Course Description

Course Title: Introduction to Government – PS-001

Description: Introduction to Government is an introduction to the principles, organization and politics of the National Government of the United States, including the study of State and local government. In considering government at the State level, specific emphasis is given to the government of the State of California. Throughout the course, current issues in American and State politics are stressed.

I have been involved in politics all of my life, starting in the early 1960s as a child in New York with civil-rights activist parents. I look forward to sharing with you my nearly 60 years of political involvement.

Format: Fully asynchronous, online.

Course Duration and Units: 16 weeks/3 units

Course Objectives/Outcomes: At the conclusion of the course, students will define “government,” explain the concept of “federalism,” compare and contrast different types of governments, analyze political parties and political movements, and develop their own political ideology. Students will also:

Identify the key ideological differences between the two major American Parties.
Evaluate how they influence policy formation, and implementation.
Examine the underlying causes, aggravating factors, and the harm created by hyper-partisanship
Create methodologies for reducing its harmful effect.

Unit Level Objectives/Outcomes: At the conclusion of Unit 1, students will:

Compare and contrast the different theories behind governmental regimes.
Analyze the pros and cons of each such regime.
Describe how 13 disparate sovereign colonies became one “constitutional republic.”
Examine and explain our system of federalism.
Analyze contemporary conflicts within our federal-state system of government.

Topics Covered

Unit 0: Orientation
Unit 1: Key Concepts
Unit 2: Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Unit 3: Public Opinion & Voting
Unit 4: Mediating Institutions: Media, Parties & Interest Groups
Unit 5: Formal Institutions: Congress, Presidency, and the Supreme Court
Unit 6: Outputs of Government: Foreign and Domestic Policy

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Master all of the above-mentioned course objectives, as demonstrated by your essays, quizzes, and discussions.