Spring 2019 Course Syllabi

POLS 115: American Government 1 Dakota College at Bottineau Course Syllabus Course Prefix/Number/Title: POLS 115: American Government Number of credits: 3 Course Description This course examines the principles of American government, political behavior and institutions. Honors Program This course is part of the Dakota College Honors Program. If you are interested in participating in the honors program, please contact Keri Keith, TH 205, keri.keith@dakotacollege.edu , or (701) 228-5624. Course Objectives After completing this course, students should be able to:  Understand the roots of the American governmental system, its current operating mechanisms and its place in our daily lives as Americans  View the subject through the lens of the campus theme, “Nature, Technology and Beyond.” Pre/Co-requisite: None, although it is suggested that a student complete HIST 103 before taking this class. Instructor: Dr. Paul Boone Office: TH 2208 Office Hours:  MW 11:00-11:50 am & 3:00-4:00 pm or by appointment  TTH 10:00-10:50 am & 1:00-1:50 pm or by appointment Phone: (701) 228-5456 Email: paul.boone@dakotacollege.edu Lecture/Lab Schedule: T-TH 2:00-3:15 Arntzen 1 Textbook(s):  Alan R. Gitelson, Robert L. Dudley & Melvin J. Dubnick, American Government, 10th Edition , Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2012.  All other texts (reading, listening, and viewing materials) will be available to students through the course’s Blackboard page and/or online links. Course Requirements: This class will be a combination of interactive lectures, class discussions, group activities, written assignments, and group presentations. All students are expected to attend each class meeting; listen to, view, and/or read all assigned materials before each class meeting; complete all assignments; and engage in a critical discussions on the course materials and themes with the professor and other students. Assignments Participation 250 points 25% Critical Assessment Essays 250 points 25% In-Class Evaluations (ICE) 250 points 25% Final Project: Group Presentation 250 points 25% Participation Participation includes, but not limited to, attending classes, active listening, completing class activities, discussing course materials, taking notes, reading/listening/viewing course materials before the class meeting, responding to comments or questions, and asking/answering questions. It is helpful to write down questions, key quotations, &/or interpretations before class meetings so that you have easily accessible information during