POLI 101 American Federal Government

This course is an introduction to American federal government and the study of political science. Students who complete this course will be able to critically analyze American government and politics including the American Constitution, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, ideology, political parties, campaigns and elections, media in politics, and the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the US government.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically the functions of the main parts of the American federal government and the major
   issues in American politics.
2. 2. Analyze critically major issues of government and politics, identify their assumptions, explore
   contrasting positions, and arrive at their own positions on these issues.
   
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of political science to assess evidence on issues involving government
   and politics.
   
4. 4. Apply political theory and research to controversies in government or politics to draw conclusions
   about resolving them.
5. 5. Analyze the roles, responsibilities and powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of
   government.
6. 6. Analyze the meaning and implications of civil liberties guaranteed through the Bill of Rights.
7. 7. Describe the historical development and influence of political parties of interest groups.
8. 8. Analyze how controversies over the proper role and scope of government have affected American
   politics from the framing of the Constitution to the present.
9. 9. Formulate specific, unified, and concise theories through writing that demonstrate an understanding of political science thinking.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically the functions of the main parts of the American federal government and the major
   issues in American politics.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Book review

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT1
2. 2. Analyze critically major issues of government and politics, identify their assumptions, explore
   contrasting positions, and arrive at their own positions on these issues.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Book review

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT2
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of political science to assess evidence on issues involving government
   and politics.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Portfolio

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT3
4. 4. Apply political theory and research to controversies in government or politics to draw conclusions
   about resolving them.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Portfolio

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT4
5. 5. Analyze the roles, responsibilities and powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of
   government.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. 6. Analyze the meaning and implications of civil liberties guaranteed through the Bill of Rights.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

7. 7. Describe the historical development and influence of political parties of interest groups.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

8. 8. Analyze how controversies over the proper role and scope of government have affected American
   politics from the framing of the Constitution to the present.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

9. 9. Formulate specific, unified, and concise theories through writing that demonstrate an understanding of political science thinking.

   This objective is a course Goal Only