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POL 140

I. TITLE: American National Government

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The American political system, its constitution, institutions and processes.

III. PURPOSE:
This class is designed to discuss the different institutions, ideas and policies that are contained in the US government.  Specifically, the class seeks to expose students to the theories surrounding American government and the practical application of those theories through the study of each branch of government and through the process of learning how to participate in government (vis a vie, voting, working in a campaign, conducting surveys, running for office, etc.). Although, the majority of the material centers around the US government, any study of government will expose students to international arenas as well.

Our government is in a constant state of flux and with the aid of the Internet, computers and television, we are able to witness history as it is made. Students will be able to examine policies as they are made and discern the true politics surrounding the issues.

Some may say that these things can be learned at home, in church and other places. On the contrary, we are finding that many students are not registered to vote and their political history spans a decade at most.  Theories of democratic government have long assumed the need for politically alert and educated citizens as well as some degree of political participation because hardly anyone remains untouched by what government does. This course will assist students in understanding the political world and prepare them for the demands of democratic government and contemporary issues.

1. Students will engage in mature independent thought and express those thoughts by virtue of oral communication in class and through the use of examinations.
2. Students will study and come to understand the critical and scientific methodologies that scientists employ in the study of American government and politics. This would include, but are not limited to, systems theory, pluralist theory, and rational choice models.
3. Understand the nature of responsible citizenship by learning how to participate in government both formally through voting and informally through campaigning.
4. Apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions based on the theories examined in the classroom.  Rational choice is one such theory as how decisions are made. However, researchers have developed a plethora of other techniques and models that seek to address issues in new and innovative ways.
5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the world's historical, literary, and philosophical traditions..

1. Maintain high academic standards by ensuring that students have an understanding of the foundations and operations of the American political system through an examination of fundamental concepts and procedures.  American government for the most part is a study of history and contemporary political processes.. However, unlike true history, American politics changes like a chameleon.
2. Through the use of debates and small group discussions, students will examine the influence of the general public, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the administrative elite on the government. This interaction provides a setting not only for oral communications, but an opportunity for students to think critically and convey those thoughts to colleagues.
3. As previous paragraphs mention, computers have stormed into all sorts of classroom settings. American government is certainly not analogous to this storm. Students are expected to make full use of computers with homework assignments. There is ample information available on the branches of government on the Internet.
4. Although this class does not have a significant international component, students will receive some information on the various types of governments as well as America's foreign policy. In addition, daily discussion of current events will also provide students an opportunity to remain abreast of what is going on in our society and our international community.
5. Unlike some classes, this class demands a lot of reading on the part of the students. The text for the class has 700 pages, which means that each student will be reading on the average, 20 pages per class in addition to any other handouts or articles that will be used.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Although this is a lecture oriented class, there is ample opportunity for student participation through the use of examples and current events. Further, as certain material is covered (ie. domestic policy or participation) it is not uncommon to have the students prepare materials for debates in class in a point-counter point fashion. Five to six students are assigned an issue and then are allowed to communicate with each other as how to argue their case in an organized fashion. This allows students to not only hear from other students, but to hear both sides of an issue. They also learn how to communicate their views and work within a group as they will be expected to do when they join the work force. In most cases, students have grown to believe that experts have the last say. However, this process teaches students to think critically and provide informed answers that have been rationally thought out (It is completely at the discretion of the professor to use debates or other types of discussion methods in his or her class).

In addition, students are expected to make use of the computer lab when completing written assignments for class. There are several web pages that are designed to assist students in this class. For example, http:///www.house.gov provides students with updated material on the happening of Congress, Courts and Presidency. Each student is also expected to maintain a Email account where the professor can forward messages to them.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Not applicable

VIII. RESOURCES:
The university maintains computer labs all over campus for both Email and Internet access, in addition to off campus. Our main library provides students with ample space and resources to complete all of the assigned tasks.

Students must have a copy of Janda, Berry and Goldman's "The Challenge of Democracy," (1997) along with a multimedia CD that provides additional learning material for the class. If the CD is not available, students may go to the publishers home page and access the same information (http:///www.hmco.com/college/COD/home.html)

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:
Students are given hourly exams and occasional quizzes if needed. Exams tend to constitute the majority of the grade depending on how many quizzes are given. There are some variations in this scheme from professor to professor.
Exam 1                                          20%
Exam 2                                          20%
Final Exam                                     30%
Written & Computer Assignment    10%
Quizzes                                          10%
Attendance and Participation         10%
                                                    100%
A=100%-90%
B=89%-80%
C=79%-70%
D=69%-60%
E=<59%

Participation is both written and verbal.  Students are required to read before each class.  If students do not read, they will be given quizzes frequently.  There are at least six quizzes throughout the semester. There are no scheduled makeup exams for quizzes.  Make-up exams will be given only when a valid excuse is provided to the professor. If an exam is missed, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain a univer- sity approved excuse.  This excuse should detail why the student was not able to be present for the exam. Telephone calls stating that a student will be absent  will not be sufficient. All excuses will be verified.

Test questions may be short answer or multiple choice or a combination of both. Students will be informed prior to the exam as to what type of questions will be used.  Questions will come from the textbook and notes.  All make-up exams are essay type and will be taken the week prior to final exams.  No test will be given early,  so please do not schedule any early flights.  Students should bring a blue book during exam periods. Students will not be allowed to take the exam on regular loose leaf paper.  As with some of the other areas, it is completely up to an individual professor to determine which type of exam to use and the allocation of percentage points for each exam, assignment and so forth.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend class regularly. It is impossible to engage in intellectual dialogue if a student is not in class. If a class is missed, it is the duty of the student to find out what occurred during their absence. If additional information is needed, the instructor should be sought out.

Should a student miss 10%-24% of the class periods (unexcused), their overall grade will be lowered by a letter grade. Should a student miss more than 25% of the class periods, they will receive an E in the class automatically.

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
Anyone caught cheating will automatically receive an E on the test and will be recommended to the university for immediate disciplinary action.  There are no group assignments in this class per se, which includes sharing information on tests.

XII. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
See VIII.

XIII. PREREQUISITES: None

Last updated February 8, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo