AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

POS 2041 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

SPRING 2017

11:00 AM to 12:15 PM M/W

Classroom MT-JC 332

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

St. Petersburg College- Midtown Campus

OFFICE HOURS

Downtown Campus DT 3523:00 to 6:00 W/Th or by appointment

Midtown Campus MT 3074:00 to 6:00 M/T or by appointment9:00 to 2:00 Friday by appointment

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

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 governmental

systems 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 original

Constitution of 1787 by summarizing:

1. popular sovereignty

2. limited government

3. separation of powers

4. checks and balances

5. representative government

6. federalism – horizontal and vertical

E. The student will understand civil liberties as

contained in the Constitution and interpreted by

the 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 the

Constitution.

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 selectively

incorporate liberties in the Bill of Rights.

F. The student will demonstrate knowledge of various

movements to secure Civil Rights protections

by:

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 branch

by:

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 Material

American 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.

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 Registration

St. Petersburg College does not permit Registration after the first class meeting. There is registration for the Express and 2nd 8-Week Classes.

January 13, 2017 is the last day to drop classes and receive refunds, and/or change to audit.

March 22, 2017 is the last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” for Regular and Online Classes

Grading Policy

There will be five areas of evaluation for POS 2041

20% Journals

25% Mid-Term Exam

30% Final Exam

20% Group Project

5% 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. The Last journal entry must have 800 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, (and group project) 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 research and/or interview and/or actively volunteer at a community organization. The project will include joint research and an 800-word paper. Service hours must be documented with a signature and contact number for verification. Alternatively, your group project may be a Senate Debate. Students will be expected to draft a partisan bill and hold a debate to present the bill to the President for signature. The professor reserves the right to select the group project.

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

5 days = 25% penalty

10 days = 50% penalty

Beyond 11 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

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Accessibility Services 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. Accessibility Services StaffDowntown- Dr. Tonya Williams 727-341-7913Midtown- Lisa Gould 727-398-8284

Tentative Schedule

Week 1 January 9

First Day of Class Please Read Syllabus Introductions Brief Video Introduction of American Government ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 1 The Democratic Republic

Week 1 January 11

The Democratic Republic Discussion Journal Entry 1 Draft Due January 18 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 2 The Constitution

Week 2 January 16 NO SCHOOL

Extra Credit for participating in MLK Day of Service

Week 2 January 18

The Constitution Discussion Journal Entry 1 Draft Due Journal Entry 1 Final Draft Due January 25 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 3 Federalism

Week 3 January 23

Federalism Discussion

Week 3 January 25

Federalism Discussion Continued Journal Entry 1 Final Due Journal Entry 2 Draft Due February 1 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 4 Civil Liberties

Week 4 January 30, 2017

Civil Liberties Discussion ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 5 Civil Rights

Week 4 February 1

Civil Liberties Discussion Continued Civil Rights Video Journal Entry 2 Draft Due Journal Entry 2 Final Draft Due February 8

Week 5 February 6

Civil Rights Discussion Speaker –Civil Rights TBA

Week 5 February 8

Civil Rights Discussion Continued

Journal Entry 2 Final Draft Due Journal Entry 3 Draft Due February 15 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 6 Public Opinion and Political

Socialization

Week 6 February 13

Public Opinion and Political Socialization Discussion

Week 6 February 15

Public Opinion and Political Socialization Discussion Continued Journal Entry 3 Draft Due Journal Entry 3 Final Draft Due February 22 ASSIGNMENT Read Chapter 7 Interest Groups

Week 7 February 20

Interest Groups Discussion

Week 7 February 22

Interest Groups Discussion Continued Journal Entry 3 Final Draft Due Journal Entry 4 Draft Due March 2

Week 8 February 27

MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW

Week 8 March 1 (Last Class before Spring Break)

Journal Entry 4 Final Draft Due March 15 (First Day after Spring Break) MIDTERM EXAM ASSIGNMENT Read Political Parties

Week 9 NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK (March 5 – March 12)

Week 9 NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK (March 5 – March 12)

The professor reserves the right to alter the schedule based on availability for field trips. All field trips occur during class times and count toward absences.

Week 10 March 13

Political Parties Discussion Speaker- TBA ASSIGNMENT Read Campaigns, Elections, and the Media Field Trip TBA

Week 10 March 15

Campaigns, Elections, and the Media (This area will be an ongoing discussion for the remainder of the year. Assignments will be provided for extra credit)

Journal Entry 4 Final Draft Due ASSIGNMENT Read The Congress

Week 11 March 20

The Congress Discussion Journal Entry 4 Final Draft Due Preparation for Group Project

Week 11 March 22

The Congress Discussion Continued Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read The President

Week 12 March 27

The President Discussion Preparation for Group Project

Week 12 March 29

The President Discussion Continued Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read The Bureaucracy

Week 13 April 3

The Bureaucracy Discussion Preparation for Group Project ASSIGNMENT Read the Courts

Week 13 April 5 Final Preparation for Group Project

Week 14 April 10 –GROUP PRESENTATION

Week 14 April 12

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

Policy

SPRING HOLIDAY APRIL 14- APRIL 16

Week 15 April 17

Domestic, Economic and Foreign Policy Discussion

Week 15 April 19

Domestic, Economic and Foreign Policy Discussion Final Exam Review

Week 16 April 24 Field Trip

Week 16 April 26

FINAL EXAM Review

Week 17 May 1

FINAL EXAM

Week 17 May 3 LAST DAY OF CLASS