Sullivan University Syllabus

hst274

General Education

Course Syllabus

HST274 - American Government

Credit Hours: 4

Course Description

This course is an introduction to American government, its historical foundations, national institutions, and historical and contemporary political processes and policies. Focus will be given to the Constitution, the three branches of the federal government, interest groups, public opinion, the media, campaigns, elections, political parties, and foreign and domestic policies.

Course Prerequisites

None

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Analyze the foundations and historical development of the American political system (i.e. US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Federalist Papers
Compare and contrast the separation and balance of powers among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches
Explain the idea of federalism and the roles of states and the national government in America’s political environment
Characterize the role and influence of collective action groups (i.e. special interest groups, media, and political parties)
Illustrate the role of the government in expanding and ensuring civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans
Explain the federal election processes in the United States, with specific emphasis on the role of the Electoral College
Discuss global and domestic events and their impact on American foreign and domestic policy

Assessment of Outcomes

Specified on the course schedule/outline

Grading System

Letter Grade	Range	Definition
A	90-100	Excellent
B	80-89	Above Average
C	70-79	Average
D	60-69	Below Average
F	0-59	Failing
W	—	Withdrawal during weeks 1 - 7
WF	—	Withdrawal failing after week 7
NF	—	Failing – Not actively engaged

For more details about the Grading System, please see the current catalog.

Active Participation

Students must be actively engaged in the course. For a definition of active engagement, please see the current catalog.

Academic Integrity

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses against the University’s academic integrity and are consequently strictly prohibited. All students must familiarize themselves with the University policy on Academic Integrity.

Penalties for cheating and plagiarism are described in the University policy on Academic Integrity in the catalog. They include failure of the assignment, failure for the course, or dismissal from the University. For the complete Cheating/Plagiarism policy, please see the current catalog.

Students with Disabilities

Students who have disabilities that may impact their performance in this course should follow the process described under the heading Accommodations for the Disabled in the current catalog.

Discipline (Program) Specific Information

None

Date of last review: Spring 2022