Government and Politics in the United States
COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA
Crystallee R. Crain, MA
(PhD Candidate @ the California Institute of Integral Studies)
ccrain@peralta.edu Website: www.crystalleecrain.com
click on Prof Crain link
(office phone) 510-500-4478 (call or text after 12 p.m. before 7 p.m. M-F)
Course Information: Tues/Thursday 11-12:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Critical examination of the contemporary and historical struggle for the development
of democratic political institutions in the United States at the state, local, and
national levels. Particular emphasis is given to the conflict between disparate
socioeconomic groups (e.g. traditional elite's versus the historically (and currently)
disenfranchised; women, people of color, workers, immigrants, etc.) in the conduct of
U.S. political life.
Introduction to principles and the political process of national, state, and local
government: Emphasis on national government and the Constitution.
INSTRUCTORS PERSPECTIVE
This is an introductory class on the U.S. political
system as we know it today. You'll learn not just
about how the system works, but how you can think
critically and act effectively as a citizen participant
in this process. Most people don't believe they are
impacted by politics merely from the simple fact
that they don't vote or don't watch the news. It's
important to realize that we are intrinsically
connected to politics and our governing system.
It's an important and exciting time in the world.
There are big issues at stake, perhaps bigger than at
any other time in the history of the human species.
The speed and effects of technological change
combined with reach of the global economy present
us with important opportunities and grave dangers.
We hope through this class you will be inspired to
action and that you'll learn how to make this action
effective in your local community and around the world.
REQUIRED READING
 The Politics of Power: A Critical Introduction to American Government 6th Edition
only (Ira Katznelson, Mark Kesselman & Alan Draper)
 Brown, Lester. Plan B: 4.0.
http://www.earthpolicy.org/index.php?/books/pb4/pb4_table_of_contents
All Contents for the book can be found online for free
 Orwell, G. 1984
ASSIGNMENTS
· 4 Short Essay Assignments 30 points each (120)
· Quizzes (online) (2 @ 100 points each) (200)
· Final: Social Justice Research Paper on 1984 (100)
· Attend two public meetings in your local community OR watch 4 hours of news or
CSPAN (or any other public meeting that is local and televised) and write a 1-2 page
summary and reflection on your experience. Answer the following questions that
apply:
1) What was the purpose of the public meeting? Who was there? Who were the
decision makers and what were they making decisions about? What was discussed
and how does it impact our local community? REQUIRED QUESTION 2) what have
your learned from observing or participating in the public meeting/media?
(2@50/each) (100)
- Participation (160)
TOTAL POINTS: 680 (612=90%/ 544 =80%/ 476=70%)
LEARNING GOALS:
We have five learning goals for you.
1. First, and foremost, we want you to learn how best to use the political tools
available in a democratic society to make the best possible life and world for
yourself, consistent with other people being able to do the same thing. The next four
goals flow from this first goal. So...
2. Second, you should understand THE BASIC LANDSCAPE OF POLITICAL LIFE in our
country-- both the major institutions of the formal government AND ALSO the major
social structures that shape extra-governmental politics (the economy, the structures
of race, class, and gender, corporations, etc.) By the end of the term, not only should
you be able to explain "how a bill becomes a law" in the formal system of "public"
government but, as important, you should be able to identify the political power
dynamics of ANY social or institutional setting you are in. In particular, you should be
able to identify the workings of the "private" system of government.
3. Third, you should know HOW TO PARTICIPATE in political life-- not just how to
vote, but also how to write letters to the editor or elected officials, how to make an
informational flyer, how to organize people to act collectively either in the electoral
arena or around issues, how to hook into a march or protest, etc. You should
especially know how to create more democracy in our society.
4. Fourth, you should know HOW TO THINK critically about politics. This means both
being able to see past the superficial rhetoric of politicians and mass media AND ALSO
understanding your own political values and how these values inform your actions.
You should understand the impact of political decisions, both on your own life, but
also on the lives of other people and the planet.
5. Finally, we want you to master the KEY CONTENT ISSUES in contemporary U.S.
politics:

environmental sustainability

social class inequality

corporate & Big $$$ domination of

race
the process

gender
COMMUNITY EVENTS (LINKED TO PUBLIC MEETING ASSIGNMENT) You do not have to
choose these eents below, these are local options that I currently know about.



SEEDS Community Outreach Day – September 2011
COMMIT – Community Leadership Institute: Creative Solutions for Change
– October 2011
The California Wellness Foundation Violence Prevention Conference – SF
November 2011
Other options can be found on:
1. East Bay Express calendars
2. Indybay.org
3. Local government meetings (City of Oakland, Alameda, Hayward – Alameda
County, School Board Meetings)
CLASS SCHEDULE – FALL 2011
WEEK 1 (August 23, 25)
Tuesday – Introduction, Overview of Assignments, What is Politics?
Finish Pre-test before class on Thursday
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fallpretestalameda
Thursday – Democracy’s Challenge & Capitalism and Democracy
WEEK 2 (August 30, September 1)
Tuesday – (Discussion Group: Complete What do you think? P 36),
Thursday – Lecture on Current Events
WEEK 3 (September 6, 8)
Tuesday – Interest Groups and Social Movements
Thursday – Political Concepts, Ideologies and Frameworks for Social Change
WEEK 4 (September 13, 15)
Tuesday – Lecture on Current Events
Thursday –Current Events Discussion with Substitute Instructor
[Instructor out of town]
WEEK 5 (September 20, 22)
Tuesday – (Discussion Group: Complete What do you think? P 124)
Thursday – Complete Quiz Online
WEEK 6 (September 27, 29)
Tuesday – Oppression & Democracy
Thursday – Plan B, Brown: Can we mobilize fast enough? (Online)
WEEK 7 (October 4, 6)
Tuesday – Lecture on U.S. Military Interventions
Thursday – Lecture on International Politics
WEEK 8 (October 11, 13)
Tuesday – Political Parties, Elections, and Public Opinion (Assign Groups and Decide Topics
for Student Teach In)
Thursday – Political Parties, Elections, and Public Opinion (in class prep for Student Teach In)
WEEK 9 (October 18, 20)
Tuesday – Student Teach In
Thursday – Attend (1) public meeting during before class session.
Check out indybay.org.
WEEK 10 (October 25, 27)
Tuesday – Recent Elections: National & Local
Thursday -Video: Weather Underground (start)
WEEK 11 (November 1, 3)
Tuesday – Video: Weather Underground (finish)- Assignment given for Final: Social Justice
Research Paper Thursday – Lecture on 1984
WEEK 12 (November 8, 10)
Tuesday – Quiz # 2 in class!
Thursday –(Discussion Group: Complete What do you think? P 250)
WEEK 13 (November 15, 17) NO CLASS NEXT WEEK /HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE
Tuesday – Economic & Social Policy
Thursday – Social Action and Politics in the Bay Area
Attend (2) public meeting before our class session.
Check out indybay.org.
WEEK 14 (November 19, December 1)
Tuesday – Mock Election
Thursday –The 2012 Election
WEEK 15 (December 6, 8)
Tuesday – (Discussion Group: Complete What do you think? P 331)
Thursday – Video: Inside Job (start)
WEEK 16 (December 13, 15)
Tuesday – Video: Inside Job (finish)
Thursday – Final: Social Justice Research Paper on 1984
(Turn Paper in, in class, NO EMAILS)
NOTE: I do not accept any late assignments. There must be extenuating
circumstances in order to be turned in late work.