Course Syllabus

Course Description:

This course is a survey of American government and politics. It includes discussion of the historical foundations and fundamental principles of American democracy, the basic institutions of government, the fundamental rights of citizens and the public policy process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Utilize basic political terms and concepts.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the historical development of American democratic government.

• Describe the United States Constitution and how it has evolved over time.

• Describe the powers of federal, state, and local governments and analyze their relationships with one another over time.

• Explain the concept of separation of powers within the Federal government and analyze the costs and benefits associated with this system.

• Explain how the interpretation of the Constitutional powers of the different government institutions has changed over time.

• Explain how citizens can participate in the American political system and respond to policy changes.

• Analyze the political rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens.

• Explain how public policy is made and how institutions, groups, and individuals contribute to this process.

• Understand social science methods used in analyzing social phenomena in the diversity of human perspectives.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!

https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-3e

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