PSC 201sps: American Government, Syllabus for SPS accelerated course.

Last revised 12 Mar. '07 by Dr. Jeremy Lewis,

PURPOSE: Catalog description for 201: The fundamental principles of American government, the framing of the US Constitution; the basic structure and functions of the federal legislature, executive and judiciary; the articulation of public opinion via interest groups and parties to political leaders and legislation.

We will examine the design of the US Constitution and the intent of the Framers, then move forward to consideration of the modern functioning of interest groups and public opinion, the three branches of the federal government, the method of their election or appointment, and the results of their work in public policy.

Learning objectives:

understanding of the constitutional provisions of US government
knowledge of the means of public leadership via the parties, interest groups and mass media
knowledge of the process of US policymaking
critical thinking about the relationship of institutions of US government
critical thinking about the process of making public policy

Expected Outcomes:

critical discussion about the relationship among the branches of government

critical discussion of the values of the US constitution

critical discussion of the values of the US political culture and US policy

essays and a paper demonstrating critical thinking about the US constitution, values, institutions and policy

ABOUT THE BOOK:

There will be a loose rhythm for each topic (except where current affairs intrude): we shall generally first discuss the principles in Janda's Challenge; then explore Janda's data charts and then hold further discussion or watch a brief video documentary.

Main text: Janda, Berry and Goldman, Challenge of Democracy, Brief Edition (Boston: Houghton Mifflin). A leading text: provocative, lively, theoretical -- and now with online supplements.

The Janda text focuses on the dilemmas of democracy: freedom versus order and equality versus freedom. Itis one of the leading American Government texts on the market, and takes an up to date approach. Students seem to enjoy its provocative treatment of the democratic dilemmas, its applying normative theories of politics, and its exploring comparisons between the U.S. and other countries. It also has many references to websites.

Behavior:

You are expected to comply with the HC honor Code and with specific rules placed on our Requirements page above.

Students With Disabilities, HC notice:
"Huntingdon College makes every reasonable accommodation for disabilities that have been processed and approved through our Disability Services Committee in accord with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to request disability-related services at Huntingdon College, students must seft-identify to the Disabilities Intake Coordinator, Sandy Montgomery, and provide appropriate and up-to-date documentation to verify their disability or special needs. After the accommodations have been approved by the Disability Services Committee, the 504 Coordinator, Dr. Sid Stubbs, will notify your professor(s) of the Committee's decision. If you have any questions regarding reasonable accommodation or need to request disability-related services, please contact Disability Services at (334) 833-4432 or e-mail disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu."