POL 102 — Introduction to American Government
Fall Session Online - 2025
August 25 - December 18, 2025
Course Description: This class is conducted entirely online and therefore may be taken anywhere in the world and at your own pace, given that you are prepared for your online exams within the time period allotted. Lectures, exams and discussion are entirely online. POL 102 is a core course (Social and Behavioral Sciences, SBC;SBS;USA; Category DEC F under previous curriculum) covering the themes of the foundations of American government, institutions, and political behavior. The course is designed to achieve these objectives by introducing students to the academic study of American Government.
The first part of the course will discuss the major concepts and theoretical arguments in founding the U.S. Constitution. The second part of the course will apply these ideas in practice by studying the institutions established by the United States’ government. Lastly, we explore political behavior. in American politics.
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Readings: Barbour and Wright, 2025. Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship in American
Politics, 12th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA.: CQ Press/Sage Publications. ISBN: 9798348840952
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You should read a major daily newspaper (e.g., The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal) or watch several hours of news each week (e.g., Meet the Press - NBC: Sundays 10:30am, PBS NewsHour – PBS, Channel 13: 7pm weeknights) CNN, MSNBC, FOX, ABC
Grading: All work will be graded on an 0-100 scale. Scores of 100-94 receive an “A"; 93-90 an “A-"; 89-87 a “B+"; 86-84 a “B"; 83-80 a “B-"; 79-77 a “C+"; 76-74 a “C"; 73-70 a "C-"; 69-67 a “D+"; 66-64 a “D"; “63-60 a “D-"; and below 60 an “ F." Grades will consist of 3 online exams, and participation in the online discussion. The final exam will not be cumulative. Make-up exams will only be offered under extraordinary circumstances, i.e. a death in the family or medical emergency. Proper documentation is required. Note that simply visiting a doctor is not sufficient. There must be written documentation stating that the student was physically incapable of taking the exam within the online period allowed. All make-up exams must be completed within one week (7 days) of the original exam due-date. This window will only be increased for the most extreme cases. Failure to schedule a make-up exam within the allotted time will result in a grade of zero for the exam. The format of the make-up exam is left to the discretion of the instructor.
NOTE: BRIGHTSPACE POINTS WILL NOT RELECT YOUR ACCURATE GRADE!! DISCUSSION BOARDS ARE WORTH 15% OF YOUR GRADE WHILE THE EXAM AVERAGE IS 85%.
Objectives and Assessment: This goal of this course is to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the U.S. Constitution and how the American political system - both in theory and practice - developed and currently operates. This course is the foundation for all future scholarship in the study of American Government.
Initially we focus on U.S. Constitution and the principles it establishes. What was the theory of the founders' structure of federalism and how do the different branches of government work today? We then focus on the Civil Liberties and Civil Rights through a study of the Bill of Rights. What are your liberties and rights as an individual and what are their limits? What is a right? What is a liberty?
We then turn to the institutions established by the U.S. Constitution - the United States Congress, Executive and Supreme Court. How have the three branches evolved over time? What are their roles and how do they check and balance each other? How is policy chosen and implemented in this federal system?
The course will conclude with an examination of the political activities and beliefs of the public. Is the public well-informed about the government and the policies it considers? How do citizens shape public policy?
Assessment of student progress toward these objectives is accomplished through three midterm examinations and a final cumulative examination, along with a minimum of 5 unannounced quizzes as outlined in the "grading" section of this syllabus.