American Government

Upon completion of this course you will: Express ideas clearly in writing.  Work individually and with classmates to research political issues.  Interpret and apply data from original documents such as court cases and bills.  Write to persuade with evidence.  Develop essay responses that include a clear, defensible thesis statement and supporting evidence.  Raise and explore questions about policies, institutions, beliefs, and actions in a political science context.  Evaluate secondary materials, such as scholarly works or statistical analyses.  Explain the foundations and underpinnings of democratic government.  Demonstrate comprehension of documents essential to American government and politics.  Evaluate the importance of federalism in the political operation of the nation.  Describe the nature of American political parties and their role in the election process.  Analyze the patterns of voter behavior.  Describe the functions and workings of policy making institutions (Congress, the Presidency, the Courts, and the Bureaucracy).  Analyze the major developments in civil rights and civil liberties in America.