General Information
Online POLS 1101 is designed for those who need flexibility in their schedule, feel comfortable communicating by email, have some experience using the Internet, and are self-motivated. It is a great way to learn at home with a course based on individual assignments and collaborative discussions with fellow students. The only on-campus meetings are the mandatory orientation and a proctored final exam.
What is the course about?
This course is an introduction to the study of American Government and deals primarily with the development and contemporary functioning of American political institutions with a focus upon the national government and national politics. It satisfies the state legislative requirement concerning the United States Constitution and the Georgia Constitution.
What is the work load?
Since this is a 3 hour course, in general, students can expect to spend 3 to 12 hours a week involved in course work. However, if your computer is at your home, you will save the drive time of going to and from campus twice a week. In addition, there are times when you can complete assignments ahead of the course schedule which may help with your time management and balancing your other responsibilities.
What about the Course Materials and delivery?
The course uses GeogiaView Vista to deliver the syllabus, weekly assignments, quizzes, course assignments, discussion area and some exams. Links to other resources to assist you in your learning will also be delviered via GeorgiaView Vista.
Am I ready for an online class? Will you be successful in this course?
If this is your first online course, I would highly recommend that you take the Readiness for Education At a Distance Indicator (READI) to assess your readiness, your goals, and your learning preferences.
You can find the READI at http://goml.readi.info/
On that page you will find several User Names and Passwords. Select and use the one that best fits your major area of study. When the READI opens, you will notice a navigation bar on the left side. The items listed in the bar are the areas that you will be measured on by the indicator. At the end, a report will be displayed which you can use to help you prepare to be successful as a distance-learning student.
Mandatory Attendance :
You are only required to attend one in-person orientation meeting and take an on-campus final exam. All other weekly assignments, quizzes, and exams will be submitted online.
**NOTE** Any student that does not attend the MANDATORY orientation AND does NOT log into Vista during the first week of class will be administratively withdrawn from the course.
Required Materials:
Textbook:
Ginsburg, Lowi, and Weir. We The People, Shorter Eighth Edition, Georgia Edition, 2011 Edition.
Typical Assignments:
The following is a list of the typical number of assignments. This is subject to change.
4 Exams
1 Final Exam
15 Quizzes
12 Course Assignments
17 Discussions
Georgia Highlands College
Political Science 1101
American Government (CRN 20110; 3hrs)
Spring 2011
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the study of American Government and deals primarily with the development and contemporary functioning of American political institutions with a focus upon the national government and national politics. It satisfies the state legislative requirement concerning the United States Constitution and the Georgia Constitution.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will demonstrate familiarity with the basic concepts of the American governmental system. More specifically, students will demonstrate the following.
- Describe how the American political system works.
- Describe how Georgia government works under the present constitution.
- Identify the historical and philosophical roots of America’s system of government and its Constitutional components.
- Explain the importance of civic responsibility in a participatory republic.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system.
- Use computer technology to discover information relating to politics and government.
Class Schedule
Week 1: American Political Culture
Week 2: The Founding and the Constitution
Week 3: Federalism
Week 4: Civil Liberties
Week 5: Civil Rights
Week 6: Public Opinion and the Media
Week 7: Political Participation and Voting
Week 8: Political Parties
Week 9: Campaigns and Elections
Week 10: Groups and Interests
Week 11: Congress
Week 12: The Presidency
Week 13: Bureaucracy
Week 14: Federal Courts
Week 15: Georgia Constitution