questions administered by FGCU’s
Testing Center prior to your graduation from FGCU.
The U.S. Citizenship Test with Supplemental Questions administered by FGCU’s Testing Center is
something you complete separately from this course. It is not an assignment in this course, is not covered in
this course, and will not have any impact on your grade in this course. In fact, you are not required to
complete the test while you are in this course. However, you have an opportunity to take the test for free
during the semester you are in this course. If you successfully complete the U.S. Citizenship Test with
Supplemental Questions on your first attempt while you are registered in this course, FGCU’s Testing Center
will waive the usual $45 fee for the test. (If you are unsuccessful on your first attempt and must re-take it, or
if you delay taking the test until after you have completed this course, you will be required to pay the $45 test
fee.)
For more information about the U.S. Citizenship Test with Supplemental Questions administered by FGCU’s
Testing Center, as well as to register for the test, please go online to
https://www.fgcu.edu/testing/programs/civic-literacy-exam
The test can be completed either online using a personal computer, or in-person at the FGCU Testing Center.
In addition, the Testing Center provides a Canvas-based practice exam you can use to prepare for the U.S.
Citizenship Test with Supplemental Questions at https://fgcu.instructure.com/enroll/RJRGAN. This practice
exam consists of the same 100 multiple-choice questions found on the actual test. You can take this practice
exam as many times as you want to or need to. No one sees your practice exam results or the number of
attempts.
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 5
Required University Statements
Core Syllabus Policies:
FGCU has a set of central policies related to student recording class sessions, academic integrity and
grievances, student accessibility services, academic disruption, and religious observances that apply to all
courses at FGCU. Be sure to review these online
at: https://www.fgcu.edu/about/leadership/officeoftheprovost/core-syllabus-policy-statement
FALL 2023 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS, PAGE 6