POLS 1101 Syllabus
Subject Code
POLS
Course Number
1101
Course Title
American Government
Prerequisites
Degree program admission language competency or successful completion of required English and reading learning support courses with a grade of C or higher
Corequisites
Terms Offered
Offered every semester
Credit Hours
(3-0-3)
Course Description
This course emphasizes the study of government and politics in the United States. The course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. It will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, special interest groups, political parties, and the election process. The course also studies the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.
Course Outcomes
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Foundations of Government
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Order
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Description
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1
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Trace the development of the U.S. Constitution from the problematic Articles of Confederation through the Constitutional Convention and ramifications.
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2
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Contrast the original constitutional dispersion of power with the modern dispersion that has evolved through custom and interpretation.
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3
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Analyze the amendment process and the political implications with it.
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4
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Explain Federalism and how it differs from other forms of government.
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5
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Describe how Federalism has evolved to reach its present form in the U.S.
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6
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Explore the growth of the national government through an examination of the factors contributing to its expansion.
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7
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Examine the major safeguards of freedom contained in the First Amendment.
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8
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Explain and evaluate the major clauses in the Fourteenth Amendment to include the effectiveness throughout the United States.
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9
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Explain and evaluate the effectiveness of the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments in overcoming barriers to voting in the United States.
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10
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Describe how the Constitution protects citizenship.
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11
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Describe the fundamentals of the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendments.
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12
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Describe the significance of the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendments in the U.S. system of rights.
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13
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Discuss the nationalization of the Bill of Rights.
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Political Behavior
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Order
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Description
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1
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Develop an understanding of democracy.
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2
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Investigate the effects of public opinion on the U.S. democratic form of government.
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3
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Assess the effects of the media on politics.
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4
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Analyze special interest groups in terms to include: a. structure; b. power and influence; and c. operating techniques.
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5
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Explain the different political philosophies and political parties operating in the U.S.
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6
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Describe the function and impact of the Electoral College.
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7
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Discuss the process running for public office with detailed interest given from the nomination to the election of a president.
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Governing Institutions
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Order
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Description
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1
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Analyze Congress focusing on the legislative process to include: a. structure; b. functions; and c. membership.
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2
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Analyze Congress focusing on common criticisms to include: a. structure; b. functions; and c. membership.
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3
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Trace the evolution of the modern presidency to include public expectations from constitutional foundations to the current form.
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4
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Describe the differing forms of law that the American legal system is based.
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5
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Explain the structure and function of the national courts system including the operation of the U.S. Supreme Court.
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6
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Describe the process of judicial review.
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7
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Evaluate the public policy-making process with regard to policy formation and the impact of ideological difference among policy makers.
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8
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Examine the institutions and processes of Georgia state government.
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