3. practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.5. foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.6. reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative skills.7. encourage and inspire life-long learning.PLEASE SPEAK WITH ME BEFORE BEGINNING THIS INDIVIDUALIZED COURSESYLLABUS - POLS 101 C02I - AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT - FALL 2008INSTRUCTOR: Lee Ann HaganOffice: Aspen 126 Hours: MWF 10:00-10:50Phone: 732-6867 MWF 12:00-12:50 TR 10:50-11:50 & by appointmentCSI Mission Statement: The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides quality educational, social, cultural, economic, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. CSI prepares students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives in a global society.General Education Criteria: This course satisfies all eight criteria for general education. It is designed to:1. provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the interconnectedness of knowledge.2. develop a discerning individual.3. practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.4. promote awareness of social and cultural diversity in order to appreciate the commonality of mankind.5. foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.6. reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative skills.7. encourage and inspire life-long learning.8. encourage creativity.Social Science Department Mission Statement: The mission of the Social Science Department is to provide educational, social, and cultural opportunities which encourage enriched, productive and responsible lives primarily by instructing students to understand, interpret, and apply Social Science discipline coursework.Social Science Department Goals: This course addresses the following Social Science Department goals, which are to:1. help students understand important facts, concepts and theories of Social Science subjects.2. help students acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.3. help students learn to distinguish between fact and opinion.4. teach students to use evaluation, analysis and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.5. teach students to use different perspectives from the social sciences to make better-informed decisions 6. help students acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.7. prepare students to transfer to a university.Political Science Program Mission Statement: The Political Science Program prepares students to examine the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior.Political Science Program Objectives: Students will…1. comprehend political theories, structures and processes.2. think, integrate, and logically organize, not just memorize, political information.3. gather knowledge from other disciplines to interpret political situations.4. apply insights from the study of political science to understand local, state, national and international developments.POLS 101 CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: A basic course in political science introducing the basic concepts and major structural elements of the national government. Many aspects of American government are introduced and discussed in a way that will make the study of government more a part of the students’ world.Course Outcomes Aligned with GE criteria (GE) Social Science Goals (SS) and Political Science Objectives (POLS)Students Will.... GE SS POLSUnderstand the basic structure of American Government. 1, 2, 3, 6 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4Be able to critically interpret and articulate thoughts about American Government and politics.1, 3, 5, 6 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4Apply course concepts in a personal and everyday context. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 81, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 71, 2, 3, 4Assessment Method: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods.Multiple Choice Questions Short Answer Questions Essay Questions Extra Credit Papers1   2   3   Welcome to POLS 101 C02I – (Individualized) - American National Government - a one-semester course for students who want to learn about the United States government and politics. This course is intended to give students a more complete understanding of how American government operates. Students will examine the principles on which our country is founded, the institutions in our government that represent us as citizens and the rights to which all Americans are entitled.Students completing this course should:1. Have a basic understanding of democracy and what it means to us today.2. Have a general knowledge of the United States Constitution and of what is meant by "living" Constitution.3. Be aware of ways to participate in government through public opinion, interests groups, political parties, and the media.4. Know the three cornerstones of American government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and the roles that each plays.5. Be informed of one's rights and of the "due process."6. Recognize the strong emphasis on individual rights within our system.7. Be able to identify potential problems in order to help our elected officials to find solutions.Through your reading and supplementary video tapes you will discover how the government and politics work. You will also view many people inside and outside of government who attempt to influence policy-making. Hopefully this course will make government and politics come alive for you.The textbook for this course is Thomas E. Patterson, The American Democracy, 8th Edition. This text is available in the College of Southern Idaho Bookstore. This will directly correspond with the supplementary videos. Also, there is a printed study guide to assist you with your reading. (Included with the syllabus)As part of this course you will be required to talk with the instructor at least two times. The first meeting (or phone conversation) will be an opportunity to ask general questions about testing, the course, and to allow the instructor to meet you. This phone conversation or meeting should be scheduled prior to taking Exam I. The second meeting will be an exit interview. Please feel free to call at any other time throughout the semester. Because the reading is so extensive, I recommend that you call or visit with me prior to each examas a means of narrowing the focus.The course will include four examinations to