SYLLABUS - POLS 101 C03W - AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT – 3 Credit Hours

SPRING 2010 - INSTRUCTOR: Lee Ann Hagan

Office: Aspen 126Phone: 732-6867

Home Phone: 423-6355 – Please feel free to call me at homeif you cannot reach me at the office.

Office Hours: 10:00-12:00 MWF, 11:00-12:00 TR, and by appointment

CSI Mission Statement: The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides quality educational, social, cultural, economic, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. CSI prepares students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives in a global society.

General Education Criteria: This course satisfies all eight criteria for general education. It is designed to:

1.provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the interconnectedness of knowledge.

2.develop a discerning individual.

3.practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

4.promote awareness of social and cultural diversity in order to appreciate the commonality of mankind.

5.foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.

6.reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative skills.

7.encourage and inspire life-long learning.

8.encourage creativity.

Social Science Department Mission Statement: The mission of the Social Science Department is to provide educational, social, and cultural opportunities which encourage enriched, productive and responsible lives primarily by instructing students to understand, interpret, and apply Social Science discipline coursework.

Social Science Department Goals: This course addresses the following Social Science Department goals, which are to:

1.help students understand important facts, concepts and theories of Social Science subjects.

2.help students acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.

3.help students learn to distinguish between fact and opinion.

4.teach students to use evaluation, analysis and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.

5.teach students to use different perspectives from the social sciences to make better-informed decisions

6.help students acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.

7.prepare students to transfer to a university.

Political Science Program Mission Statement: The Political Science Program prepares students to examine the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior.

Political Science Program Objectives: Students will…

1. comprehend political theories, structures and processes.

2. think, integrate, and logically organize, not just memorize, political information.

3. gather knowledge from other disciplines to interpret political situations.

4. apply insights from the study of political science to understand local, state, national and international developments.

POLS 101 CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: A basic course in political science introducing the basic concepts and major structural elements of the national government. Many aspects of American government are introduced and discussed in a way that will make the study of government more a part of the students’ world.

Course Outcomes Aligned with GE criteria (GE) Social Science Goals (SS) and Political Science Objectives (POLS)

Students Will.... / GE / SS / POLS
Understand the basic structure of American Government. / 1, 2, 3, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4
Be able to critically interpret and articulate thoughts about American Government and politics. / 1, 3, 5, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 2, 3, 4
Apply course concepts in a personal and everyday context. / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 / 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment Method: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods.

Multiple Choice Questions / Short Answer Questions / Essay Questions / Extra Credit Papers
1 /  /  /  / 
2 /  /  /  / 
3 /  /  /  / 

Welcome to POLS 101 C02W – (Blackboard) - American National Government - a one-semester course for students who want to learn about the United States government and politics. This course is intended to give students a more complete understanding of how American government operates. Students will examine the principles on which our country is founded, the institutions in our government that represent us as citizens and the rights to which all Americans are entitled.

Students completing this course should:

1. Have a basic understanding of democracy and what it means to us today.

2. Have a general knowledge of the United States Constitution and of what is meant by "living" Constitution.

3. Be aware of ways to participate in government through public opinion, interests groups, political parties,

and the media.

4. Know the three cornerstones of American government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and

the roles that each plays.

5. Be informed of one's rights and of the "due process."

6. Recognize the strong emphasis on individual rights within our system.

7. Be able to identify potential problems in order to help our elected officials to find solutions.

Through your reading and supplementary video tapes you will discover how the government and politics work. You will also view many people inside and outside of government who attempt to influence policy-making. Hopefully this course will make government and politics come alive for you.

The textbook for this course is Thomas E. Patterson, The American Democracy, 9th Edition. This text is available in the College of Southern Idaho Bookstore. This will directly correspond with the supplementary videos. Also, there is a printed study guide to assist you with your reading. (Included with the syllabus)

As part of this course you will be required to talk with the instructor at least two times. The first meeting (or phone conversation) will be an opportunity to ask general questions about testing, the course, and to allow the instructor to meet you. This phone conversation or meeting should be scheduled prior to taking Exam I. The second meeting will be an exit interview. Please feel free to call at any other time throughout the semester. Because the reading is so extensive, I recommend that you call or visit with me prior to each exam as a means of narrowing the focus.

The course will include four examinations to be administered through Blackboard, homework assignments, and essays. Each exam will have multiple-choice questions. Homework will consist of a list per unit of terms to identify (in your own words) and short essay questions to be submitted through Blackboard. You will also be required to write 4 (four) 2-3 page essays with 2-3 sources cited. The homework and essays are due before taking the corresponding exam. Grades will be determined on a 100 points scale. The four (4) test grades, homework assignments and essays will be averaged for your final grade with consideration for improvement. Optional extra credit assignments will be available at your request. Exam I must be completed by February 4, 2011; Exam II must be completed by March 4, 2011; Exam III must be taken no later than April 1, 2011, and Exam IV must be completed by May 6, 2011. Students who do not meet theses deadlines must speak with the instructor or be responsible for completing a withdraw slip by April 8, 2010 (last day to withdraw). Exams may be taken at any time BEFORE the due date, but be advised that exams WILL NOT be available AFTER 11:30 p.m.on the night of the due date unless you have prior approval (be mindful of your time zone). STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT MET THE ABOVE DEADLINES (AND DO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE) WILL RECEIVE AN “F” FOR THE COURSE!

Student Evaluations: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available online at . Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. The last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the library and in the SUB. When students log in they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!

Student Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for related accommodations. To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class. Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus. 208.732.6260 (voice) or 208.734.9929 (TTY), or e-mail. .

LESSONS/READING ASSIGNMENTS

TEST SCHEDULE – SPRING 2011

LESSON / CHAPTERs
1 / 1. American Political Culture pgs. 3 - 25
2 / 2. ConstitutionalDemocracy pgs. 26 - 55
3 / 3. Federalism pgs. 56 - 83
4 / 18. State and Local Politics pgs. 473 - 501
Homework and Essay Assignments are due Friday, February 4, 2011 before taking Unit Exam One.
Unit One Exam to be taken upon completion of the first 4 lessons: Due Friday, February 4, 2011
5 / 14. The Federal Judicial System pgs. 364 - 391
6 / 4. Civil Liberties pgs. 85 - 115
Bill of Rights – Appendix pgs. 512-513
Other Amendments – Appendix pgs. 513-517
7 / 5. Equal Rights pgs. 116 - 145
Homework and Essay Assignments are due Friday, March 4, 2011 before taking Unit Exam Two.
Unit Two Exam – to be taken upon completion of lessons 5 - 7: Due Friday, March 4, 2011
NOTE: If you have not completed Unit 1 and Unit 2 by April 8, 2011 you must complete a drop slip. The last day to drop is April 8, 2011.
8 / *6. Public Opinion and Political Socialization pgs. 146 - 169
*7. Political Participation and Voting pgs. 170 - 189
*Your reading on these chapters can be abbreviated by focusing on key terms.
9 / 8. Political Parties, Candidates, & Campaigns pgs. 190 - 219
10 / 11. Congressional Election (pp. 276-285)
12. Presidential Election (pp. 313-322)
11 / 9. Interest Groups pgs. 220 - 245
12 / *10. The News Media pgs. 246 - 273
Homework and Essay Assignments are due Friday, April 1, 2011 before taking Unit Exam Three.
Unit Three Exam – to be taken upon completion of lessons 8 - 12: Due Friday, April 1, 2011
13 / 11. Congressional Organization and Policymaking(pp. 285-305)
14 / 12. Presidential Office and Policymaking (pp. 307-313, 323-337)
15 / 13. The Federal Bureaucracy pgs. 338 - 363
16 / *16. Welfare & Education Policy pgs. 424 - 447
*17. Foreign & Defense Policy pgs. 448 - 471
*These chapters may be skimmed!
Homework and Essay Assignments are due Friday, May 6, 2011 before taking Unit Exam Four.
Unit Four Exam – to be taken upon completion of lessons 13 - 16: Due Friday May 6, 2011