POLS 0001. Introduction to American Government and Politics
Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the principles and problems of the American political system on national, state, and local levels. Includes discussion of constitutions, federalism and executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government. Other topics include political behavior, elections and parties, interest groups, and the policy making processes that address political issues. (C-ID POLS 110) (CSU, UC)
POLS 0001 - American Government
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/pols-0001/
Catalog Description Hours: 54 lecture Description: Introduction to the principles and problems of the American political system on national, state, and local levels. Includes discussion of constitutions, federalism and executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government. Other topics include political behavior, elections and parties, interest groups, and the policy making processes that address political issues. (C-ID POLS 110) (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Explain the key elements of the U.S. and California constitutions and describe how they have changed over time. CSLO #2: Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes within the national, state and local governments. CSLO #3: Explain the role of societal actors in influencing government policy. CSLO #4: Analyze the role of ideology, culture and diversity in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California. CSLO #5: Define civil liberties and civil rights, identify their sources and outline how and why they have changed over time. CSLO #6: Outline the policy making process at the national, state and local levels, analyzing relations amongst the three branches of government, social institutions and citizen participation. Effective Term Fall 2024 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. critically evaluate U.S. and California government using principles of democracy and/or American political values; 2. Analyze the role of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, class and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California. 3. differentiate the key elements of the U.S. and California constitutions and describe how they have changed over time; 4. define federalism and appraise it in the United States; 5. define civil rights and civil liberties, identify their sources and outline how and why they have changed over time; 6. evaluate the role of the media and determine how public opinion influences public policy; 7. analyze and critique the role and impact of interest groups and political parties in the national and state political systems; 8. explain and evaluate the national and state election processes; 9. compare the roles and powers of each of the three branches of government at the state and national levels; 10. define political bureaucracy, identify its roles and evaluate its performance; 11. outline the policy making processes at the state and national levels, analyzing relations amongst the three branches of government, social institutions and citizen participation; and 12. compare and contrast local government institutions and processes to the state and national levels. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Social Sciences CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSU - US2 Hist/Const/Amer Idea CSU - US3 Hist/Const/Amer Idea CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Essay Examinations Example: Employ identification, short answer, paragraph and essay questions on in-class, written exams. Example: describe the roles played by the media in politics. Graded based on rubric defining four roles and connection to public opinion. Objective Examinations Example: Respond to 100 multiple choice questions designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the United States Constitution. Example: The Bill of Rights reflects: a) elitism; b) anti-Federalist concerns; c) the goal of creating a stronger government; or, d) none of the above. Correct responses indicate student learning of key elements of the US constitution and the role of struggle. Projects Example: Select a book from an assigned reading list and present a six-page written analysis of its relevance to politics by incorporating all the appropriate materials covered throughout the semester. Graded on the demonstrated ability of students to apply key concepts and analyze effectively relevant material. Reports Example: Choose a current event article from a local or alternative newspaper/periodical concerning politics. Analyze in a two page formal paper your chosen article from the perspectives of the readings covered in our text book, "American at Odds: The Essentials." By next Thursday, post your paper to the class web board. By the following Thursday, you will need to post two, one-page, papers critiquing, both positively and negatively, two of the papers posted by your colleagues. We will spend the first fifteen minutes of class for the next two weeks discussing your articles and relating them to our course material. Essays and comments will be graded on the demonstrated ability of students to apply key concepts and analyze effectively relevant material. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor will provide lecture on the U.S. Constitution while students will take notes and ask and answer questions posed. Distance Learning Instructor will provide students with text and audio-visual learning materials (e.g. videos, PowerPoint, lecture notes) supported by textbook chapters on civil rights. Students will need to use this material to effectively participate in discussions that the instructor will monitor to provide clarification and correction when needed. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read chapter in textbook on Elections and identify the principles problems with them. 2. Read the Constitution of the United States and prepare to discuss it merits. 3. Read the newspaper (daily) or a news magazine (weekly) so that you can discuss recent political events in class. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Select a book from the assigned reading list and present a six-page analysis of its relevancy to politics by incorporating all appropriate materials covered throughout the semester. 2. Select two journal articles from the instructor's list and do an in-depth, written analysis of the connections to politics by utilizing specific information discussed throughout semester. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Research Paper: students will select a topic from the instructor's list, compile a research file on that topic, and produce a synthesis essay. Group Projects: students will make presentations to the class on a policy issue chosen from the instructor's list. Required Materials Struggle for Democracy Author: Greenberg & Page Publisher: Longman Publication Date: 2020 Text Edition: 13th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California Politics Author: Renee VanVechten Publisher: Sage Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: We The People Author: Patterson, Thomas Publisher: McGraw Hill Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 13th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Governing California Author: Anagnoson et al Publisher: Norton Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 8th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: We the People Author: Ginsberg, Benjamin Publisher: Norton Publication Date: 2022 Text Edition: 13th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
POLS 0018 - California Government
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/pols-0018/
Catalog Description Hours: 18 lecture Description: Introduction to politics and government in California. A survey of state and local institutions and processes. Fulfills California state and local government requirement for students who have taken the equivalent of POLS 0001 outside of California. Not open to students who have completed POLS 0005. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Place California state and local government into the context of relations with the federal government. CSLO #2: Outline the composition and interaction of the three branches of California’s government at the state level. CSLO #3: Outline the functions and composition of local government in California, identifying contrasts with the state government. CSLO #4: Explain the roles of ideas and social groups in political processes in the state. Effective Term Fall 2024 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 18 Outside of Class Hours 36 Total Student Learning Hours 54 Course Objectives 1. Discuss the evolution of the California constitution. 2. Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes at the state and local levels, referring to national institutions where appropriate. 3. Analyze contemporary political issues and policies in the state. 4. Outline civil liberties and civil rights in the state. 5. Analyze the influence of social diversity and ideologies in shaping public opinion and policy in the state. 6. Explain how to participate effectively in politics at the state and local levels. 7. Describe the relationship between state, local, and federal governments, with emphasis on California governments and the political process involved. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSU - US3 Hist/Const/Amer Idea Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: Students are required to post one response to instructor's questions on the discussion board and one response to a fellow student's response per week. Example: Should the initiative process in California be reformed? Grading based on rubric. Essay Examinations Example: Write an essay comparing local government institutions to the state's three branches of government. Graded based on Rubric. Objective Examinations Example: Answer 10 multiple choice questions on civil liberties and civil rights. Example: The populists who wrote the constitution discriminated against: a) Chinese immigrants; b) Spanish speakers; c) the rich; or, d) all of the above Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor provides lecture notes paired with powerpoint on the plural executive while students take notes and ask and answer questions. Distance Learning Instructor posts discussion questions on the website on participation in local governmental institutions and provides feedback on student posts. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read the assigned chapter in the textbook on the constitution and federalism and prepare to discuss in class. 2. Read an op-ed on direct democracy in the state and consider counter arguments. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Write an essay identifying three problems with politics in the state and proposals to solve them. 2. Respond to instructor prompts on the discussion board. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Governing California Author: Anagnoson Publisher: Norton Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 8th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California: Politcs of Diversity Author: Cummins & David Lawrence Publisher: Cengage Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 10th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California Politics Author: Van Vechten Publisher: Sage Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach Author: Gerston & Christensen Publisher: Cengage Publication Date: 2017 Text Edition: 14th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Guide to California Government Author: The League of Women Voters of California Publisher: The League of Women Voters of California Publication Date: 2015 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
...POLS 110 POLS 0001 POLS 120 POLS 0016 POLS 130 POLS 0002 POLS 140 POLS...
