POS 2041 (4448) Spring Express 2017

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American National Government

Course Description

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.

Course Prerequisites

(ENC 0020 or ENC 0025) and (REA 0002 or REA 0017)) or EAP 1695 or appropriate score on the SPC placement test.

Major Learning Outcomes of this course

By the end of the course, you will accomplish all these things: Explain the purpose of government. Understand the American federal system. Examine the various philosophical, cultural and political

experiences that impacted the creation and evolution of principles and values of the American political system.

Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and features of the original Constitution of 1787.

Demonstrate an understanding of civil liberties as contained in the Constitution and interpreted by the courts.

Demonstrate knowledge of various movements to secure civil rights protections.

Discuss the organization and functions of the legislative branch.

Describe the organization and functions of the executive branch.

Discuss the organization and functions of the judicial branch.

Describe the nature of policy-making and the factors that work to shape policy outcomes.

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.

Demonstrate increased ability in writing.

Instructor Info: Michael Gillham, MSIR Email: gillham.michael@spcollege.edu

Contact through MyCourses preferred

Office Hours: All times by prior arrangement through MyCourses.

Required Text:

American Government and Politics Today: Essentials 2015-2016 Edition Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt (18th Edition) Wadsworth/Cengage Learning ISBN: 9781285853154 (paperback)

POS 2041 – American National Government

Spring Express 2017 Mr. Michael Gillham

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Class Requirements and Grading 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, and completing unit exams. Readings: Students are expected to complete readings each week as indicated in the course outline below. Additional, material (videos, articles, slides) will be provided on MyCourses, which will highlight key concepts in American Government. Take a look at these. They will help make the material more understandable, and perhaps more memorable. Exams: There will be 5 unit exams during the term covering the lessons corresponding with each of the five sections (The American System, Civil Rights and Liberties, Political Institutions, People and Politics, and Public Policy) of the textbook, covering key terms and concepts. The format of the tests will be essay. Each will be a timed test administered online in MyCourses during the scheduled period. Each exam will consist of 2 - 4 questions, and will cover material drawn from each of the chapters in that part of the textbook. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The final exam will not be cumulative. See the course outline below for exam dates. Writing Requirements: POS 2041 is a Gordon Rule class, so there is a substantial writing requirement of a minimum of 2,000 words. To satisfy this requirement, students will complete the above-mentioned exams, testing their verbal, critical thinking, and rhetorical skills. To receive credit in a Gordon Rule course, you must receive a grade of C or higher for the course. More information on essay exams is available in the course materials in MyCourses and at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/737/1/ Grading scheme: EXAM – The American System 100 points EXAM – Civil Rights & Liberties 100 points EXAM – Political Institutions 100 points EXAM – People & Politics 100 points EXAM – Public Policy 100 points

Total Possible 500 points

Grading Scale:

A 500-450

B 449-400

C 399-350

D 349-300

F 299-0

Expectations of Students: Active Course Participation and Withdrawal: Students must complete assignments and unit exams on the scheduled days in order to be considered as actively participating in this course. These assignments will be counted as extra credit. Students who are not actively participating in the course following the voluntary withdrawal date should expect a grade of “WF.” The last day to voluntarily withdrawal with a grade of “W” is 2 April 2017. Making up missed exams: Students will complete prescribed exams on the dates indicated in the course outline below. As the exams are available for an entire week, there are no make-up exams in this course. Plan on taking your exams no later than the Saturday before the exam window closes to provide time for any unforeseen emergencies. Do not wait until the last night to attempt your exams. Class Discussion Board - Terms of Use: There will be one discussion board in this class, and its use is voluntary. We can discuss whatever course-related topics that you deem relevant and timely. There are no requirements for vapid, mandatory posts. With that as prologue, understand that the process and

POS 2041 – American National Government

Spring Express 2017 Mr. Michael Gillham

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issues associated with American Government are rooted in the diversity of opinion, which is a core topic in this course. The divergence of opinion can and does lead to vocal debate. 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 environment in order to get at the truth and essential facts of an issue. Students are expected to show respect for one another and limit their remarks to thoughtful analysis of each others’ arguments, using facts rather than unfounded beliefs. Conversely, students should expect to have their opinions questioned within the rules of rational debate. Academic Dishonesty: 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 they may witness. Please refer to https://www.spcollege.edu/academichonesty/ for additional information on the SPC Academic Honesty Policy. Use of copyrighted material: Copyrighted material posted on this course website is used in compliance with United States Copyright Law. Under that law you may use the material for educational purposes related to the learning outcomes of this course. You may not further download, copy, alter, or distribute the material unless in accordance with copyright law or with permission of the copyright holder. For more information on copyright visit http://www.copyright.gov. What You Can Expect From Me:

Meaningful assignments to broaden your knowledge of the American political system and help improve your ability to critically think and communicate

Availability to address any concerns or issues that may interfere with the learning process

Quick turnaround on exam grades and written assignments

A reasonable class pace that will satisfy the course objectives

Thoughtful and critical responses to your assignments to enhance your understanding of the subject

Well organized, easy to follow course design Academic Support: I strongly encourage students to take advantage of the resources available on campus. Students who visit SPC Learning Centers more than four times in a term have better than an 80% chance at success. Visit the Learning Center on your campus frequently throughout the term to take get the most from FREE tutoring, computer labs, assistance with essay writing, or just a quiet place to study. http://www.spcollege.edu/support/

POS 2041 – American National Government

Spring Express 2017 Mr. Michael Gillham

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Syllabus Addendum: Notes on Add/Drop information, grading policies, Attendance and Withdrawal Policies, and other administrative issues can be found at the Syllabus Addendum: http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/index.php. COURSE OUTLINE

Week Dates What to read What’s Due by 23:55 Eastern

1 6 - 11 Feb Admin notes/Course Overview

Chapter 1: The Democratic Republic

11 Feb: Political Compass Test https://www.politicalcompass.org/test

2 12 - 18 Feb Chapter 2: The Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism

18 Feb: Essay question practice exam in MyCourses.

3 19 – 25 Feb

Chapter 4: Civil Liberties Chapter 5: Civil Rights U.S. Constitution, Amendments 1-10, 13, 14, 15, 19

20-26 Feb: EXAM – The American System

4 26 Feb – 4 Mar Chapter 11: Congress U.S. Constitution, Article 1

5 5 - 11 Mar

Spring Break Chapter 12: The President U.S. Constitution, Article 2

6-12 Mar: EXAM – Civil Rights and Liberties*

6 12 – 18 Mar Chapter 14: The Courts U.S. Constitution, Article 3

7 19 - 25 Mar Chapter 13: The Bureaucracy

8 26 Mar – 1 Apr Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political

Socialization Chapter 7: Interest Groups

27 Mar-2 Apr: EXAM – Political Institutions

9 2 – 8 Apr Chapter 8: Political Parties 2 Apr: Last day to withdrawal “W”

10 9 – 15 Apr

Spring Holiday

Chapter 9: Campaigns, Elections The Federalist No 68 Chapter 10: The Media

11 16 - 22 Apr Chapter 15: Domestic and Economic Policy U.S. Constitution, Amendment 16

17-23 Apr: EXAM – People & Politics

12 23 – 29 Apr Chapter 16 - Foreign Policy

13 30 Apr – 4 May Admin notes/course critique 27-Apr-3 May: EXAM – Public

Policy

This syllabus provides general guidelines for this section of POS 2041. It is subject to change as required by the instructor.

version 23 January 2017

Essay Question Grading Rubric POS 2041 (4448) Spring Express 2017

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Outstanding 100 Strong 80 Adequate 60 Deficient 40 Unsatisfactory 0

Content (40%)

Relevance of the answer to the question.

Answer is complete and appropriate to the question; content is factually correct; answer focuses only on issues related to the question.

Answer is appropriate to the question; content may have one or two factual errors; answer is too brief to be thorough; introduces unrelated issues.

Content relates peripherally to the question; contains significant factual errors; question only partially answered.

Answer is incomplete, or merely restates the question and offers an irrelevant or undeveloped response; content unrelated to question; excessive discussion of unrelated issues and/or significant errors in content.

Missing

Organization & Logic (15%)

The ideas are arranged logically to support the purpose or argument. They flow smoothly from one to another and are clearly linked to each other; transitions are made clearly and smoothly.

The ideas are arranged logically to support the central purpose or argument. They are usually clearly linked to each other. Is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately.

In general, the writing is arranged logically, although occasionally ideas fail to make sense together; clear and logical presentation; good development of an argument; needs work on creating transitions between ideas.

The writing is presented in a somewhat logical order, but needs a little bit more effort in arranging the ideas to make sense together; needs work on creating transitions between ideas.

The writing is not logically organized. Most of the time, ideas fail to make sense together. Is unfocused and/or disorganized; a stream of consciousness.

Development (30%)

Specificity of details and completeness of answer.

Develops each point with many specific details and examples; all important points included. Exhibits integrative thinking, connecting disparate course concepts and themes.

Each point supported with some details and examples; all important points included.

Is adequately focused and organized; sparse details or evidence.

Statements are unsupported by any detail or explanation.

Repetitious, incoherent, illogical development, or, missing altogether.

Support (15%) Substantial references to the course content and/or text and the sources are attributed; incorporates pertinent details from assigned readings and outside sources, providing other evidence for key claims when needed.

Incorporates some information from assigned readings but not in an overly thorough manner; most are attributed.

Minimal references to the course content or text are documented; any other sources are of questionable authority or unattributed.

Does not incorporate pertinent information from assigned readings or other sources.

Missing

Grammar (10%)

English Language Usage and Mechanics

Expresses ideas fluently and precisely using effective vocabulary and sentence variety; demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English; accurate spelling and punctuation, capitalization, and usage.

Expresses ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety; demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have a few errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage.

Expresses ideas with reasonable clarity; some attempt at sentence variety; generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors. Incorrect sentence structure; spelling, punctuation, capitalization errors present.

Has problems in weak vocabulary and incorrect language usage; contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that can interfere with meaning; multiple errors present in sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Has serious problems in the use of language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning; contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning.