POLS C1000. American Government and Politics
Units: 3
Formerly known as POLS 1
Hours: 54 lecture
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. (C-ID POLS 110) (CSU, UC)
POLS C1000 - American Government and Politics
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/pols-c1000/
Catalog Description Formerly known as POLS 1 Hours: 54 lecture Description: 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. (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 2025 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Explain the founding and development of the U.S. and California Constitution. Critique governing institutions and political processes within the United States and California. Employ introductory political science research methods to contextualize contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California Assess civil liberties and civil rights of individuals and groups as articulated in the U.S. and California Constitutions and subsequent court decisions. Investigate the role of identity and political ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California. Analyze how to effectively participate in politics at the national, state, county, and/or city 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) Cal-GETC 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences 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: A Primer 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: 2024 Text Edition: 15th 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: American Government Author: Krutz and Waskiewicz Publisher: Publication Date: 2024 Text Edition: 3rd Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: OpenStax GOVT 12: Principles of American Government Author: Sidlow and Henschen Publisher: Publication Date: 2025 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Introduction to California Government and Politics Author: Reti Publisher: Publication Date: 2023 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: OER Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course. May also include supplementary materials such as, but not limited to, primary sources (e.g. The Federalist Papers), readers, etc.
POLS 0017 - Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/pols-0017/
Catalog Description Advisory: Completion of STAT C1000 with grade of "C" or better; completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in any POLS course Hours: 54 lecture Description: Surveys research methods employed in political science. Introduces research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, collection, interpretation, and reporting of research data, and the ethics of research. (C-ID POLS 160) (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Devise hypotheses concerning political behavior and plan appropriate and ethical research designs to evaluate. CSLO #2: Interpret data using inferential statistics. CSLO #3: Demonstrate and explain results of data collection and analysis. CSLO #4: Evaluate and synthesize published peer-reviewed research. Effective Term Fall 2025 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives 1. Explain the basic principles of the scientific method. 2. Explain the relationship between theory and research. 3. Describe general research designs, experimental and non-experimental methods, and standard research practices. 4. Select and defend research designs and data collection procedures appropriate to test hypotheses. 5. Critically evaluate reports of research findings, assess the generalizability of research results, and synthesize a body of research findings. 6. Explain the ethical treatment of participants in research and the institutional requirements for conducting research. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Social Sciences CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSUGE - D Social Sciences CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: On the discussion board, students will be required to post responses to questions about measuring qualitative variables. Essay Examinations Example: Write an essay on ethical issues and research design. Objective Examinations Example: Midterm consisting of 100 multiple choice questions covering the first half of the material. Example: Dependent variables: a) are what we want to explain; b) cause the thing we are studying; c) may not have a negative value; or, d) may not have a positive value. Problem Solving Examinations Example: Students are given data and told to perform regression and to present results with implications for research hypotheses provided in the problem. Projects Example: Students will be told to develop a proposed research design to explain a particular political outcome (e.g., voting turnout). Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor summarizes problems with operationalization while students take notes and ask and answer questions. Distance Learning Instructor provides quantitative data and instructions for a sorting exercise which students are to undertake after they read the text and watch the lecture. Students will use the discussion board to present their conclusions. The instructor will provide students afterward with constructive feedback. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read the assigned textbook chapter on the development of the empirical study of politics and prepare to offer examples in class. 2. Read the APSA journal article on typical problems with research designs and consider solutions. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Thirty-question objective exam on qualitative research. 2. Term paper comparing two different research designs employed by published authors. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) 1. Discussion of ethical questions that particular research designs raise on the Discussion Board. 2. Quantitative data handling exercise employing appropriate software. Required Materials Political Science Research Methods Author: Johnson & Reynolds Publisher: CQ Press Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 9th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Essentials of Political Analysis Author: Philip Pollock Publisher: CQPress Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The Basics of Social Research Author: Earl Babbie Publisher: Cengage Publication Date: 2016 Text Edition: 7th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Empirical Political Analysis Author: Rich, Brians, et al Publisher: Pearson Publication Date: 2018 Text Edition: 8th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis Author: Philip Pollock Publisher: CQPress Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
Political Science
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/departments/political-science/
Political Science is a disciplined study of power, politics, and government. Courses focus on political authority and the making of policy and rules. They also focus on how diverse ideas and interests produce political behavior such as cooperation and conflict. Understanding and explaining political problems permits students to critically consider solutions.
Understanding Course Descriptions
...COMM C1000 (formerly COMM 1), PSYC C1000 (formerly PSYC 100), POLS C1000 (formerly POLS 100...
GEOG 0002 - Cultural Geography
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/geog-0002/
...Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000 Hours: 54 lecture...Soc/Behav CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl...
HIST 0004A - Western Civilization to 1715
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/hist-0004a/
...Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000 Hours: 54 lecture...D6 History CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl...
HIST 0004B - Western Civilization since 1715
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/hist-0004b/
...Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000 Hours: 54 lecture...D6 History CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl...
