philosophy
POLI 1: Introduction to American Government and Politics
Course Syllabus (a.k.a. your most valuable tool in the course)
Spring 2014
Sara Callow
Office Hours: M from 2-4pm 5021
Email (during the week, I commit to a “next day” turnaround time). Messages sent over the weekend or school breaks may not receive a reply until sometime on the first regular school day. callowsara@fhda.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVE: As described in the course catalogue, this course focuses on a “contemporary analysis of the structure and function of American Government, its constitutional and political systems at the federal, state and local levels. Focus on the following topics: paradigms in the social sciences, models of justice and models of democracy, evolution of American elites and American constitutionalism, role of media in American political culture, political parties and political socialization, concept of the separation of powers: legislative, executive and judiciary branches, protest and protest movements, Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991”.
As we progress through all of these topics, we will be keeping one overarching theme in mind, and that is a focus on democracy – what it means and how well our system fulfills its requirements in both design and practice. I believe the question, “How democratic is the American system of government?” is an interesting lens through which to examine the government of the United States, and I hope you will find it an interesting way of looking at things too.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: According to the established student learning outcomes, at the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand and utilize a variety of theoretical approaches to the analysis of institutional/policy outcomes of government
2. Demonstrate an analytical use of concepts and research to support hypotheses and conclusions.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: All students are required to have the 6th edition of Keeping the Republic, the Essentials
Course Syllabus (a.k.a. your most valuable tool in the course)
Spring 2014
Sara Callow
Office Hours: M from 2-4pm 5021
Email (during the week, I commit to a “next day” turnaround time). Messages sent over the weekend or school breaks may not receive a reply until sometime on the first regular school day. callowsara@fhda.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVE: As described in the course catalogue, this course focuses on a “contemporary analysis of the structure and function of American Government, its constitutional and political systems at the federal, state and local levels. Focus on the following topics: paradigms in the social sciences, models of justice and models of democracy, evolution of American elites and American constitutionalism, role of media in American political culture, political parties and political socialization, concept of the separation of powers: legislative, executive and judiciary branches, protest and protest movements, Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991”.
As we progress through all of these topics, we will be keeping one overarching theme in mind, and that is a focus on democracy – what it means and how well our system fulfills its requirements in both design and practice. I believe the question, “How democratic is the American system of government?” is an interesting lens through which to examine the government of the United States, and I hope you will find it an interesting way of looking at things too.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: According to the established student learning outcomes, at the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand and utilize a variety of theoretical approaches to the analysis of institutional/policy outcomes of government
2. Demonstrate an analytical use of concepts and research to support hypotheses and conclusions.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: All students are required to have the 6th edition of Keeping the Republic, the Essentials