Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title POLS 1615: Introduction to American Government

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) Goal 5/History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Goal 9/Ethical and Civic Responsibility

Course Description

This course is a survey course of American Government, with an emphasis on politics and history, the Constitution, civil liberties and rights, public opinion, interest groups, the political process, mass media, the branches of the federal government, and an overview of public policy and state and local government. A democracy requires it citizens to understand the dynamic of their political system.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

December, 2022

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Politics and History
    1. Anarchy vs. social contract
    2. Forms of government
    3. Theories of U. S. democracy
    4. Constitution and federalism
    5. Civil liberties and civil rights
  2. People and Politics
    1. Public opinion and media
    2. Interest groups and political parties
    3. Campaigns and elections
  3. Branches of Federal Government
    1. Legislative
    2. Executive and bureaucracy
    3. Judicial
  4. Public Policy
    1. Domestic and economic policy
    2. Foreign and defense policy
  5. State and local government

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Assess the significance of political, intellectual, and social developments of American Government.
  2. Identify key individuals, institutions, and concepts of American Government.
  3. Recognize the diverse ideas concerning political issues in American Politics.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 5/History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The student will be able to:

  1. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  2. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  3. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Goal 9/Ethical and Civic Responsibility

The student will be able to:

  1. Understand and apply core concepts (e.g. politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues.
  2. Recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others.
  3. Identify ways to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

None