POLS 10
American Government (3 units)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Addresses
both the philosophic roots and the contemporary operation of American national,
state, and local government.
Specific topics include constitutional development, federal-state relations,
and the rights and obligations of citizens under both the federal and the
California constitution.
TEXT &
SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION MATERIALS:
Course Goals:
1.
To afford the student a sound understanding of the federal principle of
government; the relation of state and national government, and the citizens
response to each.
2.
To give students a specific knowledge concerning the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches of government.
3.
To develop in students a clear understanding of the individual rights and
corresponding obligations.
4.
To provide students a understanding of the historical
growth of our living constitution and changes that have come about without
revolution, many times without amendment.
Course
Objectives:
1. Student
will analyze the role of non-governmental forces that impact upon the political
system, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media.
2. Students
will analyze major trends in social, economic and political life in the United
States.
3. Students
will evaluate of some of the major problems facing the United States as are
posed by government impingement into many sectors of our economy, individual
freedom and internal subversion, development of water power, etc.
Course Outline
& Dates:
Chapter
1:
Dilemmas of Democracy
Chapter 2: The
Constitution
Chapter 3:
Federalism
*Paper #1 Assignment
*Quiz #1
Chapter 4
& 5: Public Opinion, Political
Socialization, and the Media & Participation
and Voting
Chapter 6:
Political Parties, Campaigns,
And Elections
Chapter 7:
Interest Groups
*Paper #2 Assignment
*Quiz #2
Chapter
8:
Congress
Chapter
9: The
Presidency
Chapter
10:
The
Bureaucracy
*Quiz #3
Chapter
11:
The
Courts
*Paper #3 Assignment
Chapter 12
& 13: Order and
Civil
Liberties/Equality and
Civil Rights
Chapter
14:
Policy Making and
the Budget
*Quiz #4
Chapter 1 Korey: “America, Only More
So”
Chapter 2 Korey: The State Constitutions and
Direct Democracy
Chapter 6 Korey:
The State
Legislature
Chapter 7 Korey: The State’s
Plural
Executive
Chapter 8 Korey: The Judicial Process
*Quiz #5
Final Exam:
Essay Exam to be provided during finals week.
*Plagiarism
This is a warning to all
students: In my class any incidences of
plagiarism will result in an automatic F for the quiz, test, or assignment in
which it is found. Please be aware that
in the past I have had to fail students (not my favorite thing to do) because
of plagiarized essay answers or assignments.
So, be very careful and always make sure that when you use outside
sources, or class material, you either (1) summarize the material in your own
words with source cited (this means doing more than just changing one or two
words in a sentence), or (2) if using exact phrases or whole sentences you must
put the material in quotes. Also, if you
copy a phrase, paragraph (not advised), or sentence word for word you must not
only put it in quotes, but you must also introduce the quote by letting your
readers know the source of the quote.
Here are some more common plagiarized incidences that have resulted in
failing grades for students in my class:
(1) Copying definitions from Wikipedia and posing them as the students own words (not a good academic source in the first place)
(2) Using websites that provide essay answers and copying these essays for final exam answers or quiz essay answers
Grading
System:
Short Written
Assignments: These will
be available under the assignment link. There will be an announcement
that lets you know the assignments are available. Expect the first
assignment to be available during the second week of class. All assignments are to be double spaced, size
12 font, Times New Roman.
Online
Discussion Points: In order to
receive the max available points your discussion posts must completely answer
the question posted with relevant examples from the book if applicable.
Also, your responses to other students must be something of substance. In
other words don't just write, "you made a good
point," or, "I hadn't thought of it that way." Instead
give the post some real thought, if you disagree explain why, and if you agree
add some additional thoughts on the topic.
Each week has a max point value of 10 points. You get 5 points for your post, and 5 points
for responding to a fellow student’s post.
Extra Credit
Assignment: This
assignment will also be posted in the assignment area and a corresponding
announcement will let you know when it becomes available.
Quizzes: The quizzes will be a mix of fill in
the blank, multiple choice, and possibly one or two essay questions.
Final: Your final exam will consist of three
essays to be completed on your own time. The essay topics will be posted
in the assignment area, and I will also email them to you. You will have
a week to complete the essays and return them to me.
Grades:
A-
100-90
B-
89-80
C-
79-70
D-
69-60
F-59-under