This document is a course syllabus for an American Government class taught by Professor Marshall J. Taggart at Georgia Perimeter College's Dunwoody Campus. The syllabus outlines the course description, learning objectives, assignments, grading policy, textbook, and schedule. It provides information on the professor's education and contact details. The course will cover the essential facts of the US government system with some attention to state and local government. Students will demonstrate their understanding through exams, essays, discussions and group assignments. The syllabus includes the course content outline and schedule organized by topics such as the constitution, civil liberties, elections and more.

1. Dunwoody Campus
American Government (3 credits)
POLS 110 / 210171 Session
Department of History and Political Science
Section 261
Course Syllabus
As of Friday, 07/01/2016
Professor’s Name: Mr. Marshall J. Taggart, Jr., C.M.
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
Education:
B.A. Accounting (1992);
M.P.A. Urban Administration and Public Finance
Management (1997)
Ph.D. Political Science Candidate – Urban Politics,
American Politics, Contemporary Politics, and Public
Administration (Anticipated 2020)
E-mail address primary: marshall.taggart@gpc.edu
E-mail address secondary: m_taggart@bellsouth.net
Phone Number: (770) 274-5410 general office Voice Mail Phone Number: (404) 880 – 8071
Semester Period: Summer 2016 Office Days: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
Recommended Textbook: American Government and
Politics Today (2015-2016 Edition)– The Essentials
– Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt
Office Hours: By Appointment
Textbook Price: Check Banner Web, Amazon, or the
University Bookstore.
Meeting Location: On Campus TBD
Meeting days: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s; 6:00 p.m. –
8:00 p.m. EST
Course Description: This course will cover the essential facts of the federal government in the United States, with
some attention given to state and local government, including the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta. This
course satisfies state law, requiring examination on certain sections of the United States and Georgia Constitutions.
iCollege: A portion of class information will be delivered through iCollege. Each student is required to obtain an
iCollege login name and password. Students may acquire a password at the following website:
https://c01.gpc.edu/getmylogin. Please get your iCollege name and password no later than Friday, June 10, 2016.
All essay assignments must be submitted through iCollege!. Power Point notes will also be available through
iCollege.
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2. Teaching Method: This course is taught by using a variety of teaching methods including facilitation,
demonstration, hands-on activities, lecture, guest speakers, on-line activity, conference calls, individual and group
work.
Required Supplies: Students should purchase a USB drive to save assignments.
Expected Educational Results – students will be able to:
• Describe how the American political system works.
• Describe how Georgia government works under the present state constitution
• Describe how the City of Atlanta municipal charter works
• Identify the historical and philosophical roots of America’s system of government and its
Constitutional components
• Explain the importance of civic responsibility in a participatory republic
• Identify the strengths and weakness of the American political system
• Describe the electoral college
• Demonstrate media literacy to critically assess and evaluate information relating to politics and
government
General Educational Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate understanding of the United States’ political, historical, and social
developments.
• Students will show a basic knowledge of American political institutions, as well as the American
political process and dynamics through class discussions, objective exams, essay questions, and
group assignments
• Students will connect current events, elections with American political, social, and historical
precedents through class discussions and group assignments
• Student will demonstrate effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills through
interpreting, presenting, and evaluating ideas
• Students will analyze competing conceptual paradigms through class discussions, objective exams,
essay questions, and group project assignments
• Students will critique the American political system(s) and American politics through class
presentations or projects
Sample Course Content:
I. Constitutional Democracy
A. The Making of the American Republic
B. The Living Constitution
C. The American System of Federalism
II. Liberties and Rights
A. Civil Liberties
B. Civil Rights
III. The Political Process
A. Public Opinion and Political Socialization
B. Interest Groups
C. Political Parties
D. Public Opinion
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3. E. Campaigns, Voting and Elections
F. The Media
IV. Political Institutions
A. The Legislative Branch (The Congress)
B. The Executive Branch (The President)
C. The Judiciary Branch (The Supreme Court)
D. The Bureaucracy (Executive Departments and Public Administration)
V. Public Policy
A. Domestic and Economic Policy
B. Foreign Policy
*Course Schedule and Guide: **Covered
Week 1 Subject Discussion:
Class Introductions; What is politics?
Review Charles Beard’s interpretation
of the Constitution.
---------------------------------------
Provide discussion on Career
Opportunities in Political Science.
Course Schedule discussion
---------------------------------------
Review Syllabus
-----------------------
Classroom
Dates:
06/02/16
Learning Methodologies/Subject
Matter/Definitions:
Introduce Textbook, Article Links,
Supplemental Reading, Fact-Finding,
Classroom Discussion; Understanding how
to garner all Learning Outcomes per each
chapter 1 – 16; Reading For Critical
Analysis per each chapter; Reading Did you
Know Sections per each chapter; Beyond
our Borders, Which Side Are you On?,
Critical Thinking Questions, How you can
make a difference?, Why Should you Care?
Sections of each chapter.
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Receive a basic understanding of all figures,
graphs and charts provided in the book per
each chapter.
----------------------------------------------------
In Class Assignment – Read: Take Action
– A Guide to Political Participation pages
TA-1 – TA-6
Week 2 Subject Discussion:
Review Chapter Syllabus – Receipt of
Guidelines
Kick off Part 1: The American
System
-----------------------------------------------
Discuss: Chapters 1 & 2; The
Democratic Republic and The
Constitution
--------------------------------------------
Mock Exercise – Apples and Oranges
Groups
06/07/16 Textbook Key Concepts: Politics and
Government, Democracy and Other Forms
of Government, Fundamental Values,
Political Ideologies, The Changing Face of
America, The Colonial Background, An
Independent Confederation, The
Constitutional Convention, The Difficult
Road to Ratification, Altering the
Constitution.
Homework: Review You Tube video –
American Feud – History of
Conservatives and Liberals – Chapter 1
Homework: Read and Review: A-3
Declaration of Independence and
Federalist Papers Nos. 10, 51, and 78.
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4. Homework: Review Appendix
Independence A-1 The Constitution of
the United States – Chapter
Week 3 Subject Discussion:
Chapter Review – Chapter 2 – The
Constitution
----------------------------------------------
*All Syllabus Copies are Due!!!-
06/20/16
Discuss Chapter 3 – Federalism
Partner with a member in the class.
--------------------------------------------
Mock Exercise – Apples and Oranges
06/09/16
06/14/16
Define all Key Concepts: Federalism and Its
Alternatives, The Constitutional Basis for
American Federalism, Defining
Constitutional Powers – the Early Years,
The Continuing Dispute over the Division of
Power, and The Politics of Federalism.
---------------------------------------------------
Homework: Purchase dry eraser board
in order to use as a vision board
assignment. Pair with your partner as to
incur the expense evenly. Go to Home
Depot, Hobby Lobby, or Lowe’s. Bring to
next class meeting.
Week 3 Subject Discussion:
Chapter Review – Chapter 3 -
Federalism
Discuss - Chapters 4 & 5: Civil
Liberties & Civil Rights
-------------------------------------------
Make Group Assignments (Video
Presentations)- 6 groups total on
Chapters 11 – 16 (Discuss Grading
Rubric will be provided on 06/16/16)
--------------------------------------------
Please bring dry eraser boards to the
class in order to complete team
assignments – Pair with a group
partner!!! (Information to be provided
on 06/23/16)
--------------------------------------
Complete Mid-Term Review –
(06/23/16)
06/16/16
06/21/16
Text Key Concepts: The Bill of Rights,
Freedom of Religion, The Right to Privacy,
Civil Liberties versus Security Issues, The
Great Balancing Act: The Rights of the
Accused versus the Rights of Society; African
American Experience and the Civil Rights
Movement – (Select Eyes on the Prize You
Tube Videos – will be assigned in class),
Civil Rights and the Courts, Experiences of
Other Minority Groups, Women’s Struggle for
Equal Rights, The Rights and Status of Gay
Males and Lesbians, and the Rights and Status
of Juveniles.
----------------------------------------------------
Homework – Pull down the Constitution
from the State of Georgia.
Week 4 Subject Discussion:
Kick-Off Part 2 – Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties
Chapter Review – Chapters 4 & 5 Civil
Liberties & Civil Rights
MID-TERM – Chapters 1 – 5
(Multiple Choice, Essay, Discussion
question (s)) (06/30/16)
----------------------------------------------
Kick-Off Part 3 – People and Politics
Discuss Chapters 8, 9, & 10; Political
Parties, Campaigns & Elections, and
The Media
------------------------------------------------
06/26/16
06/30/16
Textbook Key Concepts: Public Opinion and
Political Socialization; Political Preferences
and Voting Behavior; Measuring Public
Opinion; Public Opinion and the Political
Process; Interest Group Fundamentals, Types
of Interest Groups; The Influence of Interest
Groups, Interest Group Strategies, Regulating
Lobbyists.
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5. Make Group Assignments (Video
Presentations) - In groups of (2)
Focus on Chapters 4 and/or 5, –
Assignments will be made in class
(Discuss Grading Rubric will be
provided on 06/27/16 before the
Mid-Term Exam-will be sent via I-
college and provided in class.
No Class on 07/04/16 – Please
enjoy your Holiday and Be Safe!!
Week 5 Mid-Term Exam – 07/07/16
Subject Discussion:
Briefly Review on Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9,
and 10 – Public Opinion and Political
Socialization, Interest Groups,
Political Parties, Campaigns and
Elections, and The Media (Discuss
Grading Rubric will be provided on
Sent via I-College and provided in
class.)
Mock Exercise – Apples and Oranges
Assign Video Presentations – groups
of 6.
07/05/16
07/07/16
Textbook Key Concepts: Political Parties in
the United States; A History of Political
Parties in the United States; The Two Major
U.S. Parties Today; Why has the Two-Party
System Endured; Mechanisms of Political
Change; The Twenty-First Century Campaign;
Financing the Campaign; Running for
President: The Longest Campaign; How Are
Elections Conducted?; Turning Out to Vote
(We will discuss the concept of GOTV); The
Media and Politics; The Media and Political
Campaigns; Government Regulation of the
Media; Opinion and Bias in the Media.
--------------------------------------------------
Homework – Read & Review: Political
Parties – Analyzing Democratic,
Republican, and Libertarian – Classroom
Discussion – review of past debates.
Week 6 Subject Discussion:
Briefly Review on Chapters 11, 12,
13, & 14 – The Congress, The
President, The Bureaucracy, and The
Courts
All Video Presentations are due in
via e-mail 07/19/16
07/12/16
07/14/16
Classroom Discussion - Review Textbook
Contents: Parts 1 – 5; Chapters 1 – 14 -
Bring textbooks and all quizzes.
Week 7 Final Exam Review (Chapters 1 – 14)
– (07/19/16)
Final Exam – Essay – (07/21/16)
07/19/16
07/21/16
All textbooks and notes should not be
brought to class.
*The Professor reserves the right to alter or change any part of this course syllabus to better suit the needs of
the students.
*Grading Plan:
Area(s) Percentage Area(s) Percentage
Class Participation – Vision Board
Assignment, Apples vs. Oranges
Assignments
15% Reading/Writing
Assignments - In
class/homework
5%
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6. In-Class Projects: Reading/Writing
Assignments and/or Quizzes
5% Final Exam (Chapters 1 -16) 30%
Group Assignment – Video
Presentation (Chapters 7, 8, 9, &
10)
30%
Midterm – Chapters 1 – 7)
(replaces Take Home Test)
15% Total: 100%
*Grading percentages and letter assignments are determined by Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) grading
policy.
The standard GPC grading scale below will be used to determine your final grade:
AVERAGE GRADE
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 – 69 D
BELOW 60 F
Late Assignments: You should make every effort to complete and turn in all assignments, projects, etc. by the date
the assignment is due. You will be given one opportunity to submit an assignment. Late assignments will receive a
10 point deduction from the total assignment grade for each day the assignment is late. All late assignments
must be submitted electronically to the professor. If you do not submit the late assignment after being given
one opportunity, your assignment will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be recorded. The teacher reserves
the right to accept assignments not submitted due to unexcused absences (skipping, tardiness, etc.).
Class Assignments/Participation: It is your responsibility to obtain and complete all missed assignments due to
excused absences. If you are absent on the day a long-term assignment is due, you are responsible for turning in
the assignment on the date you return to class.
Make-up Policy for Test: If you are absent on the day a test is given, you must take during an arranged within two
(2) days to make up the test. If you have been absent for an extended period of time, you are responsible for
coming to tutorial to prepare for the make-up test. All excuses must be approved by the professor and/or the
department chair.
Internet Acceptable Use: Use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with
the educational objectives of Georgia Perimeter College @ Georgia State University. The use of the Internet is a
privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in cancellation of those privileges to participate in class
discussion.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY NOTES
THAT YOU MISS EITHER FROM TARDINESS OR FROM ABSENCE. Tardiness is unacceptable. It is imperative that
you make every effort to attend every class. As seen in the grading policy, missing just one class can have an
adverse effect on your final grade.
Class Conduct: Electronic devices (cellular phones, pagers, game boys, games, palm pilots, etc.) should be silent
running or turned off during class. These devices cause a distraction during class and you may be asked to leave
class and not return after the first occurrence. NO EXCEPTIONS! You may use tape recorders or use lap tops while
in class. Video recording is not allowed in class.
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7. Americans with Disabilities Act Statement - If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the
Americans with Disabilities Act and require assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the
Center for Disability Services. A Disabilities Counselor will coordinate those services.
Equal Opportunity Statement - No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin,
age or disability be excluded from employment of, participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Georgia Perimeter College.
Affirmative Action Statement - Georgia Perimeter College adheres to affirmative action policies designed to
promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.
Georgia Perimeter College @ Georgia State University
Dunwoody Campus
Department of History & Political Science
Statement of Student Receipt of Syllabus and Acceptance of College, Departmental & Course Policies
POLS 110 / 210171 Session; Section 261 Subject: American Government Term & Year: Summer
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8. I, ____________________________ (print name) have been notified that the course syllabus is on I-College and accept that
it is my responsibility to locate, read, and follow that syllabus during this course. I understand that any failure on
my part to follow the syllabus as well as all other guidance material will not be a valid excuse for special treatment.
I realize the schedule of topics to be covered in class is subject to change by the instructor and that it is my
responsibility to keep abreast to any changes posted periodically on I-College. It is my responsibility to download
all handouts, study guide sheets, and other materials posted in I-College and that I must check periodically to
review to any changes posted there. I understand that I will be responsible to obtain a copy of the textbook (hard
copy or e-textbook) and am responsible knowing its contents.
I am responsible to take the initiative on any graded project, and that the instructor will not be held responsible
for any failures on my part to complete any graded assignments or meet any deadlines. The instructor reserves
the right to utilize Turnitin.com for any or all written assignments. I am responsible to make any corrections
suggested by Turnitin.com and that any failure to do so may be considered as evidence of plagiarism according to
the GPC Student Guidebook. I understand the cheating, plagiarism, or any form of violation of the GPC Student
Handbook may result in my name being submitted to the College for punitive action.
I understand that regular class attendance will not guarantee a higher grade but that the failure to attend class
could harm my performance on graded exercises. I agree that sleeping in class, talking off the subject, computer
gaming, texting, harassment and other forms of inattentiveness and rude behavior are not beneficial to my
academic development or the general atmosphere of learning desired in an academic setting.
I understand that GPC policy requires without exception that all persons must be treated with respect and dignity
and that any disruptive activity by any student toward another student or the instructor will not be tolerated and
may necessitate the removal of the student from class for Disruptive Behavior (See the GPC Student Guidebook).
Finally, I understand that GPC and Departmental policy have precise procedures concerning student complaints
that begin with private meetings with the instructor. If the situation is not resolved at this level, the question will
be forwarded to the Department Chair and if necessary, followed by the Academic Dean for Social Sciences and
then the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Student Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________________
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