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| Course ID: | POLS 1101. 3 hours. | | Course Title: | American Government | Course
Description: | Fundamentals of the American government, including the philosophical and constitutional foundations, political institutions and main actors, such as Congress and the presidency, democratic practices such as voting, political participation, and civil rights and liberties. Includes a closer look at the State of Georgia, its constitution, and political system. | | Oasis Title: | American Government | | Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in POLS 1101E, POLS 1101H, POLS 1101S | Semester Course
Offered: | Offered fall, spring and summer semester every year. | | Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
| | Course Objectives: | This course introduces students to the history, processes, and institutions of
American Government. Students will learn how laws are made, enforced, and
interpreted by the three branches of the U.S. government, as well as the importance
of poltical parties, interest groups, and civil rights and civil liberties in the
American political system. Similar topics will be studied with regard to Georgia's
state govenment, with particular attention to the Georgia state constitution.
Throughout the course, students will demonstrate their understanding through a
critical examination of the facts and principles of American government, they will
learn theories about American government and how to evaluate them, they will
practice their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and they will learn to
apply these skills to ethical problems in the community. Students may be evaluated
based on examinations, research papers, class discussion, presentations, and/or
homework. | | Topical Outline: | POSSIBLE TOPICS:
The U.S. Constitution
The Georgia Constitution
Federalism
Civil Rights
Civil Liberties
Congress
The Presidency
The Bureacuracy
The Legal System
Public Opinion
Voting, Campaigns, and Elections
Political Parties
Interest Groups
The News Media
Domestic Policy
Foreign Policy | | Honor Code Reference: | All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before
performing academic work. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and
ignorance is not an acceptable defense. Also note that the course syllabus is a
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the
instructor may be necessary. | |
Syllabus:
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