SYLLABUS
POL 1113
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
(SBU.CCTC.JUN 2007)
© 2007-2008 SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Instructor:
Dr. Kwasi Ofori-Yeboah,
P.h.D.
Mailing Address:
1600
Phone:
417-328-1723 (Office)
E-mail:
kofori@sbuniv.edu
Please read this
entire syllabus. There is a "Welcome" statement at the end.
Disability
Disclaimer:
It is the
desire of
Texts:
Purchase the
following book from the SBU Bookstore or other source:
American Government by Gitelson, Dudley and Dubnick (8th Edition). 2008. Houghton-Mifflin.
ISBN#-10:0-618-64367-2.
Course
Goal, Content Objectives and Outcomes:
Course Goal: This course seeks to fulfill
the university's goal of producing students who understand the ideas on which
the United States Government was founded and who will know how to participate
intelligently in the political system at local, state, and federal levels.
Course
Content Objectives and Student Outcomes for each major course topic listed:
A. Constitutional Foundations:
(1) Historical
Background
This topic includes relevant historical conditions, which influenced the
formation of American Government such as the emergence of government in the
colonies, the American Revolution, the Continental Congresses, the Articles of
Confederation and the formation of the U.S Constitution.
(2) Constitution
The student will respond to questions, which illustrate comprehension and the
ability to apply the principles of checks and balances, separation of power,
republicanism and federalism.
(3) Federalism
Students will be able to explain the origin of federalism and also demonstrate
comprehension of its current applications, including the various grant
programs.
(4) Political Ideologies
The student will be able to identify the major
ideologies, which have influenced American Government and explain their
relevance to the current political system.
(5) Civil Rights and Liberties
The student will be able to list, identify, and
explain the major civil liberties as found in the Bill of Rights and subsequent
court cases as well as the civil rights which emerge from legislation and court
cases.
B.
Participation and Power:
(1) Public Opinion, Polls and Political Participation
In-depth study of political
socialization and political culture in addition to survey and other research
findings in regard to public opinion will enable students to make sense of
polls and their role in politics.
(2) Interest Groups
The student will identify interest group goals, strategies, and tactics and
will also be able to explain the impact of interest
groups on the political process.
(3) Mass Media
The structure, role and impact of the mass media on American Government and
society will be explained in reading assignments and through discussions.
(4) Political Parties
In addition to being able to explain the history, organization, and role in
governing of political parties, students will be able to list and identify
issues on which the parties differ significantly, as well as which groups tend
to support the different parties.
(5) Campaigns and Elections
The students comprehension of the functions of caucuses, primaries (open,
closed, etc.), presidential nominations, the Electoral College, general
elections and campaigns will be measured by discussion and objective questions.
C.
Institutions:
(1) Congress
Students will answer questions, which demonstrate knowledge of the history,
organization, and functions of Congress as well as comprehension of the process
through which proposed bills become laws.
(2) The Presidency
Students will demonstrate insight into and understanding of the office of the
president by being able to list and explain the major roles, powers, and duties
such as chief executive and commander-in-chief, in addition to the president's
functions in relation to Congress, diplomacy, and political party.
(3) Bureaucracy
Students will be able to respond to multiple choice
and other type of questions which illustrate that they understand the role of
bureaucracy in modern society, in particular, the major cabinet function of
advisors to the president as well as being responsible for actually
implementing governmental decisions.
(4) Supreme Court and the Judiciary
Students will be able to explain the history, organization, and impact of the
Supreme Court and selected landmark decisions, which relate to the powers of
governmental bodies in
(5) Missouri Government
In order to satisfy the
D.
Public Policy:
(1) Policy and
Policymaking
Throughout the course, students are introduced to specific policies relating to
taxes and spending, foreign policy, limits on campaign contributions,
regulation of business and other entities by government agencies as well as the
process of policymaking by Congress, the President and the Supreme Court.
Relating to State Government. Like most states, the
State of
You may observe that the organization of most state, county, and city
governments is similar, and that much of what you learn about one state is
applicable to others.
Course Requirements:
Unit Examinations: There are five (5) ONLINE unit examinations. Each
unit exam is worth 100 points. There are 50 multiple choice questions worth 2
points each. Total points possible is 500.
Unit One = Chapters 1-3 in American
Government
Unit Two = Chapters 4-6 in American Government
Unit Three = Chapters 7-9 in American Government
Unit Four = Chapters 10-12 in American Government
Unit Five = Chapters 13-15 in American Government
Unit Discussion
Questions:
There are three discussion questions for each unit (for example, unit 1
consists of chapters 1-3). You are required to choose one of the three
questions for each of the 5 units and answer them as comprehensively as you
can. Each question is worth 10 points. Total points possible
is 50. You must complete and
submit each unit question using the Assignment Feature. Do not email me the
questions. Complete and submit the Unit Discussion Question BEFORE
you engage the Unit Exam. I will respond with a comment or two to each
discussion question submitted.
Total of 550 points possible in this course.
The grading scale is as follows:
A=90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=50-59%
As a general rule, you should allow adequate study
time between tests. Test scores will be posted immediately on Blackboard,
scores on discussion questions should be posted within 24 hours of receipt.
Click-on "Tools" button and look for "My Grades"
button.
The Chapter Practice Quizzes are in
an objective quiz format. You can take the quizzes as many times as you wish,
and you can also tell how you did after pressing the submit button. These
review practice questions do not have points assigned.
Sequence of Study:
Read Unit Chapters in American Government text. Next engage the Chapter
Practice Quizzes (There are no points assigned to the quizzes). Complete and
submit Unit Discussion Question. Finally, engage the Unit Exam following the
guidelines outlined in the course.
A Word from Dr. Kwasi:
Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to American Government via CCTC. I
hope your experience with this course is a positive one.
Compared to the traditional form of delivery (print-based), we have many more
options hitherto unavailable to both students and faculty in distance courses.
Now we can post your grade as soon as your test is graded, and so you don't
have to wait for the few days it normally takes to see your grade.
Besides, you can set up an appointment with Dr. Ofori-Yeboah
and engage in real time discussions with him concerning any topics. This may be
handy especially before an exam, where you can have issues clarified by the
instructor.
You will also find review questions for
each unit. You are advised to take these practice tests as often as you like.
They will give you a feel of what to expect on the tests and some of the
questions will appear on the actual tests. This is to reward those who take the
practice tests.
Reading the chapter material, completing the chapter study guide, and engaging
the Chapter Practice Quizzes, one should have no problems comprehending the
topics and doing well in this class.
Let's make it a fun and educationally enriching experience by working hard in
this course so that in the end, we will all be happy learners!
Welcome, and best wishes.