American Government – PSCI 501

Course Description

This course establishes the major facets of the study of political science and explains the relationship between political science and the public policy process. Students will also discuss and apply a Biblical model of statesmanship to this process and political context.

Rationale

This course is a required core course in the Master of Artis in Political Science program. It provides a broad, graduate-level introduction to the study of American government from a Biblical perspective, and introduces students to behavioral and institutional research specific to American politics.

Course Assignment

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (4)

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 400-600 words and incorporate ideas and citations from all of the required readings and presentations for the assigned module/week. In addition to the thread, the student must reply to at least 2 of their classmates’ original threads. Each reply must be 250-400 words and include citations from the required readings and presentations. Each thread and reply must follow current APA format.

Essay: Federalism, Civil Rights and Liberties Assignment

Students will answer and discuss the following groups of questions: 1)Why does the chapter refer to federal grants as “carrots” and unfunded mandates as “sticks?” What are the major differences between these two methods used by the federal government of inducing cooperation from the states? If you were a state official, explain which type of policy you would prefer Congress to enact. What about if you were a member of Congress? 2)What are the advantages and disadvantages of having Congress, an elected branch of government, set civil liberties policy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the Court, an unelected branch of government, set civil liberties policy? Whose hands are you more comfortable placing your civil liberties in—Congress’ or the Court’s—and why? 3) If you could only be protected by one amendment in the Bill of Rights, which one would you choose and why. How would your life be different without it? The paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not including the title page or references), double-spaced, and in APA format. All required readings and presentations from the appropriate modules should be cited, along with 2-4 additional scholarly sources.

Essay: Executive and Bureaucracy Assignment

This paper will require students to research Presidential signing statements. Additionally, students will assess the power structure of the bureaucracy. The paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not including the title page or references), double-spaced, and in current APA format. All required readings and presentations from the appropriate modules should be cited, along with 2-4 additional scholarly sources.

Essay: Political Parties and Interest Groups Assignment

In this paper, students will assess the similarities and differences between political parties and interest groups, and discuss the role of party labels in promoting collective responsibility. Next, students will research a specific interest group and explain how will it fits with the theories we will discuss in the module. Finally, students will assess whether or not their chosen interest group is good or bad for democracy. The paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not including the title page or references), double-spaced, and in current APA format. All required readings and presentations from the appropriate modules should be cited, along with 2-4 additional scholarly sources.

Essay: The Media and Concluding Thoughts Assignment

Students will use what they have learned about the news media and about the relationship between politicians and reporters, to make a case for who has more power and influence over public opinion and over policy today: the government or the news media. Students will also answer the following questions: How do free-rider problems contribute to high health care costs Does facing dire consequences help bring about compromises? What other tactics might work to bring opposing parties to the negotiating table?

The paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not including the title page or references), double-spaced, and in current APA format. All required readings and presentations from the appropriate modules should be cited, along with 2-4 additional scholarly sources.