Political Science 150:
Introduction to American Government and Politics
Instructor: Lena Smyth
Email: lena.smyth@canyons.edu
Semester: Fall 2013
Location: BONH 306
Days: Fridays
Time: 8:00-11:00
Course Description
This course is an introduction to American and California Government. Students will
learn the functions of the three branches of government as well as the influence of
political parties, interest groups, and the media on those functions. We will also examine
democracy and the role of the U.S. and state constitutions. Following current events is
essential as they will be a frequent topic in class discussion.
Textbooks
This semester the Political Science department has adopted a “custom textbook” to
reduce costs for students. It is only available in the COC Bookstore. It is essentially
made up of the following 2 textbooks (bound together):
1. We the People- An Introduction to American Politics (9th Edition)
by Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, Margaret Weir (Norton)
2. Governing California (4th Edition)
by J. Theodore Anagnoson (Norton)
If you choose not to purchase from the bookstore you can use the individual texts as well.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will be able to identify the basic institutions of
government at the state and national level as well as compare and contrast democratic
theories of American government. Additionally, students will exhibit a heightened sense
of personal efficacy and civic responsibility.
Course Objectives
 Summarize Federalism and the relationship between national, state, and local
government within that political structure.
 Describe and evaluate the basic theories behind the U.S. Constitution and their
role in contemporary American political life.
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Compare the functions of the three branches of government at the local, state, and
national level.
Explain the differences in the major contemporary political ideologies and
evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
Understand and compare outside influences on policy-making including political
parties, interest groups, the media, and public opinion.
Think critically about current events
Classroom Policies
 Please arrive to class on-time, ready to learn and discuss relevant current events.
 Turn off cell phones upon entering class.
 Be respectful of other students’ political views and opinions.
Grading Policy
Class participation
Midterms and Final
Essay
Total Points in Class
10 points
60 points
30 points
100 points
Grading Scale:
90-100 points= A
80-89 points= B
70-79 points= C
60-69 points= D
Below 60 points= F
Class Participation
Each student will be responsible for a reading/current events discussion during the
semester. I will pass around a sign up sheet and students should choose a day to present.
On the assigned day, students must come prepared with 1 political news item to discuss.
This information should be typed (no more than a page) and given to me at the end of
class for credit. Each presentation is worth 5 points and if a student fails to come to class
on their assigned day or forgets to do the assignment a zero will be given. Please write
down your day once you sign up for it because I will not remind you (this is YOUR
responsibility). The remaining 5 points will be given for participation in current events
discussions and lectures.
Written Assignment/Essay
Students will be responsible for written assignment due on November 22. Topics will be
handed out but it should be at least 1200 words and research will be required. There will
be a few topics to choose from. You will use Turnitin.com to submit the paper (more
details will be provided with the assignment).
Late papers will be accepted only up to one week after the due date. I will deduct 2
points for each calendar day papers are late (before grading them) so plan to turn them in
on time. After one week, late papers will not be accepted and you will receive a zero on
the assignment. Keep in mind that 30 points is 3 letter grades and it will be VERY
difficult to pass this class if you do not complete the research paper.
Exams
We will have 2 midterms and a final. None of the exams are cumulative (including the
final). The exams consist of a combination of multiple choice as well as short answer
and essay questions. You will need a standard scantron form as well as a blue book.
Makeup exams may be scheduled in advance with a documented excuse. Please check
the calendar now and make sure you can attend class on the exam days (10/5, 11/1,
12/13).
Plagiarism and Cheating
These issues will be taken very seriously and will be referred to the Dean of Students
should they occur. Do not cheat on exams and do not plagiarize on your paper. The
college lists the following with regard to plagiarism:
To PLAGIARIZE is to "steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's
own without crediting the source; present as new and original an idea or product
derived from an existing source," (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield:
G. & C. Merriam Company, 1973, 870.).
Most of the time, you have to incorporate other writers' words and ideas in an
assignment. If given permission to consult those writers, go ahead, but be sure to cite
them. If you aren't sure how to use the material you have without plagiarizing, ASK
or CHECK A WRITING GUIDE before submitting the work for credit.
In other words, do not copy and paste things from the internet onto your paper and
attempt to pass off the work as your own. This is a serious offense (it will be recognized
by me) and you will face the consequences. I will check your sources so please cite them
in a detailed manner.
** Please also see the attached college policies regarding academic integrity.
Online Course Resources
Every student who is registered in this class will have access to the class in Blackboard
(COC’s online learning system). I will post helpful links, study guide information, as
well as some grades in that forum. It is not mandatory for you to use it but I think you
will find it helpful should you choose to do so. If you have never accessed Blackboard,
the following information can be used:
URL: http://bb9.canyons.edu/
Username: 7 digit id number
Password: student
Help with Blackboard can be found online at the distance learning website:
http://www.canyons.edu/offices/distance_learning/blackboard/
Extra Credit
Extra credit may be given at the instructor’s discretion.
COC Statement on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Approved by Academic Senate in May, 2010
Statement on Academic Integrity at College of the Canyons
Students are expected to do their own work as assigned. At College of the Canyons, we
believe that academic integrity and honesty are some of the most important qualities
college students need to develop and maintain. To facilitate a culture of academic
integrity, College of the Canyons has defined plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Due
process procedures have been established when plagiarism or academic dishonesty is
suspected.
At COC, we define plagiarism as follows: Plagiarism is the submission of someone else’s
work or ideas as one’s own, without adequate attribution. When a student submits work
for a class assignment that includes the words, ideas or data of others, without
acknowledging the source of the information through complete, accurate, and specific
references, plagiarism is involved. This may include dual submissions of a similar work
for credit for more than one class, without the current instructor’s knowledge and
approval.
To be specific, below are some of the situations that will be considered plagiarism at
COC:

Use information from any source, online or in print, in one’s own writing
without acknowledging the source in the content and in the reference page
of the assignment;

Simply list the sources in the reference page, without parenthetical
citations in the body of the essay;

Take more than one printed line of words consecutively from the source
without putting quotation marks around them, even though the student has
put the author’s name in the parentheses or in the reference page;

Turn in work done for other classes, regardless how big or small the
assignment may be, without the current instructor’s approval—this is
considered “self-plagiarism,” which is a form of academic dishonesty; or,

Turn in work by another student, even by accident.
In addition, COC has strict rules against using electronic devices during exams without
the instructor’s approval. To be specific, absolutely no cell phones or any electronic
devices can be on the desk or in sight during test or exam without the instructor’s
approval. The presence of electronic devices in sight during exams may be considered as
intention to cheat and will be processed as a form of academic dishonesty.