POLS 101 – AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
FALL 2009– 3 CREDIT HOURS
Instructor: Wes Jensen
Office Location: Blackfoot High School
Office phone: 208-785-2390
E-Mail Address: Jensw@d55.k12.id.us
The 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 prepares 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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the 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 skills.
encourage and inspire life-long learning.
encourage creativity.
Social Science Department Mission Statement: The mission of the Social Science Department is to provide
educational, social, and cultural opportunities which encourage enriched, productive and responsible lives primarily by
instructing students to understand, interpret, and apply Social Science discipline coursework.
Social Science Department Goals: This course addresses the following Social Science Department goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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 Mission Statement: The Political Science Program prepares students to examine the theory
and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior.
Relevant Program Goals: The student will:
1. demonstrate the understanding of political theories, structures and processes
2. gain mastery of thinking, integrating and logical organizing political information
3. become well practiced at interpreting political situations
4. become well-prepared through the study of political science, to understand and discuss local, state, national
and international developments.
American National Government (POLS 101) Course Description: This course challenges the student to achieve
an understanding of the American political system; such as the different parts and functions of our government, student’s
rights, and their responsibilities as a citizen. The course topics that are introduced and discussed will be presented in a
way to make the study of government a part of the students’ world.
Course Outcomes (CO) Aligned with GE Criteria (GE), and Social Science (SS) and Political Science
(POLS)
Students will…
CO1. demonstrate understanding of…the basic structure of American
Government
CO2. demonstrate understanding of…Comparative Political and
Economic systems
CO3. demonstrate the ability to…use critical thinking to analyze and
interpret American Government and Politics
CO4. demonstrate the ability to…apply course concepts in a personal
and everyday context
GE
1, 2, 3
SS
1, 2, 3, 4
POLS
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment Methods: Alignment of Course Outcomes (CO) with course assessment methods, such as:
CO1
CO2
CO3
CO4
Multiple
Choice/Short
Answer
Exams
X
X
X
Essay
Papers
Class
Assignments
Vocabulary
Terms
Quizzes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Community
Service
X
College Credit
Dual Credit coursework transcripted through the College of Southern Idaho is accepted and transferred
between public colleges and universities in Idaho. Please be aware that colleges and universities outside the
state of Idaho and private institutions within the state are not bound by the same credit transfer policy.
Students and parents should always check institutional transfer polices before registering for Dual Credit
coursework. In addition, the acceptance of Dual Credit coursework by another college or university does not
necessarily mean that transcripted credits will meet requirements for a specific major field of study or
program. Once again, students and parents are encouraged to contact the college or university of their choice
for more specific information before enrolling in a Dual Credit course.
Dual Enrollment Cost
Dual Credit fees (including on-line courses) for the 2009-10 school year are $65.00 per credit hour of
coursework taken (for example: 3 credit hours X $65.00 per credit = $195.00). Students taking Dual Credit
Classes may be eligible for scholarships to help reduce costs, depending on scholarship opportunities, local
foundation efforts, and local school district policies.
***Withdrawing from the course or “W”
No one enrolls in a course planning to fail, but students who find themselves doing poorly in a class may wish
to drop. Students who withdraw before the official drop date will receive a W on their college transcripts. A
withdrawal is usually preferable to a grade of D or F. Students who need to drop should complete the
appropriate paperwork before the last date for course withdrawal.
Last Day to Withdraw From History 111 (1st Trimester) and receive a “W” on your CSI Transcripts is
NOVEMBER 14th 2009. You will not receive any refund on Dual enrollment costs. It is highly recommended to
speak with the class instructor, school counselor, school administrator before withdrawing from a dual
enrollment class. Having multiple “W’s” on your transcripts could possible lead to academic probation,
dismissal, and other serious issues.
Policies and Procedures:
A. ATTENDANCE POLICY AT BLACKFOOT HIGH SCHOOL
Students must attend 90% of a class and earn a passing grade to receive credit. On the
7th (seventh) absence the student loses credit in the class. School excused absences will
not count toward credit loss. A student's attendance at school is the responsibility of
the student and the parent or guardian. The school will help parents fulfill their
responsibility by keeping a comprehensive attendance record for each student and
informing them of their child's attendance by:
1. After the 3rd and 5th absence each trimester, a letter will be sent home
informing the parent of their student's absences.
2. On the 7th absence a letter will be sent notifying the parent and student of
credit loss and outlining the process for credit reinstatement due to extenuating
circumstances.
B. Honesty
Students are expected to be honest in all aspects of their BHS/college education. All work is evaluated on the
assumption that the work presented is the student's. Anything less is unacceptable is subject to initial
disciplinary action at the teacher's discretion.
Examples of dishonest practice include but are limited to:
Cheating--The improper use of books, notes, other students' test, or other aids during an examination.
It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval for the use of such aids prior to the time of the
examination; otherwise, they will be considered improper. An "examination" is defined as "any testing
situation in which the score will be used for credit in a course."
Plagiarism--Submission or presentation of a student assignment as one's own in which any portions
are paraphrased without documentation or are identical to published or unpublished material from
another source (including another student's work). An assignment is defined as "any materials
submitted or presented by a student for credit in a course."
Final
The final will be generated by Mr. Jensen.
Grading Practices:
a. Homework assignment, daily quizzes, activities
Essay Papers/Projects
Unit Exams
Final Exam
Participation
Grades will be averaged using a traditional scale
 90-100=A
 80-89=B
 70-79=C
 60-69=D
30%
15%
25%
20%
10%
 59 and below=F

The grade that the student earns for Blackfoot High School will also be the grade earned for the College of
Southern Idaho
Topical Outline for the Course:
Fall Trimester
(American Government A)
Introduction of Course
American Political Culture
Constitutional Democracy
Federalism: Forging a Nation
State and Local Politics
Political Parties
Political Participation
Public Opinion and Political Socialization
Interest Groups
The News Media
The Legislative Branch
Spring Trimester
(American Government B)
Introduction
The Presidency
The Federal Bureaucracy
Economic and Environmental Policy
Welfare and Education Policy
Foreign and Defense Policy
The Federal Judicial System
Civil Liberties
Equal Rights
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 18
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 14
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
CSI E-mail: E-mail is the primary source of written communication with all CSI students Students
automatically get a CSI e-mail account when they register for courses. Messages from instructors and various
offices such as Admission and Records, Advising, Financial Aid, Scholarships, etc. will be sent to the students€™
CSI accounts (NOT their personal e-mail accounts). It is the students’ responsibility to check their CSI e-mail
accounts regularly. Failing to do so will result in missing important messages and deadlines. Students can
check their CSI e-mail online at http://students.csi.edu. Student e-mail addresses have the following format:
username@students.csi.edu. At the beginning of each semester free training sessions will be offered to
students who need help using their CSI e-mail accounts.
On-line course evaluation statement: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of
the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course.
Evaluations are available online at: http://evaluation.csi.edu. Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end
of the course. The last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the
evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer
with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in the SUB. When students log in they should
see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the
evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!
Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for related accommodations. To
determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their
home high school.
Importance of working hard in dual enrollment classes
All Dual Credit coursework serves as a beginning to a student’s college transcript. A college transcript that
reflects solid academic performance is the gateway to further studies in post-secondary education, and it
serves as a primary criterion for acceptance into many programs at colleges and universities. The importance
of high academic achievement in Dual Credit courses and the benefits students gain to further their academic
careers cannot be overstated. In other words, a student’s performance in a Dual Credit class has implications
for his or her future academic plans.
All classes, regardless of the grade received, will be recorded on a CSI transcript. Grades students earn in a
course will become part of their permanent college records. Those planning to apply to another college should
list CSI as a college attended on applications and request that official transcripts be sent from the CSI registrar
to verify previous college work.
This receipt signifies that the student below and his/her parent./guardian(s) have read and understand the 20092010 Dual Enrollment Political Science 101 syllabus.
Please Print and Sign
Student
Parent
Date