School of Arts and Humanities POLS210 American Gov Essays

School of Arts and Humanities POLS210 American Government I 3 Credit Hours 8 Weeks Prerequisite(s): None Table of Contents Instructor Information Evaluation Procedures Course Description Grading Scale Course Scope Course Outline Course Objectives Policies Course Delivery Method Academic Services Course Resources Selected Bibliography Course Description (Catalog) POLS210 American Government I (3 hours) This is the first course in a two-course sequence in American Government. The course is designed to convey basic facts about the structure and functioning of the American political system. The philosophical foundation of the U.S. Constitution is explored and the federalist construct is examined. The functions of the three separate branches of government and their roles in policy making are a major focus. Course Objectives After successfully completing this course, you will be able to : CO-1 Explain the philosophical basis and functioning of the American republic. CO-2 Describe the historical foundations of the American government. CO-3 Explain the evolution of the U. S. Constitution. CO-4 Describe the types of political participation in a democratic system. CO-5 Explain the power and roles of the three branches of government. CO-6 Define the purpose and functions of the federal bureaucracy. CO-7 Explain the policy-making process in the federal system. CO-8 Identify the influences on political beliefs and behavior. Course Delivery Method This course delivered via distance learning will enable students to complete academic work in a flexible manner, completely online. Course materials and access to an online learning management system will be made available to each student. Assigned faculty will support the students throughout this eight-week course. Course Resources Lesson Notes The e-textbook in this course is entitled American Government by Krut z and Waskiewicz at https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/AmericanGovernment-LR.pdf Web r esources and a ssigned r eadings Students also must have a computer with access to the internet, per AP US guidelines, with Microsoft Office installed. If for some reason you do not have Office, please download Openoffice.org 's productivity suite, which is compatible with it. Please visit http://apus.libguides.com/er.php and search by the course number to access your required resources. Evaluation Procedures Grades for this course will be based upon three grading instruments; forums (8), quizzes, formal essays ( 3 ) , and a final presentation . There are eight weekly discussion questions that are provided in the f orums . A rubric explaining grading criteria is included in each weekly forum. The essays will cover functions of government in addressing public issues. The final presentation will be a PowerPoint presentation combining what was learned in the essays. R ubrics are included in the course. The grade scale for each of the evaluation tools is provided below: Grade Instruments: % of Final Grade Forum Topics 5 0% Weekly Quizzes 10% Week 3 Essay 1 0% Week 5 Essay 1 0% Final Presentation (Week 7 ) 2 0% 100% Forums The f orum s are the primary means of class . Each f orum requires that the student post one original response to a forum question. See the forum rubric for evaluation standards . The forums are set up so students must post their responses before being able to read what other students have researched and submitted. Each week there is a choice of two forum questions. A response is only required to one of them, but replies to other students should address responses in both questions. Please be sure that you have completed and proofread your work before posting it. You will not be able to delete or edit your work once you've submitted it, similar to the way exams and papers will not be returned for corrections after they have been submitted. Note: Satisfactorily m eeting forum minimum requirements will result in a grade of a C or higher (A, B, or C). It is not a guarantee that an A will be earned. Quizzes Each week has a ten-question quiz due . Questions are multiple choice and answers are taken from the readings in the lesson readings or the required textbook readings. All quizzes have a 30-minute time limit to complete them. Please study ahead of time because there will not be enough time to look up the answers to all ten questions during the quiz. Class Project Assignments Three short essays