– Syllabus –
Objective
- Comprehend and evaluate past and current American forms of government and their historical context, and the processes, systems, and elements of the American democracy.
Assignments
- Will be delivered by email and course blog and homework websites.
Grading
- You will receive proportional points for the various assessments in this class that will total to 80% of your grade. These include: Readings, Online Submissions & Discussions, Classwork, Midterm, Paper, and Final Exam. The remaining 20% will be from your CW Debate Workshop.
Academic Honesty
- Your work is to be your own. Do not cut/paste, do not plagiarize. Cite your sources. Give credit where credit is due.
Revisions Policy
- Students may submit revisions of previously submitted work for additional credit, with the highest revision score a “B”.
- Students may submit corrections for all assessments except the final exam.
Course Materials
- Course Blog: www.mrbromleysclass.com/jsagov/
- Homework Tracking & Submissions: www.trackmyhw.com
- Textbook: Ginsberg, Lowi, Weir, and Spitzer, We the People: An Introduction to American Politics (GLW), 8th essentials ed.“
Active Reading
- In all printed readings:
- Mark “PK” in the margins for information that you already know (Prior Knowledge)
- Mark “NK” for new information about which you did not know (New Knowledge)
- Take margin notes on your reaction to what you read. Do not summarize. Be thoughtful and apply your PK and develop your NK
- Write at least one thoughtful question per page. (You should probably have more than one question per page)
Online Readings and Electronic Responses
- Homework instructions will have email and subject line instructions that you are to follow carefully.
- Blog and comment responses may be required
Midterm & Final Exam
- Dates, instructions, and study guides will be delivered in class and electronically
Term Paper
- Students will be graded on the process as well as the final paper.
- Instructions will be delivered during the second week of class.
Essential Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Analyze and evaluate forms of government using the concepts of “power” and “sovereignty, legitimacy and authority.”
- Understand and evaluate the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution and both their contextual and enduring meanings.
- Understand and explain the origins and basic principles of the U.S. Government, including distribution of power between state and national governments and the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
- Analyze and evaluate the significance of Federalism in shaping the American political system and its extents and limits in modern America.
- Question their political identity and that of others within the larger American political spectrum.
- Identify and describe the political structure, philosophy, extents and limits of the U.S. government from the Revolutionary era to the present.
- Understand and analyze concepts of self-governance and self-determination in the origins and developments of the US constitution and government.
- Analyze and evaluate the electoral process.
- Evaluate the role of the media in the U.S. political system.
- Explore and analyze the role of dissent and opposition in democratic government.
Teacher Contact Info
Michael Bromley
mlb@school4schools.com
C: (301) 633-1139