Course
Objectives
To increase your knowledge of:
*the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions
*the forms of government
*the levels of government
*the branches of government
*the language of politics
*the forms of political participation
*the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Course Goals
To develop your abilities to:
-be ready to participate in a pluralist, globally-connected democracy
-be aware of different problem-solving tactics
-argue persuasively both in written and oral formats
-comprehend various forms of reasoning
-listen, evaluate, and respond to arguments
-dispel cynicism and apathy about politics
Course Structure
The course will be organized around three themes. They are the
context for politics, governmental institutions, and the interactions
between individuals and governments.
Required Texts
There are two required texts for the course. They are The Human
Polity, brief version by Kay Lawson and Citizen Democracy
by Stephen E. Frantzich. Other readings that students will be
responsible for will be provided in handouts or on the Web.
Course
Requirements
There will be two tests during the semester and a final
examination. The two tests will not be cumulative and the
final will not be comprehensive. The tests and final will be
composed of short answer and essay questions. There will be various
assignments during the semester. There will also be a Civic
Involvement project that
will consist of students picking a concern and addressing it
in a particular fashion.
Grading Format
| Item |
Points |
% of Grade |
| Test 1 |
90 |
22.5 |
| Test 2 |
100 |
25 |
| Final |
110 |
27.5 |
| Project |
50 |
12.5 |
| Assignments |
50 |
12.5 |
| Total |
400 |
100 |
Grading Policy
| Grade |
% |
Points |
| A |
90-100 |
360-400 |
| B |
80-89 |
320-359 |
| C |
70-79 |
280-319 |
| D |
60-69 |
240-279 |
| F |
0-59 |
0-239 |
|
