POS 110 - American National Government

Description: Introduction to the historical backgrounds, governing principles, and institutions of the United States national government. Topics include the basic concepts, institutions and substance of American politics: separation of powers, representational democracy, rule of law, equality under law, federalism, public opinion interest groups and the election process. Exploration of the cultural and racial environment, impact of gender, class and immigration status, the rights of American Indians/Native peoples and Tribal Nations and the expansion of civil liberties for all Americans.

Disclaimer: This course is currently under review for eligibility as a General Education course. It will not fulfill a General Education requirement unless it is recognized as such by at least one of the three public state universities, and also accepted as a departmental elective by at least one other.

General Education Competency: Diversity

Credits: 3
Lecture: 3
Lab: 0

Course Content:

1. History of politics in America
2. Articles of Confederation and Constitution
3. Federalism
4. Congress
5. Presidency
6. Judiciary
7. Civil rights & liberties
8. Gerrymandering
9. Bureaucracy
10. Public opinion
11. Elections 
12. Political parties

1. Identify the various influences leading to the development of a democratic government in the U.S. (1)
2. Describe the structure of the US Constitution to distinguish the separation of powers, the function of federalism, the evolution of rights for citizens in the amendment process. (2)
3. Identify the specific and shared powers of the three branches of the federal government. (4-6)
4. Identify current and historical examples of federalism with states and tribal nations. (3)
5. Explain the process of adding amendments to the U.S. Constitution. (2)
6. Identify the sole duties and obligation of the National Government as "supreme law of the land". (2-7)
7. Identify characteristics of the two-party system from its inception at the time of the ratification of the US Constitution in 1791. (1, 8-12)
8. Describe the process and development of representational democracy. (11)
9. Describe the spectrum of political ideologies and issues facing the national government, including evidence from various perspectives on how the problem can be or was resolved. (1-11)