POLS 100
Summer 2013
American Government
POLS 100-S01D / POLS 100-SO2D
Summer 2013
South Dakota State University
Course Information
This document is a preliminary summary and contains only basic course information. A complete
syllabus (including course objectives, policies, grade distribution, and course schedule) will be
available approximately one week prior to the beginning of the course.
Instructor
Julie D. Lane, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science
julie.lane@sdstate.edu
phone: (605)688-6071
Course Dates
POLS 100-SO1D: May 28th through June 28th, 2013
POLS 100-SO2D: July 1st through August 2nd, 2013
Course Description
POLS 100 is a study of the basic principles of the American system of government with
emphasis on problems relating to governmental structure and policies.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: none
In Unit One of the course, we will take up the theoretical and historical background of the U.S.
Constitution. In addition, we will comprehensively review the content of the document and
consider associated issues. In Unit Two, we will take up civil liberties, civil rights, and the U.S.
Supreme Court. In Unit Three, we will consider the ideological, demographic, and structural
foundations of the American public. In addition, we will take up political linkages – the
processes and institutions that connect the public to government. Political linkages include
public opinion, political parties, interest groups, and elections. Last, in Unit Four, we will take
up the powers and organization of the legislative and executive branches.
A strong emphasis is given in this course to current events and to the applicability and relevance
of American politics to the everyday lives of citizens.
Course Format
 This course will proceed very quickly. Keep in mind that we are accomplishing in five
weeks what would normally happen in a regular 15-week semester. You will therefore be
quite busy with this course. You will need to have time to review Powerpoint presentations,
read, complete quizzes and exams, participate in discussion forums, complete online
activities, and write short essays.
 Discussion is a central feature of this course. Although we do not have in-person class
meetings, the instructor expects the same degree of presence and engagement. You will need
to be available to participate in online discussions, check announcements, and communicate
via email the instructor.
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POLS 100
Summer 2013

You will pretty much need to be involved with the course every day. Although you will have
some schedule flexibility, we do need to keep within some time limits so that we can
efficiently progress through the course. You will be involved in online discussions, taking
quizzes and exams, and completing assignments. If you have scheduling circumstances that
will not allow you to routinely access the course web site throughout the course of the five
weeks, you might consider taking the course in another format and/or at another time.
Assessment
In this course you will:
1. Complete reading comprehension quizzes.
2. Complete multiple-choice/short-answer exams. For each exam, you will be given a
“window” of two days to complete the exam.
3. Participate in several online discussion forums. For each forum, you will need to engage in
the discussion at least twice (on separate days) during a four-day time window.
4. Complete online activities through McGraw Hill’s Connect.
5. Write informal reflective essays.
Required Texts
One books is required for this course:
Losco/Baker, AM GOV 2013-2014, McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-740993-7
AM GOV comes with McGraw Hill’s Connect, an online resource that we will be using
to supplement the course. AM GOV is also available as an e-book. I will provide you
with purchasing information when it becomes available.
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