HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOL-101
1
Bergen Community College
Division of Business and Social Science
Department of Social Sciences
Course Syllabus
POL-101: American Government
Semester and year:
Section Number:
Meeting Times:
Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description:
This course is the study of the American national political system and the uses, options,
patterns, and limitations of public power. The course examines the theoretical roots of
government, the American adaptation of the Western political tradition, the Constitution,
decision making structures, the role of the people in government, political parties, lobbies,
and civil rights. Current policies and problems are analyzed and discussed.
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
General Education Course –Social Science
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course,
students will be able to:
2
List of Student Learning Outcomes and an appropriate assessment for each:
Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment:
1. Define basic concepts such as limited
government, checks and balances,
separation of power, federalism.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
2. State and describe the basic provisions of
the United States Constitution
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
3. Trace the evolution of power within the
national government, e.g., the modern
growth of executive and judicial power
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
4. Describe the roles of the public, political
parties, and interest groups in elections and
the making of policy.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
5. Recognize the diverse interests in the
American polity: ethnic, racial, regional,
economic, etc.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
6. Define, research, and analyze key issues
and controversies in contemporary
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
7. Explain and support his/her own views on
key political issues logically, coherently,
and concisely.
Exams/quizzes, papers, in-class, or online
discussions, writing assignments or other
activities selected by the instructor.
3
For General Education courses: indicate which Gen Ed/Essential Learning Outcomes
(EL1-11, below) are aligned with these Student Learning Outcomes* using a table:
SLOs: EL
1
EL
2
EL
3
EL
4
EL
5
EL
6
EL
7
EL
8
EL9 EL
10
EL1
1
1. x x x x
2. x x x
3. x x
4. x x x x x x
5. x x x x x x
6. x x x x x x x
7. x x x x x x
EL1-Effective Speaking
EL2-Effective Writing
EL3-Mathematical Reasoning
EL4-Scientific Reasoning
EL5-Technological Competency
EL6-Information and Media Literacy
EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis
EL8-Historical Analysis
EL9-Humanistic Analysis
EL10-Intercultural Awareness
EL11-Moral Literacy
*In accordance with the Standards for General Education Courses at Bergen Community
College (2013), all Gen Ed courses are required to address EL1, EL2, EL6, and EL11 (when
appropriate), in addition to the ELO that corresponds to its area of study (EL 3-5 and 7-9).
Political Science Signature Assignment:
Signature Assignment: Political Flashpoints in History
Objective: Choose a major event that served as a flashpoint in the political landscape of a
country or state. Analyze and deconstruct the elements that led to this event and evaluate its
effects on political change. Then, hypothesize an alternative outcome if this flashpoint had not
occurred.
1. Introduction: Select a major political event from history that significantly changed the
political landscape of a country or state (examples: the French Revolution, Tulsa
Massacre, Civil Rights Movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hurricane Katrina, the
Arab Spring, or the Black Matters Movement). In your introduction, provide a brief
overview of the event, including its historical context and significance.
2. Analysis of Key Elements: Analyze and break down the factors that led to this event.
Consider political, ideological, social, economic, cultural, and global influences. How
4
did these elements converge to create a tipping point? Address the roles of individuals,
groups, or movements that contributed to the outbreak of the event.
3. Impact of the Event: Explore how the flashpoint directly or indirectly caused change
in the political landscape. What were the immediate and long-term effects of the event
on the political system, power structures, and society? Discuss in what ways the event
caused a shift in governance, political alliances, or policy?
4. Alternative Outcome: Hypothesize what might have happened if the event had not
occurred. What would the political landscape of the country or state look like today
without this flashpoint? Present an analysis of how different factors might have played
out in the absence of the event. Would the political tensions have erupted differently, or
might the situation have remained stable? What other events or movements might have
replaced this flashpoint in influencing the political climate?
5. Conclusion: Summarize your findings and reflect on the significance of the event in
shaping the course of the political and social landscape of that country or state.
Consider the lessons that can be drawn from this analysis and how the study of political
flashpoints helps us better understand the dynamics of political change today.
Submission Options:
1. Presentation Slides and speaker notes
2. Paper presentation with Abstract.
*All submissions must include a reference list at the end.
Course Content:
This course is the study of the American national political system and the uses, options,
patterns, and limitations of public power. The course examines the theoretical roots of
government, the American adaptation of the Western political tradition, the Constitution,
decision making structures, the role of the people in government, political parties, lobbies, and
civil rights. Current policies and problems are analyzed and discussed.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
American Government: Power and Purpose, 17th Ed., Theodor Lowi, Benjamin Ginsberg,
Kenneth Shepsle, Stephen Ansolabehere; 2022 Norton. New York-London
Use standard bibliographical formats (author/s, title, publication information, ISBN).
Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s):
This course requires students to complete a variety of written assessments including, not
limited to assignments, research/term paper/book reviews, and exams/quizzes.
Grading Policy:
Final grades will be computed on the following basis:
Assignments/Discussions 20%
5
Paper 30%
Exams 50%
Numerical grading assignment:
90-100 = A 85- 89 = B+
80-84 = B 75 -79 = C+
70-74 = C 60 -69 = D
59- < = F
Extensions and/or make-up exams/quizzes will only be granted if, and only if, approval has
been obtained from the instructor and due to exigent circumstances substantiated by valid
documentation. Approval will be contingent upon requests made before the deadline and/or
scheduled date of exam/quiz.
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor
for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course
outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements:
Examples:
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services:
Syllabus Statements | Bergen Community College
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its
programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a
result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course
requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special
Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any
academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works
6
with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without
their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in
partnership with faculty and all other student service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad
variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services
including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at
https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College
Course Outline and Calendar:
Date: Topic/Activity: Learning
Outcomes: Assignments/Events:
Week 1 Governance and
Representations: Types of
Government
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 2 We the People: Birth of the
United States
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 3 Federalism and Separation of
Power
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 4 U.S. Amendments and Bill of 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
7
Rights class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 5 Civil Liberties and Civil
Rights
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 6 Legislative Branch 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 7 Executive Branch and the
Power of Presidents
1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 8 Judicial Branch 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 9 Political Parties 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 10 Elections 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 11 Groups and Interest 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 12 Public Opinion 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
8
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 13 Role of Media 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 14 Economic and Public Policy 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Week 15 Foreign Policy 1-7 Exams/quizzes, papers, in-
class, or online discussions,
writing assignments or other
activities selected by the
instructor.
Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to
change, depending upon the progress of the class.