PS 1010, American Government 1 Course Description In-depth study of American government and politics focusing on a balanced, unbiased, and up-to-date introduction to constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and processes. Prerequisites None Course Textbook Patterson, T. (2013). The American democracy (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc. Course Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Analyze and compare how the U. S. government functions on the federal, state, local, and global levels. 2. Identify and contrast the meanings of civil liberties and civil rights, and explain the impact each has had on U. S. politics. 3. Evaluate and identify the roles public opinion plays in American politics, from the local level to political parties. 4. Discuss the impact interest groups and the media have on political socialization. 5. Identify the three branches of government and explain their role in the checks and balances system of the U. S. government. 6. Examine the role bureaucracy plays and how it maintains rules and order in the federal government. 7. Research, analyze, and explain issues that impact the local, state, and federal economy. 8. Identify and discuss the defense and foreign policies followed by the U. S. government. 9. Assess and characterize how politics directly impacts business, safety, or health requirements. 10. Engage in open discussion with perspective from leaders in the field. 11. Describe the evolution of political and party structure from the 1800's to today. 12. Evaluate the difference between intended and actual government. Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Objectives: Each unit contains Unit Learning Objectives that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses lesson material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. Chapter presentations are provided in each unit study guide as Supplemental Reading to aid students their course of study. Supplemental Readings are provided in the unit study guides to aid students in their course of study. PS 1010, American Government Course Syllabus PS 1010, American Government 2 4. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study in Units I, III, and VI. 5. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their course of study. Students should pay particular attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts within the unit material and reading. 6. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are a part of all CSU term courses. Information and specificatio ...

1. PS 1010, American Government 1
Course Description
In-depth study of American government and politics focusing on
a balanced, unbiased, and up-to-date introduction to
constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic
structures and processes.
Prerequisites
None
Course Textbook
Patterson, T. (2013). The American democracy (11th ed.). New
York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Analyze and compare how the U. S. government functions on
the federal, state, local, and global levels.

2. 2. Identify and contrast the meanings of civil liberties and civil
rights, and explain the impact each has had on U. S.
politics.
3. Evaluate and identify the roles public opinion plays in
American politics, from the local level to political parties.
4. Discuss the impact interest groups and the media have on
political socialization.
5. Identify the three branches of government and explain their
role in the checks and balances system of the U. S.
government.
6. Examine the role bureaucracy plays and how it maintains
rules and order in the federal government.
7. Research, analyze, and explain issues that impact the local,
state, and federal economy.
8. Identify and discuss the defense and foreign policies
followed by the U. S. government.
9. Assess and characterize how politics directly impacts
business, safety, or health requirements.
10. Engage in open discussion with perspective from leaders in
the field.
11. Describe the evolution of political and party structure from
the 1800's to today.
12. Evaluate the difference between intended and actual
government.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3)
hours of college credit.

3. Course Structure
1. Unit Learning Objectives: Each unit contains Unit Learning
Objectives that specify the measurable skills and
knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit.
2. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which
discusses lesson material.
3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading
Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook.
Chapter presentations are provided in each unit study guide as
Supplemental Reading to aid students their
course of study. Supplemental Readings are provided in the unit
study guides to aid students in their course of
study.
PS 1010, American Government
Course Syllabus
PS 1010, American Government 2
4. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded
Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their
course of study in Units I, III, and VI.
5. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their
course of study. Students should pay particular
attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts
within the unit material and reading.
6. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are a part of all CSU
term courses. Information and specifications

4. regarding these assignments are provided in the Academic
Policies listed in the Course Menu bar.
7. Unit Assessments: This course contains seven Unit
Assessments, one to be completed at the end of Units I-VII.
Assessments are composed of multiple-choice questions and/or
written response questions.
8. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for
grading Unit Assignments in Units II, V, and VIII. Specific
information and instructions regarding these assignments are
provided below.
9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you
with an opportunity to ask your professor general or
course content related questions.
10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for
casual conversation with your classmates.
CSU Online Library
There is a virtual library with resources, including both journals
and ebooks, to support your program and your course at
Columbia Southern University. eResources are accessible 24
hours a day/7 days a week from the CSU Online Library
gateway page. To access the library, log into myCSU, and then
click on CSU Online Library. Resources are organized in
the library by title, but if you click on Research Guides, you
will find eResources arranged by subject.
The Library Reference service is available 7 days a week; you
can reach CSU’s virtual librarians by emailing
[email protected] These professional librarians will be glad to

5. help you develop your research
plan or to assist you in any way in finding relevant, appropriate,
and timely information.
Librarian responses may occur within minutes or hours, but it
will never take more than 24 hours for a librarian to send a
response to the email address you have provided. Replies to
reference requests may include customized keyword search
strategies, links to videos, research guides, screen captures,
attachments, a phone call, live screen sharing, and meeting
room appointments, as well as other forms of instruction.
Unit Assignments
Unit II PowerPoint Presentation
Civil Liberties v. Civil Rights: Create a PowerPoint slide show
explaining what Civil Liberties and Civil Rights are. Your
slide show should consist of 10-14 slides (not including a title
slide and reference slide which you must have) and should
include, but not be limited to:
protected on a federal and state level
protected on a federal and state level
l liberties taken up by the Supreme
Court from 1800-2005
Court from 1800-2005

6. Court in the last 2 years
rights ruled on by the Supreme
Court in the last 2 years
have influenced minority groups, and the effects they
have had on the struggles for equal rights
You may include additional information you feel is relevant, but
do not create more than 14 slides. Remember that you
must include a title slide and proper APA reference slide in
addition to the 10-14 slides. Use your creativity, and organize
the material in a logical and understandable manner. Please feel
free to use the notes portion of each slide as well.
This assignment requires Microsoft PowerPoint, or a
comparable presentation program. Other programs include Open
Office (http://www.openoffice.org) and Google Docs
(http://docs.google.com). Google Docs is a free program similar
to
MSOffice and housed on the web. Open Office is a piece of
open source software similar to MSOffice, but requires a
download and installation.
mailto:[email protected]

7. http://www.openoffice.org/
http://docs.google.com/
PS 1010, American Government 3
Unit V Article Critique
Access the CSU Online Library. Within the database “Academic
OneFile,” locate and read the following articles:
Electoral College aim to scrap the Founders’ design.” The
American Conservative 10 (12), 33+.
ill, W. (2012). Changing up the Electoral College?
State Legislatures, 38(1), 9.
Upon reading the two articles, write a response essay of at least
500 words. Your essay should address the Electoral
College as it currently functions, as well as the proposed
changes discussed in the two articles. Are you in support of the
current Electoral College? Do you agree or disagree with the
proposed changes? Is it right for states to circumvent the
Constitution on this matter? Your essay should be well thought
out and include direct references to the articles. Limited
direct quotes are permitted. All references (paraphrased or
quoted) should be correctly cited using APA format.
Click here to view the rubric your professor will use to grade
your assignment.
Unit VIII Final Project

8. Locate and evaluate a periodical or newspaper article in print or
online (e.g,, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time
magazine, The Economist, Forbes) that details an economic
issue on the local, state, or federal level. Make sure that the
article is dated no longer than six months ago and the article is
relevant to a topic covered in the course.
Upon reading the appropriate article, write a 1000-1500 word
analysis, making sure to clearly answer and include the
following:
limited quotes or paraphrasing. All quotes and
paraphrasing must have proper APA citations.
national budget based on the economic issue
addressed in this article.
budget influences the circumstances in the article.
Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget.
article’s economic issue and how that incident
impacted the daily life (work, home, and recreation) of the time.
cuss
how the economic issue in your chosen article applies
to your own daily life (work, home and recreation).

9. Your paper should be written using proper APA format. You
should also have proper APA formatted in-text citations and
ending references.
Click here to view the rubric your professor will use to grade
your assignment.
APA Guidelines
CSU requires that students use the APA style for papers and
projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting,
paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed.
A document titled “APA Guide” is available for you to
download from the APA Guide link, found in the Learning
Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal. It may also be
accessed from the Student Resources link on the Course Menu.
This document includes examples and sample papers
and provides links to The CSU Success Center and the CSU
Online Library staff.
CSU Grading Rubric for Papers/Projects
The course papers will be graded based on the CSU Grading
Rubric for all types of papers, unless otherwise specified
within assignment instructions. In addition, all papers will be
submitted for electronic evaluation to rule out plagiarism.
Course projects will contain project specific grading criteria
defined in the project directions. To view the rubric, click the
Academic Policies link on the Course Menu, or access it
through the CSU Grading Rubric link found in the Learning
Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal.

10. http://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/courses/Gener
al_Studies/PS/PS1010/13L/UnitV_GradingRubric.pdf
http://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/courses/Gener
al_Studies/PS/PS1010/13L/UnitVIII_GradingRubric.pdf
PS 1010, American Government 4
Communication Forums
These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to
communicate with your professor and other students.
Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not
required. You can access these forums with the buttons in
the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to
these forums are provided below.
Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and
post to the Communication Forums.
Ask the Professor
This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to
ask your professor general or course content questions.
Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course
components, textbook or course content elaboration,
additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general
advice from other students.
Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding
assessment/assignment grades or personal
accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If
you have questions, comments, or concerns of a non-
public nature, please feel free to email your professor.

11. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the
professor within 48 hours.
Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant
course documentation, including the syllabus,
assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other
important information.
Student Break Room
This communication forum allows for casual conversation with
your classmates. Communication on this forum should
always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for
your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to
share assessment answers.
Grading
Discussion Boards (8 @ 2%) = 16%
Assessments (7 @ 3%) = 21%
PowerPoint Presentation = 20%
Article Critique = 20%
Final Project = 23%
Total = 100%
Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT)
The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to
assist you through this course. By following this schedule,
you will be assured that you will complete the course within the
time allotted.

12. https://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/common_file
s/instructions/DB/Create_New_Thread_Subscribe.pdf
PS 1010, American Government 5
PS 1010, American Government Course Schedule
By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will
complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this
schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
Unit I Foundations of American Government
Review:
-Graded): See Study Guide
Read:
pter 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming
a Responsible Citizen
Self-Government
Discuss:
Discussion Board Response: Submit your response to the
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)

13. Notes/Goals:
Unit II Civil Liberties and Equal Rights
Read:
Discuss:
r response to the
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)

14. Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Submit:
l Time)
Time)
Notes/Goals:
PS 1010, American Government 6
PS 1010, American Government Course Schedule
Unit III Public Opinion and Political Participation
Review:

15. -Graded): See Study Guide
Read:
Shaping the People’s Voice
Will
Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns:
Defining the Voter’s Choice
Discuss:
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
scussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:

16. Unit IV Interest Groups and the News Media
Read:
Images
Discuss:
r response to the
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Time)
Notes/Goals:

17. PS 1010, American Government 7
PS 1010, American Government Course Schedule
Unit V Congress and the President
Read:
als and Local
Interests
Discuss:
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
cussion Board Comment: Comment on another student’s
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Submit:

18. Notes/Goals:
Unit VI Bureaucracy and Judiciary
Review:
-Graded): See Study Guide
Read:
Government
m: Applying the Law
Discuss:
Discussion Board question by

19. Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:
PS 1010, American Government 8
PS 1010, American Government Course Schedule
Unit VII Economic, Environmental, and Education Policies

20. Read:
Contributing to Prosperity
Personal Security and Need
Supplemental Reading: See Study Guide
Discuss:
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals:

21. Unit VIII Foreign Policy and Local Politics
Read:
rotecting the American Way
Differences
Discuss:
Discussion Board question by
Saturday, Midnight (Central Time)
Discussion Board response by
Tuesday, Midnight (Central Time)
Notes/Goals: