Department of Social Science/Creative Arts                                                                      Fall 2022

Skyline Community College                                                                                        Kevin Nelson

UC; CSU (D2, D8); IGETC (4H, 7B)                                                                 nelsonk@smccd.edu

Political Science 200 CRN#95478

National, State, and Local Government-Online at Canvas

Office Hours: By Appointment Online

Syllabus Quicklinks

• PLSC 200 Syllabus PDF
• Meet your Instructor 
• Grade Standards and Add-Drop Dates
• Course Readings and Exam Dates 
•  Course Units-Post Dates- Due Dates

• Student Learning Outcomes- Instructional Objectives
• Student Participation and Expectations

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): AP Government: 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

Text Readings: This course has an additional online textbook:

American Government 2e- Openstax.org. 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.

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.

Reading: All unit readings are assigned on the first day of the unit.  Students should move through the readings as they progress through the unit.  The readings are NOT due on the first day of the unit.

Due Date: The date an item is expected to be posted or submitted.  Items are accepted until the Available Until Date without penalty.

Available Until Date:  The date an item becomes closed and will not be accepted.

Drop Scores:  Discussions (15), QuickWrites (6) and Exam Section (1) Multiple Choice or Written.  The lowest score(s) will be dropped from the category.  This means if you skip 15 Discussions or 6 QuickWrites with a score of zero (0), this will not impact your grade.