Political Science 1 - American Government and Institutions, Class Syllabus

/ American Government and Institutions
San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95207
Class Syllabus /

Semester: Spring 2009 Dates: January 12 – May 21, 2009

Classroom: ETUDES-NG Online Time: 24/7

Instructor: Mr. Ken Baxter Department and Number: Political Science 1

Prerequisites: Reading Level II Title of Course: American Government and Institutions

Course Code: 56653 Email:

Catalog Description

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of government and political processes at the national, state, and local levels. Included are studies of basic issues confronted by the American people and their governing institutions. The course fulfills the Social Science (Group A) requirements for the AA and AS degrees and the United States Constitution and California State and Local Government requirements for the California State University system.

Required Texts

1. Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey Berry, and Jerry Goldman. 2006. The Challenge of Democracy, Brief Edition/6th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

2. Ken Baxter. 2007. The Dream Turned Nightmare: Eminent Domain – The Taking of Private Property and Livable Community Alternatives. Kendall and Hunt.

3. Ken Baxter. 2008. California State and Local Government – An Overview, Perspectives, and Politics, San Joaquin Delta College.

Course Purposes and Goals

The purposes and goals of the course are to provide students with:

1. A basic knowledge of the fundamental elements that comprise the American political system.

2. An understanding of how major institutions in our American society interacts with the political system.

3. An awareness of the historical context, which shapes and influences the theory and reality of the political system.

4. A sufficient knowledge to enable the student to distinguish between the theory and reality of the political system.

5. An understanding and appreciation of the rights and privileges granted by the United States Constitution.

6. A continuing interest in public affairs and in government with the hope that such interest will result in direct involvement and political participation.

Specific Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Distinguish between major and minor historical events and developments in shaping the American political system.

2.   Analyze the relative merits of contemporary government policies.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the various elements in the political system.

4. Evaluate the relative success and effectiveness of American political institutions in fulfilling the goals of society.

5. Analyze problems related to governing a pluralistic society.

6. Examine the structure and functions of Federal, California state, and local government.

7. Write a minimum of a 1,500 word government paper in addition to three examinations.

Student Obligations

The following responsibilities apply to all students:

1. Participate in the weekly class discussions (this will be graded; see evaluation section below).

2. Be courteous to people with different perspectives and values, and use good "electronic" courtesy when responding via email, class discussions, chat room, etc.

3. Complete the assigned mid term tests, final test, and term paper.

4. Read assigned online lessons (located in Modules Section) and chapters from the books by the dates identified in the course syllabus, class schedule and assignments section.

Method of Evaluation

Tests - There will be two mid-term tests and a final test. The format for the tests will be the same: 25 multiple-choice and 25 true or false questions that will be worth two points each for a total of 100 points. Once you begin each test, you will have one hour to complete it. Please know the clock will start when you start the test, and after one hour, the test will close.

Class discussions - You will also be graded on 17 weeks of class discussion comments for a total of 170 points (possible 10 points each week). You are required to comment once in each weekly online class discussion, and you are encouraged to comment several times during each week’s discussion. The weekly discussions are located in the “Discussion and Private Messages” section. Refer to the electronic file entitled course procedures (located in the “Resources” section) for detailed information concerning evaluation for the class discussions. The class discussions will be graded one or two days after the end of the respective week.

Term Paper - In addition to the tests and class discussions, there will be one term paper assignment (refer to the “Assignments” online section). You will choose any policy issue from The Dream Turned Nightmare: Eminent Domain – The Taking of Private Property and Livable Community Alternatives book and present competing arguments, as well as your own opinions and conclusions regarding the issue. You can focus on any policy issue in the book; such as a court ruling, eminent domain abuse, livable community issues, general plans, or other policy issues. The paper is to be submitted as an online class “Task” located in the “Tasks, Tests, and Surveys” section. Also, the paper must include a minimum of 1,500 words, and have a minimum of two references. Refer to the term paper section at the end of the syllabus for details. The assignment will be worth a possible 100 points; and, the term paper is due on May 3rd, 11:45 p.m. It is okay to submit the paper prior to the due date.

Important note: Your term paper must be your own original non-plagiarized work. Any student that plagiarizes material (academic dishonesty via Administrative Procedures 5500, Standards of Conduct/Ed Code Section 66300) will result in a failing grade for the assignment and possibly a failing grade in the course and/or suspension. Late papers will be deducted 10% of the grade per calendar day.

Grade - A maximum of 570 points is possible for the course. Your total points (570 maximum) will be divided by 5.7, and that percent (points) will reflect your grade accordingly: A=90% or above, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, and an F=0-59%.

Withdrawal from the Course

In accordance with the College Catalog Section I, General Information; 1), Admissions; Student Responsibilities 5); the following applies:

“Withdrawing from a class is the responsibility of the student. The student should file the ‘Program Change Form’ at the Registration Arena noting the course to be dropped, or request the withdrawal through the telephone registration system. As a matter of courtesy and to assist the instructor in maintaining accurate class records, the student should also inform the instructor of the decision to drop the course.”

Students who fail to drop the class and stop attending will receive an “F” for the final course grade.

Disclaimer

The instructor reserves the right to make any necessary adjustments in the operation of the course that in his professional judgment are warranted to better meet the needs of the students.

Course Outline

The course will follow the following outline.

1. Foundations of American Government

A. Political Theory

B. The Constitution

C. Federalism

2. Political Participation and Linkage Institutions

A. Public Opinion and Political Socialization

B. The Media

C. Participation and Voting

D. Political Parties

E. Nominations, Elections, and Campaigns

F. Interest Groups

3. National Government Institutions

A. Congress

B. The Presidency and Bureaucracy

4. The Justice System and Bill of Rights

A. The Federal Judicial System

B. The Supreme Court

C. Civil Liberties/First Amendment Issues and Cases

D. Civil Rights/Criminal and Procedural Rights and Cases

E. Equal Protection and the Fourteenth Amendment

5. National, State, and Local Issues

A. Policymaking

B. Economic, Domestic, and Global Policy

6. State and Local Government

A. California Political Process

B. California Legislature

C. California Executive Branch

D. California Judiciary

E. California Financing and Budget

F.  Local Government

G.  Contemporary Issues in Government

Reading Schedule

The following schedule is a list of weekly assignments. The information includes the applicable chapter(s) to read, two mid-term tests, final test, and term paper due date. The textbook chapter(s) should be read before your involvement in the respective class discussion. Also, please remember to read the weekly lessons in the “Modules” section. There is additional class information in the “Resources” section, such as course procedures, test review concepts, etc.
As you know, this semester/course starts on January 12, 2009 (Monday), and ends May 21, 2009 (Thursday), 11:59 p.m. Subsequently, the course is divided into 19 weeks. During this time, the course is actually open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. However, each noted week below will open on the specified dates (at 1 a.m. Pacific Standard Time) and will remain open until it closes on the following Sunday evening at 11:59 p.m. However, the last week of class will close on a Thursday, May 21st at 11:59 p.m. The intent here is to keep us generally together as a class to assist with our online discussions, etc. Please do not jump ahead for the class discussions, but do participate in assigned weekly class discussions (see the “Class Schedule and Assignments” below for dates).


It is important you login and take the tests as noted below during the assigned week, and read the online class lessons and any assigned chapter(s) before taking each respective test. You will have one hour for the mid-term tests and one hour for the final test (50 questions each, two points possible per question). Important note – be sure to complete each test section, multiple choice and true/false, prior to submitting the test electronically.

For class weeks that have a test, you can take the test any time during the respective week (see second column in the schedule matrix below); and, the opportunity to take the mid-term tests will close on the following Sunday evening (this gives you several days to take the test). However, once you complete and finalize your test, you will not be able to reopen it. Remember, once you start the test, it will close in one hour (do not leave the test and come back later). Also, there are two sections in the test; 25 multiple choice questions and 25 true or false. Do not submit the test until you complete both sections, a total of 50 questions. There is also a test concept review document in the “Resources” section to assist you in preparing for each test. You can only take the test one time.

Class Schedule and Assignments

Class Week / Date Week Starts
(2009) /

Book/Chapter, online class lesson information, and class discussion

/ Subject, Tests, and Term Paper
1. / Jan. 12, Monday / Janda, Chapter 1, pages 1-20; online class lesson 1; and class discussion 1 / Class Introduction and Purpose of Government – Dilemmas of Democracy: Freedom, Order, & Equality
2. / Jan. 19,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 1, pages 21-30; online class lesson 2; and discussion 2. / Models of Democracy – Majoritarian and Pluralist Democracy
3. / Jan. 26,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 2; online class lesson 3; and discussion 3. / The United States Constitution
4. / Feb. 2,
Monday / Janda, Chapters 3 & 4 (Chapter 4-pages 86-102); online class lesson 4; and discussion 4. / Federalism, Public Opinion; and Political Socialization
5. /

Feb. 9,

Monday / Janda, Chapter 4 (pages 102-117); online class lesson 5; and discussion 5. / The Media and Test 1 (take test sometime this week, submit the test before Feb. 15th, 11:59 p.m.). Test 1 includes Chapters 1-4 and lessons 1- 5 (includes Media info.)
6. / Feb. 16,
Monday / Janda, Chapters 5 & 6 (Chapter 6-pages 144-163); online class lesson 6; and discussion 6. / Participation and Voting; and Political Parties
Class Week / Date Week Starts
(2009) / Book/Chapter, online class lesson information, and class discussion / Subject, Tests, and Term Paper
7. / Feb. 23,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 6 (pages 163-180); online class lesson 7; and discussion 7. / Nominations, Elections, and Campaigns
8. / Mar. 2,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 7; online class lesson 8; and discussion 8. / Interest Groups
9. / Mar. 9,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 8; online class lesson 9; and discussion 9. / United States Congress
10. /

Mar. 16,

Monday / Janda, Chapters 9 & 10; online class lesson 10; and discussion 10. / The Presidency and Bureaucracy
11. / Mar. 23,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 11; online class lesson 11; and discussion 11. / The Courts and Test 2 (take test sometime this week, submitted before March 29th, 11:59 p.m.). Test 2 includes Chapters 5-11 & lessons 6-11 (includes Courts info.).
12. / Mar. 30,
Monday /

Janda, Chapters 12 & 13; Eminent Domain book, overview/pages 1-39; online class lesson 12; and discussion 12.

/

Order and Civil Liberties, and Equality and Civil Rights

13. / April 6,
Monday / No Class this week (April 6th – 12th) – Spring recess
14. / April 13,
Monday / Janda, Chapter 14; online class lessons 13 and 14, and class discussion 13 / Policymaking & Economic Policy (lesson 13)
Domestic and Global Policy (lesson 14)
15. / April 20,
Monday / Baxter, California Government book, Chapters 1-5; online class lesson 15; and discussion 14. / California Politics - Overview and Perspectives
16. /

April 27,

Monday / Baxter, California Government book, Chapters 6-9; online class lesson 16; and discussion 15. / Understanding California’s Legislature, Executive, Judicial, and Financial Perspectives; and Term Paper due this week (paper deadline is May 3rd, 11:45 p.m…it’s okay to turn paper in early). Turn your paper in online in the assignment section via a copy and paste or type directly in the assignment box/response section.
17. / May 4,
Monday / Baxter, California Government book, Chapters 10-14; and Eminent Domain book, livable communities and general plans/pages 88-132; online class lesson 17; and discussion 16. / Local Government and Contemporary Issues
18. / May 11-14
Monday through Thursday / Weekly discussion number 17 and review for final test
19. / May 15-21 (Friday through Thursday) / Final Exam/Test – Includes all assigned books/chapters noted in “class week” column for numbers 12 through 17; all information after test 2. The final test must be submitted by May 21, 2009 (Thursday), 11:59 p.m. Be sure to allow time for any computer related problems. It is recommended that you take the final test several hours prior to the test submittal deadline.

Term Paper Assignment/Information

1.  Prepare a term paper pertaining to any policy issue from The Dream Turned Nightmare: Eminent Domain – The Taking of Private Property and Livable Community Alternatives book and present competing arguments, as well as your own opinions and conclusions regarding the issue. You can focus on any policy issue in the book; such as a court ruling, eminent domain abuse or the general concept of eminent domain (the taking of private property for public use or benefit), livable community issues (such as high density housing, mixed land-use, walkable communities, providing transportation choices/alternatives, etc.), general plans (provides policy and strategies for future city/county growth/development…every California city and county has a general plan), or other policy issues within the book.