Psci 1105 American Government – The American Democracy II

Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee- October 2016

PSCI 1105 American Government – The American Democracy II

Page of OTM: 18152

1. 
   Course Title: American Government – The American Democracy II
   

Course Number: 1105 Catalog Prefix: PSCI

2. 
   Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
   

3. 
   Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours: 3
   

Laboratory Hours: 0 Observation Hours: 0

4. 
   Course Description:
   

This course is a survey of the fundamental theories, events and personages of American political thought. Through the lens of politics, policy, diplomacy and war, political change and its repercussions will be examined. The socialization of thought and public opinion via the major two-party political system will be discussed. Interest group theory, along with the rise of the mass media and the role they play in the political system, will be topics of study. Besides these issues, the economic policy of the United States will be traced from its Hamiltonian origins to its major transformation during the New Deal era. Lastly, the foreign and defense policy from the inception of the Republic to the present day, with its evolution from a weak de-centralized confederacy to the world’s pre-eminent superpower, are to be investigated.

5. 
   Adopted Text:
   

American Government: Roots and Reform 2014 Elections and Updates Edition

By, Karen O’Connor, Larry J. Sabato, and Alixandra B. Yanus

2014, Pearson Education

ISBN: 978-0-13-391330-9

6. 
   Course Objectives:
   

At the completion this course, the student will:

1.Demonstrate an understanding of the history of democracy and its development in the Western World;

2.Understand the definition and operations of a federal system of government and the demands of democracy upon the constituents;

3.Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of rights and privileges;

4.Have the ability to think analytically and critically about politics by developing skills relating to the analysis of political data and using these skills to make informed decisions regarding political issues; and

5.Develop a command of the factual material related to the political issues covered in the course.

7. 
   Course Methodology:
   

The primary format of the course will be lecture. Methods for instruction may also include - but not be limited to - discussion, chapter readings, quizzes, research papers, a mid-term and a final exam. Instructors may also use videos, DVDs and other related materials at their discretion to supplement the course.

8. 
   Grading:
   

Grading will follow policy set forth in the school catalog.

A	90	–	100
B	80	–	89
C	70	–	79
D	60	–	69
F	0	–	59

9. 
   Course Outline:
   

Week 1	Introduction; Political Socialization and Public Opinion
Week 2	Political Parties
Week 3	Voting and Elections
Week 4	The Campaign Process
Week 5	The Media
Week 6	Interest Groups
Week 7	Domestic Policy
Week 8	Economic Policy Mid-Term Exam
Week 9	Foreign and Defense Policy
Week 10	Foreign and Defense Policy – 1776-1820 The Struggle and Expansion of the Republic
Week 11	Foreign and Defense Policy – 1820-1850 The Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny
Week 12	Republic to Empire Spanish American War: The Age of Imperialism World War I
Week 13	Isolationism and World War II
Week 14	The Cold War
Week 15	The War on Terror
Week 16	Final Exam

10. 
    Other Required Books and Materials:
    

Supplemental materials and resources will be used and assigned as appropriate or necessary.

11. 
    Evaluation:
    

Research Paper: Students will be required to submit a 1,600 to 2,400 word research paper at the end of class the last class of week 13. This research paper is designed to focus thought on a particular issue within the American government system. Students should scan the Internet, newspapers, criminal justice forums, evening news, current government professionals, etc., to find an area of particular interest. Students must receive the instructor’s approval of their topic before beginning. Submit your topic by the end of week 3.

There will be four 100-point examinations including a comprehensive final exam. All exams may contain material from earlier in the course/program. Students are expected to achieve a passing score of 70 on three of the exams. The exam with the lowest score will not be counted toward the final grade. MAKE UP EXAMS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. The research paper must be of original content by each student. Students are expected to achieve a passing score of 70 on the research assignment.

Instructors may assign quizzes, examinations, worksheets, and other papers at their discretion.

Final Grade Calculation:

Measuring Tool	Number Required	Maximum Points
Exams	3 @ 100 points each	300
Research Paper	1 @ 100 points	100
Class Participation		10
		410

12. 
    Specific Management Requirements:
    

1. 
   Research papers must be typed and follow the standards set forth in either the MLA or the APA guidelines.
   
2. 
   Students will be provided timely feedback and progress updates as needed.
   

13. 
    Other Information:
    

FERPA: Students need to understand that their work may be seen by others. Others may see students’ work when it being distributed, during group project work, or if it is chosen for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is a strong possibility that their work may be submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities Service Office, Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.