Young Harris College

Introduction to American Government

Political Science 1100
Spring Semester, 2020

Instructor’s Name: Professor Lee March

Office Location: Goolsby 202B
Office Phone Number: 706-379-5143 (o) 706-897-9079 (cell- best number to reach me)
Email Address: leem@yhc.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10:00 am – 11:00 am and 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
TR 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm
(appointments/walk-ins welcome)

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the
people to restrain the government. Patrick Henry

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course Description: The constitutional and political structures of our national and state governments are
appraised in this course. Present events are treated in light of their constitutional background. The content of this
course satisfies the state legislative requirements concerning the Georgia Constitution.

Course objectives: As a result of taking this course, the student will fulfill a necessary requirement for all
degree programs at Young Harris College. The student will also obtain a broad overview of various aspects of
the governmental system of the United States and its impact on his/her own life. The student will develop the
capacity to logically and critically apply the information learned to daily experiences. The student will learn
effective communication through in-class discussion of ideas, the synthesizing of ideas through written
examinations and the preparation of a research paper. The student will be exposed to a wide range of global
issues and problems and will be challenged to see the impact these have on his/her own life. The student will
develop the interpersonal skills necessary to interact in a sensible, cooperative, and reasonable manner with
persons who have ideas dramatically different from his/her own.

TEXTS / MATERIALS

Required Texts: All Readings provided by the instructor as required.

COURSE POLICIES

Examinations
Examinations will be in the form of Multiple Choice questions. A total of four (4) exams will be given. Each
of the first three exams will be worth one hundred (100) points. The final exam will be worth two hundred
(200) points with one-half of the test covering the final quarter of the class material and one-half
comprehensive. No make-ups will be given for unexcused absences. No early exams will be given.

Research Paper
Each student will prepare a research paper dealing with an assigned topic. Specific requirements and grading
criteria are covered in a separate handout.
Grading
Exam 1 100 points (14.33%)
Exam 2 100 points (14.33%)
Exam 3 100 points (14.33%)
Exam 4 (Final) 200 points (28.50%)
Research Paper 200 points (28.50%)
TOTAL 700 points (100.00%)

Grades will be posted in Moodle.

Young Harris College Grading system:

Numerical
Grade Value Points
A 93–100 4
A- 90-92 3.7
B+ 87–89 3.3
B 83-86 3
B- 80-82 2.7
C+ 77-79 2.3
C 73-76 2
C- 70-72 1.7
D 60-69 1
F Below 60 0

More information: http://catalog.yhc.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=196

Class Attendance Policy

Young Harris College considers the classroom experience to be a vital part of a comprehensive liberal arts
experience and essential to academic success. When a student elects to enroll at Young Harris, he or she is
responsible for adhering to the class attendance policy of the College.

Faculty members establish and enforce an attendance policy appropriate to each course section taught. The
course instructor’s policy and the penalties to be imposed for violation of the policy are published in the course
syllabus distributed during the first week of classes. Each instructor keeps an accurate record of each student’s
attendance in the College’s learning management system, Moodle, which is available to the student, the faculty
advisor, and the officers of the College.

Absences for College-sponsored activities, including representing the College in curricular, co-curricular, and
extra-curricular activities that are documented by College officials supervising those activities, are excused. A
student who misses class to participate in such an activity must communicate with the instructor as early as
possible to make alternative arrangements for missed work and/or class time. Instructors must make reasonable
accommodations to allow students to complete assignments, with the potential of earning full credit, missed due
to excused absences for official representation of the College. Instructors use their professional judgment in
determining whether absences for other reasons are excused.
In no instance should a student miss more than 15% of scheduled class meetings, whether for official purposes
or otherwise. A student who misses more than 15% of scheduled class meetings, whether excused or
unexcused, may, at the instructor’s discretion, earn a grade of “F” for the course.

Students are responsible for following each instructor’s published attendance policy, for keeping a record of
their absences and confirming it in Moodle, for informing instructors of the reasons for any absences, and for
completing any work missed in their absence. A student who registers for a course after the first day of classes
is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor at the first possible opportunity regarding the course’s
absence policy and the student’s responsibility for any work missed.

Withdrawal Policy
 A full-time student who wishes to withdraw from a course after the drop/add deadline may do so as long
as the student remains full-time (12 semester hours) after the withdrawal. A student who withdraws
after the add/drop deadline but before the deadline for withdrawing without penalty earns a grade of
“W” for the course. A student who withdraws after the deadline for withdrawing without penalty earns
a grade of “W” only if he or she is earning a grade of “D” or higher when the withdrawal is initiated;
otherwise, the student earns a grade of “F.” Courses for which a grade of “W” is posted remain on the
student’s transcript and count as hours attempted but are not calculated in the student’s grade point
average.

 A full-time student who wishes to withdraw from a course that would result in the student becoming less
than full-time (12 semester hours) must receive prior approval from the Provost.

 Any student who wishes to withdraw from all courses after the add/drop deadline must obtain the
appropriate withdrawal from the Registrar’s Office and follow the specific withdrawal process.

Academic Integrity: In the spirit of maintaining the highest level of academic integrity for all students at
YHC, you are expected to adhere to the Honor Pledge and will be held accountable to the Honor Code
guidelines as stated on the YHC webpage: http://www.yhc.edu/academics/honor-council. Therefore, all written
assignments for this course are subject to the originality detection software found at turnitin.com.

Academic Accommodations: Academic Accommodations:

Young Harris College is committed to creating an environment in which all students have access to learn and
work to their full potential. In accordance with current federal laws, YHC provides academic accommodations
for students registered with Disability Services. Students in need of academic accommodations should contact
Disability Services as soon as possible to obtain accommodation forms or to register with Disability Services.
Information on how to register with Disability Services is available on YHC Connect (connect.yhc.edu) on the
Disability Services page under the Campus Services tab. Disability Services is located in the Success Center
which is on the lower level of the Rollins Campus Center and can be contacted at 706-379-5200 or
disability@yhc.edu.

Other Academic Policies: All students are encouraged to read carefully all academic policies in the College
Catalog and the Guide to Student Life.
 COURSE CALENDAR

I. The Theoretical Origins of Government

A. Introduction and Intellectual Basis

B. Political Socialization and Political Culture

C. Elitism vs. Pluralism

Examination #1

II. Groups in American Government

A. Interest Groups

B. Ideology

C. Political Parties, Elections, and Voting

D. The Development of the Constitution

Examination #2

III. The Branches of American Government

A. Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, and Federalism

B. The Legislative Branch

C. The Executive Branch

D. The Judicial Branch

Examination #3

IV. The Evolution of American Government – The Bill of Rights

A. Amendment I
Religion
Speech
Press
B. Amendment IV
C. Amendment V
D. Amendment VI

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THIS SYLLABUS SHOULD THE NEED ARISE TO DO SO.
 ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Research Paper Due last class before Spring Break:

Thursday, March 5 (TR class) and Friday, March 6 (MWF
class)

Exam Schedule Exam #1

Wednesday, January 29
MW class

Thursday, January 30
TR class

Exam #2

Wednesday, February 26
MW class

Thursday, February 27
TR class

Exam #3

Wednesday, March 25
MW class

Thursday, March 26
TR class

Final Exam Friday, May 1

10:45-11:15
MW class

Monday, May 4
10:45-11:15
TR class