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Course Syllabus

Political Science 10-1008

Constitutional Government

3 Units, Lecture Format

Spring Semester 2019

Tuesdays, 6:00-9:05 p.m.

Instructor: Pete Simoncini Office Hours:

Phone: Work: (209) 847-3007, x221 Tuesdays 5:00-5:45 p.m.

Cell: (209) 556-2682 (Before 9:00 p.m.) or after class

E-mail: simoncinip@yosemite.edu or Website:

psimoncini@

1. Course Description A survey course in the political system of the United States from its inception at the end of the eighteenth century until the present time. Primary focus will be on the Constitution, its ideological underpinnings, uses and limitations. Class will also cover the two party system, the process of justice, the specific mechanisms of the legislature, and the governmental power at the national, state, and local levels, with specific emphasis on the state of California. The interests and rights of all historically under-represented groups will be included in the analysis of the power structure. (UC/CSU)

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Critically evaluate and persuasively articulate the fundamental topics and developments of the U.S. political system from its inception in the eighteenth century until present time: political and institutional developments; historical and contemporary problems and conditions; significant national/international players (personalities and institutions) and events relative to the specified period; national and international relations; a comparative analysis of alternative political ideologies and forms of government; social and cultural diversity; and specific investigation of concepts and processes in California. 

2. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to identify, describe, and critically evaluate/assess the most significant political, social, and economic developments of the specified time period and their relationship to the process of governing and political structures and ideologies. 

3. Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

a. SLO 1 Each student will satisfy the American institutions requirement for graduation from a college or university for the State of California. Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:

i. Demonstrate competency in studying a college level American government textbook

ii. Complete all assignments

iii. Achieve a score of at least 60% on all assignments

b. SLO 2 Each student will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of fundamental theories, methods, structures, processes, and institutions of the United States Constitution and constitutional government. Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:

i. Trace the philosophical and historical evolution of the Constitution

ii. Describe key elements of the Constitutional Convention

iii. Identify the continuing search for a “more perfect form of government.”

c. SLO 3 Each student should be able to describe the role and relationship of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government. Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:

i. Assess the operation of the three branches of government

ii. Describe the theory behind and workings of the checks and balances system

iii. Trace the steps required for a legislative bill to become a law

d. SLO 4 Each student will become more aware of the constitutional rights and responsibilities of an American citizen including demonstrating competencies associated with 21st century citizenship & adulthood - these competencies include basic awareness of diverse perspectives and their implications - cultural, social, psychological, philosophical, historical, and geographical awareness. Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:

i. Describe the background behind and the various aspects of the fundamental rights as articulated in the Constitution and its amendments

ii. Articulate the significant responsibilities of citizens in a free society including voting, paying taxes, assisting in the defense of the nation and its populous

iii. Take and defend a position about the conflict between absolute freedom and the moral and security needs of a prudent society

e. SLO 5 Each student will be able demonstrate an ability to engage in and maintain effective approaches to problems solving and demonstrate critical thinking competencies in analyzing competing hypotheses. Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:

i. Identify controversial issues

ii. Write a series of original critical essays demonstrating college level research and using correct language

4. Key Dates

a. Last day to drop without a “W” and be eligible for a refund: 25 January 2019

b. Last day to select pass/no pass grading: 14 February 2019

c. Last day to drop the course: 8 April 2019

5. Textbooks

a. Greenberg, Edward S. and Page, Benjamin I, The Struggle For Democracy,

Thirteenth Edition, Pearson Education, ISBN-13: 978-0-205-77129-5.

b. Handouts provided by the instructor

6. Attendance Policy Students will not be docked points solely for missing class. As this course meets only once a week, however, absence from any class will cause a student to miss a significant amount of material. Additionally, there will be some amount of class discussion in each class meeting for which students can receive participation points. Students who are absent can receive no participation points. Moreover, as will be covered below, there is a weekly Canvas threaded discussion component to this course. Students will have 1 week to respond to all prompts. Students who do not respond to each prompt within the specified time frame will not be able to receive points for that week’s discussion. Students who miss more than 4 class meetings or 5 threaded discussions will have great difficulty passing the course and should therefore drop the course; however, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate the drop process.

7. Grading Policy Students will be evaluated via the following criteria: 1 midterm examination worth 100-points; a final examination worth 200-points; one term paper worth 100-points; and class participation (based on in-class discussions and participation on the Canvas course component) worth 100 points for a course total of 500 points. Consequently, the grading scale is as follows: 450-500= A; 400-449=B; 350-399=C; 300-349=D; ................
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