Thompson Political Science 101 F 08
American National Government
Fall Semester 2008
Dual Enrollment Malad High School/CSI
Chad Thompson
208-766-3238
thomchad@sd351.k12.id.us
CSI Mission Statement: The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides quality
educational, social, cultural, economic and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of
the communities it serves. CSI encourages our students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives in a
global society.
General Education Criteria: This course satisfies all eight criteria for general education. It is designed to:
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Provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show a interconnectedness of knowledge.
Develop a discerning individual.
Practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Promote awareness of social and cultural diversity in order to appreciate the commonality of mankind.
Foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.
Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative needs.
Encourage and inspire life-long learning.
Encourage creativity.
Social Science Department Goals: This course addresses the following Social Science Department goals:
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Help students understand important facts, concepts, and theories of Social Science subjects.
Help students acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.
Help students learn to distinguish between fact and opinion.
Teach students to use evaluation, analysis, and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.
Teach students to use different perspectives from the social sciences to make better-informed decisions.
Help students acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.
Prepare students to transfer to a university.
Political Science Program Objectives: Students will:
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Comprehend political theories, structure and processes.
Think, integrate, and logically organize, not just memorize, political information.
Gather knowledge from other disciplines to interpret political situations.
Apply insight from the study of political science to understand local, state national and international
developments.
Course Description: A basic course in political science introducing the basic concepts and major structural
elements of the national government. Many aspects of American government are introduced and discussed in a
way that will make the study of government more a part of the students’ world.
Required Textbook: American Government, Volkomer (11th –Edition)
Course outcomes aligned with GE criteria (GE) Social Science Goals (SS) and Political Science objectives
(POLS)
Students Will….
Understand the basic structure of American Government
Be able to critically interpret and articulate thoughts about
American Government and politics
Apply course concepts in a personal and everyday context.
GE
1, 2, 3, 6
1, 3, 5, 6
SS
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
POLS
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment Methods: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods:
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Short Answer
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x
x
Essay Questions
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x
x
Homework
x
x
x
Term Project
x
x
x
Policies and Procedures:
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General procedures for attendance, behavior and ethical conduct will be enforced strictly. For
any questions, please refer to the Malad High School handbook.
All assigned work is due on time and complete. Late work will be penalized at 25% per day late.
Students will be required to complete all reading assignments on time. A list of reading
assignments will be handed out the first day of class. There will also be five additional readings
which will help to facilitate classroom discussion. These are mandatory and will be a part of the
assessment process.
Four preliminary exams and a final are scheduled for this course. Exams will consist of multiple
choice, short answer and essay questions. The multiple choice questions are designed to test your
mastery of general knowledge. The short answer and essay questions will ascertain your ability
to analyze, synthesis and integrate key concepts in the American system of Government.
Project work will be submitted on the turnitinhelpdesk system.
Grading Policy:
Tests 75%
Homework 10%
Quizzes 5%
Term Project 10%
Grades will be based on the Malad High School grade scale (refer to the handbook).
Schedule of Classroom Presentations
Introduction: Government, Politics and the Issues.
Unit 1
Colonialism to Constitutionalism
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Chapter 1-3
Breaking the old system
The Declaration of Independence a revolutionary idea.
A new government designed to serve the people.
Conflict, Compromise and the Constitution
Issues with a strong central government
The Federal System.
The Constitution
Test 1
Unit 2
Political Parties and Elections
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Chapter 5-6
Our two Party System
Interest groups
Competition and Platforms. Where do you fit in?
Party structures
Nomination Procedures
The Campaign
The Election
Analyzing the Vote.
Test 2
Unit 3
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
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Chapter 11-12
The Bill of Rights
Analysis and Personal Integration of Freedom
Understanding “Liberal Democracy” and our responsibility
Issues
Minority Rights
Women’s Rights
Issues and extended problem
Test 3
Unit 4
The Institutions of Government
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Chapter 7-11
The functions of Congress
Congressional Committees
The President’s Roles and Powers
Constitutional Limits on Executive Power.
The Organizations of the Executive Office
Federal Bureaucracy
Function of the Judiciary
The Supreme Court
Test 4
Unit 5
Government Policy and the Media
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Policy and Media scrutiny
Issues
Term Project
Chapter 4, 13, 14
Final Exam