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Course Proposed By: Lisa Parshall, Assistant Professor 
Course Title: Introduction to American Politics (formerly, National 
Government; title change request pending) 
Credit Hours 3.0 
Department: History & Government 
Proposed Course Rubric: Government 
Course to be Taught By: Parshall 
Financial Considerations: N/A 
Date to be Offered: Fall, 2005 
Writing Intensive: No 
Is the course a core elective 
or part of a learning community? Core Elective 
Primary Competency: Civic Responsibility 
Secondary Competencies Contextual Competency 
Moral and Ethical Discernment 
Course Syllabus 
1. Course Title and Description: Introduction to American Politics 
This is an introductory-level course which exposes students to the basic structure and 
processes of the American political system. The course begins with the foundations of U.S. 
National government: the democratic theory underlying its founding, the Constitution, and the 
division of authority into national and state spheres. The course proceeds to an examination of 
the institutions that comprise the federal government. After examining the structure, powers and 
membership of the legislative, executive and judicial departments, we briefly examine the civil 
rights and liberties afforded by our system of government. The focus then shifts to the more 
complicated processes of government: the translation of social choice into political outcome. In 
so doing, we examine public opinion and the role of the media before moving to the more formal 
mechanisms of voting and participation. 
Linked to: N/A 
or NA (not applicable) 
2. Course prerequisites (if any): None 
3. Student Learning Objectives: 
A. Primary Competency: Civic Responsibility: 
Many citizens are unable to engage in meaningful civic participation because they have a deficit of 
knowledge regarding the structure, processes, and functioning of American politics. After successful 
completion of this course, students will be able to: 
1. Define and apply the basic terms, definitions and analytical constructs employed by the 
discipline of political science (i.e, politics, constitutionalism, republicanism, democracy, 
ideology, power, authority, partisan behavior, etc.) 

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2. Identify the causes of political conflict and the way in which the American system of 
government is designed to both maximize and minimize conflict. 
3. Identify the core ideas of the American political culture along with the agents and processes 
of political socialization. 
4. Differentiate between majoritarian, pluralist and elitist conceptions of democracy 
5. Define and discuss the tripartite structure of the national government and the institutional 
characteristics, powers and limitations of each of the three branches of government. 
6. Describe the legislative process and the role of parties and committees in how Congress 
functions. 
7. Describe and discuss the presidential selection process, including the role of primaries, 
political parties and the electoral college. 
8. Define judicial power and describe the hierarchy of judicial organization and structure. 
9. Define and give examples of civil liberties and civil rights and the degree to which they are 
protected by the American political system. 
10. Describe the general function of the bureaucracy, including cabinet departments, independent 
and regulatory agencies. 
11. Discuss and understand the various forms of democratic participation; identify conventional 
means of participation beyond voting. 
12. Identify the major factors that affect and shape public opinion and participation. 
13. Discuss the media’s role in governing, government regulation of the media, and the factors 
that promote uniformity in coverage by the American media. 
14. Relate the role played by interest groups and political parties to the various models of 
democracy. 
15. Follow current events in light of classroom discussion. 
B. Contextual Competency 
16. Trace the evolution of federalism and relate the shifting balance of national/state authority 
to historical events, elections and the exercise of judicial authority. 
17. Identify the factors supporting the development of a two party political system and trace the 
evolution of that system against the backdrop of historical events. 
18. Trace the evolution of presidential powers and the rise of the “modern” presidency. 
19. Describe the connection between presidential approval ratings and the economy, current 
events and/or national crises. 
20. Discuss the impact that partisan politics has on judicial selection and decision making. 
21. Differentiate between maintaining, deviated and critical elections and the processes 
underlying electoral realignments. 
C. Moral and Ethical Discernment 
22. Discuss the “Madisonian Dilemma” and the quest to balance majoritarian rule with minority 
rights. 
23. Identify and discuss the normative and empirical aspects inequality faced by political 
minorities. 
24. Recognize the importance of minor or third parties in a dominant two party system.

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4. Topic Outline and Readings: 
Required Text: 
—Janda, Berry & Goldman, The Challenge of Democracy (2002 7th ed.) Available at the 
College’s Bookstore. 
˜Any additional readings will be on reserve in Marion Library. 
Course & Reading Schedule: 
Week 1: Course Introduction 
Reading: Chapter 1 “Dilemmas of Democracy” 
Week 2: Foundations 
Reading: Chapter 2 “Majoritarian or Pluralist Democracy” 
Chapter 3 “The Constitution” 
Week 3: Federalism 
Reading: Chapter 4 “Federalism” 
Week 4: Institutions-The Legislature 
Reading: Chapter 11 “Congress: 
Week 5: Institutions -The Executive Branch 
Reading: Chapter 12 “The Presidency” 
Chapter 13 “The Bureaucracy” 
Week 6: Institutions-The Judiciary 
Reading: Chapter 14 “The Courts” 
Week 7: Civil Liberties 
Reading: Chapter 15 “Order and Civil Liberties” 
Week 8: Civil Rights 
Reading: Chapter 16 “Equality and Civil Rights” 
Week 9: Participation - Public Opinion 
Reading: Chapter 5 “Public Opinion and Political Socialization” 
Chapter 6 “The Media” 
Week 10: Participation -Collective Politics 
Reading: Chapter 8 “Political Parties” 
Chapter 10 “Interest Groups” 
Week 11: Participation - Voting and Elections 
Reading: Chapter 7 “Participation and Voting” 
Week 12: Participation - Voting and Elections 
Chapter 9 “Nominations, Elections and Campaigns” 
Week 13: Spring Break 
Week 14: Policy Making 
Reading: Chapter 17 “Policymaking” 
Week 15: Conclusions and Review

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5. Instructional methods: Lecture, classroom discussion and debate, research project 
6. Evaluation of Student Learning: 
Learning 
Objectives* 
Assignment (s) Percent of Grade 
15 Oral Participation and Attendance 10% 
1, Variable Written Assignments/Projects 10% 
1, 2-4, 14, 16-19, In-Class Exam 1 25% 
1, 5-9, 15, 20-21 In-Class Exam 2 25% 
1, 10-13, 22-24 Final 30% 
*Primary Competency Objectives indicated in Bold 
Secondary Objectives in Italics 
Tertiary Objectives in plain text