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PLS 212: US Government II (3 Credits)
Overview

This course teaches an in depth understanding of the American political system. It includes topics of the presidency, Congress, Supreme Court, bureaucracy, domestic and foreign policy. Lecture 3 hours per week.

The general course objective is to introduce the student to the American political system. It is intended for liberal arts transfer students who need three semester hours of political science.

The student should have the ability to use the English language correctly and effectively as demonstrated on appropriate English proficiency examination.

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Objectives
 

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. define the concept of the presidency, how its sets the agenda and shapes behavior
  2. describe the Congress, how it makes law and represents constituencies of interest within the political system
  3. understand the how the Supreme Court interprets law, and the impact of its interpretation on our changing society
  4. understand the operation of the federal bureaucracy and how it applies law in our political system
  5. understand the inputs to economic policy and its impact on our economy
  6. understand the analytic tools to apply to health, education and welfare policy
  7. understand the historical context of U. S. military and foreign policy and its impact on America's role in a changing world
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Materials
 

"Now Showing" is a feature of this course that encourages you to view any or all of the film choices presented with weekly course content. You are required to select two of the films presented in the course, and answer the two Reflect questions associated with each film. Most of the films are well known and widely available through video rental and subscription services. It is your responsibility to locate the films you wish to view. The film titles are listed below:

  • All the President's Men
  • Advise and Consent
  • Bob Roberts
  • Primary Colors
  • Truman
  • The Terminal
  • As Good As It Gets
  • The Fog of War
  • Frost/Nixon
  • A Civil Action
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Dave
  • Argo
  • Restrepo
  • Remains of the Day
  • Charlie Wilson's War
  • Seven Days in May

   
Grading
 

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Assignment
Points
Percentage of Grade
Special essay 1 @ 50 points

50

5%
Discussion Forums – 14 forums @ 5 points each 70 70%
Special Response Assignments - 3 @ 50 points each 150 16%
Response Assignments - 9 @ 30 points each 270 27%
Now Showing - 2 films with Reflect questions @ 30 points each 60 6%
Proctored Exams (Midterm & Final) 400 40%
Total 1000 100%

Your final grade will be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least one of the two exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

A
900-1000
90-100
B
800-899
80-89
C
700-799
70-79
D
600-699
60-69
F
0-599
0-59
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Exams
 

There are 2 exams in this course.

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ELI Policies and Procedures
 
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Beginning the Course
 

Last Updated: February 18, 2016