PPOL 501 Foundations of American Governance: An Introduction to Public Policy

This course provides a broad study of the philosophical, intellectual, political, and cultural influences on Western Society and examines the manner in which those influences have been and are being reflected in American Public Policy. More specifically, it will examine the manner in which various worldviews affect American Public Policy, with particular emphasis on the contrast between the Judeo-Christian worldview and Secular Humanism, Marxism/Leninism, and Islamic Fundamentalism.

Foundations of American Governance is a required and foundational course providing the mechanical, philosophical, and substantive framework for the study of public policy that will occur throughout the remainder of the program.

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

The student will be required to complete 2 discussions. Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words and contain at least 3 citations in current APA format. In addition to the thread, the student must reply to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 200–250 words and contain at least 1 citation in current APA format.

News Article Review Assignments (4)

The student will be required to submit 4 News Article Review Assignments in this course. Each News Article Review Assignment must demonstrate comprehension and identify key elements related to concepts discussed in the course. Each News Article Review Assignment must be at least 150–250 words and cite the reviewed article in current APA format.

Research Paper Assignments

The student will be required to submit 2 research papers written in current APA format. Both papers must cite appropriate grad-level sources and contain a title page and bibliography. The first Research Paper will require at least 3 sources and have a 500-word body. The second Research Paper must cite at least 5 sources and have a 1,750–2,000-word body.  There is an optional draft of the second research paper.

Research Paper: Public Policy Analysis Draft Assignment

The Research Paper: Public Policy Analysis Draft Assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool. This assignment will allow students to submit a draft of the final submission and make any necessary edits prior to submitting the final assignment.