AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

POS 2041 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENTFALL 2015

2:00 PM to 3:15 PM T/ThClassroom MT-JC 236

Professor Kimberly G. Jackson, Esq.Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

St. Petersburg College- Midtown Campus

OFFICE HOURS Downtown Campus DT 352

3:00 to 6:00 M/W or by appointment

Midtown Campus MT 3074:00 to 6:00 T/Th or by appointment

9:00 to 2:00 Friday or by appointment

Office Number 727-398-8286Office Email: through My Courses

“It is far better to be free to govern, or misgovern, yourself than to be governed by anybody else. “

Kwame Nkrumah”

“There’s two things I’ve got a right to, death or liberty.” Harriet Truman

Course Description

This 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.

Course Goals and Objectives:

A. The student will acquire understanding of the purpose of government by:

1. Defining government and describing its purpose and function.

B. The student will acquire understanding of the American federal system and other governmentalsystems by:

1. Defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under federal systems.

2. Defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under unitary systems.

3. Defining and recognizing the arrangement of governmental power under confederal system.

C. The student will acquire understanding of the various philosophical, cultural and political experiences that impacted the creation and evolution of principles and values of the American political system by:

1. Examining the significance of incidents provoking opposition to British rule.

2. Examining the values incorporated in the Declaration of Independence

3. Examining the values theories incorporated in the

Declaration of Independence.

4. Outlining the structural arrangement of government under the Articles of Confederation.

5. Summarizing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

D. The student will acquire understanding of the fundamental principles and features of the originalConstitution of 1787 by summarizing:

1. popular sovereignty2. limited government3. separation of powers4. checks and balances5. representative government6. federalism – horizontal and vertical

E. The student will understand civil liberties as contained in the Constitution and interpreted bythe courts by:

1. examining the liberties contained in the original Constitution.

2. examining the liberties contained in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to theConstitution.

3. examining the role of the United States Supreme Court in interpreting the liberties identified in the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.

4. Explaining how the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is used to selectivelyincorporate liberties in the Bill of Rights.

F. The student will demonstrate knowledge of various movements to secure Civil Rights protectionsby:

1. defining civil rights and examining the concept of equality.

2. summarizing the importance of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

3. examining the history and evolution of African-Americans’ rights, women’s rights, and other civil rights movements.

G. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the legislative branch by:

1. outlining the powers of Congress.

2. examining the differences and similarities between the two chambers of Congress.

3. explaining the law-making process of Congress.

H. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the executive branch

by:

1. identifying the constitutional responsibilities of the President.

2. identifying the informal roles of the President.

3. outlining the responsibilities of the Executive Office of the President.

4. explaining the presidential election process and the role of the Electoral College.

5. outlining the bureaucracy and its responsibilities.

I. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and functions of the judicial branchby:

1. outlining the federal court system.

2. identifying the jurisdiction of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court.

3. identifying and defining the types of law.

4. explaining the judicial appointment process.

5. explaining the meaning of judicial review.

J. The student will acquire understanding of the nature of policy-making and the factors that work to shape policy outcomes by:

1. defining domestic and foreign policy and identifying the process determining priorities of policies.

2. explaining the role of the executive and legislative branches in formulation and implementationof domestic and foreign policy.

3. recognizing contextual influences on foreign and domestic policy-making.

K. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of political parties and interest groups, and the impact of public opinion and political participation by diverse groups in the American political system by:

1. describing the development and functions of political parties.

2. examining the impact of public opinion on public policy emanating from government institutions.

3. examining the importance of the campaign process, voting, and elections to a representative democracy.

4. describing the functions and identifying the various types of interest groups.

4. describing the strategies used by interest groups and their impacts on policy-making

Required Texts and MaterialAmerican Government and Politics Today: The Essentials, 8th edition, Barbara Bardes, Mark C. Shelley, and Steffen W. Schmidt, Wadsworth, Cengage

Learning 2014, ISBN 13:978-1-133-60437-2. An older edition of this text may work, howeverstudents are responsible for the page differences and changes.

Plain composition notebook.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: (ENC0020, ENC0025, ENC0990, ENC0056 or ENC0055) and (REA0017, REA0002, REA0990 or REA0056); or EAP1695; or appropriate scores on SPC placement test. Cannot be taken with IDS 2103H.

Class RegistrationSt. Petersburg College does not permit Registration after the first class meeting. There is registration for the Express and 2nd 8-Week Classes. August 21 , 2015 is the last day to drop classes and receive refunds, and/or change to audit.

Grading Policy

There will be five areas of evaluation for POS 2041

20% Journal 25% Mid-Term Exam30% Final Exam20% Group Project5% Attendance and Class Participation/Field Trips/Speakers_______

100%

Explanation of Grading Policy

Journals 20%

Students will be expected to provide 4 journal entries on daily news that impact American Government. The Instructor will not accept late entries. You will receive a guide as a handout and/or on My Course to assist you with the format. Each Entry must have 300 words.

Writing Requirement – According to SPC District Board of Trustees Rule 6Hx23-4.30 you are required to write 2,000 words in this course. The journal assignments are designed to fulfill this requirement. The word count must appear on each written assignment. SPC District Board of Trustees Rule 6Hx23-4.30 further requires a minimum grade of “C” in this course.

Midterm 25% /Final Exam 30%

Your exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer and/or essay questions. Additionally, you may be required to write an editorial opinion both pro/con regarding a Constitutional issue.

Group Project

Your group project will be to present an argument on state rights vs. federal rights when there is an issue of providing funding to a state or local agency. You will present the case to a Congressional Panel and be prepared to answer questions before the panel. Your presentation will take place after you interview and/or actively volunteer at a community organization. The project will include your research and an 800-word paper. Service hours must be documented with a signature and contact number for verification.

Participation

This will not be a lecture-format class. Instead, the professor will call on specific students to answer questions about the assigned readings. These discussions will represent the primary method of presenting course material. Students will be graded on how well prepared they are for class discussion. Please come prepared to participate and listen carefully to your peers. The professor will take attendance.

Syllabus/Schedule Changes

Occasionally, changes to the syllabus or schedule of assignments may be necessary. Students will be notified of any

changes to the syllabus through email or via a MyCourse announcement.

Classroom Rules of Conduct

Attendance at examinations is mandatory.Make-up exams will not be administered except under extraordinary, documented, circumstances. Any student who fails to notify the professor of his or her absence from an exam within 24 hours of the scheduled exam absolutely forfeits all opportunity to take a make-up exam.

This policy does not apply to documented emergencies. Should you have an emergency please send an email as soon as it is practicable to do so.

Students must respect others during class discussions and lectures. Inappropriate language or gestures will not be tolerated.

Eating, drinking, reading newspaper, listening to music and/or sleeping in the classroom are not permitted.

Failure to follow these rules could result in you being dropped from the class.

Late work is penalized accordingly

1-3 days = 25% penalty4-5 days = 50% penaltyBeyond 6 days= no grade

Technology

All cellular phone devices, smart devices or similar devices should be turned off during class.

Laptops should be used for course-related materials only. Surfing the web, checking email and Facebook and playing other games serves as a distraction to your neighbor.

Students must obtain permission from the instructor prior to taping the class for personal use.

Plagiarism

As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.

Students should be aware that academic dishonesty involves acts other than plagiarism. Cheating is also another sin in academic work. Ultimately cheating will destroy one’s ability to trust its own ideas and insights. If a student is observed cheating on tests, exams, the student will be subjected to the procedures stipulated in the handbook. Punishment may result in a grad of “F” or dismissal from the course. For more information on this issue please visit www.spcollege.edu/academichonesty/

Copyrighted Material

Copyrighted material within this course, or 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 www.copyright.gov

Course withdrawal

Students should familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures contained in the student handbook. Students who simply discontinue attending class without officially withdrawing from the course will receive a grade based upon the total points they have accumulate in the course. Ordinarily, the result will be a grade of “F.” Please visit the following website for more information and useful links http://www.spcollege.edu/handbook/; and www.spcollege.edu/getfunds

ADDITIONAL STUDENT RESOURCES

COLLEGE CALENDAR - www.spcollege.edu/calendar/ 

M.M. BENNETT LIBRARIES - www.spcollege.edu/libraries/ 

CAREER SERVICES - www.spcollege.edu/careerservices/ 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES - www.spcollege.edu/internationalstudents/ 

LEARNING SUPPORT COMMONS (Tutorial Services) - www.spcollege.edu/tutoring/ 

SPC VETERAN AFFAIRS - www.spcollege.edu/veterans/ 

DUAL ENROLLMENT, EARLY ADMISSIONS, & EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS 

A Dual Enrollment, Early Admissions, or Early College student may not withdraw from any college course without permission from the Early College/Dual Enrollment office. Withdrawal from a course may jeopardize the student's graduation from high school. www.spcollege.edu/central/de/index.htm  

FEDERAL GUIDELINES RELATED TO FINANCIAL AID AND TOTAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE 

The U.S. Department of Education requires students who completely withdraw prior to the 60% point of the term and who receive Federal financial aid i.e., Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Federal Stafford Loan, and/or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant SEOG--to repay a portion of their aid. Students considering a withdrawal from all classes before the published withdrawal date should consult a financial assistance counselor to understand their options and the consequences of the total withdrawal. For further information

regarding this policy and other financial assistance policies we encourage you to visit our website at: www.spcollege.edu/getfunds  

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The college website at www.spcollege.edu is the official source of college information regarding the status of the institution. Other important information will be communicated via SPC Alert, local media outlets, and the college toll free number 866-822-3978. All decisions concerning the discontinuation of college functions, cancellation of classes, or cessation of operations rest with the President or his/her designee. In the event that a hurricane or other natural disaster causes significant damage to St. Petersburg College facilities, you may be provided the opportunity to complete your course work online. www.spcollege.edu/security

CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY

For information on campus safety and security policies please contact 727-791-2560. If there are questions or concerns regarding personal safety, please contact the Provost, Associate Provost orCampus Security Officer SEXUAL PREDATOR INFORMATION

Federal and State law requires a person designated as a “sexual predator or offender” to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE is then required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides, attends, or is employed by an institution of higher learning. Information regarding sexual predators or offenders attending or employed by an institution of higher learning may be obtained from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus by calling the FDLE hotline (1-888-FLPREDATOR) or (1-888-357-7332), or by visiting the FDLE website at http:// offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do

DISABILITY RESOURCES

Disability Resources at SPC wants to help you succeed. If you have a documented disability or think that you may have learning or other disability and would like to request accommodations, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on your campus. If you will need assistance during an emergency classroom evacuation, please contact your campus learning specialist immediately about arrangements for your safety. Disability Resource StaffDowntown- Dr. Tonya Williams 727-341-7913Midtown- Lisa Gould 727-398-8284

Tentative Schedule

Week 1 August 18 First Day of Class Please Read Syllabus Introductions ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 1 The Democratic

Republic

Week 1 August 20 The Democratic Republic Discussion Journal Entry 1 Draft Due August 27th ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 2 The Constitution

Week 2 August 25 The Constitution Discussion

Week 2 August 27

The Constitution Discussion Continued Journal Entry 1 Draft Due Journal Entry 1 Final Draft Due September 3rdd

ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 3 Federalism

Week 3 September 1 Speaker/Tour Library

Week 3 September 3 Federalism Discussion Journal Entry 1 Final Due Journal Entry 2 Draft Due September 10th

Week 4 September 8 Federalism Discussion Continued ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 4 Civil Liberties

Week 4 September 10 Civil Liberties Discussion Journal Entry 2 Draft Due Journal Entry 2 Final Draft Due September 17th ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 5 Civil Rights

Week 5 September 15 Civil Liberties Discussion Continued Civil Rights Discussion Speaker –Civil Rights TBA

Week 5 September 17 Civil Rights Discussion Continued Journal Entry 2 Final Draft Due Journal Entry 3 Draft Due September 24th ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 6 Public Opinion and

Political Socialization

Week 6 September 22 Public Opinion and Political Socialization Discussion

Week 6 September 24 Public Opinion and Political Socialization Discussion

Continued Journal Entry 3 Draft Due Journal Entry 3 Final Draft Due October 1 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 7 Interest Groups

Week 7 September 29 Interest Groups Discussion

Week 7 October 1 Interest Groups Discussion Continued Journal Entry 3 Final Draft Due Journal Entry 4 Draft Due October 20h

ASSIGNMENT Review for Midterm Exam

Week 8 October 6 MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW

Week 8 October 8 MIDTERM EXAM ASSIGNMENT Read Political Parties

Week 9 October 13 Political Parties Discussion Speaker- TBA

Week 9 October 15 Political Parties Discussion ASSIGNMENT Read Campaigns, Elections, and the

Media

Week 10 October 20 Campaigns, Elections, and the Media Journal Entry 4 Draft Due Journal Entry 4 Final Draft Due October 26th Field Trip TBA

Week 10 October 22 Campaigns, Elections, and the Media

ASSIGNMENT Read The Congress

Week 11 October 27 The Congress Discussion Journal Entry 4 Final Draft Due Preparation for Group Project

Week 11 October 29 The Congress Discussion Continued Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read The President

Week 12 November 3 The President Discussion Preparation for Group Project

Week 12 November 5- The President Discussion Continued Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read The Bureaucracy

Week 13 November 10 The Bureaucracy Discussion Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read the Courts

Week 13 November 12 Bureaucracy Discussion continuedWeek 14 November 17 –GROUP PRESENTATIONWeek 14 November 19

The Courts Discussion The Courts Field Trip ASSIGNMENT Read Domestic and Economic Policy

and Foreign Policy

Week 15 November 24 Domestic, Economic and Foreign Policy Discussion

Week 15 November 26 COLLEGE CLOSED

Week 16 December 1 Domestic, Economic and Foreign Policy Discussion

Week 16 December 3 FINAL EXAM REVIEW

Week 17 December 8 FINAL EXAM

Week 15 December 10 LAST DAY OF CLASS