POLI111 American National Government
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Political Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- POLI111 American National Government
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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This course meets the General Education requirement for Social Science.
This course meets the General Education requirement for Diversity. - VI. Catalog Course Description
- An examination of the workings of American government at the national level. A consideration of who gets what, when, how, and why. An introduction to effective citizenship, suitable for all students.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the functioning of the policy processes and institutions of the American national government;
- demonstrate an understanding of the ideas about government that underlie the American system;
- demonstrate an understanding of some of the basic tools used by political scientists to help explain the way governments function;
- demonstrate an understanding of the significance of current events on the national political scene [Social Science];
- demonstrate an understanding of the diverse perspectives of women and minorities and the contributions these groups have made to American political life [Diversity];
- demonstrate an understanding of the political debates over the environment: pollution, regulatory policies, and citizen action;
- demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, economic, and racial conflicts in American political life [Social Science];
- demonstrate a recognition and acceptance of the complexities and the consequent frustrations of participatory politics;
- acceptance of responsibility, at personal and public levels, to act in harmony with the natural and social environment
- commitment to informed political participation at least at the level of regular voting; and
- recognition that a sound knowledge of politics is to simply a matter of civic duty, but an intrinsically rewarding part of the proper study of mankind.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Research the political science way
- Historical roots of the new nation: The American Revolution
- The New Government: federalism and constitutional rights (civil rights, civil liberties)
- The Modern Presidency: powers and limitations
- Congress: structure, functions and processes
- The Judiciary: judicial review and its use - Marshall to Rehnquist
- The Bureaucracy: rule makers and implementers
- Participation I: voters and parties
- Participation II: interest groups
- Participation III: mass media
- Economic policy: fiscal and monetary methods
- Social policy: health, education and welfare
- Environmental policy: contemporary initiatives (since 1970)
- Foreign and Defense policy: evolution since 1945
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Course learning goals are assessed with in-class exams, electronically administered exams, essays, written assignments, multi-media projects, and/or participation in classroom/online discussions. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 5/04; Core Goals/Objectives added 5/04; New Core 8/2015