This course summary outlines the key elements of a National Government course at a community college (CDL). The course is a general education social science requirement. The instructor aims to teach and inspire students who may take the course out of requirement rather than interest. Productive outcomes include enhancing students' knowledge of government and politics to form educated opinions and recognize future changes. The course materials are a textbook on American government and politics. The schedule follows the textbook's 14 chapters over 12 weeks, with weekly discussions, quizzes, papers, and a midterm and final research project. The course is worth 280 points total.

1. National Government
101
College and
Course
Course Policies
Resources
and Resources
Institutional
Student Needs
Syllabus Materials Policy FAQ's
Center
and Links
Assessment
Instructor Academic
and Rubric Technology
Information Honesty Policy
FAQ's
Course Netiquette College
My Grade
Calendar Tutorial Writing Center

2. Week 2 Week 3 Week 4: Public
Week 1 The Opinion, Political
Democratic Republic Civil Liberties and Socialization and the
and the Constitution Federalism Rights Media
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives
Required Learning
Required Learning Materials
Materials Required Learning Required Learning
Materials Materials
Discussion Federal
Discussion on vs. State Gun Laws
Discussion
Political Experience Discussion on Poll
Is anti- Readings What do
discrimination a these two polls say?
right or liberty?
Discussion Gay
Discussion ? Marriage Laws
Yesterday and
Today
Discussion Discussion the role
Name and explain of Social
one of your civil Movements in
White Paper liberties Legislation
1 Minute Paper Resources
Your interests
Upload Article on
White Paper Liberties vs. Rights
Social Movements
Assessment Quiz
to Wiki
Instructions and
Rubric
Peer Review Muddiest Reflective
Discussion on Point Reflection Discussion
Formal Reasoning

3. Week 5: Interest Week 6:
Week 7: Week 8: Week 9:
Groups and Campaigns and
Congress Presidency Bureaucracy
Political Parties Elections
Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives
Midterm MLA resources on
Required Learning White Required Learning
Requirements and Research Paper
Materials Paper Resources Materials
Discussion outline assignment
Discussion PACs White Paper Discussion: Are
Effect upon Required Learning Assessment expanded executive Required Learning
Presidential Materials Instructions and powers Materials
Fundraising Rubric constitutional?
Discussion: Should Discussion: What is Discussion: Is
Discussion Should
the Electoral College Required Learning the most important bureaucracy a fourth
there be more than 2
rules be changed per Materials reason for a branch of
political parties?
state? presidential cabinet? government?
Discussion: Is GOTV Discussion: Should Discussion: Post
Open discussion on
Upload PACs Article an effective method term limits be outline and peer
role of president.
for voter turnout? required? review
Discussion: What Reflection: Survey on Reflection:
Open discussion on
Reflection: Journal branch of wekness and strength
student campaign Muddiest Point of
Entry on article government is of class since
experience. Outline Assessment
Congress? midterm.
Midterm Reflection: Reflection: One
Is a compound sentence summary of
midterm helpful for effectiveness of
students? "white paper"

4. Week 12: Week 13:
Week 10:
Domestic and
Judiciary Reflection
Foreign Policy
Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Final peer reviews due
Open discussion on
Required Learning Required Learning
journal entry on course
Materials Materials
review
Discussion: Are the
Judiciary Branches Quiz expanded executive Final project due
powers constitutional?
Discussion: Is the
appeals process for Discussion: Should the Reflection: Muddiest
death row inmates an US remain the wolrd point of course
effective cariiage of policemen? structure
justice?
Discussion: Should the
Supreme Court judges Final peer review
be elected by the discussion
people or Congress?
Reflection: Open
Upload Writ of Certiori
discussion on MLA
Article Assessment
requirements
Reflection: Journal
entry on article

5. • Objectives can be supported and guided by course
materials
Materials • They are an integral part of the learning process
• Shared views extend peer learning and support
Discussion • Discussions create student-led learning
• Indicate level of involvement with class and
materials
Assessments • Allow mastery of course contents and subject
• Allow the completion of the circle of learning from
student led discussions and assessments to ability
Reflections to dissect self progress and that of the course.
Course Map Directions
Course: National Government at CDL
This course is a general education requirement as a part of Social Science requirements for all students.
My students may come to this class by force instead of interest. The class will include brief yet current
examples of American political history, structure and legislation. I t is my job to teach and inspire to
encourage and maintain participation.
Productive Future Outcomes: Students will enhance their knowledge of government and political
actions in everyday life. They should be able to reflect upon the materials learned in this class to form
well educated political opinions of our government. They should be able to recognize the structure and
any changes within the next 3 years and beyond. Their definition of civil liberties and rights will become
clearer and many may appreciate them more. Legislative decisions especially events such as the Fiscal
Cliff will be clearer for my students. Students will understand the electoral cycle, Electoral College and
role of PACs, lobbyists and public opinion in selection of politicians. Students may become more
politically and socially involved based upon their extended knowledge of what, why and how social

6. movements and campaigns make and change America. As a prior and continuing student of this art I
have witnessed many changes within fellow students and former colleagues as they learn more on the
comprehensive role of learned people in changing American government. This class usually inspires
actions by students.
Course Materials: American Government and Politics Brief Edition 2010-2013 by Steffen W. Schmidt,
Mark C. Shelley and Barbara A. Bardes.
Course Schedule: Class will be designed and discussed on a weekly basis per topic presented in the 14
chapters of the book. The course runs for approximately 12 weeks provided and stated by CCC
schedule. Some weeks may be compiled of two chapters that are related and support compound
cognitive learning. There will be 2 quizzes (10 points each), 2 “white” papers (20 points each), group
project (20 points) a mid-term research assignment (40 points) and a comprehensive research final
paper (40 points). Weekly discussions (participation 10 points per week, 5 points per question) will be
provided on topics as well as a rubric to guide students. The class will be worth 280 points with a
possible extra credit assignment to encourage and introduce motivated PowerPoint presentations.