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.Introduction to American GovernmentFall/Spring Semesters 08 - 093 CREDIT HOURSTravis TarchionePhone: (208) [email protected] CSI Mission StatementThe College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides educational, social and cultural opportunities for the diverse population of South Central Idaho. In this rapidly changing world, CSI encourages our students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives.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 StatementThe 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: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 StatementThe 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.REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: American Government, Volkomer (11th-Edition)1Course Outcomes Aligned with GE criteria (GE) Social Science Goals (SS) and Political Science Objectives (POLS)Students Will.... GE SS POLS1. Understand the basic structure of American Government. 1, 2, 3, 6 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 42. Be able to critically interpret and articulate thoughts about American Government and politics.1, 3, 5, 6 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 43. Apply course concepts in a personal and everyday context. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 81, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 2, 3, 4Assessment Method: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods.Quiz Test Homework Oral Present Booklog Citizenship1 * * * *2 * * * *3 * * * *Travis TarchioneGeneral Policies and Procedures:- Textbook: Students should purchase the textbooks and supplies by the end of the first week of class.- Behavior: Classroom behavior is to be appropriate to a positive learning environment. See CSI Catalog for college behavioral policies. - Attendance: Attendance is required for the student to be successful in this class. Any student who misses TWO class periods may be dropped from the course, as stated in the CSI Catalog. If you know that you will be absent on the day a major assignment is due or a test will be given, please contact me PRIOR to the day to make arrangements. If you stop attending class, it is your responsibility to drop the class.- Late Work: Late assignments will not be accepted after 5p.m. the day they are due. Extenuating circumstances will be considered, however the instructor reserves the right to not accept or mark down assignments that are not turned in on time.- Academic Honesty: Cheating, collaboration, or other dishonest academic behavior is intolerable and can result in an ‘F’ for the course (see CSI Catalog)Grading Policy: Grades will be determined based on the accumulation of points from the following: Tests (100 points each) Quizzes Homework assignments Short Papers (100 points) Grades will be averaged using a traditional scale 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D  59 and below=F Student Support:The College of Southern Idaho supports student success and learning through a variety of services. Please refer to the catalog for a full description services available to studentsCSI E-mail:E-mail is the primary source of written communication with all CSI students. Students automatically get a CSI e-mail account when they register for courses. Messages from instructors and various offices such as Admission and Records, Advising, Financial Aid, Scholarships, etc. will be sent to the students’ CSI accounts (NOT their personal e-mail accounts). It is the students’ responsibility to check their CSI e-mail accounts regularly. Failing to do so will result in missing important messages and deadlines. Students can check their CSI e-mail online at http://students.csi.edu. Student e-mail addresses have the following format: [email protected]. At the beginning of each semester free training sessions will be offered to students who need help using their CSI e-mail accounts.2On-line Course Evaluation: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assistthe teaching staff