Weber State University
Concurrent Enrollment Syllabus
Political Science
Pols/AI 1100 American National Government
[High School Name]
[WSU Adjunct Instructor: Name]
[Concurrent High School Course]
[School Year]
(Attention: Contact the College or University you wish to attend to make sure that these Concurrent Enrollment courses will meet your goals for fulfilling General Education requirements or will count toward your chosen major).
[WSU Adjunct Instructor’s office hours]
[WSU Adjunct Instructor’s phone and email]
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in American National Government. It provides a basic look at the founding of the United States, the Constitution, and the American system of government. This course is one of the core courses required for a Political Science major or minor. It is also one of the options for the University’s American Institutions General Education Core Requirement, a state mandated requirement.
Course Objectives:
- to provide students with a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, political processes and economic system of the United States.
Rights and Responsibilities:
This syllabus and the Student Code for WSU (found in the Policy and Procedures Manual @ http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm ) are the governing documents for this course. Please pay particular attention to section 4.D. of the Student Code, dealing with student responsibilities, which includes maintaining academic ethics and honesty. Your decision to take this course amounts to your tacit consent to the conditions of this syllabus and the Student Code.
Weber State University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination based upon race, color, ethnic background, national origin, religion, creed, age, lack of American citizenship, disability, status of veteran of the Viet Nam era, sexual orientation or preference, or gender, including sexual/gender harassment. Such an environment is a necessary part of a healthy learning and working atmosphere.
[WSU Required Textbook & Materials] Specific text may vary.
[WSU Course Requirements] Specific course requirements may vary. But at a minimum they should include two mid-terms and one final exam. In addition, some writing, whether as part of the exams or as a separate paper assignment, should be required.
Grading:
Grades will be determined based on the following scale:
93-100% = A; 90-92% = A-; 86-89% = B+; 83-85% = B; 79-82% = B-; 75-78% = C+
72-74% = C; 68-71% = C-; 64-67% = D+; 61-63% = D; 57-60% = D-; 0-56% = E
(The following is an example of a course content calendar)
Daily Schedule
Section One: The Founding and the Framing
Wednesday Aug 28 Founding Ideals: American Government, American Ideals (AGAI) pp.1-17
Review Questions (p.19): 1, 2, and 6
Friday Aug 30 From Colonies to Independence: AGAI pp.20-31 & 283-285
Review Questions (p.61): 1, 2, and 3
Monday Sept 2 No class, Labor Day.
Wednesday Sept 4 The Articles of Confederation: AGAI pp.31-34 & 286-291
Review Questions (p.61): 4 and 5
Friday Sept 6 Constitutional Convention: AGAI pp.35-41 and Madison’s notes from May 29, June 15, 21, 28, 29, & 30 @ http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/debcont.asp
Review Questions (p.61): 6 and 7
Monday Sept 9 The Constitution: AGAI pp.41-46 & 292-300
Review Questions (p.61): 8, 9, and 10
Wednesday Sept 11 The Constitution con’t: no new reading
Friday Sept 13 Ratification of the Constitution: AGAI pp.47-58
Review Questions (p.61): 11 and 12
Monday Sept 16 No new reading, catch-up day
Wednesday Sept 18 Review
Friday Sept 20 Quiz
Monday Sept 23 Discussion of paper assignment
Section Two: Federalism, Parties, Elections, and the Branches of Government
Wednesday Sept 25 Federalism: AGAI pp.62-72 & 292-307
Review Questions (p.89): 1, 2, and 3
Friday Sept 27 Federalism: AGAI pp.72-86 & 312-315
Review Questions (p.89): 5, 6, and 8
Monday Sept 30 Political Parties: AGAI pp.90-102
Review Questions (p.104): 2, 3, and 4
Wednesday Oct 2 Elections: AGAI pp.105-121
Review Questions (p.123): 2, 3 and 4
Friday Oct 4 Congress: AGAI pp.124-131
Review Questions (p.139): 1, 2, and 3
Monday Oct 7 No class
Wednesday Oct 9 Congress: AGAI pp.131-137 and http://votesmart.org/education/how-a-bill-becomes-law
Review Questions (p.139): 4, 5, and 6
Friday Oct 11 Presidency: AGAI pp.140-146
Review Questions (p.157): 1 and 2
Monday Oct 14 no new reading, catch-up day
Wednesday Oct 16 Presidency: AGAI pp.146-155
Review Questions (p.157): 3, 4, and 5
Friday Oct 18 No class, Fall Break
Monday Oct 21 Judiciary: AGAI pp.158-165 & 308-311
Review Questions (p.178): 1 and 2
Wednesday Oct 23 Judiciary: AGAI pp.165-176
Review Questions (p.178): 5 and 6
Friday Oct 25 no new reading, catch-up day
Monday Oct 28 Review
Wednesday Oct 30 Mid-term Exam
Friday Nov 1 Discussion of paper assignment
Section Three: Rights, Liberties, and Policy
Monday Nov 4 Civil Liberties: Intro and Religion: AGAI pp.179-192 & 316-319
Review Questions (p.223): 2, 3, and 4
Wednesday Nov 6 Civil Liberties: Speech and Press: AGAI pp.192-199 & 320-322
Review Questions (p.223): 5 and 6
Friday Nov 8 Civil Liberties: Right to Bear Arms and the Rights of the Accused: AGAI pp.199-213 & 331-334
Review Questions (p.223): 7 and 8
Monday Nov 11 Civil Liberties: Privacy: AGAI pp.213-219 & 323-330
Review Questions (p.223): 9 and 10
Wednesday Nov 13 Civil Rights: 1776-1864: AGAI pp.224-229 and “Declaration of Sentiments” @ http://www.usconstitution.net/sentiments.html#sent
Review Questions (p.249): 3 and 4
Friday Nov 15 Civil Rights: 1865-1964: AGAI pp.230-238 & 335-342 and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” @ http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf
Review Questions (p.249): 5, 6 and 7
Monday Nov 18 No class. **Position paper is due **
Wednesday Nov 20 Civil Rights: 1964-present: AGAI pp.238-245 & 343-348
Review Questions (p.249): 9, 10, and 11
Friday Nov 22 Economic Policy AGAI pp. 250-265
Review Questions (p.274): 1, 2, and 3
Monday Nov 25 Social Welfare Policy AGAI pp.265-272
Review Questions (p.274): 4 and 5
Wednesday Nov 27 Conclusion: AGAI pp.275-282
Friday Nov 29 No class, Thanksgiving Break
Monday Dec 2 No new reading, catch-up day
Wednesday Dec 4 Review
Friday Dec 6 Review
Monday Dec 9 Final Exam