Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Gov 2213 National and State Government

Course Syllabus

Professor: Gary D. McElhany, Ph.D. Term: Summer 2004

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 area 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 and civil liberties of American citizens, the political party structure, the election process, the nomination process, Congress and its functions, the Judiciary 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. Perform 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;

Textbooks

Lowi, Theodore J. and Benjamin Ginsberg. American Government: Freedom and Power 7^th Brief ed. New

York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002.

Course Methods

1. Study by means of lectures

2. Study by means of textbook reading preparation for course content evaluations

3. Study by means of internet sites

4. Article Summaries in light of course content

5. Objective evaluations of course content

6. Contact with the professor by e-mail or phone and bulletin board

Course Requirements

1. Careful reading of the text and study of the lecture notes and study guides are Required

2. Students will complete five article summaries according to guidelines.

3. Successfully complete three exams covering material in the textbook, lectures, study guides and internet assignments.

4. Complete all supplemental assignments.

5. Signed reading statement

Course Evaluation

Three exams equally weighted 75%

Article Summaries 15%

Supplemental Assignments 05%

Statement of Reading/Audio 05%

4 week report 2/13/04

8 week report 3/12/04

Article Summaries due 3/24/04

Exam Dates

Unit 1 The History of American Government 2/13/04

Unit 2 The Institutions of National Government 3/12/04

Unit 3 Applied State and Local Government 4/19/04

Topic

Course Introduction - Opening Session

INS Citizenship Test

Foundations

Origins of the American Political System: Part 1

Read Lowi pp. 1-15

Origins of the American Political System: Part 2

Read Lowi pp. 16-23

Read Lowi pp. 24-58

Federalism and Civil Liberties

Read Lowi pp. 59-70

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Read Lowi pp. 71-99

Exam 1 (2/13/04)

Institution: Legislative Branch

Read Lowi pp. 113-117

Institutions: Executive and Judicial

Read Lowi pp. 135-146

Read Lowi pp. 162-205

Submit Article Summaries (6-18-02)

Exam 2 (3/12/04)

Politics and Policies

Read Lowi pp. 209-220

Public Opinion

Read Lowi pp. 221-235

The Media

Read Lowi pp. 241-271

Elections

Read Lowi pp. 272-304

Political Parties

Politics and Policies

Read Lowi pp. 305-333

Interest Groups

Read Lowi pp. 362-395

Foreign Policy and The United Nations

Texas History and Government Part 1

The Texas Legislature:

The Texas History and Government Part 2

Exam 3 (4/19/04)

Article Summaries

· Choose five articles from major publications (newspaper or magazine) that relate to topics discussed in this course.

· Write a summary of each article and explain how it relates to National or State Government.

· The summaries should be typed, double-spaced, and in size 12 Times New roman or Courier font.

· The summaries should be no more that two pages in length.

· Proof-read your document for spelling and grammatical errors.

· Use the on-line sample as the model for you papers.

http://www.sagu.edu/acad-depts/socialsciences/government/syllabi/projectsamples/govarticles.doc

Logon to the sagu.edu website

Select academics from the drop-down menu

Select departments

Select Social Studies

Select McElhany

Cursor to course resources

Click on article summaries

Write your articles in similar fashion and comparable quality

· Submit all the article summaries at the same time.

Instructor Availability

E-mail is the best means of contact gmcelhany@sagu.edu Student may call via the toll free number 1-888-937-7248 Ex 3231.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Southwestern A/G University, SDE

3295 Hwy 77 North

Waxahachie, TX 75165-5735

Office Hours:

M 1:30-2:30 TTh 12:10-5:00 or by appointment.

Additional information:

Article Summaries

Guidelines for article summaries and a sample of an "A" paper are available on the SAGU government web page. http://www.sagu.edu/acad-depts/socialsciences/professors/mcelhany/index.shtm#courses

Article summaries should be saved as a Microsoft Word document and sent as an email attachment to gmcelhany@sagu.edu