MW 12:30-1:45pm
The student will describe and analyze the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution, the role of voters, political parties, campaigns, and the structure and processes of the three branches of the national government.
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to the organization and function of the U.S. national government. Its course topics include the U.S. Constitution, the federal system, political participation, the presidency, the executive bureaucracy, Congress, the courts, and the role of the media.
Faculty Contact Information
Tues 1-2:30pm; Wed 2-3:30pm; by appointment
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the relationships between political life and the cultural ideas of American democracy
- Describe formal government institutions and legal structures and political behavior and processes
- Describe the political systems of other countries, identify international organizations, and explain the relationships between nations
- Analyze and evaluate political phenomena
- Demonstrate an understanding of and skill in the process of social scientific inquiry
- Make explicit and analyze value judgments about political decisions and policies
- Explain the social-psychological sources and historical-cultural origins of their own political attitudes and values, and analyze critically the personal and social implications of alternative values
- Demonstrate an understanding of the capacities and skills needed to participate effectively and democratically in society.
American Governemnt 3e (2021). OPENSTAX.org. Rice University
Course Structure and Learning Approach:
Each week we will meet and have a mix of lecture, discussion, videos, and in-class activities. Students should attend lectures, take notes, read assigned materials before each class, ask questions, and engage in class discussions.
Grades will be based on the following:
Assignment | Points |
In-Class Activities | 130 |
Quizzes (6) | 90 |
Milestones | 150 |
Exit Slips | 50 |
Final Project | 80 |
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Scale:
A: 500-450
B: 449-400
C: 399-350
D: 349-300
F: 299- Lower
Evaluation and Assessment Methods:
In-Class Activities (130pts): Students participate in class, interact with the material, instructor, and peers, follow class rules and norms, and have fun! Class points are earned through active engagement in class activities and weekly submission of the Module Guide.
Quizzes (90pts): There are 6 quizzes required in this course.
Milestones (150pts): The midterm will consist of short- answer, short essay, fill in the blank, and true or false. It will draw from key terms, themes, concepts, and people covered in the first half of the course. Study guide will be posted on Blackboard prior to the exam. Make up exams may be scheduled for extenuating circumstances with documentation and proper notification to me.
Exit Slips (50pts)
Final Project/Presentation (80pts): This paper is an opportunity for you to synthesize and apply what you’ve learned throughout the course. For this paper, you will develop a historical argument on a specific claim within the U.S. History to 1865 parameter. This should be framed with narrowly defined substantial ideas relating to your selected topic.
The research paper will be completed in stages, including topic selection, thesis development, annotated bibliography, draft submission, and final paper. This process is designed to support skill development in historical research, argumentation, and revision.
As an additional and last step, you will investigate the legacy the historical concepts may hold today.
Extra Credit:
Extra Credit will be offered throughout the semester by the professor.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
College Policies, Resources and Supports
College Policies
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation
Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the
Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
Resources
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit
Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
• Clubs and organizations
• Counseling and referral services
• Office of disability services
• Student complaint policy
• Transfer services
3 KCC Syllabi
• Tutoring services, etc.
Copyright & Syllabus Disclaimer
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further
information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
AI Policy
Text- generating software (such as ChatGPT, iA Writer, Marmot or Botowski) should be avoided. These programs should not be used to evade doing your own work and/or copy text/ideas without proper citation.
In addition, AI programs can have implicit bias, and even present incorrect information.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend every class and participate in class discussions and activities to ensure maximum class engagement and success. This means being prepared prior to coming to class by completing assigned readings, Adaptive Courseware assignments, and milestones. All assignments must be posted by the due date listed in the course schedule.
Canceled Class or Holiday:
If a session does not meet due to cancellation or holiday, instructors will provide an alternative learning activity that students must complete outside of class time in order to replace the missed face-to-face time.
Posting and Participation Policy:
In order for you to receive the maximum points for each assignment, students need to achieve mastery on the assignment’s competency. Be sure you review the course rubrics for specific requirements. You need to come to class on time and be active in class discussions and activities.
Late Policy:
All work will be turned in by the assignment deadline. Extensions may be granted at the instructor’s discretion.
Extensions may be granted for:
- Extenuating circumstances. Students must communicate this need to the instructor, preferably prior to the due date, and the two will agree to a revised timeline. Twenty-four to forty-eight hours is considered standard for grace periods. Instructors may alter this depending upon the circumstances.
- Severe extenuating circumstances can be determined and negotiated, in consultation with the student’s coach/advisor. These circumstances may include medical emergencies or other situations that severely impact the student’s ability to complete course work.
- ADA accommodations that have been issued by the ADA Coordinator. All ADA accommodations will take precedence over instructor and departmental policies.
Course Schedule
Week 1 8/17-8/23 | Welcome | Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment
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Week 2 8/24 – 8/30 | Module 2: American Federalism and the Constitution | Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Exit Slip 1 due Sun, 8/30 -Quiz 1, due Sun, 8/30
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Week 3 8/31 -9/6 | Module 2 cont’d: American Federalism and the Constitution | Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Milestone 1A due Sun, 9/6 |
Week 4 9/7 – 9/13 | Module 3: Congress - The Legislative Branch | Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Milestone 1B due Sun, 9/13 -Quiz 2 |
Week 5 9/14 – 9/20 | Module 4: The Judiciary Branch and the Evolution of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Quiz 3 due Sun, 9/20 |
Week 6 9/21 – 9/27 | Module 4 cont’d: The Judiciary Branch and the Evolution of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment |
Week 7 9/28 – 10/4
| Module 5: Roundtable Conversations - Norms and Policy Issues
| Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Milestone 2A- Roundtable Discussion Worksheet due Sun, 10/4 -Exit Slip- Module 5 due Sun, 10/4 |
Week 8 10/5 – 10/11 | Module 6: Roundtable Conversations & Reflections | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment |
Week 9 10/12-10/18 | Module 6 cont’d: Roundtable Conversations & Reflections | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Milestone 2B: Roundtable Discussion and Reflection due Sun, 10/18 |
Week 10 10/19 – 10/25 | Module 7: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy
| Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment
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Week 11 10/26 – 11/1 | Module 7 cont’d: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Quiz 4 due Sun, 11/1 |
Week 12 11/2 – 11/8 | Module 8: The Media and Political Participation
| Submissions: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Exit Slip- Module 8 due Sun, 11/8 -Quiz 5 due Sun 11/8 |
Week 13 11/9 – 11/15 | Module 8 cont’d: The Media and Political Participation | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment -Milestone 3 due Sun, 11/15 |
Week 14 11/16 – 11/22 | Module 9: How to get Involved - Writing a Policy Memo | Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment (Intro Final Project) -Quiz 6 due sun 11/22 |
Week 15 11/23- 11/29
| Module 9 cont’d: How to get Involved - Writing a Policy Memo
| Submission: -In-Class Activity Assignment |
Week 16 11/30 – 12/6 | Prepare for final | Final Project |
Week 17 Mon, Dec 7th, 12pm-1:50pm | Final Project (cont'd) | |
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College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.