Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 General Catalog
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POL 111 - American National Government


Course Department: Social Science
Last Date of Approval: Fall 2021

3 Credits
Total Lecture Hours: 45
Total Lab Hours: 0
Total Clinical Hours: 0
Total Work-Based Experience Hours: 0

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to American national government and politics, including major concepts and theories relating to the general principles, institutions, processes, functions, and powers of government. It also introduces students to specific public policies and problems of representative government at the national level. Topics covered include democracy, political values, constitutionalism, federalism, civil liberties, civil rights, political participation, political parties, interest groups, media, bureaucracy, political campaigns, and elections. In addition, the course examines contemporary political issues and evaluates them from the perspective of various political ideologies and theories. Knowledge of government and politics, an awareness of current issues, and an understanding of the rights and duties of citizens, are important skills for achieving success in many occupations and professions, while also contributing directly to civic responsibility and a higher quality of life.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: None

Mode(s) of Instruction: traditional/face-to-face, virtual, and/or online

Credit for Prior Learning: This course offers an opportunity for students to earn Credit for Prior Learning for skills that they have brought with them to Iowa Central. For more information, please ask the instructor and see the Iowa Central Community College catalog.

Course Fees: None

Common Course Assessment(s): None

Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
A. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of government and politics and apply those concepts to the modern American experience.

  1. Distinguish between the concepts of government and politics, and provide examples of each.
  2. Identify and assess the main powers and functions of American system of national government.
  3. Identify the main political actors in the American system of national government and politics.
  4. Compare and contrast various political theories, such as pluralism and elite theory.
  5. Provide examples of political issues and the role of scarcity and values in influencing political debate on such issues.

B. Describe and assess the main political institutions and their functions and processes in the operation of the American system of national government.

  1. Identify the main political institutions of the American system of national government.
  2. Describe the main institutions and processes of the legislative branch of the American system of national government.
  3. Describe the main institutions and processes of the executive branch of the American system of national government.
  4. Describe the main institutions and processes of the judicial branch of the American system of national government.
  5. Evaluate the relative importance of the three branches of the American national government.

C. Analyze the cultural and historical influences on the development of the American system of government.

  1. Analyze the role of political culture in the evolution of the American system of national government.
  2. Evaluate the role of democracy and republicanism in the evolution of the American system of national government.
  3. Compare and contrast democratic and dictatorial forms of government.
  4. Trace the origins and most important features of the U.S. Constitution and its amendment process.
  5. Assess the importance of checks and balances and separation of powers in the American system of government.

D. Evaluate the past and present roles of government in American society and the electorate.

  1. Trace the development of American federalism and evaluate its impact on the American system of national government over time.
  2. Provide examples of notable controversies centering on federalism and the related role of federal and state governments.
  3. Distinguish between direct and indirect forms of democracy and provide examples of each in the American experience.
  4. Describe and assess each major step of the lawmaking process, including that of judicial review.
  5. Evaluate the functions of the party primaries and caucuses, general elections, and the Electoral College in the American electoral system.

E. Evaluate common forms of American political participation and the main influences on that behavior.

  1. Identify common forms of American political participation and the main influences on that behavior.
  2. Evaluate the main functions of the media on the American system of government and politics.
  3. Evaluate the main functions of political campaigns and elections on the American system of government and politics.
  4. Evaluate the main functions of political parties on the American system of government and politics.
  5. Evaluate the main functions of interest groups on the American system of government and politics.

F. Identify and evaluate the role of civil rights and civil liberties in the evolution of the American system of government and politics.

  1. Differentiate between civil rights and civil liberties, and provide examples of both concepts.
  2. Trace the historic evolution of civil rights in the American system of government and politics.
  3. Trace the historic evolution of civil liberties in the American system of government and politics.
  4. Provide examples of notable pieces of legislation and landmark judicial cases relating to civil liberties and civil rights.
  5. Evaluate the contemporary role of civil rights and civil liberties issues in the American system of government and politics.

G. Interpret past and present political issues from the perspectives of different political ideologies and theories.

  1. Identify the most important American political ideologies and provide examples of related issue stances.
  2. Describe the American political spectrum and pinpoint major political ideologies on that spectrum.
  3. Evaluate the role of government in addressing political issues, as articulated by major American political theories, political ideologies, and political parties.
  4. Provide examples of notable U.S. Supreme Court cases involving controversial issues, and evaluate those cases from the perspective of different political ideologies or theories.
  5. Provide examples of major domestic and foreign policy issues and evaluate those issues from the perspective of different political ideologies or theories.



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