POL 111 - American National Government

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.