POL6611 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either Freshman or Sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
POL6611 - American National Government (3 hrs.)
A general study of the development, structure, and functions of the American National Government. Topics to be studied include an introduction to government, principles of constitutionalism and federalism, political parties and political behavior, the Presidency, Congress, the judiciary, and the federal bureaucracy, of specific emphasis, is an analysis of decision-making in government, public participation and influence in government as well as a study of specific problems concerning the operation of the federal government.
KRSN: POL1020
Course Classification:
Lecture
Prerequisites:
None
Controlling Purpose:
This introductory course in American National Government is designed to provide a framework for the political science major and non-major regarding the politics of America. The main theme for the course will be the debate between popular democracy and elite democracy. The overall goal is to assess the prospects and possibilities for the extension of democracy in the United States. It is hoped that the student will become personally engaged in the material and examine his/her own beliefs about democracy.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to describe the origins and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, analyze the roles, powers, and relationships among the 3 branches of government (legislative/judicial/executive), explain various forms of political participation possible in the U.S. democratic process, and explore how public policy decisions are made and the results of those policies.
Core Outcomes:
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course outline or syllabus meet or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Groups project for this course as approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following outline defines the minimum core content, not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
UNIT 1: THE CONSTITUTION & THE FEDERAL SYSTEM
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to describe the origins and evolution of the U.S. Constitution.
- Discuss the origins of the US Constitution, and why the founding fathers felt it necessary to create it.
- Discuss the evolution of the Constitution, including the amendment process.
- Define and describe the federal system in America.
UNIT 2: CIVIL LIBERTIES & CIVIL RIGHTS
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to define, compare, and contrast civil liberties and civil rights.
- Define civil liberties, and discuss the types, importance, and limitations of them.
- Define civil rights, and discuss the types, importance, and limitations of them.
- Know the difference between civil liberties and civil rights.
- Discuss the role of both within our political and legal systems.
UNIT 3: POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION, PARTICIPATION, & BEHAVIOR
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to define political socialization and participation and discuss various forms of political participation possible in the U.S. democratic process.
- Analyze how Americans form political opinions.
- Explain the various forms of political participation possible in the U.S. (including voting, campaigns, and interest groups).
- Evaluate the role of the media and interest groups in influencing political agendas.
- Discuss why Americans may choose not to participate in the political process.
UNIT 4: THE INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to analyze the roles, powers, and relationships among the 3 branches of government (legislative/judicial/executive).
- Describe the powers and limitations of each of the three branches of government.
- Define checks and balances and discuss the role of checks and balances in our government.
- Examine and explain how a bill can become a law - and why it may not.
- Discuss the relationships between the three branches of government.
- Examine the growth of the national bureaucracy and its role in government.
UNIT 5: MAKING POLICY
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully explore how foreign and domestic public policy decisions are made and the results of those policies.
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
None
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Time Frame:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching, and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies on the Cowley Policies and Procedures webpage:
402.00 - Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 - Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 - Student Code of Conduct
Accessibility Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, accommodates all students with a documented disability. If a student has a disability that will impact their ability to be successful in this course, please contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator for the needed accommodations.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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