|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 201"
COURSE NAME: "American Government: Democracy, Federalism and the Separation of Powers"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Pamela Harris
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
M-F 11-13
|
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the basic concepts of the American constitutional system of government, and its major strengths and weaknesses, starting from the main principles supposed to be animating American government – democracy, federalism, the separation of powers, checks and balances – and focusing on the Constitution itself and contemporary debates surrounding its meaning. It also strives to understand the institutions – legislative, executive and judicial – that simultaneously embody and challenge these governing principles. Strong attention will be paid to the role of state and local governments, and the different roles of “the people” in the American system of government, as citizens, electors, rights-bearers, violent mobs and peaceful agents of political change. Students will keep abreast of current events in American politics, paying attention to the systematic threats to American democracy and prospects for preserving it.
|
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
1. Introduction to American democracy
2. The American Constitution: history
3. Federalism
4. Legislative Branch
5. Executive Branch
6. Judicial Branch
7. Race and American Politics: slavery, discrimination, civil rights, voting and representation,
political violence and white supremacy
8. Civil Liberties: speech, religion, guns, privacy
9. State Governments
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Understanding of the basic principles animating American government.
2. Familiarity with the institutional mechanisms of American government.
3. Ability to understand and critically evaluate the interplay between principles and institutions.
4. Enriched understanding of contemporary U.S. politics
|
TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| American Politics and Society, 10th edition | David McKay | Wiley | 978-1-119-57836-9 | | 2013 edition available on Proquest: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.jcu.idm.oclc.org/lib/johncabot/detail.action?docID=7103472
| Hard Copy | | https://www.wiley.com/en-us/American+Politics+and+Society%2C+10th+Edition-p-9781119578369 |
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation | | 10% |
| Midterm examination |
| 20% |
| Research Paper | | 25% |
| Final examination | | 30% |
| Federalist Paper paper | Write a 5-page (1250 word) paper critically reflecting on one of the Federalist Papers. | 15% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class participation, for which attendance is fundamental, counts for 10% of the final grade. You are allowed 2 "free" absences, beyond which they may start to pull down this part of your grade. When taking one of these free absences, you may attend class remotely.
|
|
|
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
|
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
|
|
|
SCHEDULE
|
|
|
1 Introduction to American democracy
2 Constitutional history
3 Federalism
4 Legislative Branch
5-6 Executive Branch
7 Midterm review and examination
8-9 Judicial Branch
10-11 Race and American Government
12-13 Civil Liberties: guns, speech, religion, reproductive freedom
14 State governments
15. The future of American democracy
|
|
|