Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

POLS& 202 American Government

5 credits
This course explores various interpretations of American democracy and evaluates the changing nature of the American political system, origins, institutions, and operations. Students investigate issues of individual rights, popular representation, and power and policies; analyze formal and informal institutions of government; articulate conventional and unconventional means of citizen participation; and interpret political outcomes.

Prerequisites: ENGL 099  (or placement into ENGL& 101 )

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Discuss rights and responsibilities of citizens addressed in the Washington state and United States Constitutions
  • Describe electoral issues, including elections, ballot measures, initiatives, and referenda
  • Evaluate information about American political ideologies and evidence used to support them
  • Analyze real world evidence and hypothetical political and economic issues
  • Evaluate the analyses of political commentators and actors and other sources of political information to distinguish between fact and opinion
  • Identify the key features of tribal, local, state, and federal government
  • Evaluate and articulate the impact of historical and current events on the development and functioning of American government
  • Evaluate and draw conclusions from competing and contradictory sources
  • Present theoretical solutions to contemporary political and economic problems
  • Complete the civics component of the federally administered naturalization test required of persons seeking to become naturalized United States citizens
  • Discuss the importance in a free society of living the basic values and character traits specified in Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.150.211

Global Outcomes
This course teaches to the global outcome of intercultural appreciation.

Total Hours: 50 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 50