Boise State University –Idaho Arts CharterSchool

Concurrent Enrollment Program

POLS 101-American National Government2016-2017

Instructor:Kristin D. Hughes, M.A.T; Ed.Specialist

Office Location/Hours: Rm 440 M-F 2:50 – 3:40 pm

Phone: (208) 463-4324 Ext. 440

Email:

Course Overview:

This course will introduce high school students to the rigors of college study. All expectations, assignments, and tests will meet the requirements of Boise State University. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to be active and engaged citizens in the American democracy. The course will introduce the fundamentals of American government and politics, particularly the major institutions and processes. Further, it aims to develop skills and abilities in analyzing and evaluating issues and public policies in American politics. The course will also stimulate interest in American politics and impart tools that can be of use to all life-long students of politics by; giving students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States with diverse positions to controversies in American politics and student opportunities to develop their own ideas.

Name of Textbook Used:Below is a copy of the different texts used and introduced throughout the course. Additional readings will be assigned throughout the course of the year.

Bardes, Barbara, Mark C. Shelley, Steffen W. Schmidt. American Government and Politics Today: Essentials 2011 – 2012. 16th edition. ISBN-10:053849719X(Required Text)

Cummings, Milton JR. and David Wise. Democracy Under Pressure: An Introduction to the American Political System. ISBN-0-15-5070020-9

McBeth, Mark and Joseph Morris. American Government and Politics: A Conflict of Values and Interests.

Course Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should:

(1)Identify and explain the circumstances that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787

(2)Outline the major provisions of the Constitution

(3)Understand how the Constitution has evolved over time

(4)Describe and explain how federalism has evolved in the United States over time

(5)Explain how civil liberties work in the United States

(6)Understand what public opinion is, how it is measured, and identify how it affects decision making at the federal level

(7)Describe and explain how mass media has evolved over time and explain how it influences the political process in the United States

(8)Describe and explain the roles that political parties play in American politics

(9)Identify the major rules surrounding Congressional and Presidential elections, and how they influence representation

(10)Identify factors that influence voters’ choices

(11)Understand the role that interest groups play in the American political system

(12)Describe the legislative process in American national government

(13)Describe and explain the role of the Presidency over time

(14)Understand how laws are implemented in the United States

(15)Understand the structure and role of the courts in American politics

University Learning Outcomes

POLS 101 is included in the Boise State University Foundational Studies Program. It satisfies three credits of the Foundational Studies Program’s Disciplinary Lens in the Social Science (DL-S) requirement. POLS 101 also satisfies University Learning Outcome 11, which requires students to apply knowledge and the methods of inquiry to explain and evaluate human behavior and institutions.

The instructor will:

  • Be prepared to make effective use of the students’ time.
  • Treat students with respect and value their opinions
  • Be available to students when appointments are arranged by mutual agreement with student or parent/guardian.
  • Make every reasonable effort to assist students in attaining their academic and professional goals.
  • Assess student performance in as objective and accurate manner as possible.
  • Challenge students to learn as much about American Government as is humanly possible.

Assessment of Learning Objectives

Grades will be based on quizzes/exams, and research project. Grades will also be based on one or more of the following: (1) reaction papers, (2) class discussion, or (3) class participation.

Quizzes and exams are an integral part of your learning; they essentially gauge what you know in terms of course content, concepts, and skills. It is critical that students use good study techniques and strategies when preparing for quizzes/exams so that they can appropriately and effectively demonstrate to the teacher what they know or understand. Therefore any student(s) that does not pass a quiz with a D or above will receive one extra week of study time and remediation, with or without, the teacher. During the one week of remediation the student will then be required to do the following to improve their score, at least to the D range. Using your quiz as your guide you will do the following; A] identify the correct answer to any question you got wrong – through rereading and/or studying the previous course work that you were quizzed on; B] Tell me why you incorrectly identified the answer; C] Tell me why the new answer you found is indeed the correct answer with correct citation of where you found the answer. Steps [A-C] are done with a simple sentence for each step; thus you will have a minimum of three sentences per answer that you incorrectly identified.

Remediation will help students in several ways: (1) it will give students an opportunity to revisit course information. (2) It will help students to take quizzes seriously and to devote ample time to study and analysis to course concepts, themes, content, and skills. (3) It will help to promote confidence in students; they will learn a valuable life lesson that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!” You can expect quizzes every week in this class.

Final Grades:All final letter grades in this course are based on the following numerical grades:

Grades will reflect the measurable achievement of you as a student. There are several categories for grades given in this class. The scale and grading break down are as follows:

ScaleGrading Breakdown

A+C+F Most of your points will come from

97 -100%77-79%0-59%the following sources;

-In-class packets

AC- Quizzes

93 – 96%73-76%- Exams

-C.H.I.T.S.

A- C-- Participation

90-92%70-72%- Bell Ringers

- Articles

B+D+- Current Event Sheets

87 – 89%67 – 69%- DBQ/Primary Source Reads

BD

83 – 86%63-66%

B-D-

80 – 82%60-62%

Student Code of Conduct & Expectations:

Boise State University has a Student Code of Conduct; please refer to Boise State’s Student Code of Conduct for definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty as well as policies and procedures for handling such cases. The Code of Conduct is found at:

Any form of academic dishonesty will result in failing the class, failure to earn college or high school credit and referral for disciplinary actions. It is possible that you will also be subject to the procedures for academic discipline of BoiseStateUniversity.

This is a college course and you are expected to approach it as such. No make-ups will be allowed for quizzes or exams.You must make arrangements in advance with your instructor to avoid conflicts (such as a school related absence for a school activity).

Attendance, Homework, and Make-up Work Policies: Attendance is mandatory and will be taken on a daily basis through power school. Regular attendance is essential to your success in this class. I will be strictly following the schools guide lines and practices in regards to attendance. (*See IACS handbook for any clarifications regarding attendance).

Homework is an integral part of your educational career. Homework assignments will help to reinforce skills and content taught in the classroom and help you to develop responsibility and gain mastery of course subject matter. Homework will be a regular and active part of your learning and is essential to this course, so you should incorporate helpful strategies into your daily study routine, like using your planner, to help you be successful with homework.

All assignments will be posted in two spots, on my personal website for the class: and on the whiteboard in the classroom. Posting the work on the whiteboard and on my website is to help give you an edge and a tool in completing your homework and course work for this class. I will be following the IACS handbook in regards to make-up work; as such make-up work is allowed only to those students who have excused absences. A student has the amount of days that they were absent to complete daily assignments and still receive credit after they return to school. I will be following the IACS late work policy found in the student handbook.

Schedule

Class Outline: *this is subject to change during the semester at the discretion of the instructor*

Date__Topic____Reading

Week 1Introductions, Life Skills,

Practical Strategies

Week 2Principles of GovernmentChp. 1

Themes:

  • Government & State
  • Forms of Government
  • Basic Concepts of Democracy

Week 3 – 4Origins of American DemocracyChp. 2

Themes:

  • Political beginnings
  • Coming of Independence
  • Creation of Constitution

Week 5The ConstitutionChp. 3

Themes:

  • Six basic principles
  • Formal Amendments

Week 6FederalismChp. 4

Themes:

  • Division of Power
  • Interstate Relations

Week 7 - 8Political PartiesChp. 5

Themes:

  • Two Party System
  • Minor Parties
  • Party Organization

Week 9 Voters and Voter BehaviorChp. 6

Themes:

  • Rights of Voters
  • Voter Qualifications
  • Suffrage & Civil Rights

Week 10Electoral ProcessChp. 7

Themes:

  • Nomination Process
  • Elections
  • Electoral Finance

Week 11Mass Media & Public OpinionChp. 8

Themes:

  • Formation of Public Opinion
  • Measurement of Public Opinion
  • Mass Media in Politics

Week 12Interest GroupsChp. 9

Themes:

  • Nature of Interest Groups

Week 13 - 14CongressChp. 10

Themes:

  • National Legislature
  • House of Reps.
  • Senate

Week 15 – 16Powers of CongressChp. 11

Themes:

  • Expressed Powers
  • Implied Powers
  • Non-legislative Powers
  • Money & Commerce

Week 16 -17Congress in ActionChp. 12

Themes:

  • Congress Organization
  • Congressional Committees
  • Turning Bills into Law

Week 18Finals

Week 19 – 20 The PresidencyChp. 13

Themes:

  • Duties & Responsibilities
  • Succession
  • Framer’s Plan
  • Nomination & Election

Week 21 – 22Presidency in ActionChp. 14

Themes:

  • Growth of Presidential Power
  • Executive Powers
  • Diplomatic & Military Powers
  • Legislative & Judicial Powers

Week 23 – 24The BureaucracyChp. 15

Themes:

  • Executive Departments
  • Independent Agencies
  • Civil Services

Week 25 Financing GovernmentChp. 16

Themes:

  • Taxes
  • Revenue & Barrowing
  • Spending & Budget

Week 26Foreign Policy & National DefenseChp. 17

Themes:

  • Foreign Affairs
  • Defense Agencies
  • Foreign Aide & Alliances

Week 27Federal CourtsChp. 18

Themes:

  • National Judiciary
  • Inferior Courts
  • Supreme Courts

Week 28Civil LibertiesChp. 19

Themes:

  • Unalienable Rights

Week 29 – 30Protecting Individual RightsChp. 20

Themes:

  • Due Process
  • Punishments

Week 31 Equal Justice under LawChp. 21

Themes:

  • Equality before the Law
  • Federal Civil Rights
  • American Citizenship

Week 32 - 33Comparative Political SystemsChp. 22

Themes:

  • Differing Governmental Systems
  • America’s political system in the world
  • Separation of Powers
  • Types of Governments

Week 34 Comparative Economic SystemsChp. 23

Themes:

  • Capitalism
  • Socialism
  • Communism

Week 35Governing by the StatesChp. 24 & 25

Themes:

  • State Constitutions
  • State Legislatures
  • Governor & State Administration

Week 36 Finals

Conclusion: Finally, if you have a question or concern regarding the class, projects, readings, assignments, or absences, it is up to you to ask. You are ultimately responsible for your own learning!

*The Timeline, activities, assignments, and syllabus are subject to revision by the Instructor*