POLS C180: American Government and Politics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/04/2024 |
| Top Code | 220700 - Political Science |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Open Entry/Open Exit | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
Formerly: PSCI C180. This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 110. Common Course Number: POLS C1000.C-ID: POLS 110.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Utilize political science theory and terminology to analyze how the national government of the United States and California state and local governments distribute political power, make laws and policies, and enforce or carry out these laws and policies.
- Utilize political science theory and terminology to assess the rights, liberties and obligations of U.S. citizens.
Course Objectives
- I Part 1: Objectives/Outcomes: At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
- I. 1. Explain the founding and development of the U.S. and California Constitution.
- I. 2. Critique governing institutions and political processes within the United States and California.
- I. 3. Employ introductory political science research methods to contextualize contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
- I. 4. Assess civil liberties and civil rights of individuals and groups as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitutions and subsequent court decisions.
- I. 5. Investigate the role of identity and political ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
- I. 6. Analyze how to effectively participate in politics at the national, state, county, and/or city levels.
Lecture Content
1. The purpose of government and nature of democratic governance a. Political philosophies that underlie democratic government b. Comparison of representative and direct democracy c. The value of, influences on, and consequences of participation and non-participation in democratic government 2. The U.S. and California Constitutions as frameworks for government a. Political philosophies of the framers and critics of the U.S. Constitution b. Processes for amending and interpreting the U.S. and California Constitutions 3. The theory and practice of federalism in the United States, focusing on California a. The framework and operation of federal, state, and local relations b. Interaction between the federal government and Native American tribes and entities 4. The structure and contemporary operations of federal, state, and local governing institutions in the United States and California including the a. Executive branch b. Legislative branch c. Judicial branch 5. Civil liberties and civil rights of individuals and groups a. Civil liberties and rights as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitutions and federal and state court decisions b. Contemporary and historical interactions between government and marginalized populations within the United States based on factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, class, ability status, age, citizenship status, language, religion, and/or other forms of identity 6. Individual and group behaviors within the context of the U.S. and California constitutions, including a. Elections, campaigns, and voting b. Political parties c. Interest groups d. Social movements 7. Factors that shape politics and policymaking including a. Political culture b. Political socialization c. Political ideologies d. Public opinion e. Media 8. Political issues and public policies a. Domestic b. Economic c. Foreign 9. Introductory research methods used in political science including a. Qualitative tools and techniques b. Quantitative tools and tech
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
- Video one-way (ITV, video) (63)
Instructional Techniques
A variety of instructional techniques will be employed to encompass different student learning styles. These may include, but are not limited to, lecture, discussion, and small group activities. Instruction will be supplemented, where appropriate, by PowerPoint presentations, electronic resources and technologies, guest speakers and field trips.
Reading Assignments
Students will complete reading assignments from the textbook as well as any supplemental reading based upon course readers, handouts, internet resources, and assignments from the Coastline Library.
Writing Assignments
Midterm and/or final exams will assess students ability to construct a coherent argument utilizing political science theory and concepts.
Out-of-class Assignments
Outside of the classroom students will do the required reading, study for quizzes and exams, and conduct research, where applicable, to prepare papers and essays.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Part 1: Examples of potential methods of evaluation used to observe or measure students achievement of course outcomes and objectives could include but are not limited to quizzes, exams, essays, field journals, projects, critical analysis papers, service learning, simulations, research demonstrations, etc. Methods of evaluation and appropriate representative assignments will be determined at the discretion of local faculty. Part 2: Students will demonstrate critical thinking through written work such as essays and papers as well as active participation in class discussions.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will be required to complete one or more essays as a component of the midterm and/or final exams and at least one additional paper.
Eligible Disciplines
Political science: Master's degree in political science, government, or international relations OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, any ethnic studies, J.D., or LL.B. OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Patterson, Thomas E. We the People: A Concise Introduction to American Politics, 15th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2024 Rationale: - 2. Required Wilson, James Q.; Bose, Meena; DiIulio Jr., John J. American Government: Institutions and Policies, 17th ed. Cengage Learning, 2022 3. Required Gerston, L., Christensen, T., Currin-Percival, M., and Percival, Garrick . California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach, 15th ed. Boston: Cengage, 2022 4. Required Krutz,G., Waskiewicz, S. . American Government , 3e ed. OpenStax OER, 2024 5. Required Henshen, B., Sidlow, E.. GOVT 12: Principles of American Government, 12th ed. Cengage Learning, 2025 6. Required Reti, S.. Introduction to California Government and Politics, ed. LibreTexts OER, 2023 7. Required Van Vechten, R.. California Politics: A Primer, 6th ed. CQ Press, 2021
Other Resources
1. Coastline Library