Heartland Community College
Course Syllabus
Division name: Social & Business Sciences
Course Prefix and Number: POS 101
Course Title: American Government and Politics
Semester: Spring 2011
Days and times the course meets: TR 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Class Room: ICB 2301
Credit Hours: 3
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to the structures and processes of American government
and politics, to the exercise of power, and to value conflicts among key actors in the
political process. The course also addresses some of the theoretical underpinnings of the
study of American government such as democracy, pluralism and elitism. Finally, the
course asks students to apply their learning to interpretations of current political events.
Topics for study in the course include: political participation, interest groups, the
Constitution, civil liberties, civil rights, the presidency, Congress, the federal court
system, the media, political parties, and elections.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name
Sarah Diel-Hunt
Phone number
(309) 268-8593
E-mail address
Sarah.Dielhunt@heartland.edu
Office location
ICB 2103
Office hours
by appointment
TEXTBOOK
Welch, Susan, John Gruhl, John Comer, and Susan M. Rigdon. Understanding
American Government, Alternate Edition. 12th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning, 2010.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY
POS 101 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social and Behavioral Sciences
required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General
Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other
Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should
consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions.
Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will develop knowledge and skills in the
subject area of American Politics and Government (Course Learning Outcomes) that
relate to the Political Science Program Outcomes and Heartland Community College’s
General Education Outcomes in Communication, Diversity, Problem Solving, and
Critical Thinking:
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand, identify, explain, and apply several key theories common to American
government, power, and citizenship such as democracy, elitism, and pluralism
(emphasis on critical thinking and communication skill development)
2. Ask, research, and answer an important question regarding the American political
system by using an approach, such as the scientific method, appropriate to the social
sciences (emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking skill development)
3. Communicate effectively about the American political system either orally or in
writing or both (emphasis on communication skill development)
4. Explain, contextualize, and evaluate the US Constitution and the systems of
separation of powers, checks and balances and federalism (emphasis on
communication, and critical thinking skill development)
5. Identify and explain the value conflicts that characterize common political ideologies
in the US and identify and articulate their personal political ideology (emphasis on
communication, diversity, and communication skill development)
6. Explain, contextualize, and evaluate the Bill of Rights, civil liberties, and civil rights
(emphasis on communication, diversity, and critical thinking skill development)
7. Identify several of the functions of political parties, interest groups, and elections in
the US (emphasis on critical thinking skill development)
8. Evaluate the role of the mass media in the US political system (emphasis on critical
thinking skill development)
9. Identify several of the functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in
the US government (emphasis on critical thinking skill development)
10. Apply a variety of class concepts to an explanation of current political events and
explore those current events (emphasis on critical thinking skill development)
Political Science Program Outcomes
1. Ask and answer political questions by conducting, using, and interpreting Political
Science research techniques such as the scientific method.
2. Understand, identify, and explain a variety of theories and concepts common to the
study of Political Science and apply these theories and concepts to the world around
them.
3. Use a variety of theories and concepts common to the study of Political Science to
comprehend, analyze, and evaluate the political events around them.
4. Communicate both orally and in writing in ways appropriate to the field of Political
Science.
5. Acquire the tools necessary to enhance active and ethical engagement and
participation in the political process at the local, state, national, and/or international
levels.
6. Reflect upon one’s personal goals, ideology, responsibility, and place in any given
political system.
7. Be able to negotiate value conflicts among a variety of stakeholders in any given
political situation.
TOPIC OUTLINE
1.
Politics and Science
2.
Political Ideology and Public Opinion
3.
Democracy, Elitism, and Pluralism
4.
The Constitution
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The Bill of Rights, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights
Federalism
Mass Media, Elections, Political Parties, and Interest Groups
Congress
Presidency and Bureaucracy
Federal Court System
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Exams (2@60 pts; 1@30 pts)
Course Portfolio
 Artifacts
 In-Class Quizzes/Exercises
 Pre/Post PKA Papers
 Engagement Activities
Class Presentation
Total
150 pts (43%)
150 pts (43%)
50 pts (14%)
350 pts (100%)
Exams (3 @ 50 pts each = 150 pts total): The three exams will cover one major section
of the course. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.
Course Portfolio (150 pts): Students are expected to do the weekly readings, attend class,
and participate on a regular basis. Your course portfolio will be a reflection of your active
participation in class. You will keep a 3-ring binder throughout the course to which each
week you will add any quizzes, in-class activities, engagement activity papers, or artifacts
completed. In addition, you will complete a pre-class Political Knowledge Assessment
(PKA) paper and a post-class Political Knowledge Assessment (PKA) paper which will
also be added to your portfolio.
Class Presentation (50 pts): Throughout the course, students will be given the
opportunity to present artifacts and engagement activities to the class. During the final
exam period, each student in the class will formally present their final course assessment,
including a brief description of one artifact or activity to the rest of the class. Students
will be graded on the content of their presentation as well as their communication skill
and presentation style.
Attendance and Participation: Class participation is absolutely essential in POS 101.
Students who don’t attend class are not able to learn from various class discussions and
activities, and they hinder the learning process of others in the class. Exams draw heavily
from classroom material and discussion. Artifacts and Engagement Activities must be
turned in at the beginning of the period for which they are due. Quizzes and in-class
activities cannot be made-up. Thus, failure to attend class regularly can significantly
lower your grade in this course.
GRADING SCALE
315-350 = A
280-314 = B
245-279 = C
210-244 = D
209 and below = F
HCC GRADE RUBRIC
“A” This grade represents consistently outstanding performance that demonstrates
superior understanding and skillful use of important course concepts. Performance at this
level signifies that the student is extremely well prepared to continue with more advanced
study of the subject.
“B” This grade represents performance significantly beyond the level necessary to
achieve the course objectives. Work is of high quality but not consistently at an
outstanding level. Performance at this level signifies that the student is well prepared to
continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“C” This grade represents an acceptable achievement of the course objectives.
Performance at this level signifies that the student is reasonably well prepared to continue
with more advanced study of the subject.
“D” This grade represents less than adequate performance. It signifies questionable
readiness to proceed with more advanced study of the subject.
“F” This grade reflects unacceptable performance. The student is not yet ready to
proceed with more advanced study of the subject, and must repeat the course successfully
to receive credit.
MAKE-UP POLICY
Exams, Artifacts, and Engagement Papers: It is the responsibility of the student to
contact the instructor prior to missing the exam if possible, or as soon thereafter as
possible, to present documentation and to schedule a make-up exam within one week of
returning to class.
In-Class Quizzes and Activities: There will be no make-ups allowed for in-class quizzes
and activities. Students must be present to earn the points. Students will, however, be
allowed to drop their two lowest scores on quizzes or activities.
INCOMPLETE POLICY
Only in extreme situations will you be granted an incomplete in this course. If this
becomes an absolute necessity, as deemed by the student and the instructor, the College
guidelines on Incompletes will be followed. (see HCC Catalog )
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING
This course requires approximately 30-50 pages of reading per week. The majority of the
reading will come from the textbook; however, students are encouraged to read daily
newspapers, political blogs, news outlets to share with the class. A minimum of 15 pages
of college level writing is required in this course. Writing assignments include artifacts,
engagement activity papers, and essay exam questions.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Students are expected to work cooperatively with one another and the instructor to enable
the maximum amount of learning to occur; any behavior interfering with learning is
considered disruptive.
Please note: As a courtesy to all in our class, please turn off (or set to vibrate) all cell
phones and pagers when class begins and refrain from emailing and texting during class
time.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community
College and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs.
Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their
academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views
any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures,
including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition,
an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially
imposed penalties. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to
cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records or documents and
unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems.
Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a
paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all
the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own.
Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1.
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
4.
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5.
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
6.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if
it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece
of work, failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER SERVICES
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus,
provides Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal
databases, videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are
available to assist in locating information. For more information please call the Heartland
Library (309) 268-8200 or access them through your myHeartland accout.
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland
students at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln
Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups,
group tutoring facilitated by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For
more information about services available at each location, please call (309) 268-8231.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up
exams, online exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students
may be able to complete exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with their
instructor. For more information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR WRITTEN MATERIALS
Guidelines for all written assignments and projects will be provided on assignment sheets
that will be distributed at the time the assignment is made by the instructor.
NOTICE OF CANCELED CLASS SESSIONS
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class
Meetings in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page
on the HCC Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/index.jsp to
learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to
check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.
SYLLABI DISCLAIMER
The conditions and guidelines outlined in this course syllabus are subject to change as per
the instructor. Minor adjustments will be announced in class, while major changes will be
distributed in writing and appended to this syllabus.
COURSE CALENDAR
Part I. The Nature and Foundations of American Government and Democracy
Week 1 (Jan 11/13)
Course Introduction
What is Politics?
What is Science?
Week 2 (Jan 18/20)
Theoretical Framework
Week 3 (Jan 25/27)
Studying American Democracy
Week 4 (Feb 1/3)
U.S. Constitution
Chapter 2
Week 5 (Feb 8/10)
Federalism
Chapter 3
Week 6 (Feb 15/17)
Civil Liberties
Civil Rights
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Artifact #2 Due
Week 7 (Feb 22/24)
Civil Rights, cont.
Exam #1
PKA Paper Due
Chapter 1
Artifact #1 Due
th
January 24 : Final Day to drop class with refund
Part II. Linking Citizens to Government
Week 8 (March 1/3)
Public Opinion
Political Participation
March 14th: Midterm Grades Due
Spring Break (March 8/10)
No class
Week 9 (March 15/17)
Public Opinion, cont.
Political Participation, cont.
Week 10 (March 22/24)
Campaigns and Elections
Week 11 (March 29/31)
Campaigns and Elections, cont.
Week 12 (April 5/7)
Parties
Interest Groups
April 7th: Final Day to Withdraw
Chapter 4
Artifact #3 Due
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Artifact #4 Due
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Artifact #5 Due
Week 13 (April 12/14)
Media
Chapter 5
Exam #2
Part III. American Governing Institutions and Public Policy
Week 14 (April 19/21)
Congress
Chapter 10
Week 15 (April 26/28)
The Presidency
The Judiciary
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Week 16 (May 3)
Week 17: Finals Week
Chapter 12
Exam #3
Tuesday, May 10th 12:00-1:50 p.m.
ICB 2301