POLS 1113: American Federal Government
Zap Number
Meets: MWF
Place: PH 314
Instructor: Dr. Ken Hicks
Fall 2009 Semester
Office: Will Rogers Auditorium Room 110
Phone: 343-7687
E-Mail: kennethhicks@rsu.edu
WebPage: www.rsu.edu/faculty/khicks

   PDF version of the syllabus is available here.

American Federal Government is an introductory survey course that is part of General Education requirement for two- and four-year degrees. The course is designed to familiarize students with the American system of government, and with the broader sphere of political behavior. An important civic theme runs through this course: democratic societies are only as good as their citizens, and citizens must be adequately informed of their rights and responsibilities. American Federal Government is designed provide students with the informational foundation necessary to become good citizens.

 Successful students will develop a number of skills in this course, including:

• Demonstrate knowledge of democratic societies and the political institutions of American federal government;
• Identify major political trends, events, and personalities;
• Identify political systems and processes;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and major social trends of family, education, politics, economics, or religious institutions.

These goals will be pursued through a combination of class discussions, quizzes, examinations, and short written assignments.