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PLSC-101: American Government and Politics

Course Information

Course, prefix, number, & title: PLSC-101 American Government and Politics

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): (Or Co-requisite) Students must complete any developmental requirements in English (see Proficiency in Math and English) prior to taking this course or enroll in ENGL-101 and BE-102 at the same time as this course.

Course Description in college catalog:

Study and analysis of American government; its historical and intellectual origins and development; special consideration of its structure and operations; functions of the President, Congress, and judiciary; role of government and politics in modern industrial society. 

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematics and Science)

Dual/Joint AS/BA Degree Program in Criminal Justice

Students will use historical and social sciences perspectives to analyze and make judgments about issues in the field of criminal justice.

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

  1. Communicate effectively in various forms

  2. Use historical or social sciences perspectives to examine formation of ideas, human behavior, social institutions, or social processes

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

Objectives: To enable a student to:

1. Students will read political science texts effectively.

2. Students will critically evaluate theories and concepts in American government and politics.

3. Students will apply course concepts to current issues in American government and politics.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will summarize passages from assigned readings.

2. Students will compare and contrast opposing views in American political debate.

3. Students will identify basic content in the field of American government and politics: vocabulary, concepts, theories, models.

4. Students will list key concepts from specific political ideologies.

5. Students will appraise, analyze, and debate contemporary political challenges facing the United States and the world.

6. Students will appraise how American government and politics affects domestic issues and their everyday lives.

Program-specific outcomes

1. Gather, interpret, and assess information from a variety of sources and points of view.

2. Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically.

3. Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions.

4. Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring the U.S. experience in its diversity, including, but not limited to, anthropology, communications, cultural studies, economics, history, political science, psychology, public affairs, sociology, and U.S. literature.

5. Analyze and explain one or more major themes of U.S. history from more than one informed perspective.Identify and differentiate among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government and analyze their influence on the development

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

Some sections will satisfy the college requirements for Writing Intensive instruction.

All sections will involve exercises involving reading comprehension and critical thinking skills development.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.

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