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: profcrain.weebly.com
click on posci 1 (alameda) link
(call to leave a message @) 510-764-1825 (no texting)
Course Information: Tues/Thursday 11-12:15 p.m.
D237 - COA
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the principles and the political processes of national, state and local
government in the United States with an emphasis on the national government and Constitution. The
content of the course is organized into three modules. In the first module, we explore the foundations of
American political theory and practice. In the second module of this course we turn to the roles and
functions of informal institutions of government in the United States. We will examine the role that public
opinion, political parties, interest groups and the media play in influencing political decisions. In the final
module of the course, we will examine policymaking and the powers of the three branches of government
and assess the degree to which each is able to exercise its powers.
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 (150)
· Quizzes (2 @ 50 points each) (100)
· Final: Analytical 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.
– see assignment sheet (2@50 points each) (100)
- Participation (160)
- Student Teach-In – see assignment sheet (100)
TOTAL POINTS: 710 (639=90%/ 568 =80%/ 497=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
 race
 corporate & Big $$$ domination of the process
 gender & sexuality
 social class inequality
Respect for the Human Rights of all People:
This class will ask you to read, write and discuss issues that are not commonly talked about. Some of these
issues may be related to your own experience or those around you in the class or in the community. Be
conscious of your language and your use of slanderous terms, words or jokes in my classroom or on campus.
Attendance: You are required to attend class regularly and to arrive to class on time. Attendance will be taken
at the start of each class and after each break. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for a class session, you
will not receive credit for the session’s participation grade. Late arrivals are distracting and disruptive to the
instructor and your colleagues. Please be courteous and arrive on time. Students who are consistently absent
(more than 10 class hours) will be dropped from the class.
Punctuality/laptops/cell phones: Cell phones and PDAs may not be out at any time during class and laptops are
to be used for note taking only. Texting is not acceptable behavior during class. If you have business to take care
of that requires cell phone use, take the day off. You can expect me speak to students who have repeated
violations with regard to either of these issues.
Miscellaneous:
Withdrawal and Incomplete Policy: Students who wish to withdraw must do so before the last “W” date and
must inform the registrar’s office. No incompletes will be awarded without timely consultation with the
instructor prior to any due dates and only with an appropriate reason and where there is only a minimal
amount of work to finish.
Basic Skills and Language Issues: If English is not your first language, if you have a documented learning
disability or if you have difficulties with basic skills of college level performance, you are encouraged to make
use of our Learning Resource Center. You can receive one-on-one help from tutors and other professionals
with studying, reading, writing and general language issues. Other difficulties (e.g. learning disability) can be
addressed as well – however, you must see me so special arrangements can be made to improve your
performance on the exams and assignments. See extra credit section as you can earn extra points for
attending the Learning Resource Center.
Accommodations Policy: Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to
contact the instructor. The Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) is available to facilitate the
reasonable accommodations process. DSPS can be reached by telephone (voice - 510-748-2328) or at the
DSPS office in Room D-117.
Policy Regarding Cheating and Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s ideas and/or words in part
or total without proper academic attribution. Students caught plagiarizing or cheating on an exam in any way
will receive a grade of zero (0) for that assignment.
CLASS SCHEDULE – Spring 2012
WEEK 1 (Jan 24, 26)
Tuesday – Introduction, Overview of Assignments
Finish Pre-test before class on Thursday
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sp12pretestalameda
Thursday – Democracy’s Challenge, What is Politics?
WEEK 2 (Jan 31, Feb 2)
Tuesday – The Constitution (Online)
Thursday – The Constitution (Online), Capitalism and Democracy
WEEK 3 (Feb 7, 9)
Tuesday – (Short Essay Question)
Thursday – Interest Groups and Social Movements
WEEK 4 (Feb 14, 16)
Tuesday – Lecture on Current Events, Brown, “Business As Usual” (Online)
Thursday –Quiz #1
WEEK 5 (Feb 21, 23)
Tuesday – Guest Speaker
Thursday – (Assign Groups and Decide Topics for Student Teach In)
WEEK 6 (Feb 28, March 1)
Tuesday – Oppression & Democracy - (Online)
Thursday – Plan B, Brown: Can we mobilize fast enough? (Online)
WEEK 7 (March 6, 8)
Tuesday – Lecture on U.S. Military Interventions
Thursday – (Short Essay Question)
Attend (1) public meeting before class session Check out indybay.org.
WEEK 8 (March 13, 15)
Tuesday – Political Parties, Elections, and Public Opinion
Thursday – In class prep for Student Teach In
WEEK 9 (March 20, 22)
Tuesday – Student Teach In
Thursday – Student Teach In
WEEK 10 (March 27, 29)
Tuesday – Student Teach In
Thursday -Video: Weather Underground
WEEK 11 (April 3, 5)
SPRING BREAK
WEEK 12 (April 10, 12)
Tuesday – The Presidency & The Congress, The Courts
Thursday –(Short Essay Question)
WEEK 13 (April 17, 19)
Tuesday – Economic & Social Policy, Quiz #2
Thursday – Social Action and Politics in the Bay Area
Attend (2) public meeting before our class session.
Check out indybay.org.
WEEK 14 (April 24, 26)
Tuesday – Student Teach In
Thursday – Student Teach In
WEEK 15 (May 1, 3)
Tuesday – (Short Essay Question)
Thursday – Arundhati Roy: Interview with Fault Lines (Aljazeera English) – Interview Worksheet
WEEK 16 (May 8, 10)
TURN IN YOUR FINAL PAPER IN CLASS on TUESDAY.
NOTE: I do not accept any late assignments. There must be extenuating
circumstances for work to be turned in late work. Emailing me is not an
option, all assignments must be brought to class or put in my mailbox.