NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY The City University of New York School of Arts & Sciences Department of Social Science Course Outline

Transcription

1 NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY The City University of New York School of Arts & Sciences Department of Social Science Course Outline Course code: GOV 1101 Course title: American Government Class hours/credits: 3 class hours, 3 credits Prerequisite: CUNY Proficiency in Reading and Writing Pathways: US Experience in its Diversity Catalog Description: An overview of the structure and characteristics of the American political system. Topics include the branches of government, the Constitution and civil liberties, political parties, interest groups, citizen participation, and the relationship between the national and state governments. COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS LEARNING OUTCOMES Identify and differentiate among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government and analyze their influence on the development of U.S. democracy. ASSESSMENT METHODS* Students will fulfill this outcome by examining the relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government and their impact on policymaking at the national level. Students will discuss the effectiveness of these relationships 1) by answering short-answer and essay questions asked on the midterm and final exams, and 2) by writing lowstakes papers responding to questions asked about essays in the assigned reader. Analyze and discuss common institutions or patterns of life in contemporary U.S. society and how they influence, or are influenced by, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, belief, or other forms of social differentiation. Students will fulfill this outcome through in-class discussion of the nature of power and politics in the United States. Since American politics are heavily shaped by issues of race and ethnicity, students will consistently be prodded to think about the nature of American government and politics through the prism of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexual orientation. Specifically, students will fulfill this outcome by discussing and writing about such controversies as the debate over gay rights.

2 GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS LEARNING OUTCOMES KNOWLEDGE: Gather, interpret, and assess information from a variety of sources and points of view. ASSESSMENT METHODS* Students will fulfill this outcome by examining the relationship between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government and their impact on policymaking at the national level. Students will discuss the effectiveness of these relationships 1) by answering short-answer and essay questions asked on the midterm and final exams, and 2) by writing lowstakes papers responding to questions asked about essays in the assigned reader. Skills: Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically. Students will fulfill this outcome by studying the structures of US government. In particular, students will study the principle of separation of powers and the evolution of its powers over time. Students will also be able to discuss the nature and the limits of presidential power and how the president s powers are checked by the other branches of government. In class discussions, they will explore if the President has the right to declare war without the authorization of congress. Integration: Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions. VALUES, ETHICS, AND RELATIONSHIPS: Understand and apply values, ethics, and diverse perspectives in personal, civic, and cultural/global domains. Students will fulfill this outcome 1) by answering short-answer and essay questions asked on the midterm and final exams, and 2) by writing a scaffolded high-stakes paper designed to demonstrate their ability to construct, explain and advance a written argument about an issue of American government. Students will also fulfill this outcome by writing low-stake papers responding to questions asked about assigned essays and by answering short-answer and essay questions on the midterm and final exams that requires that they take a position on various arguments related to American government (i.e., Should Same- Sex Marriage Be a Constitutional Right?). Combination of class discussions, oral presentations, in-class small group work, and essays that engage directly with the questions about values, ethics, responsibility, and diversity. * may vary slightly per instructor to suit their own needs Suggested Texts: Joseph Losco and Ralph Baker, AM GOV , 4th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2012.

3 George McKenna and Stanley Feingold, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Political Issues, 18th edition, McGraw Hill. * The textbook used in a particular section will be chosen by the instructor. Scope of Assignments*: Three quizzes worth a total of 5% each: Quizzes will be comprised of multiple choice and true/false questions. Three exams consisting of essay type questions worth 20% each. One 5-10 page paper assignment analyzing a contemporary political issue or debate worth 25%. * may vary slightly per instructor to suit their own needs CityTech Grade Scale: Letter Grade A Meaning of Letter Grade Exceptional Number Grade A- Superior B+ Very good B Good B- Above Average C+ Slightly Above Average C Average D Poor F Failure ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog.

4 COLLEGE POLICY ON ABSENCE/LATENESS A student may be absent without penalty for 10 percent of the number of scheduled class meetings during the semester as follows: Class meets Allowable Absence 1 time/week 2 classes 2 times/week 3 classes 3 times/week 4 classes It is the responsibility of the instructor to keep accurate records of every student s attendance and to inform each class orally and in writing of the applicable attendance policy during the first two weeks of class meetings each semester. Excessive Absence If a student s class absences exceed the limit established for a given course or component, the instructor will alert the student that a grade of WU may be assigned. If a student remains officially registered for a course and never attends that course, a final grade of *WN will be assigned. If the student withdraws officially from the course, he/she will be assigned a grade in accordance with the existing withdrawal policy of the College. Appeals A student wishing to appeal the excessive absence status and the impending grade should request a meeting with the chairperson of the department in which the course is offered. The chairperson will consult with the instructor to render a decision. A student wishing to appeal a WU grade may do so through the Committee on Course and Standards. Lateness It is the responsibility of the instructor to keep a record of lateness and to inform each class orally and in writing of the lateness policy during the first two weeks of class meetings of each semester. SAMPLE SEQUENCE OF TOPICS AND TIME ALLOCATIONS* Week One The Structure and Principles of the American Government Students will gain a basic understanding of the definition of government, the philosophical reasons we have government, and the various ways political power can be allotted in a society (e.g. oligarchy, monarchy, democracy, etc.) Readings: Textbook: Chapter 1 Week Two The Constitution Students will study the founding of the United States and why America moved from a confederate form of government to a new constitutional government. Students will examine the various elements of the United States Constitution. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 2 Week Three Federalism and Inter-Governmental Relations Students will study the concept of federalism, its evolution over time, and how it affects the way the United States is governed. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 3

5 Week Four Civil Liberties & Civil Rights Students will study the concept of civil liberties as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Students will understand their civil liberties including freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the rights of the criminally accused. Students will also be able to understand how these rights are protected by governments in the modern day as well as limits to these rights. Readings: Textbook: Chapters 4 & 5; Taking Sides, Unit 3, Does Affirmative Action Advance Racial Equality? ) Week Five Public Opinion Students will study the role that public opinion plays in modern American politics. Students will also examine how the changing demographic nature of the United States has altered public opinion among many demographic groups. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 6 Week Six Political Participation Students will examine political parties as the entities that drive the political process. They will study the history of political parties from the founding, leading to our modern two-party system. Students will also consider the basic differences between the two major parties as well as the role of third parties in American politics. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 7 EXAM #1 Week Seven Interest Groups Students will study the role interest groups play in modern American politics. They will examine the history and development of interest groups and the impact they have on modern governance. Students will also examine the impact interest groups have on the functioning of political parties. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 8 Week Eight Parties and Political Campaigns Students will study the electoral process in America. They will examine key topics including the nomination process, political conventions, and the complexity of political campaigns. Students will analyze voting behavior and the factors that impact voting patterns. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 9 Week Nine The Media Students will examine how the media has evolved over the course of American history, and how it shapes, and is shaped, by American politics. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 10 Week Ten The Congress Students will study the structure and workings of our national legislature. They will examine the powers of this branch of government, the evolution of its powers over time, and the degree to which its powers are checked by the other branches of government.

6 Readings: Textbook: Chapter 11; Taking Sides, Unit 2, May Congress Require People to Buy Health Insurance? EXAM #2 Week Eleven The Presidency Students will study the structure and powers of the executive branch of government. They will study the constitutional origins of the presidency, the evolution of its powers over time, as well as the modern presidency as established today. Students will also be able to understand the nature and the limits of presidential power and how the president s powers are checked by the other branches of government. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 12; Taking Sides, Unit 2, Does the President Have Unilateral War Powers? Week Twelve The Courts Students will study the structure and powers of the judicial branch of the United States. Students will examine the origins of the concept of judicial review and how it has evolved over time. Students will consider the Supreme Court as a policy-making institution in America as well as the limits of its policy-making powers. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 14 Week Thirteen Public Policy Students will study current topics in domestic public policy. They will examine the different sides of current domestic policy debates including social security, healthcare, education, and other issues. Students will also critically assess different arguments regarding the role of government in these spheres. Readings: Textbook: Textbook: Chapter 15; Taking Sides, Unit 3, Is the Welfare State Obsolete? Week Fourteen National Security and Foreign Policy Students will study current topics in American foreign policy. They will focus on current topics such as American military action throughout the world and competing debates regarding the most effective ways to ensure national security. Readings: Textbook: Chapter 16; Taking Sides, Unit 4, Is Indefinite Detention of Suspected Terrorists Justified? Week Fifteen FINAL EXAM * may vary slightly per instructor to suit their own needs Reviewed/revised by Peter Parides, Ph.D. & Stephanie Boyle, Ph.D. Date: December, 2015