POLS G180: American Government and Politics
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/01/2024 |
| 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),
|
| 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 G180. 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. Enrollment Limitation: PSCI G181/ETHS G181; students who complete POLS C1000 may not enroll in or receive credit for PSCI G181 or ETHS G181. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 110. Common Course Number: POLS C1000.C-ID: POLS 110.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Describe the three branches of the national government and the constitutional powers with which each branch is endowed.
- Examine the rights and liberties of individuals as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitution and federal court decisions.
- Analyze the distribution of political power between the national government and the California state and local governments.
- Analyze contemporary American political issues utilizing introductory research methods.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain the founding and development of the U.S. and California Constitution.
- 2. Critique governing institutions and political processes within the United States and California.
- 3. Employ introductory political science research methods to contextualize contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
- 4. Assess civil liberties and civil rights of individuals and groups as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitutions and subsequent court decisions.
- 5. Investigate the role of identity and political ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
- 6. Analyze how to effectively participate in politics at the national, state, county, and/or city levels.
Lecture Content
The purpose of government and nature of democratic governance Political philosophies that underlie democratic government Comparison of representative and direct democracy The value of, influences on, and consequences of participation and nonparticipation in democratic government The U.S. and California Constitutions as frameworks for government Political philosophies of the framers and critics of the U.S. Constitution Processes for amending and interpreting the U.S. and California Constitutions The theory and practice of federalism in the United States, focusing on California The framework and operation of federal, state, and local relations Interaction between the federal government and Native American tribes and entities The structure and contemporary operations of federal, state, and local governing institutions in the United States and California, including the Executive branch Legislative branch Judicial branch Civil liberties and civil rights of individuals and groups Civil liberties and rights as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitutions and federal and state court decisions 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 Individual and group behaviors within the context of the U.S. and California constitutions, including Elections, campaigns, and voting Political parties Interest groups Social movements Factors that shape politics and policymaking, including Politic al culture Political socialization Political ideologies Public opinion Media Political issues and public policies Domestic Economic Foreign Introductory research methods used in political science, including Qualitative tools and techniques Quantitative tools and techniques
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Reading Assignments
Complete reading assignments in the assigned required text(s). Complete required online reading assignments from a variety of scholarly websites and journals. Complete reading of lectures (if applicable).
Writing Assignments
Written essays or other projects (i.e. interactive assignments) in which students will summarize and analyze opposing viewpoints, their assumptions and arguments, ideological foundations, and strengths and weaknesses relevant to various American political issues. Written term paper(s) in which students will utilize course content, appropriate investigative methods, and technologies to examine key political issues and analyze potential solutions to political problems. Written or oral presentation, discussion, and/or debate of their findings and their own interpretation of factual information.
Out-of-class Assignments
Primary research including attendance at scholarly lectures. Participation in discussions, presentations, debates. Secondary research within scholarly journals, books, articles and online resources/databases.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Evaluate the effectiveness of political processes in relation to contemporary political issues. Assess governmental policy and its effects on marginalized groups.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written essays or other projects (i.e. interactive assignments, term paper) in which students will summarize and analyze opposing viewpoints, their assumptions and arguments, ideological foundations, and strengths and weaknesses relevant to various American political issues. Written exams, essays, and/or papers identifying three problems with politics in California and proposals to solve them. In-class and/or online discussions presenting findings.
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 Thomas E. Patterson. We the People, 15th ed. McGraw Hill, 2024 Rationale: - 2. Required Krutz, Glen, Waskiewicz. American Government, 3rd ed. OpenStax (OER), 2024 3. Required Reti, Steven. Introduction to California Government and Politics, ed. LibreTexts (OER), 2023 4. Required Sidlow, Edward I., Henschen, Beth. Principles of American Government: GOVT, Enhanced, 11th ed. Cengage, 2024 5. Required Van Vechten, Susan. California Politics: A Primer, ed. CQ Press, 2021
Other Resources
1. Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History. Library of Congress. https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text .