This course is expected to introduce students to the American National Government's fundamentals. The course examines basic American political principles and practices, the Constitution, significant institutions, and civil liberties. The central goal of the course is to acquaint students with the complexities of the American political system.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
(LIBR 150 may be taken concurrently).
Competency
Humanities and Fine Arts
Course Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, the learner will be able to:
- Have acquired the tools to be a good citizen. Course gives a focus on the role of government in the lives of ordinary citizens. The specific goals of the course are to provide the following:
- Basic knowledge about the functions of government. Emphasize is given to the Constitution, the interrelationship between the three branches of government, the electoral process, and the roles of parties, media, public opinion and interest groups.
- Analytical skills to evaluate political arguments. Learner engage in a discussion on how different definitions of freedom inform the four basic arguments in American politics — liberal, conservative, libertarian and populist. Citizens presuppose different definitions of freedom when choosing between competing social goals (economic equality or economic liberty, social order or personal freedom).
- Opportunities to develop your own understanding of politics. Learner get numerous opportunities to choose between those competing social goals in class. For example, students will sit on a speech code committee to decide whether a particular act deserves expulsion from school; you will attempt to pass a balanced budget for the country, and you will rule on various judicial cases.