Course Syllabus

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Course Name and Details
Department of Social Science/Creative Arts    Fall 2020
Skyline Community College Kevin Nelson
UC; CSU (D2, D8); IGETC (4H, 7B)       nelsonk@smccd.edu

Political Science 200

CRN# # 94578 and #97036

National, State, and Local Government-Online at Canvas

 

Course Description:  A study of the structure and function of the basic national, state and local government institutions. The course will examine the dynamics of the constitutional power relationships between the respective branches of government and the operational relationship between the national, state and local governments.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s): PLSC 200: National State and Local Government:

  1. Understand the functioning and governmental process at national, state and local political institutions.
  2. Have acquired knowledge of the basic principles and practices of the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances between the three branches of government at both the national and state levels.
  3. Explain and appreciate the intergovernmental and constitutional provisions relative to the operations connecting the national and the state governments and between the state governments and local governments

 

Communications: You may also post a question via e-mail to nelsonk@smccd.edu. Please include your college and course title in the header of your email.  (Skyline.PLSC200)

 

Text Readings: This is a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course:

American Government 2e- Links to an external site. Openstax.org. Links to an external site.Enroll in through the Textbook  link in Canvas left hand margin.. Chapter readings are linked in each module. Students may view the text online, download a pdf of the text or purchase a paper copy for home use.  The online text is searchable and can be highlighted by the student.

Syllabus Quicklinks

IMPORTANT: The Course Summery below is a chronological list of assignments to help you keep track of the dates.  It does NOT contain links to course learning materials.  PLEASE access the course learning materials through the Modules.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due
Wed Aug 19, 2020 Assignment 1.3 Online Text Reading- Chapter 1 -American Government and Civic Engagement due by 11:59pm
Assignment 1.1 Attached Reading - Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government due by 11:59pm
Assignment 1.2 Attached Reading - Democracy v. Republic due by 11:59pm
Mon Aug 24, 2020 Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Democracy or Republic? due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Political Philosophy due by 11:59pm
Fri Aug 28, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion- What is the role of government? due by 11:59pm
Sun Aug 30, 2020 Assignment 4.2 QuickWrite- Democracy or Republic due by 11:59pm
Mon Aug 31, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 2- Constitution and its Origins due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Declaration of Independence and the Constitution due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Introduction to the Constitution due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Constitutional Structure -Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Constitution Power and Intent due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos-Amendments, Bill of Rights, and Electoral College due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.6 Assigned Videos- Economic Systems and the Foundations of the United States- Capitalism v. Communism due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.7 Assigned Videos- Constitution- Line by Line- due by 11:59pm
Mon Sep 7, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 3- American Federalism due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Federalism due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- 10th Amendment , Necessary and Proper, and Commerce Clause due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos-Dual Federalism-Supreme Court Cases due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos-Cooperative Federalism-Supreme Court Cases due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos-New Federalism-Supreme Court Cases due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.1 QuickWrite- Declaration of Independence-Summary Analysis due by 11:59pm
Tue Sep 8, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 -Discussion- Structural Constitution due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.3-Political Ideology Quiz -Pew Research Political Typology Poll-Everything you need is here.  No prior reading needed. due by 11:59pm
Wed Sep 9, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 -Discussion- Federalist-Anti-Federalists and the tools of Constitutional Ratification due by 11:59pm
Mon Sep 14, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion- National Supremacy and Dual Federalism due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.4 Teaching Quiz-Constitution- due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.5 Teaching Quiz -Checks and Balances due by 11:59pm
Tue Sep 15, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion: Cooperative Federalism due by 11:59pm
Wed Sep 16, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion: New Federalism due by 11:59pm
Thu Sep 17, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.4 Discussion -Federalism-Liberals v. Conservatives due by 11:59pm
Mon Sep 21, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 13- The Court System due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.6 Teaching Quiz-Federalism due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Foundations of American Law due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Supreme Court due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Supreme Court -Judicial Selection due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Federal Court System due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos- Supreme Court-Judicial Review and Legal Opinions due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.5 QuickWrite-Federalism--Summary Analysis-Commerce Clause and the Evolution of Federal Power due by 11:59pm
Fri Sep 25, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion-Foundations of American Law due by 11:59pm
Sat Sep 26, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion-Judicial Selection and Legal Ideology due by 11:59pm
Mon Sep 28, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 4- Civil Liberties due by 11:59pm
Assignment 1.1 Attached Reading -The Incorporation Doctrine due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Freedom of Religion due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- The Incorporation Doctrine due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Due Process due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Freedom of the Press due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Freedom of Speech and Expression due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- The 14th and its Perils due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Right to Bear Arms due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos- 4th Amendment- Rights of the Accused due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.6 Assigned Videos- Right to an Attorney due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.7 Assigned Videos- Right of Privacy due by 11:59pm
Tue Sep 29, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion-Supreme Court Process -Case Selection to Stare Decisis due by 11:59pm
Wed Sep 30, 2020 Quiz Exam#1 - Unit A- Multiple Choice- Click to Start-Opens September 27 - Closes September 30 due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam#1 - Unit A- Short Answer- Click to Start-Opens September 27 - Closes September 30 due by 11:59pm
Sat Oct 3, 2020 Assignment Required Action-Validation of Exam #1- Unit A- Short Answer Validation-Complete AFTER the submission period for the exam closes. due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 4, 2020 Assignment 4.4 QuickWrite-Federal Court Structure and Judicial Appointment due by 11:59pm
Mon Oct 5, 2020 Quiz 4.5 Teaching Quiz- Judiciary due by 11:59pm
Tue Oct 6, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion: What was the intent of the 14th Amendment? due by 11:59pm
Wed Oct 7, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion: Due Process and the Incorporation Doctrine- due by 11:59pm
Fri Oct 9, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion- Free Speech due by 11:59pm
Sat Oct 10, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 Assignment Discussion- Freedom of Religion due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 11, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.4 Assignment- Discussion: Search and Seizure due by 11:59pm
Mon Oct 12, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 5- Civil Rights due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Suspect Classification and Levels of Scrutiny due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Equal Protection Clause-Civil Rights-Public School Cases due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3.2 Assigned Videos-The Modern Roots of Segregation and Racism due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Civil Rights - Integration of Little Rock High School , the CR Act of 1964, and beyond due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3.1 Assigned Videos-Lynching in America due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3.3 Assigned Videos- Civil Rights Events - Emmet Till-Rosa Parks-Lunch Counter Sit Ins due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos - Equal Protection Clause- Japanese Internment due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos- Equal Protection-Marriage due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.6 Assigned Videos- Americans with Disabilities Act due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.7 Assigned Videos- Affirmative Action due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.8 Assigned Videos- Equal Protection II- Reverse Discrimination-Higher Education due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.9 Assigned Videos- Gender Discrimination due by 11:59pm
Tue Oct 13, 2020 Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite- The Removal of the 14th Amendment due by 11:59pm
Thu Oct 15, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion-Incorporation-Civil Liberties due by 11:59pm
Fri Oct 16, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1-Discussion: Suspect Classification and Level of Scrutiny due by 11:59pm
Sat Oct 17, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion: Brown v. Board of Education due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 18, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion: Reverse Discrimination due by 11:59pm
Mon Oct 19, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 11- The Congress due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.5 QuickWrite-Civil Liberties due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.5 Teaching Quiz- Civil Rights due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.6 Teaching Quiz- Civil Liberties due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Congress due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Congress -Leadership, Committees, and Lawmaking due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Congress-Elections and Gerrymandering due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Congress-Supreme Court and Re-Districting due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos- The Filibuster and Impeachment due by 11:59pm
Fri Oct 23, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion: Congressional Districts- due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.4 QuickWrite - Civil Rights due by 11:59pm
Sat Oct 24, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2-Discussion: Gerrymandering due by 11:59pm
Sun Oct 25, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3-Discussion: Congressional Committees due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam #2 -Unit B -Short Answer -Click to Start- Opens October 25 - Closes October 26 due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam #2- Unit B -Multiple Choice -Click to Start- Opens October 25 - Closes October 26 due by 11:59pm
Mon Oct 26, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 12- The Presidency due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic 4.4-Discussion: Congressional Leadership due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- The Executive due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Executive Orders due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Executive Powers due by 11:59pm
Fri Oct 30, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion: Constitutional Powers of the President due by 11:59pm
Assignment Required Action-Exam #2- Unit B- Short Answer Validation-Complete AFTER the submission period for the exam closes. due by 11:59pm
Sun Nov 1, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion: Evolution of Presidential Power due by 10:59pm
Mon Nov 2, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 15- The Bureaucracy due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion-Presidents in Political Time due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite-Iron Triangles due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.4 Teaching Quiz- Presidency due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Bureaucracy due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Agency Lawmaking - Administrative Law due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Government Regulation and Social Policy due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Iron Triangles due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.5 Assigned Videos- Policy Analysis- The FCC and beyond due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.6 Assigned Videos- The Non-Delegation Doctrine and Executive Removal due by 11:59pm
Fri Nov 6, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion- Regulatory Agencies due by 11:59pm
Sat Nov 7, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion: Making Agencies Accountable- due by 11:59pm
Sun Nov 8, 2020 Assignment Submit - Paper #1-November 8, 2020 by 11:55 pm due by 11:59pm
Mon Nov 9, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 10- Interest Groups and Lobbying due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.4 QuickWrite-FCC and the Internet- Quick-Write due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.5 Teaching Quiz- Bureaucracy - due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Interest Groups due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- America's Great Divide due by 11:59pm
Fri Nov 13, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion-America's Great Divide due by 11:59pm
Sat Nov 14, 2020 Assignment 4.2 Expanded Response - Read the instructions before watching - Frontline-America's Great Divide due by 11:59pm
Mon Nov 16, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 6- The Politics of Public Opinion due by 11:59pm
Assignment 1.2 Online Text Reading-Chapter 9- Political Parties due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.4 Teaching Quiz- Interest Groups due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Public Opinion and Polling due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- Modern Day Democrats and Republicans due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Political Parties due by 11:59pm
Mon Nov 23, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion-Polling due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion-History of the Democrats and Republicans due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam #3- Unit C- Short Answer-Click to Start- Opens November 20 -Closes November 23) due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam#3 Unit C- Multiple Choice -Click to Start- Opens November 20 -Closes November 23) due by 11:59pm
Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite- Interest Groups due by 11:59pm
Thu Nov 26, 2020 Quiz 4.6 Teaching Quiz-Congress - due by 11:59pm
Mon Nov 30, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 7- Voting and Elections due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Elections due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.3 Assigned Videos- Campaign Ads-Analysis and History due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.4 Assigned Videos- Political Action Committees - PAC's- Supreme Court-Campaign Finance Rulings due by 11:59pm
Assignment Required Action-Exam #3- Unit C- Short Answer Validation-Complete AFTER the submission period for the exam closes. due by 11:59pm
Thu Dec 3, 2020 Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite- Re-Alignment Elections due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.4 Teaching Quiz-Political Parties due by 11:59pm
Fri Dec 4, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion -Campaign Advertising- Television Ads due by 11:59pm
Sat Dec 5, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion- Digital Campaigns- due by 11:59pm
Sun Dec 6, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion -Primary Elections and Delegate Hunting due by 11:59pm
Mon Dec 7, 2020 Assignment 1.1 Online Text Reading-Chapter 8- The Media due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic 4.4 Discussion -Pacs and Super Pacs due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.1 Assigned Videos- Media and Politics due by 11:59pm
Assignment 3.2 Assigned Videos- The Digital Campaign- Data Science and Election Manipulation due by 11:59pm
Tue Dec 8, 2020 Assignment 4.5 QuickWrite- Elections and Barriers to Voting- due by 11:59pm
Wed Dec 9, 2020 Assignment 4.6 QuickWrite- Campaign Finance- due by 11:59pm
Fri Dec 11, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion-Media Consolidation and Narrowcasting- due by 11:59pm
Sat Dec 12, 2020 Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion-Fake News- due by 11:59pm
Wed Dec 16, 2020 Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite- Social Media Manipulation due by 11:59pm
Quiz 4.4 Teaching Quiz-Media - due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam #4 - Unit D- Multiple Choice- Click to Start-Opens Opens December 16- Closes December 22 due by 11:59pm
Quiz Exam #4 - Unit D- Short Answer-Click to Start-Opens December 16- Closes December 22 due by 11:59pm
Quiz PLSC 200 Take Home Midterm -Fall 2020- Opens December 16- Closes December 22 due by 11:59pm
Assignment Required Action-Exam #4- Unit D- Short Answer Validation-Complete AFTER the submission period for the exam closes. due by 11:59pm
Quiz 2. Syllabus and Course Orientation Quiz  
Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion- What is the role of government?
(2 students)
  
Discussion Topic 4.1 Discussion- Regulatory Agencies
(1 student)
  
Discussion Topic 4.2 Discussion-Judicial Selection and Legal Ideology
(3 students)
  
Assignment 4.2 QuickWrite- Democracy or Republic
(3 students)
  
Discussion Topic 4.3 -Discussion- Federalist-Anti-Federalists and the tools of Constitutional Ratification
(3 students)
  
Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion-Supreme Court Process -Case Selection to Stare Decisis
(2 students)
  
Discussion Topic 4.3 Discussion: New Federalism
(3 students)
  
Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite- The Removal of the 14th Amendment
(2 students)
  
Assignment 4.3 QuickWrite-Iron Triangles
(1 student)
  
Assignment 4.4 QuickWrite-Federal Court Structure and Judicial Appointment
(2 students)
  
Discussion Topic 4.4-Discussion: Congressional Leadership
(1 student)
  
Assignment 4.5 QuickWrite-Federalism--Summary Analysis-Commerce Clause and the Evolution of Federal Power
(4 students)
  
Quiz Exam #3- Unit C- Short Answer-Click to Start- Opens November 20 -Closes November 23)
(1 student)
  
Quiz Exam#3 Unit C- Multiple Choice -Click to Start- Opens November 20 -Closes November 23)
(1 student)