POS 2041 - American National Government Syllabus
Professor: Carter Waterkeyn
Office Location: LY 262 Tarpon Campus
E-mail:
Required Textbook
American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials
Bardes, Shelley & Schmidt Cengage Learning
ISBN: 9781285853154
Course Description
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the organization, structure and functions of the national government. You will gain knowledge of the historical events that led to the development of this unique form of government. You will gain an understanding of the interplay between the executive, legislative and judicial branches and the impact of their decisions on our daily lives.
In the process of gaining an understanding of the structure of your government, you will be introduced to your civil liberties and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. You will gain an appreciation of the need for government, the various forms of government that exist in the world and how their actions impact the global community.
Course Objectives
1. The student will acquire understanding of the purpose of government.
2. The student will acquire understanding of the American federal system
3. The student will acquire understanding of the various cultural and political experiences that impacted the creation and evolution of principles and values of the American political system.
4. Define interest group and explain the various techniques groups use to influence the government.
5. Explain the concept of judicial review and the major court cases that have defined it.
6. Explain the basic steps involved as a case proceeds to the Supreme Court
7. Show a causal link between the status of civil rights and the courts.
8. The student will demonstrate knowledge of various movements to secure civil rights protections.
9. Define political socialization and list the agents/factors of political socialization
10. Explain the difference between civil law and common law.
11. Explain the differences between civil rights and civil liberties.
12. Explain why we have a two party system in America.
13. Explain how and why voters vote the way they do.
14. Explain the role of elections in America.
15. Explain how the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is used to selectively incorporate liberties in the Bill of Rights.
16. Distinguishing between legislative and constitutional courts.
17. Summarizing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
18. Examining the impact of the Mayflower compact on American political theory.
19. Define Federalism and describe how it as evolved over the years.
20. 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.
Course Requirements
A large volume of material is covered in this course. Students are expected to keep up with the reading and the corresponding assignments. This includes completing the assigned readings, reviewing the chapter notes, completing your chapter and unit assignments, participating in online discussion forums, completing exams and the research paper.
Exams
There will be four unit exams in this course. Each will be a timed test that you will take online during the scheduled days. Each exam will have 50 questions and will be worth up to 100 points. See the calendar for exam dates.
Discussion Questions
In each of the four Units in this course there is a specific discussion board that contains a choice of prompts that students are expected to respond to with a well thought out and supported post. In these discussion areas students have the opportunity to interact with one another through a variety of topics and viewpoints. Each discussion is worth 65 points each and must be completed by the due date listed on the course calendar.
Chapter Assignments
Within each unit there are two chapters that contain graded assignments. There are a total of eight of these web assisted assignments in the course that are worth 30 points each. Each of these assignments contains a website that students should use as their primary resource for the task. Students visit the approved website and then either answer the questions within the assignment or follow the directions provided for the activity. Once complete, students submit their assignment within the folder by the due date listed on the course calendar.
Critical Thinking Research Project
The Critical Thinking Research Project is listed in the main lessons section of the course site. Details & directions are included in the assignment folder. Please refer to the course site for specific information and due date as listed on the course calendar. This project is worth 100 points and carries the weight of one exam. All students must register with Turn It In to submit their Critical Thinking Research Project properly in this course. APA format and citation requirements must be followed exactly in order to get credit for this project.
Writing Requirements
POS 2041 is a Gordon Rule class, so there is a substantial writing requirement of a minimum of 2000 words. To satisfy this requirement, you will write a research paper of at least 1200 words and reply to the discussion posts and unit assignments. Take care to organize your thoughts before you post. Check your spelling, sentence and paragraph structure before you post. After you post you cannot delete what you posted. There will be a length requirement for each post and it will be specified with the topic post. All assignments completed through ANGEL must be submitted within the allotted time and by the posted due date.
ALL assignments/exams completed through ANGEL must be submitted or completed within the assignment or exam folder. Emailed assignments will NOT be graded. Again, assignments or other files that are emailed will not be accepted and the student will receive a zero for the task.
If you experience a technical problem and it impedes your ability to submit the assignment/exam properly, it must be documented and verified by the SPC technology helpdesk (727) 341-HELP. In addition, you must contact me BEFORE the due date/time to let me know your technical problem. Remember, your phone works well if your internet is out. You will know all due dates and deadlines well in advance, so make sure to plan ample time for completion well in advance of the due dates.
Make sure to save a copy of all your work outside of Angel BEFORE you submit it. SAVE A COPY OF ALL WORK SUBMITTED IN THIS COURSE. It is a good idea to save while you are working in case of technical problems.
You must use the APA citation style for all writing assignments in this course. Refer to The Little Brown Handbook for examples of the APA style. You can access APA citation style handouts online through the SPC library online Web site. To access a page of links and information on the APA citation style, go to the SPC library online Web site at http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline/. Click on the Citation Help link under “I Need to Find” on the left side of the page then click APA style at the top of the page. Additional resources for APA format are found within the course ANGEL site.
Grading Scale
Exams 100 points each 4 total
Assignments 30 points each 8 total
Paper 100 points 1 total
Discussion 65 points each 4 total
900 & up = A
800-899 = B
700-799 = C
600-699 = D
599 & below = F
1000 total points possible
To receive credit in a Gordon Rule course, you must receive a grade of C or higher. Due to the nature of the testing in this course, MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE NOT ALLOWED (unless specifically approved by your instructor).
Active Participation Policy
All course work will be done online. Students are responsible for all assignments due and material covered during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to remain in contact with the instructor if any problem or concern arises.
If a student ceases to complete the scheduled assignments and essays in a timely manner, he or she will be considered non-participating and therefore eligible for a “WF” at the 60% point in the semester. If a student status changes to non-participating after the 60% drop date (refer to SPC’s current academic calendar), the student will be awarded a failing grade for the course. If for some reason you cannot continue attending the course, it is your responsibility to withdraw through the proper channels.
Academic Integrity
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. Cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly. Go to http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/admit/honesty.htm and read the policy on academic honesty.
Student Responsibilities and Conduct Policies:
Students are responsible for all assignments due and material covered during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to remain in contact with the instructor if any problem of concern arises.
If you are having trouble completing the obligations of this course, it is up to you to contact the instructor immediately. If a student neglects to contact the instructor and online activity by the student has ceased, the instructor may determine at any time that the student is NOT maintaining continuous active participation. Students are encouraged to remain in contact with the instructor via email, phone or by setting up an on campus appointment.
Since this course touches on various political subjects and the sometimes-controversial dynamics of American Government, it is essential for us to maintain a civil online environment. Whether on the course discussion board, exchanging emails or during online chats students are expected to show the utmost respect and courtesy for peers with similar AND differing viewpoints.
If you experience a problem with another student regarding discussion board postings – please contact your instructor immediately. Each student is expected to respect the views of others without attacking the individual. You are expected to be diplomatic in every on line exchange. Please proof read each of your messages before you decide to post them, making sure that you are saying what you would like to say in the manner in which you would like it read.
In addition, it is important to remember that on line discussion is quite different from face to face interaction. There are only the written words and the imagination of the reader as to what was “meant” by certain phrasings – so please be considerate of others to make sure that your messages seek to discuss why you have a certain opinion rather than personal attacks. Again, this is a course about politics, so there will be many viewpoints that will spark lively discussion in which academic exchange can take place.
SPC’s Disruptive Behavior Policy
Each student’s behavior in the classroom or Web course is expected to contribute to a positive learning/teaching environment, respecting the rights of others and their opportunity to learn. No student has the right to interfere with the teaching/learning process, including the posting of inappropriate materials on the discussion boards or other spaces within the ANGEL course site.
The instructor has the authority to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom, lab, or Web course and to file disciplinary charges if disruptive behavior continues.
Tentative Schedule
Order in which chapters will be covered
Chapter 1 – The Democratic Republic
Chapter 2 – The Constitution
Chapter 3 – Federalism
Chapter 10 – Congress
Chapter 11 – The Presidency
Chapter 12 – The Bureaucracy
Chapter 13 – The Judiciary
Chapter 4 – Civil Liberties
Chapter 5 – Civil Rights
Chapter 6 – Public Opinion
Chapter 7 – Interest Groups
Chapter 9 – Campaigns and Elections
Chapter 8 – Political Parties
Read the Syllabus Addendum: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm