Course Syllabus

Course: POLS 1100

Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Social Science
Title: American National Government

Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Summer 2029

Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to the structure, function, and political dynamics of the major actors, ideas, and institutions within the American governmental system.

General Education Requirements: American Institutions (AI)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None


Justification: This course satisfies the American Institutions (AI) requirement established by the Utah Legislature and USHE. It provides a foundation for understanding the United States' system of politics and government; thus, strengthening students' civic awareness and participation. This course is designed to be like POLS 1100 taught at all USHE institutions and POLI 110 at Brigham Young University.

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. After completing this course, students are prepared to recognize and appreciate the diversity of ideas that constitute American political institutions. Students read and discuss a variety of primary sources in order to understand these ideas from a variety of perspectives. Class participation, written assignments, and exams will ask students to consider readings in a variety of contexts.

2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. After completing this course, students are prepared to work competently with a variety of media sources as they engage in American political activity. Students read, watch, and listen to a variety of primary media and are assessed, in discussion and written response, on content. Class participation, written assignments, and exams are designed to elicit constructive and critical responses.

3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will be able to communicate knowledge, analysis, and critiques of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. This will be demonstrated in assignments and class participation.

4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. The origins and perpetuations of American political society is demonstrated by cultural and historical markers. Every issue can be analyzed and/or interpreted in these contexts. Students must demonstrate an understanding of cultural and historical influence to some degree in every class participation, written assignment, and exam. Understanding "America" requires reasoning analytically, critically, and creatively about multiple factors. This outcome will be measured by exam, participation, and assignments.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Through the study of primary source documents students will examine a variety of factors that explain the origins, development, and current dynamics of the political and economic system of United States. Class participation, assignments, and exams will allow students to demonstrate they can articulate ways in which scholars and critics have addressed these factors; they will also allow students to demonstrate they can engage through participation in relevant conversation. Through the study of primary source documents students will examine a variety of factors that explain the origins, development, and current dynamics of the political and economic system of United States. Class participation, assignments, and exams will allow students to demonstrate they can articulate ways in which scholars and critics have addressed these factors; they will also allow students to demonstrate they can engage through participation in relevant conversation.

2: Explain and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information. Students will be introduced to the disciplinary standards of History, Political Science, and Economics, with particular emphasis on Political Science. Through reading texts within these disciplines, students will understand how to evaluate and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information to make and critique arguments about the political and economic system of United States. Students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to use historically, politically, and economically relevant information in class participation, assignments, and exams.

3: Communicate effectively about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. Students will be able to communicate knowledge, analysis, and critiques of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. This communication will be demonstrated in assignments and class discussions, with feedback provided by both instructor and peer comments. Students will be measured by exams, assignments, and participation.

4: Engage a diversity of viewpoints in a constructive manner that contributes to a dialogue about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. Through reading a range of sources, students will understand multiple viewpoints on the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. They will be able to discuss these viewpoints in historical context and be able to articulate connections with contemporary issues. Class discussions, assignments, and exams will allow student to make their own contribution to the dialogue about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. This outcome will be measured by quizzes, exams, and participation.

5: Use historical, political, and economic methods to come to an understanding of the United States that integrates those viewpoints. Students will be introduced to the methods of History, Political Science, and Economics, with particular emphasis on Political Science. Through reading within these disciplines, students will understand how to use these methods to come to an understanding of the United States that reflects the diversity of and within these fields. Students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to use historical, political, and economic methods in class participation, assignments, and exams.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Through the study of primary source documents students will examine a variety of factors that explain the origins, development, and current dynamics of the political and economic system of United States.  Class participation, assignments, and exams will allow students to demonstrate they can articulate ways in which scholars and critics have addressed these factors; they will also allow students to demonstrate they can participate in the conversation.

Students will be introduced to the disciplinary standards of History, Political Science, and Economics, with particular emphasis on Political Science. Through reading texts within these disciplines, students will understand how to evaluate and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information to make and critique arguments about the political and economic system of United States. S Students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to use historically, politically, and economically relevant information in class participation, assignments, and exams.

Students will be introduced to the methods of History, Political Science, and Economics, with particular emphasis on Political Science. Through reading within these disciplines, students will understand how to use these methods to come to an understanding of the United States that reflects the diversity of and within these fields.  Students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to use historical, political, and economic methods in class participation, assignments, and exams.

Through reading a range of sources, students will understand multiple viewpoints on the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. They will be able to discuss these viewpoints in historical context and be able to articulate connections with contemporary issues.  Class participation, assignments, and exams will allow student to make their own contribution to the dialogue about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States.


Content:
This course generally covers the concepts and ideas that will shape American politics, The Constitution, Federalism, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, public opinion, political participation, the media, campaigns and elections, interest groups, political parties, Congress, the Presidency, Bureaucracy, the Courts, and Domestic and Foreign Policy. Not only are these issues diverse prima facie, but they also lend to welcoming diverse people in this environment. One example of diversity comes from Civil Rights studies, the inclusion of people from different backgrounds and cultures, and how they gained significant rights. Civil Rights is not the only topic in this course that covers diversity, every topic weaves in cultural diversity and pluralism.

Key Performance Indicators:
Exams 40 to 60%

Assignments 40 to 50%

Class Participation 0 to 20%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
By the People: Debating American Government by James A. Morone & Rogan Kersh (current edition) or similar text/resource


Pedagogy Statement:
The course will be taught in a manner that reflects current best practices in political science pedagogy and accounts for, but is not limited to, the following: aptitudes of the instructor, demographics of the students, size of the class, structure of the classroom, time of day, choice of primary texts/materials, and time of year. These methods of instruction provide inclusivity and equal access for all students regardless of backgrounds and cultures.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

IVC

Online

Hybrid

Maximum Class Size: 130
Optimum Class Size: 25