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POL 201 (ONLINE COURSE)
Introduction to Political Science and American
Government
[Go Back to Reece's Main
Page]
Overview
There is no on-campus or online orientation associated with this
course. There is a general online orientation offered through
Cerritos College that you may want to take if this is your first
online course. You will find the general online orientation at
www.cerritos.edu/de/. If you are already familiar with online
education courses at Cerritos College, then you are ready to get
started in this course by thoroughly reading the syllabus. Everything you need to know about getting started and what
to expect throughout the term can be found in the syllabus (see
below).
Syllabus
Contact Information
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Bryan
Reece, Professor of Political Science
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Office: Social Science Building, Room 14
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Phone: (562) 860-2451 x2755
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E-mail:
breece@cerritos.edu
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Office Hours (see semester schedule on
Reece home page)
Course Description
Political Science 201 (Introduction to Political Science and American
Government) is a three (3) unit course that is transferable to CSUs, UCs and
almost all private universities (e.g., USC). There are no prerequisites of
co-requisites associated with this course; however, it is strongly
recommended that students have satisfactorily completed the English
Placement Process or ENGL 52 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or “C” or
higher and satisfactorily completed the Reading Placement Process or READ 54
with a grade of Credit or “C” or higher.
This course is an introductory survey of the field of political science
focusing on the major concepts, theories, institutions, processes and
policies of government in the United States at the national, state, and
local levels. The class is intended for college transfer students,
especially political science majors. The course has substantial overlap of
content with POL 101. In consequence, it is recommended that you take either
101 or 201. If you choose to take POL 101 and POL 201, the Political Science
Department strongly encourages you take the two courses from different
instructors.
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I have structured this course
with some specific instructional goals in mind. Through this course, it is
my hope that students gain:
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Required
Course Materials
The text you will be using for this course is
American Government, 8th Edition, by Karen O'Connor and Larry J.
Sabato. The book is available through the Cerritos College Bookstore and is
required for the course.
You are also required
to purchase access to Mypoliscilab 2.0 (MPSL) for this course. MPSL is the
online portal associated with the text and holds additional content that is
required throughout the term.
You may purchase used copies of the text; however,
you must purchase a unique (new) Mypoliscilab booklet for the course. I
recommend that you look for a shrink-wrapped package in the bookstore. A
shrink-wrapped package includes the book and the Mypoliscilab booklet in one unit.
Students are required to have access to a
computer with an Internet connection and multimedia capabilities. You must
be able to go online with the computer and watch or listen to streaming
media files. A
significant amount of work in this class will be done online. You may use
the campus computers available to students in various computing labs (e.g., Computer Assisted Instruction Lab)
or any other computer (work computer, home computer, etc.). If you plan to use
campus computers, you will need to purchase headphones in order to hear audio
and video files.
Students must also have
an email account to complete this course. If you do not already have an
account, you can get a free email account through online services such as Hotmail
and Yahoo (see www.hotmail.com or
www.yahoo.com).
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Assignments and Grading
Readings
There are 18 chapters you must complete for this course. Each chapter
consists of reading materials, online exercises and multimedia materials.
Once you have purchased the required text and corresponding Mypoliscilab
booklet, you will have all the materials you need to complete this course.
Chapter Exams
After each chapter, you will be required to take
the online chapter exam. The exams are open-book and each is equally
weighted.
Debates and
Roundtable Quizzes
There are several streaming debates and roundtable
discussions at Mypoliscilab. You will be required to watch/listen to a
couple of these each week. After you have listened to each, you will be
required to complete the corresponding online quiz. The quizzes are multiple
choice and will be administered as open-book quizzes.
Weekly News Review
You will be required to follow the news on a
weekly basis. To do this you must read the six (6) articles that are summarized
each week in Mypoliscilab and take the corresponding quiz. The news
summaries and corresponding quizzes are offered online through Mypoliscilab.
The quizzes are multiple choice and are administered as open-book.
Online Activities
There are about 100 activities offered at
Mypoliscilab (several per chapter). In each chapter you will find
"simulations," "visual literacy" exercises, interactive "timelines" and
"comparative" activities. These are all known as online activities and are
designed to help students master the chapter content. You are required to
complete approximately one activity per chapter. You get to pick the one
that is most compelling to you. After you have completed the exercise, you
must take the corresponding online quiz.
Discussion Forum
Each week (starting in week two) you are required
to post at least two comments in the course discussion forum. I will be
posting discussion questions on a regular basis. You can reply to my
discussion questions directly or reply to other student comments. Your
discussion participation will be worth a total of 100 points. You will be
graded on the frequency and quality of your submissions. For full credit,
you must post two comments per week that are thoughtful and grammatically
correct. For full credit, each post should be 3-4 sentences.
Essay
You will be required to submit two essay for this
class. Details are provided at the essay assignment area online.
Weighting
of Exams and Assignments
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Chapter Exams = 30% of
Final Grade
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Roundtable Quizzes
= 10% of
Final Grade
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Debate Quizzes
= 10% of
Final Grade
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News Quizzes = 15% of
Final Grade
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Online Activity Quizzes = 10% of
Final Grade
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Discussion Forum Participation = 10% of
Final Grade
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Essay = 15% of
Final Grade
Grading Scale
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A = at least 90% of
points possible
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B = at least 80% of
points possible
-
C = at least 70% of
points possible
-
D = at least 60% of
points possible
-
F = less than 60% of
points possible
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Assignments
Schedule
For this schedule, we will consider the first day of the week to
be Monday and the last day of the week to be Sunday. Assignments required
during any given week are to be completed and submitted by midnight on
Sunday of that week. For example, all assignments required for the first
week are due by midnight on Sunday of the first week.
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Dates |
Chapters |
Assignments |
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Week 1
Starts 8/15 |
Chap 1
The Political Landscape |
Administrative:
Register Mypoliscilab with
Course ID #
reece18899
Readings: Read chapter; submit
chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete one
online activity from chapter; submit quiz
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on "Self Government"; submit quiz
• Roundtable on "Intent of the Framers"; submit quiz |
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Week 2
Starts 8/22 |
Chap 2
The Constitution |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete one
online activity from chapter; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Debate on "Church and State"; submit quiz |
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Week 3
Starts 8/29 |
Chap 3
Federalism |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete one
online activity from chapter; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Roundtable on "Contemporary Federalism"; submit quiz
•
Debate on "Gun Control"; submit quiz |
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Week 4
Starts 9/5 |
Chap 4
State and Local Government |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Activity:
Complete TWO online activities from chapter; submit quizzes
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates |
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Week 5
Starts 9/12 |
Chap 5
Civil Liberties |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete one
online activity from chapter; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on
"Hate Speech"; submit quiz |
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Week 6
Starts 9/19 |
Chap 6
Civil Rights |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "Civil
Rights and Gay Adoption"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Roundtable on "Suspect Classifications"; submit quiz |
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Week 7
Starts 9/26 |
Chap 11
Public Opinion and Political Socialization |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "War,
Peace, and Public Opinion"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on
"Political Knowledge"; submit quiz |
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Week 8
Starts 10/3 |
Chap 15
The News Media |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"Comparing News Media"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on "Soft News vs. Hard News"; submit quiz
•
Debate on "Censorship and the FCC"; submit quiz |
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Week 9
Starts 10/10 |
Chap 12
Political Parties |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"Comparing Political Parties"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on "Third
Parties"; submit quiz |
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Week 10
Starts 10/17 |
Chap 14
The Campaign Process |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "You
Are a Media Consultant to a Political Campaign"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Roundtable on "Campaign Finance Reform"; submit quiz
•
Debate on "2000 Presidential Election"; submit quiz |
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Week 11
Starts 10/24 |
Chap 13
Voting and Elections |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"American Electoral Rules: How Do They Influence Campaigns?"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates |
|
Week 12
Starts 10/31 |
Chap 16
Interest Groups |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"Comparing Interest Groups"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Roundtable on "Interest Groups and Representation"; submit quiz
•
Debate on "Political Action Committees"; submit quiz |
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Week 13
Starts 11/7 |
Chap 7
Congress |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "Why Is
It So Hard to Defeat an Incumbent?"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Debate on "Congressional Partisanship"; submit quiz |
|
Week 14
Starts 11/14 |
Chap 8
The Presidency |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"Comparing Chief Executives"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Debate on "Presidential Power"; submit quiz |
|
Week 15
Starts 11/21 |
Chap 9
The Bureaucracy |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete
"Evolution of the Federal Bureaucracy"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates |
|
Week 16
Starts 11/28 |
Chap 10
The Judiciary |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "You
Are a Young Lawyer"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates |
|
Week 17
Starts 12/5 |
Chap 17
Social Welfare Policy |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "The
Courts and School Vouchers"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Essay: Submit essay
assignment
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
•
Debate on "Affirmative Action"; submit quiz
•
Debate on "Poverty and Political Parties"; submit quiz |
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Week 18
Starts 12/12 |
Chap 18
Foreign and Defense Policy |
Readings: Read chapter;
submit chapter exam
News: Read news review
articles posted on Monday; submit quiz
Activity: Complete "Growth
of the Budget and Federal Spending"; submit quiz
Discussion Forum: Post at
least two comments in course discussion area
Announcements: Check
Mypoliscilab announcements for course updates
Roundtables and Debates:
Watch/listen to the following:
• Debate on "Patriot Act"; submit quiz |
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Navigating Mypoliscilab
The Mypoliscilab booklet comes with comprehensive
registration and navigation instructions. To register for this course you
need to use the Course ID #
of reece18899. All other information regarding
navigation can be found in the Student Starter Kit that comes with
Mypoliscilab. The starter kit will tell you how to find and use all online
resources. Look specifically for information related to:
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