POLI1000 Introduction to American Government and Politics

This course introduces students to the American political system.  Topics of study include the following: the United States Constitution, political parties, interest groups, federal bureaucracy, Presidency, Congress, the courts, and civil liberties and rights.  This course meets Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal areas 5 and 9.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Qualifying score on writing assessment test OR ENGL0960 and Qualifying score on reading assessment test OR ENGL0921. Basic computer skills recommended.

Course Requirements and Evaluation

Refer to Course Syllabus for detailed information regarding the requirements and evaluation standards for this course. The Course Syllabus will be distributed the first week of the course.

Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes will be addressed in the course:
Define political terms and concepts
Identify political characteristics in United States’ history
Identify United States’ government institutions
Identify United States’ governmental processes
Demonstrate political science research methods
Evaluate diverse political sources and points of view
Compare political systems across a range of cultural and historical periods
Describe different approaches to international relations
Identify challenges related to international relations

Text and References

A list of textbooks required for this course is available at the campus store and in eServices.

Course Scheduling

The scheduled hours of instruction include sixteen hours for each lecture credit, thirty-two hours for each lab credit and forty hours for each credit of supervised occupational experience (SOE).  Lecture credit may include formal or impromptu lectures, demonstrations or discussions with the entire class or with small groups or individuals.  Refer to the Course Credits section of this course outline for the credit breakdown.

Accommodations Statement

Access Services - Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified students with documented disabilities. Upon attending an intake meeting with Access Services, qualified students will receive a letter listing the approved accommodations that they may provide to their instructors. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, contact HTC Access Services at AccessServices@hennepintech.edu or https://hennepintech.edu/current-students/access-services/index.html

Campus

Brooklyn Park Campus and Eden Prairie Campus: 952-995-1300

Credit Details

Lecture:

3

MnTC Goal Areas:

5 & 9