<p> Wayland Baptist University Winter Semester 2016/2017 SYLLABUS</p><p>Name of Course: POLS 2301 American Government Time: 5:30pm-9:45pm Dates: Tuesday, November 15 – February 14, 2017 </p><p>Location: Wayland Baptist University Phoenix Campus Phoenix, AZ.</p><p>Name of Instructor Deputy Chief Ken Holmes, Maricopa County S.O. 550 West Jackson Phoenix, AZ. </p><p>Office Phone Wk. 602-876-1456 cell: 480-251-2414 e-mail: [email protected]</p><p>Textbook: Am Gov,2015-2016 Edition, by Losco and Baker </p><p>Course Description: The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the organization, structure and functions of government and politics. We will examine such topics as the origin and purpose of constitutional government, the distribution of political power, the systems of national and state government, the nature of federalism, the role and future of American political parties, the nature and effectiveness of elections, the process and consequences of policy making, and the nature of political change. </p><p>Course Goals: At the conclusion of this course the student should be competent in: -identifying the major institutions of state and national government and to identify and evaluate their different (or similar) policy making processes; -identifying the historical origins of the national government systems and provide a critical analysis of the American Constitution; -explaining the concept of federalism and evaluate the various interpretations or practices of this constitutional product; -explaining what is meant by American liberalism and its pervasive influence on American political culture;</p><p>1 -explaining the American political party and electoral system and discuss mass political behavior in relation to popular democratic expectations;</p><p>Course Outline:</p><p>Class one: Overview of class Homework Assignment guidelines and Chapter tests</p><p>Class two: Read chapters 1 thru 2 Am Gov</p><p>Class three: Read chapter 3 thru 4 Am Gov</p><p>Class four: Read chapters 5 thru 6 Am Gov</p><p>Class five: Read chapters 7 thru 8 Am Gov</p><p>Class six: Midterm Exam</p><p>Class seven: Read chapter 9 thru 10 Am Gov</p><p>Class eight: Read chapters 11 thru 12 Am Gov </p><p>Class nine: Read chapters 13 thru 14 Am Gov</p><p>Class ten: Read chapters 15 thru 16 Am Gov</p><p>Class eleven: Final Exam</p><p>2 Grading and Evaluation: Examinations will be based on lectures and the assigned reading material. The Midterm Exam, the Final Exam, and the Homework Assignments (Chapter Tests) will each have an equal proportionate weight toward the final grade. In addition, 10% of the final grade will be based on class presentation and participation</p><p>Additional Syllabus Information Students enrolled at one of the University’s external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings. All absences must be explained to the instructor who will then determine whether the missed work may be made up. When a student reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the center director. </p><p> kah/11/01/16</p><p>3</p>