St. Petersburg College
Department of Social and Behavioral Science
Clearwater Campus
Course Syllabus
POS 2041-1654
AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Tues/Thurs section 2 :00 – 3 :15 pm
ES-322
SPRING 2015
INSTRUCTOR: Sonia King
Contact information: Email- email through MyCourses , or contact Social Sciences Dep’t.- 727-791-5963
Office hours/location: Mon./Wed.: 9:00 - 9:30 am; Tues./Thurs. 1 :00 – 2 :00 pm, or by appt., ES 313
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Dean: Dr. Joseph Smiley
Office: LAMBDA
Phone: 727-712-5783
Academic Chair: Dr. Anja Norman
Office: ES-313B
Phone: 727-791-2671
COURSE INFORMATION:
A.
Course Description:
Prerequisite: (ENC 0020 and REA 0002) or EAP 1695 or appropriate score on the SPC placement test.
This survey course provides a comprehensive examination of the American political system. Through this
course students will become familiar with theory, organization, principles, and function of the American
national government, and various elements within the political system that work to shape policy outcomes. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements outlined in the General Education Requirements. Credit is not given for both POS 2041 and POS 2050H. 47 contact hours.
B.
Major Learning Outcomes:
1.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of government.
2.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the American federal system.
3.
The student will demonstrate understanding of the various philosophical, cultural and
political experiences that impacted the creation and evolution of principles and values of the American
political system.
4.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and features of the original Constitution of 1787.
5.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of civil liberties as contained in the Constitution and interpreted by the courts.
6.
protections.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of various movements to secure civil rights
7.
lative branch.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the legis-
8.
tive branch.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the execu-
9.
cial branch.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the judi-
10.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of policy making and the
factors that work to shape policy outcomes.
11.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of political parties and interest
groups, and the impact of public opinion and political participation by diverse groups on the American
political system.
12.
C.
The student will demonstrate increased ability in writing.
Course Objectives Stated in Performances Terms:
1.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of government by defining government and describing its purpose and function.
2.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the American federal system by:
a.
defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under federal
b.
defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under unitary
c.
federal systems.
defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under con-
systems.
systems.
3.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the various philosophical, cultural
and political experiences that impacted the creation and evolution of principles and values of the American political system by:
ence.
a.
examining the significance of incidents provoking opposition to British rule.
b.
examining the values and theories incorporated in the Declaration of Independ-
c.
outlining the structural arrangement of government under the Articles of Con-
d.
summarizing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
federation.
4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and features of the
original Constitution of 1787 by summarizing:
(1)
popular sovereignty
(2)
limited government
(3)
separation of powers
(4)
checks and balances
(5)
representative government
(6)
federalism - horizontal and vertical
5.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of civil liberties as contained in the Constitution and interpreted by the courts by:
a.
b.
Constitution.
examining the liberties contained in the original Constitution.
examining the liberties contained in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the
c.
examining the role of the United States Supreme Court in interpreting the liberties identified in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
d.
explaining how the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is used to selectively incorporate liberties in the Bill of Rights.
6.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of various movements to secure civil rights
protections by:
a.
defining civil rights and examining the concept of equality.
b.
summarizing the importance of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment.
c.
examining the history and evolution of African-Americans’ rights, women’s
rights, and other civil rights movements.
7.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the legislative branch by:
a.
outlining the powers of Congress.
b.
examining the differences and similarities between the two chambers of Congress.
c.
explaining the law-making process of Congress.
8.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the executive branch by:
a.
identifying the constitutional responsibilities of the president.
b.
identifying the informal roles of the president.
c.
outlining the responsibilities of the Executive Office of the President.
d.
explaining the presidential election process and the role of the electoral college.
e.
outlining the bureaucracy and its responsibilities.
9.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the judicial branch by:
a.
outlining the federal court system.
b.
identifying the jurisdiction of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court.
c.
identifying and defining the types of law.
d.
explaining the federal judicial appointment process.
e. explaining the meaning of judicial review.
10.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of policy-making and the
factors that work to shape policy outcomes by:
a.
of policies.
defining domestic and foreign policy and identifying the process determining priorities
b.
explaining the role of the executive and legislative branches in formulation and implementation of domestic and foreign policy.
c.
recognizing contextual influences on foreign and domestic policy-making.
11.
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of political parties and interest
groups and the impact of public opinion and political participation by diverse groups on the American
political system by:
a.
describing the development and function of political parties.
b.
institutions.
examining the impact of public opinion on public policy emanating from government
c.
examining the importance of the campaign process, voting and elections to a representative democracy.
d.
describing the functions and identifying the various types of interest groups.
e.
describing the strategies used by interest groups and their impacts on policy-making.
12. The student will demonstrate increased ability in writing by planning and writing one or more of
the following (all of which will be evaluated):
a. research, analysis, outline, evaluation or other types of papers completed outside of the direct
classroom experience.
b. research, analysis, outline, journal, evaluation or other types of essays completed during the
direct classroom experience.
c. any type of expository, evaluative, persuasive or personal response writing as described in the
college publication entitled "A Resource Manual for Writing Across the Curriculum."
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Bardes, B., Shelley, M., Schmidt, S. (2014). American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials.
Publisher: Wadsworth Cengage Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-133-60437-2
ONLINE STUDY GUIDE: Textbook online study guide: “Coursemate”:
http://coursemate.cengage.com/CPReader/View/9781133949244/default.aspx?anon=True#7d66ab93d247-42e7-ae49-a4f57bf60235
Library: http://www.spcollege.edu/libraries/
Financial Aid: http://www.spcollege.edu/getfunds/
IMPORTANT DATES:
Fall semester: 1/12/2015 – 5/7/2015
Last day to drop/change class: 1/16/2015
Withdrawal date: 3/25/2015 with a “W”
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed: 1/19/2015
Spring Break: 3/8/2015 – 3/14/2015
Spring Holiday: 4/3/2015 – 4/5/2015
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
St. Petersburg College expects students to be honest in all of their academic work. By enrolling at the
college, students agree to adhere to the high standards of academic honesty and integrity and understand that failure to comply with this pledge may result in academic and disciplinary action, up to and
including expulsion from the college. As members of the college community, students also have an ethical obligation to report violations of the SPC academic honesty policies that they may witness. For more
information, please read the St. Petersburg College Academic Honesty Policy:
http://www.spcollege.edu/academichonesty/
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
The
college-wide
attendance
policy
is
included
in
the
Syllabus
Addendum
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm. The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and
publish that definition in each syllabus.
A student can voluntarily withdraw from this class with a “W” up to 3/25/2015. If a student has violated
the Active Participation policy for this class prior to the date, he or she will be given a grade of W/F unless the student voluntarily withdraws. Following this date, should a student be determined to no longer
be actively participating, he or she will be given a grade of F at the end of the semester.
For this class, attendance is defined as the following:
Daily attendance is essential to your success in this course. Your attendance is considered active participation in addition to your contribution to class discussions.
Students will be permitted a total of four absences for the semester. If you miss more than four classes,
you will receive a “WF” or “F” for the course.
Students are expected to arrive on time and to plan to attend the entire class period. Tardiness and
leaving early counts against student participation.
Students are expected to participate in class discussions, and are encouraged to be familiar with current
events and daily political news.
Please keep in mind that American National Government is a course that covers many controversial and
thought-provoking issues, so it is important that we all maintain a civil and respectful classroom environment.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:
For due dates, please refer to the Course Outline attached to the end of the syllabus and in MyCourses.
Students are responsible for completing all material PRIOR to each lecture and due date, including any
reading or assignments. Information for your assignments and exams are derived from the required
textbook, lectures, and any additional materials posted under the Lessons tab. As a courtesy, I post Exam Review Guides which are located in our MyCourses shell under the Lessons tab.
NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. IF YOU ANTICIPATE ANY DIFFICULTY IN SUBMITTING AN ASSIGNMENT ON
TIME, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS.
GRADED WORK:
Exams (1 @ 100 points each= 400 points total):
There will be four (4) multiple-choice exams, for which you will need Scan Tron forms 882-E.
Attendance is mandatory for all exams. There are NO MAKE UP EXAMS.
There is an optional Final Cumulative Exam, which can be used to replace the lowest score on one of the
four exams.
Assignments (4 @ 50 points each= 200 points total):
There are four (4) Critical Thinking Assignments, to be due throughout the semester. The topics and due
dates are listed in MyCourses, and they will be submitted in the dropbox by the due date.
Essay (200 points total):
This course is designed to meet the college’s writing requirement. As part of this assignment, students
are required to write at least 1,500 words, demonstrating college-level writing skills. The essay grade is
based on three parts: outline (50 points); first draft (50 points); and final essay (100 points). The essay
guidelines and deadlines as well as suggested topics are posted in MyCourses. The outline and essays
will be submitted in the Turnitin box in our Course shell.
Grades will be based on a non-weighted 100-point scale:
100 – 90 = A
89 – 80= B
79 – 70= C
69 – 60= D
Below 60= F
Final Grade: to compile your grade, add your total points and divide by the maximum possible total of
800 points in the course (or divide by the current possible total during the semester).
SPC Syllabus Addendum:
Please refer to the following website for information on additional policies, deadlines, and important
college resources, including the Learning Support Center and Veterans Services:
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum
Other items: No sleeping, no sidebar conversations, and no cell phone usage or other disruptions that
detract from the learning environment.
Course Outline- Tues/Thurs section
(*Subject to change per instructor)
Unit 1- American System
Jan 13/15
Course introduction/ Chapter 1- Democratic Republic
Jan 20/22
Chapter 2- The Constitution/Declaration of Independence
Jan 27/29
Chapter 3- Federalism (Assignment 1 DUE: 1/27)
Feb 3/5
(Exam One- Foundations: 2/3)/ Chapter 4- Civil Liberties
Unit 2: Liberties/Courts
Feb 10/12
Chapter 4- Civil Liberties/Chapter 5: Civil Rights
Feb 17/19
Chapter 5- Civil Rights/Chapter 13- Federal Courts (Assignment 2 DUE: 2/17)
Feb 24/26
Chapters 13- Federal Courts/ (Exam Two- Liberties/Courts: 2/26)
Unit 3: Institutions/Policy
March 3/5
Chapter 10: Congress (Outline DUE: 3/5)
March 10/12
SPRING BREAK- NO CLASS
March 17/19
Chapter 11: Presidency
March 24/26
Chapter 14: Domestic Policy (Assignment 3 DUE: 3/24)/(First Draft DUE: 3/26)
Mar 31/Apr 2
Chapter 15: Foreign Policy (Exam Three- Institutions/Policy: 4/2)
Unit 4: Politics
Apr 7/9
Chapter 6: Public Opinion/Socialization/Media
Apr 14/16
Chapter 7: Interest Groups (FINAL ESSAY DUE: 4/16)
Apr 21/23
Chapter 8: Political Parties (Assignment 4 DUE: 4/23)
Apr 28/30
Chapter 9: Campaigns and Elections/ (Exam Four- Political Behavior: 4/30)
May 7
Politics Final Cumulative Exam- Units 1-4 @ 1:00 PM