Course Description
An introduction to foundational political documents and the organization and behavior of the institutions, groups, and persons in American national government and politics. Introductory level course.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
CIVICS AND COMMUNITY STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Critically analyze claims, arguments, artifacts or information.
- Construct coherent, evidence-based arguments.
- Evaluate key concepts, principles, arguments, and contexts in founding documents of the American Republic, including the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and a representative selection of the Federalist Papers; and,
- Evaluate key milestones in progress and challenges in the effort to form a more perfect Union, including the arguments and contexts surrounding the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as other texts that reflect the breadth of American experiences.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| 3 tests | 60% |
| Individual short quizzes | 10% |
| Politics in Action | 20% |
| Discussion Forum posts and replies | 10% |
There are 1000 points available for this course. The grading scale is as follows:
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 900-1000 | A-, A |
| 800-900 | B-, B, B+ |
| 700-800 | C-, C, C+ |
| 600-700 | D-, D, D+ |
| below 600 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance/participation is not a graded component included in the student's final grade for this course.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.