Syllabus
American National Government
Political Science 201: CRN 30171
Summer 2013; June 3-July 2
Online
Dr. Magdaleno Manzanárez
Phone: (505) 538-6229
Email: manzanarezm@wnmu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory course to American government and politics. The main purpose is to
provide you with a general understanding of the workings of our national government and of
our political system. It is my intention to underscore the importance of knowing why and how
government affects the individual and groups and vice-versa. In order to achieve these goals we
are going to examine several political institutions and processes. You are expected to keep
abreast of current events to engage in meaningful class discussions.
COURSE OUTCOMES
It is expected that by the end of course you will have a general
 Ability to identify, describe, and explain how human behaviors are influenced by social
and political structures, institutions, and processes within the contexts of complex and
diverse communities.
 Ability to articulate how beliefs, assumptions, and values are influenced by factors such
as politics, geography, economics, culture, biology, history, and social institutions.
 Ability to describe ongoing reciprocal interactions among self, society, and the
environment.
 Ability to apply the knowledge base of the social and behavioral sciences to identify,
describe, explain, and critically evaluate relevant issues, ethical dilemmas, and arguments
We will address these competencies as we examine:
1. The American System
a. By studying political democratic theory and its influence in creating our republic
b. By learning about the main ideas found in our Constitution
c. By learning about federalism
2. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
a. By examining civil liberties and civil liberties both in historical and contemporary
application
3. Political Processes
a. By learning about public opinion and political socialization
b. By learning about interest groups and political parties
c. By learning about the campaigns, nominations, and elections and their links to the
media and cyber politics
4. Political Institutions
a. By learning about the major political institutions in our society: the congress, the
presidency, the bureaucracy, and the courts
5. Public Policy
a. By learning about the processes involved in the formulation and implementation of
domestic, economic, and foreign policy
REQUIRED TEXTS AND OTHER READING MATERIAL
Losco, Joseph & Baker, Ralph (2013-2014). AM GOV. New York, NY: McGrawHill. [3 Edition] ISBN-13: ISBN-13 9780077409937
rd
Stinebrickner, Bruce (2014). Annual Editions, American Government 13/14. [43rd
Edition]. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN-13 9780078136139
Weekly readings from current periodicals will be assigned as starting points for our online
discussions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
You are expected to:
Read assigned material.
Take four exams.
Write one position paper.
Write a peer review.
Participate in group discussions.
Keep up with current political events.
ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE
Your work in this course will be assessed based on the quality of overall participation during
the semester. Your participation in this context is defined by the tasks mentioned above under
course requirements. To quantify your course performance a final grade will be assigned to
your work based on the total number of points earned in each of the required categories.
Points
Exams
Position paper
Discussions participation
Peer Review
400 (100 points each)
100
150
50
700 points
Final Grades Calculation
630-700 points
560-629
490-559
420-489
<420
90-100 %
80-89
70-89
60-69
<60
A
B
C
D
F
Course Expectations and WNMU Policies for Students
Attendance:
Attendance in an online class is evaluated by your attendance to the material. You will
get out of the course what you put into the course. You will need to be a “self-starter”,
and control your own calendar in order to meet the deadlines for the course.
Informed Consent:
Some individuals may choose to disclose personal information during class. Therefore,
it is important that all classmates agree not to discuss or write about what others have
discussed in class.
Professionalism:
Students are learning professional skills and are expected to engage in classroom
discussions, complete reading assignments and turn in assignments in a timely fashion
as befitting professional behavior.
Scholarly Writing:
Use clear college level writing with correct spelling and grammar for all assignments
(remember you are not phone texting). If you need help in writing, check with the
WNMU Online Writing Center.
Academic Integrity:
Each student shall observe standards of honesty and integrity in academic work
completed at WNMU (See page 60 in the Academic Catalogue:
http://www.wnmu.edu/catalog10_11/10-11%20catalog.pdf).
Disability Services at Western New Mexico University:
Services for students with disabilities are provided through the Academic Support
Center’s Disability Services Office. Some examples of the assistance provided are:
audio materials for the blind or dyslexic, note takers, readers, campus guides, audio
recorders, and undergraduate academic tutors. In order to qualify for these services,
documentation must be provided by qualified professionals on an annual basis.
Disability Services forms are available in the Academic Support Center. The Disability
Services Office, in conjunction with the Academic Support Center, serves as Western
New Mexico University's liaison for students with disabilities. The Academic Support
Center’s Disability Services Office can be contacted by phone at 575-538-6400 or email
dss@wnmu.edu.
Integrated Use of Technology:
Because this is an online course, I am making the assumption that you are comfortable
utilizing a computer, and navigating various software programs like Canvas, Microsoft
Word, PowerPoint, etcetera.
Need Help?:
1. Post a question to the Discussion Board. There is no such thing as a dumb question.
2. Post a question as an email to me.
3. If the Canvas system goes down or you have other technical questions, contact the
WNMU Help Desk: helpdesk@wnmu.edu or (575) 574-4357.
Communication Policy Statement regarding official email:
WNMU’s policy requires that all official communication be sent via Mustang Express.
As a result, all emails related to your enrollment at WNMU and class communication –
including changes in assignments and grades – will be sent to your wnmu.edu email
address. It is very important that you access your Mustang Express e-mail periodically
to check for correspondence from the University. If you receive most of your email at a
different address you can forward your messages from Mustang Express to your other
address.
Example: Martin Classmember was assigned a WNMU email address of
classmemberm12@wnmu.edu but Martin would rather receive his emails at his home
email address of martinclass@yahoo.com.
Martin would follow the direction provided at:
http://www.wnmu.edu/campusdocs/direction%20for%20forwarding%20email.htm
WNMU Policy on Email Passwords:
WNMU requires that passwords for access to all of the protected software, programs,
and applications will be robust, including complexity in the number of characters
required, the combination of characters required, and the frequency in which
passwords are required to be changed. Minimum complexity shall include:
• Passwords shall contain at least six (6) characters.
• Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper case) letter, and at least one
symbol (numbers and characters such as @ # $ % & *).
• Passwords shall be changed at least every 90 days.
Caveats:
The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances.
CODE OF CIVILITY
In order to promote a positive, professional atmosphere among students, faculty and
staff, the following Code of Civility has been developed:
Respect: Treat all students, faculty, staff and property with respect and in a courteous
and professional manner. This includes all communications, whether verbal or written.
Let your actions reflect pride in yourself, your university, and your profession.
Kindness: A kind word and gentle voice go a long way. Refrain from using profanity,
insulting slang remarks, or making disparaging comments. Consider another person’s
feelings. Be nice.
Truth: Exhibit honesty and integrity in your dealings with fellow students, faculty and
staff members. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, and don’t steal.
Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions. This includes gracefully accepting
the consequences of your behavior.
Cooperation: Exhibit a cooperative manner when dealing with students, faculty and
staff so we may all work towards our common goals and mission.
Acceptance: Accept differences in others, as they accept differences in you. This
includes diversity in opinions, beliefs and ideas and everything else that makes us
unique individuals.
Professionalism: Always conduct yourself in a manner that will bring pride to your
profession, to the School of Education, to Western New Mexico University, and, most
importantly, to yourself.
SCHEDULE
Week Dates
Topic
1
JUN 3: Monday
Citizenship in our Losco & Baker: Chapter 1
Democracy
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions:
Article 1
JUN 4: Tuesday
Citizenship in our Losco & Baker: Chapter 1
Democracy
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions:
Article 2
JUN 5: Wednesday
The Constitution
Polling Results
due
Losco & Baker: Chapter 2
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions:
Article 15
JUN 6: Thursday
Federalism
Losco & Baker: Chapter 3
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 3
&4
JUN 7: Friday
Civil Liberties
Position paper
topic due
Losco & Baker: Chapter 4
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 13
& 14
JUN 10: Monday
Civil Rights
Annotated
bibliography
Losco & Baker: Chapter 5
Reading Packet
JUN 11: Tuesday
EXAM I
JUN 12: Wednesday
Public Opinion
Losco & Baker: Chapter 6
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 6
& 10
JUN 13: Thursday
Political
Participation
Losco & Baker: Chapter 7
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 47
JUN 14: Friday
Interest Groups
Losco & Baker: Chapter 8
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 42
JUN 17: Monday
Political Parties,
Campaigns,
and Elections
Losco & Baker: Chapter 9
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 34
& 40
2
3
Reading Assignments
4
5
JUN 18: Tuesday
The Media
EXAM II
Losco & Baker: Chapter 10
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 45
JUN 19: Wednesday
The Congress
Losco & Baker: Chapter 11
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 21
JUN 20: Thursday
The Presidency
Losco & Baker: Chapter 12
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 19
JUN 21: Friday
The Bureaucracy
Losco & Baker: Chapter 13
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 32
JUN 24: Monday
The Judiciary
EXAM III
JUN 25: Tuesday
Public Policy
Losco & Baker: Chapter 14
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 27
& 28
Losco & Baker: Chapter 15
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Articles 54
& 55
JUN 26: Wednesday
Foreign Policy
JUN 27: Thursday
Position Paper
due
JUN 28: Friday
Peer Reviews due
JUL 1: Monday
Position Paper
discussion
JUL 3: Tuesday
EXAM IV
Losco & Baker: Chapter 16
Stinebrickner’s Annual Editions: Article 59