COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY : FALL 2024

Political Science is a liberal arts major designed to introduce you to the enduring questions of
politics and the institutions and political life of the United States and other regions and countries
of the world. The discipline of Political Science is divided into different sub-fields: political
philosophy, American politics, comparative politics, international relations and public
administration. As a political science major, you can choose to concentrate on domestic politics
or global politics.

This course serves to provide students with an introduction to the discipline of political science,
focusing on the foundations, institutions, processes and policies of American Government and
its politics.

POL 201: Introduction to American Government Fall 2024

LOCATION AND TIMES:

POL 201-Sections 02, 06, 13, E1

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: American Government (Open Stax) 3e (Free online edition)

American Government 3e (openstax.org)

Instructor: Dr. Greg Rabidoux

Contact Information: Best way to contact me is through CCU email. My email is:
[email protected] You can also email me and request a phone chat to discuss more
confidential issues and/or to possibly schedule a meeting. I teach other courses in-person and
online in addition to this in-class, so I generally will respond within 24 hours or less as I get a lot
of emails.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Course Catalog Description:

An introduction to the national institutions and political processes of American government.
Students will examine the formation, development, organization, and powers of national
institutions; the interaction between political processes and political behavior; the development
of civil rights and civil liberties; and the policy process.

Course Objectives:

Course objectives are as follows and fulfill Core Curriculum Knowledge Goal #9 (Knowledge of
the Structure and Development of the U.S.):

Provide an overview of the theoretical principles and historical documents underlying the
American political system;

Improve knowledge and understanding of the structure, processes, and outputs of the modern
American political system;

Discuss and evaluate various contemporary issues and current events in American politics;

Improve critical thinking and analytical skills;

Provide civic education and the tools that students need to be active participants in the political
system;

​ dhere to Section 59-29-130 of the “Reinforcing College Education of America’s Constitutional

A
Heritage Act,” which requires reading: The United States Constitution in its entirety;

​The Declaration of Independence in its entirety;

​The Emancipation Proclamation in its entirety;

​ minimum of five essays in their entirety from the Federalist Papers as selected by the
A
instructor: (Federalist #s 1, 41, 50, 51 and 80)

​ ull Text of The Federalist Papers - Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History -
F
Research Guides at Library of Congress (loc.gov)

One or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle:
American Anti-Slavery Society Address of the Executive Committee, SC Volunteers’ Letter from
the Secretary of War, Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, The Negro as a National
Asset, Letter to Reverend Wamsley 1960, US H. Res. 1007 Justice for George Floyd June 15,
2020 Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:

• • Demonstrate an understanding of the American political system with an emphasis on

constitutional foundations;

• • Describe and explain the basic terms and concepts associated with the structure,
processes, and function of American government;
• • Analyze, discuss, and write critically about theories and current practices in American
politics and government;

• • Analyze contemporary political issues;

• • Recognize the responsibilities of citizenship and articulate ways in which individuals

can actively participate in the political system.

• • Fulfill Section 59-29-130 of the “Reinforcing College Education of America’s

Constitutional Heritage Act” to comply with state law and enrich students’ understandings of key
documents in the development of American national government.

Weekly Assignments: Reading and Activities

Week 1 August 21-25

Read Ch.1 American Government and Civic Engagement

CRAW 1

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 2 August 26-September 1

Read Ch.2 US Constitution and its Origins

Do CRAW2 and submit online in the Dropbox folder

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 3 September 2-8

Read Ch. 3 American Federalism

Read US Constitution Appendix B Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

Read Federalist Papers #1, and 40 Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

CRAW 3

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 4 September 9-15

Read Ch. 4 Civil Liberties

Read Federalist Papers #50, 51, and #80 Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

Do CRAW 4

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 5 September 16-22

Read Ch. 5 Civil Rights

Read Emancipation Proclamation (see link below) Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH
Act)

aass2.pdf (proquest.com) American-Anti-Slavery Society Address of the Executive Committee

Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

lawsslavery178.pdf (proquest.com) SC Volunteers Letter from the Secretary of War Read in its
Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

The Emancipation Proclamation | National Archives Emancipation Proclamation of President

Lincoln Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

CRAW 5

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED

Week 6 September 23-29

Read Ch. 6 The Politics of Public Opinion

Read Bill of Rights

(see link) Bill of Rights | U.S. Constitution | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
(cornell.edu) Read in its Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

Do CRAW 6

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

dubois1.pdf (proquest.com)The Negro as a National Asset Read in its Entirety (as required by
REACH Act)

sitins11.pdf (proquest.com)Letter to Reverend Wamsley 1960 Read in its Entirety (as required
by REACH Act)

floyd5.pdf (proquest.com) US H. Res. 1007 Justice for George Floyd June 15, 2020 Read in its
Entirety (as required by REACH Act)

Week 7 September 30-October 6

Read Ch. 7 Voting and Elections

CRAW 7

No Late CRAWS accepted

Week 8 October 7-13

Read Ch. 8 Media

Midterm Exam Posted (see online Moodle course)

No Late Exams Accepted.

Week 9 October 14-20

Read Ch. 9 Political Parties

CRAW 8

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 10 October 21-27

Read Ch. 10 Lobbying

CRAW 9

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED

Week 11 October 28-November 3

Read Ch. 11 The US Congress

CRAW 10

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 12 November 4-10

Read Ch. 12-The Presidency

CRAW 11

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Week 13 November 11-17

Read Chapter 13-The Courts

CRAW 12

NO LATE CRAWS ACCEPTED.

Weeks 14 and 15 November 18-December 1

Public Policy

Materials Provided

Final Exam Posted

December 2 (Last in-person Class)

Final Exam Due: Due December 8th by 11:00PM

No Late Exams Accepted

Grading and Assignment Values:

CRAWS (Chapter Review And Writing) 12 X 25 points per=300

Midterm (1) 1 X 100=100

Final (1) 1 X 100=100

In-Class Participation Max. 150 points

NOTE: Each in-person class has a team activity (about 15 minutes)

Each session is worth 10 points

15 X 10=150

Total Maximum Points = 650

Points to Score/Grade Scale:

591-650=A

531-590 B

471-530 C

411-470 D

<411 F

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

Coastal Carolina University is an academic community that expects the highest standards of
honesty, integrity and personal responsibility. Members of this community are accountable for
their actions and reporting the inappropriate action of others and are committed to creating an
atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. Coastal Carolina University’s Code of Conduct that is
available on the web at: https://www.coastal.edu/deanofstudents YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR YOUR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. ANY BEHAVIOR IN VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF
CONDUCT WILL BE REPORTED.

In all of my classes and interactions with students, I value and am committed to applying the
following behaviors and outcomes and expect the same from all of my students, in and out of
class.

• Ensure that everyone participates, and no one verbally bullies or dominates.

• Listen to others respectfully without interruption.

• Are able to disagree without being rude or offensive toward another.

• Recognize that all ideas have the potential to be of value; consequently, refrain from quick
judgement and maintain objectivity and receptivity.

Above all, in-class, students are strongly encouraged to keep an open mind, embrace opinions
and ideas other than your own and appreciate that learning is at the core of the college
experience.

Class Policies
ATTENDANCE

I will be taking attendance each week. Students are expected to attend ALL classes. Since this
class will be taught in-person, it is expected that students will be attending in-person. While I will
be posting supplemental materials online like articles, reminders, and powerpoints, none of
these constitute or are intended to be a substitute for in-class attendance and participation.

Note: Missing more than 25% of class meetings (excused or unexcused) – student will be
issued a failing grade per University Policy. Attendance policies are also governed by rules in
the University Catalogue.

COMPUTER PREPARATION

You must get your computer ready for online course work. Below are the steps to take.

1) Download the latest version of Adobe Reader to view pdf files: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

2) Download the latest version of Flash Player: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

3) Download Quicktime for viewing video files (or be sure you have a media player that will play
.mp4 videos) http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

4) Make sure you have a compatible browser. Moodle has been known to have various issues
with Microsoft IE Explorer and with Safari. Mozilla Firefox
(http://www.mozilla.org/enUS/firefox/new/) and Google Chrome
(https://www.google.com/chrome) are great options to try. They are both free, work well with
Moodle, and may solve many problems you may be having.

5) You must have access to a high- speed internet connection.

6) Download Lockdown Browser from Moodle

7) Familiarize yourself with Student Computing Services. This where you will find help for all of
your technology related problems or questions. Check the SCS website for hours, find a list of
on-campus help desks and locations and learn about other services at:
http://www.coastal.edu/scs. Note the SCS main phone number: 843-349-2220.

Special Note: Coastal Carolina University recognizes its responsibility for creating an
institutional climate in which students with disabilities can thrive. If you have any type of
disability for which you require special accommodations to promote your learning in

this class, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your needs. The Office of
Accessibility and Disability Services (Kearns Hall 106) is the office on campus that can help you
with special accommodations. You must contact them at (843) 349-2503 to verify your eligibility
and to discuss the options for accommodations related to your disability. For further information,
see http://www.coastal.edu/disabilityservices/.

NOTE: No Late Work is Accepted (This includes Exams)!

Instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as necessary

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