The goal of American National Politics is to provide the student with a good understanding of the organization and operation of the American national government.   This includes the historical foundations of our government, the organization and roles of the U.S. Congress, the Presidency, and the Courts, as well as the roles that citizens, elections, political parties, and the media play in our political system.

Through this course you will examine the fundamental constitutional foundation of our government, as well as how political institutions and the roles of various political actors have changed over time. As you complete the writing assignments you will reflect on how the course material relates to current events and to you personally.  Knowledge is power.  As an educated and informed citizen, you will enhance your ability to play a positive role in our nation’s political system.

There are no prerequisites for this course.  This is an introductory-level course that is suitable for all university students.
 

Bardes, Barbara A., Shelley, Mack C., and Schmidt, Steffen W.  American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials.  2006-2007 Edition.  Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education.  ISBN# 0-534-64733-2  (Paperback)

• You will be required to take two exams in order to complete this course, one midterm and one final exam. The final examination is not cumulative and will focus on the material covered in the second half of the course.  Each exam will include: 20 terms you will match with the correct definitions; three (3) short answer questions (selected from four questions posed), and; one essay question.  Short answers will vary in length, but will generally require 3 to 5 sentences.  Essay answers will generally require 1 to 1-1/2 hand-written pages, composed of complete sentences. 
• Exams will be graded on the basis of the “clarity and completeness” of your responses. In other words, using sentences and paragraphs, you should compose clear, unambiguous, and well-organized responses to each of the specific questions asked.  Good essays should also illustrate your thorough acquaintance with course readings. Include references to, and examples from, course readings wherever appropriate.
• You are allowed 90 minutes to finish each examination.  The examinations are closed book and require a proctor.  Students are required to identify proctors for their exams using the form provided in the back of the syllabus.
• In addition to the exams, you will be required to submit four (4) typewritten single-spaced assignments.  Each of these papers should be one to two pages in length.  The assignments will help you to synthesize the material in a given section.   These essay assignments require you to explain major concepts from the course readings, as well as to provide your personal analysis of how our political system functions today.  A good essay will be well-organized, with an easily recognized thesis/main point and a logical flow.  The writing assignments appear at the end of the syllabus.