ABOUT THIS COURSE
An introduction to the principles and problems of government, with
particular attention to the American political systems at all
levels. This course will cover our democratic roots, the
Constitution, Federalism, Media, Political Parties, Elections,
Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, the Judiciary, Current Events
and structure, terminology, issues and problems in state and local
government. Emphasis is on the human factor in politics and the
realities of government at work. This course satisfies the state
college requirement on the Constitution of the United States,
state and local government.
Course Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
-
Describe the concept and
structure of American federalism and distinguish between the
various types of intergovernmental relations.
-
Describe the formation and
articulation of special interests that affect and are affected
by governments and their policies.
-
Evaluate the principles and
practices underlying the American electoral process and describe
its breadth and depth.
-
Describe in general terms the
structural organization of modern executive branch of government
and appraise the impact the executive branch has on political
life of the nation.
-
Describe the nature and
operation of the representative function in the American
political system, the structure and reorganization of the
legislative branch, and some of the functions and practices in
the legislative process.
-
Analyze the structure and
role of the court system in the United States, both as an
instrument of justice and as an integral part of the American
political system.
-
Appraise the role of the
individual relative to his or her society in a constitutional
democracy.
-
Describe in general terms the
spectrum of political thought in the U.S. and identify his or
her place in that spectrum on a variety of issues.
-
Select and describe a number
of key issues in public policy and policy making.
-
Write, with analysis, on a
current political topic.
|
Back | Top |
GETTING STARTED:
-
Purchase your book from the
Coastline Community College Bookstore.
http://www.coastlinebookstore.com
-
Read the Course Overview,
Syllabus, and
Assignments
sections in this web site and begin assignments that are found
in the first week of the Assignment Sheet. Check this website
during the semester for any changes. Also, check the Class
Discussion Forum for weekly updates from the instructor.
-
Complete and return the
Letter of Agreement.
-
If your zip code does
NOT start with one of the
following numbers listed: 900XX, 901XX, 902XX, 903XX, 904XX,
905XX, 906XX, 907XX, 908XX, 910XX, 911XX, 912XX, 917XX, 918XX,
926XX, 927XX, 928XX; then you will need to complete and return
the
Proctor Agreement Form. You may have your exam proctored by
an appropriate proctor at another College or University near
you. It is each student's responsibility to return the completed
proctor form to the Distance Learning Department by the end of
the first week of the course. Failure to mail the proctor form
to the department by the due date will result in students not
being allowed to have the exam proctored away from Coastline
Community College. This form is available on line at:
http://dl.coastline.edu/dlstudents/studentproctor.htm
If you qualify to take the
exams with a proctor, send in your Proctor Form this week.
Coastline Community College
Attention: Ann French
Distance Learning Department
11460 Warner Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-2597
714-241-6126
|
Back | Top |
COURSE MATERIALS:
Textbooks (Required): TWO (2) REQUIRED TEXT BOOKS
"We the People"
by Thomas E. Patterson (6th Edition) McGraw Hill 2006
"California Government"
by John L. Korey (4th Edition) Houghton Mifflin 2006
Optional Textbook
"We the People" Study
Guide
|
Back | Top |
EXAMS:
Reviews for Midterm and Final Examinations
Midterm and final reviews are available online from the
Exam
Reviews page.
Examinations:
You are required to take both a midterm and a final exam to
complete the course successfully. The multiple-choice exam
questions will be similar to the at-home quiz questions. In order
to receive credit for the objective portion of the exam, you will
be required to answer the essay question on the midterm exam. All
exam questions will be based on the course learning objectives.
On Site: The midterm
exam will be taken on-site or with a proctor.
The final exam is objective and will be taken online.
If you are a student having
your exams proctored, your exams will be mailed to your Proctor
approximately two weeks before the exams are due in the Distance
Learning Department. Please contact your Proctor a few weeks
before you are scheduled to complete the exam to ensure that the
correct tests have been sent. Handling of the examination is
the sole responsibility of the Proctor and should not be
personally mailed by the student. To do so may result in an
"F" in the course and the student will not be allowed to
re-enroll.
Alternate Testing Dates:
It is the students’ responsibility to attend regularly scheduled
exams for the Distance Learning course they are enrolled in. Exam
schedules are listed within the assignment section of each Student
Handbook and it is the students’ responsibility to verify that
these dates will not conflict with their schedule.
In the event the scheduled exam
date does present a conflict, the student must contact the
Distance Learning Department to schedule an alternate exam: (714)
241-6216. Alternate exam dates are limited and should be used for
“special situations” only. Alternate exam dates should be
BEFORE your regularly scheduled
exam, but may be taken after if neccesary.
You MUST call (714) 241-6216
to schedule an appointment for an alternate test date before
your regularly scheduled exam date has passed or contact
your instructor.
When taking exam:
-
Have your Coastline
student ID card and driver's license or photographic
identification ready to show the proctor at the exam site. You
will be unable to take your exam without proper identification.
If you have them ready when you come to the table to get your
exam, you will save time for all of us.
-
Be sure to bring a #2
pencil. Pencils are not provided. An exam SCANTRON
will be given to you at the exam.
-
Note: if you come with a
friend or a family member, you will be asked to sit at separate
tables.
-
Make arrangements for the
care of your children. DO NOT BRING CHILDREN OR SPOUSES TO
THE EXAM.
-
Eating, drinking, and smoking
are not allowed in the testing room.
|
Back | Top |
GRADE SCALE:
The final grade of Political Science 100 will be based upon the
number of points you earn on the midterm and final exams, quizzes,
and assignments.
The grade scale for the course
is as follows:
WITHDRAWALS FROM THE COURSE
Please call your instructor at 714-241-6136 x-2 or x-3,
if you encounter problems - academic or personal - that
make you consider withdrawing from this course. Your
instructor is here to help you succeed. If you must withdraw,
however, be aware that it is your responsibility to officially
withdraw. To withdraw, you must call (714) 438-8250.
The Family
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 restricts release of certain
student information, such as grades. Therefore, please do not call
the Testing Office for your final scores/grades. Grades can be
obtained by phoning (714) 438-8249 approximately three weeks after
the conclusion of the semester.
You may also contact your
instructors by e-mail at:
dl.polsci100@coastline.edu
