SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY

 

GOV 2213 NATIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT

 

Donald C. Brown, Ph.D. (972-986-0517)            Fall 2004

                                                 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

An analysis of national, state, and local government in the United States.  Study is made of the Articles of Confederation, the Federal Constitution, the national party system, the departments of government, as well as other areas pertaining to national government.  History of state governments and constitutions are examined, with special emphasis upon the Constitution of the State of Texas.  The state legislature, the governor and state administration, the state court system, local government, local government problems, as well as other state and local government issues are analyzed.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to

1.      Trace the historical roots of American democracy, the steps leading to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, the growth of various political parties in the United States, the path of a typical federal law from the introduction of the bill to final approval, and the steps in the legal process from arrest to conviction and appeal.

 

2.      Describe the major provisions of the United States Constitution, civil rights, civil liberties and responsibilities of American citizens, the political party structure, the election process, the nomination process, Congress and its functions, the Judiciary and its functions, the executive and its functions, federalism as a system of government, state government bodies and officials, and important types of local governments.

 

3.      Identify selected terms and concepts important to an understanding of American government.

 

4.      The students should understand the following, from the Texas Social Studies Standards (Grades 8-12): 1.5k, 3.4s, 4.14k, 4.21k, 7.1k-7.10k, 7.12k-7.18k, 7.20k-7.28k, 8.2k-8.13k, 8.15k-8.18k, 8.21k, 9.32k, 9.34k, 10.12k.

 

 

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

 

1.      Lowi, Theodore J. and Benjamin Ginsberg.  American Government: Freedom and Power.  7th Brief edition New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2002. 

 

2.      One political science monograph .  See instructor or list.

 

3.      Several short articles or essays relevant to the topics.  See list.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, COURSE PLAN AND ASSIGNMENTS

 

Assignments, tests, grading

Two major tests 35%

Book Test   10%

Final Exam 30%

Take home tests and/or 1 or 2 short quizzes 15%

Possible semester projects 10%(annotated bibliography and/or written homework)

 

You will be graded on written work, tests, interest, participation and attendance.  One oral test (optional) over an extra book may be possible.  All make-up work requires approval of the instructor, who will establish the time, place and nature of the work.  The class structure is lecture, discussion, readings, videos, and possible oral reports by some students and written reports.

 

 

 

Dr. Don Brown

                                                                                                        

 

READINGS,  PROJECTS   AND   TESTS

                                                         Gov 2213

 

 

WEEK#

Mondays

CHAPTERS IN TEXT

ARTICLES *

TESTS

 

1   Fri.

 

 

 

2.  

1

Rossiter

 

3.  

2

Greene

 

4.  

3

Brown

 

5.  

4

Commager

TEST

6.  

5

Padover

 

7.   

6

Wernick

 

8.  

7

Current

 

9.  

8

Hofstadter

 

10.

9

Eaton

BOOKTEST

11.

10

Johnson

TEST

12.

11

Magrath

 

13.

12

Blum

 

14.

13

Arnold

 

15.

14

Carson

 

16.

 

Hess

 

17.

 

Schlesinger

 

18.

 

 

 

FINAL EXAM  ________

*More short readings may follow