Government & Politics in the U.S. (Laney)
EXTRA CREDIT!!!
Option 1: Create a 1-2 minute video where you discuss and highlight your beliefs about particular issues. First step is to pick a political issue that you are interested in learning more about or that you feel informed about (perhaps your student presentation topic). Next step is to write a mini- script on what you many to say. In your video you must include a bill, law, or proposition that relates to your issue. (Ex: if you focused kn hates crimes you could discuss the Matthew Shepard Act. If you focusing on lgbtqiaa issues you can discuss the Employment Nondiscrimination Act or Prop 8,etc.) Lastly, be sure to end with a call to action to viewers.
Once you are done email me crystallee.crain@gmail.com or ccrain@peralta.edu - with the .mov file or a YouTube link.
Option 2: You have to complete a short essay in response to the youtube videos below. Use the questions below to guide you in completing your assignment. Each response must be 500 words.
Vincent Hutchings – Racial Coding in American Politicshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabaQqAjg4o
You will submit one 500 word short essay. For each clip answer the following questions. - What are three key points discussed by the scholar?- How do these key points relate to the chapters assigned so far in the term? Give two concrete example.- What are the scholars biggest critiques of the government and the American political system?- How do you feel about their perspectives?- What three quotes from either book relate to the content in the video? Include the quotes and describe how each of them relate.
Option 3: Write a letter to your congressional or state representative. Pick an issue and a position that you would like the representative to take. In this letter be sure to describe the problem you have chosen, explain your position and what you'd like the representative to do about it. This letter should be no more than 750 words. Bring the letter to class Wednesday. You can find your representative by going to
Option 4: Read bell hooks "On Education." Read : http://infed.org/mobi/bell-hooks-on-education/
Write a reflection on your educational background and and explain how you feel about your experience. How do the themes from the article relate to what you've learn in class this semester? In what ways can education be a part of an individual or groups liberation? 500 words minimum. Bring this to class on Wednesday.
Once you are done email me crystallee.crain@gmail.com or ccrain@peralta.edu - with the .mov file or a YouTube link.
Option 2: You have to complete a short essay in response to the youtube videos below. Use the questions below to guide you in completing your assignment. Each response must be 500 words.
Vincent Hutchings – Racial Coding in American Politicshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabaQqAjg4o
You will submit one 500 word short essay. For each clip answer the following questions. - What are three key points discussed by the scholar?- How do these key points relate to the chapters assigned so far in the term? Give two concrete example.- What are the scholars biggest critiques of the government and the American political system?- How do you feel about their perspectives?- What three quotes from either book relate to the content in the video? Include the quotes and describe how each of them relate.
Option 3: Write a letter to your congressional or state representative. Pick an issue and a position that you would like the representative to take. In this letter be sure to describe the problem you have chosen, explain your position and what you'd like the representative to do about it. This letter should be no more than 750 words. Bring the letter to class Wednesday. You can find your representative by going to
Option 4: Read bell hooks "On Education." Read : http://infed.org/mobi/bell-hooks-on-education/
Write a reflection on your educational background and and explain how you feel about your experience. How do the themes from the article relate to what you've learn in class this semester? In what ways can education be a part of an individual or groups liberation? 500 words minimum. Bring this to class on Wednesday.
Course Information
Course Number: POSCI 1
Units: 3 Class: 3 hours lecture (GR) Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC Description: Introduction to principles and the political process of national, state, and local government: Emphasis on national government and the Constitution. AA/AS area 2; CSU area D; IGETC area 4 INSTRUCTORS DESCRIPTION OF COURSE HIGHLIGHTS This course will be a critical examination of the contemporary and historical struggle for the development of democratic political institutions in the United States at the state, local, and national levels. Particular emphasis is given to the conflict between socioeconomic groups (e.g. traditional elite's versus the historically (and currently) disenfranchised; women, people of color, workers, immigrants, etc.) in the conduct of U.S. political life. This course is an integrative, narrative contextual systems approach to understanding Government and Politics in The United States. The central point here is that all public activities and government in the United States must be viewed in the context of the values of democracy and the world views from which people come to their political beliefs. REQUIRED READING
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'"Most Americans have never seen the ignorance, degradation, hunger, sickness, and futility in which many other Americans live...They won't become involved in economic or political change until something brings the seriousness of the situation home to them." -- Shirley Chisholm
"It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck, and an even greater miracle of perception and charity not to teach your child to hate." -- James Baldwin "…jingoism, racism, fear, religious fundamentalism: these are the ways of appealing to people if you're trying to organize a mass base of support for policies that are really intended to crush them." -- Noam Chomsky Critical Pedagogy Video 2012 Ballot Initiatives - CA WHO OWNS THE MEDIA@ WEEKLY QUIZZES Each week students will be asked to take a 10-15 question quiz on Thursdays (or the last day of the week – except week 3) to evaluate the knowledge gained from the textbook and lectures. These quizzes will be multiple choice with 1-2 short essay questions (100-200 words expected for each short essay). PARTICIPATION Students will be required to actively participate in their own education. As individuals and in small groups you will have the opportunity to discuss relevant current events that relate to our reading and lectures. You will also have the opportunity to do class presentations. FOR YOUR REVIEW 2012 ELECTORAL COLLEGE MAP! |
UPON
COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Explain the founding and development of the U.S. Constitution.
2. Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes within the United States and California.
3. Discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
4. Explain the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and federal court decisions.
5. Analyze the role of culture, diversity and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
6. Analyze how to effectively participate in politics at the national, state, county and/or city levels.
LECTURE CONTENT:
1. The political philosophies of the framers of the U.S. Constitution and critics of the Constitution. (15%)
2. The process of amending and interpreting the U.S. Constitution and California constitution. (5%)
3. The theory and practice of federalism. (10%)
4. Contemporary operations of United States political institutions and processes, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government and nongovernmental institutions. (25%)
5. The rights and liberties of individuals as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and federal court decisions. (10%)
6. Contemporary operations of California state and local political institutions within the framework of federal-state relations. (2%)
7. Individual and group political behavior of Americans and Californians within the frameworks established by the U.S. Constitution and California constitution, such as elections, interest groups, political parties, and the media. (13%)
8. Factors that shape politics and policy making including diversity, political culture, political socialization, political ideologies and public opinion. (15%)
9. Domestic, economic, and foreign issues and policies. (5%)
1. Explain the founding and development of the U.S. Constitution.
2. Identify and evaluate institutions and political processes within the United States and California.
3. Discuss and analyze contemporary political issues and operations in the United States and California.
4. Explain the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and federal court decisions.
5. Analyze the role of culture, diversity and ideology in shaping public opinion and public policy in the United States and California.
6. Analyze how to effectively participate in politics at the national, state, county and/or city levels.
LECTURE CONTENT:
1. The political philosophies of the framers of the U.S. Constitution and critics of the Constitution. (15%)
2. The process of amending and interpreting the U.S. Constitution and California constitution. (5%)
3. The theory and practice of federalism. (10%)
4. Contemporary operations of United States political institutions and processes, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government and nongovernmental institutions. (25%)
5. The rights and liberties of individuals as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and federal court decisions. (10%)
6. Contemporary operations of California state and local political institutions within the framework of federal-state relations. (2%)
7. Individual and group political behavior of Americans and Californians within the frameworks established by the U.S. Constitution and California constitution, such as elections, interest groups, political parties, and the media. (13%)
8. Factors that shape politics and policy making including diversity, political culture, political socialization, political ideologies and public opinion. (15%)
9. Domestic, economic, and foreign issues and policies. (5%)
Additional Information
Late Policy: I will not accept late work unless there are extreme circumstances that prevent you from maintaining your schedule and turning in your assignments when they are due.
Contacting the instructor: You may email the instructor at ccrain@peralta.edu.
Contacting the instructor: You may email the instructor at ccrain@peralta.edu.