GVPT 170 - American Government  (3)

 

Prerequisite: None

 

Course Introduction

This course is a comprehensive study of government in the United States, including the basic principles of American government and political culture and an examination of institutions, processes, and public policies.

This course consists of four parts:

Part 1:           The Foundations of American Democracy

Part 2:           Mass Politics

Part 3:           Governing Institutions

Part 4:           Public Policy

 

In each of the four parts, key topics and issues of American government are addressed in depth, with an examination of the relationships of these topics to other issues facing our society and the world community.  For example, no single government can resolve such significant issues as terrorism and universal environmental concerns without a global orientation.

 

Course Goals

After completing this course, you should be able to:

1.      ·        understand the fundamentals of American government

2.      ·        explain some aspects of American political culture, institutions, processes, and public policies from an interdisciplinary perspective

3.      ·        analyze political situations and problems in our daily lives

4.      ·        develop a greater interest in politics and public affairs

5.      ·        demonstrate improved research and critical-thinking skills

6.      ·        understand the law-making process in relation to the American government’s public policy issues

 Course Materials

 

Our textbook is

The American Democracy, 8^th ed., by Thomas E. Patterson.

 Recommended Extra Reading

The following additional resources are recommended to improve your reading, writing, and research skills:

Major newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and The Economist.

CQ Weekly: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., gives nonpartisan coverage of Congress.

National Review: Government Research Corporation provides a general analysis of politics without a “liberal” bias.

To search the U.S. Congress online, try The Library of Congress.

For a study guide, video, audio clips of speeches, and other relevant information, visit the Web site for campaign finance information: U.S. Federal Election Commission.

For information on the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and your individual representatives and senators, see the following:

1.      ·        Official Congressional Directory, 1982– published in Washington, D.C. by the Government Printing Office

2.      ·        Almanac of American Politics, 1972– published in Washington, D.C. by Barone and Company

3.      ·        United States House of Representatives

4.      ·        United States Senate

 For nonpartisan public policy research: The Center for Responsive Politics (Opensecrets.org)

For democratic theory and practice: Dahl, Robert A. (2002). How democratic is the American Constitution? New Haven: Yale University Press.

For the U.S. Constitution: Murray, William J. (Ed.). (1999). The complete Constitution of the United States of America. Fredericksburg, VA: MFM Publishing.

For the system approach in political science: Easton, David. (1996). Framework for political analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

For comprehensive analysis of power and its relationship to influence and authority: Lasswell, Harold D. (1958). Politics: Who Gets What, When, and How? Cleveland, OH: Meridian Books.

Grading Information

Grades will be determined as follows:

Midterm examination	25%
Term Paper	20%
Final examination	30%
Online participation	25%

The grading scale, based on 100 points, is:

A      90–100

B      80–89

C      70–79

D      60–69

F       0–59

 

By registering for a Web-based course, you have made a commitment to participate in your course conferences as well as other online activities. To contact your instructor, please use the conferencing software or e-mail links provided, which allow you to communicate with the instructor and your classmates in a virtual classroom, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please plan to participate regularly. You will note in the grading policy that your online participation counts greatly toward your final grade. You are required to participate in online conferencing and take midterm and final examinations.

 

Course Schedule

Week	Readings Assignments	Due Date
1	Administration, Chapters 1, 2
2	Chapters 3, 4
3	Chapters 5, 6
4	Chapters 7, 8
5	Chapters 9, 10   On-Line Midterm Exam
6	Chapters 11, 12
7	Chapters 13, 14
8	Chapters 15, 16
9	Chapters 17, 18
10	Proctored Final Exam