POS2041: American Federal Government
Welcome!
Welcome and thank you for enrolling in this course! I think you will enjoy our time together!
For some, this may be your first online course. If you are not a computer whiz, don’t worry. You don’t
need to be. From a computer standpoint, everything is simple to use and easy to navigate.
Please take a few minutes to read the syllabus in its entirety. Exploring all the topics in this syllabus and
related links will help you succeed in this course.
I am looking forward to working with you and having a great semester!
Dr. Doug Mikutel
POS2041: American Federal Government
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Professor Information
Professor: Dr. Doug Mikutel
Virtual Office Hours: Wednesdays 2-3pm
Virtual Contact Methods: Email
Office Phone: 747-777-6170
Email: dmikutel@fscj.edu
Instructor Response
You can anticipate responses to inquiries and questions within 24 – 48 hours of receipt.
Campus Information
This online course is offered by the Florida State College at Jacksonville Open Campus. For questions
or concerns, please feel free to call the Campus Resource Center (904-997-2628). For technical
assistance, please contact the Help Desk at 877-572-8895 or (904) 632-3151 or via
http://www.fscj.edu/campus-life/student-computing-resources/.
Course Description
This course surveys the background, constitutional principles, organizations, and operation of the
American political system. Topics include the U.S. Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, civil rights,
political parties, interest groups, political campaigns, voting rights/behavior, elections, the
presidency, bureaucracy, Congress and the American judicial system. On completion, students
should be able to identify and explain relationships among the basic elements of American
government and to function as more informed participants of the American political system.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Identify the core principles that constitute the American political culture.
Describe the system of checks and balances on the powers of the three
branches of American government.
Define federalism. Explain why issues of constitutional individual rights have
become more complex in contemporary times.
Distinguish between civil liberties and civil rights.
Describe how partisan thinking influences opinions about issues and candidates.
Discuss the role played by parties, money, and media in campaigns.
Explain the influence of interest groups.
Define and explain the three major policy-making functions of Congress.
Discuss and explain the factors that make for a successful presidency.
Distinguish between federal and state court systems.
Discuss the foreign and military policy-making process.
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Course Information
Course Number/Title: POS2041: American Federal Government
Reference Number: 440626
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Term/Year/Session/Length: Fall 2016 A8
Course prerequisites: Satisfactory score on reading and writing placement test (placement
into ENC 1101)
Important Dates
Class Begins
8/24
100% Refund Deadline
8/30
Non-Attendance Drop
8/31 – 9/7
Withdraw with “W” Deadline
9/26
Course Evaluation
10/2-10/16
Class Ends
10/16
These dates are critical for this course. Additional critical dates for this course can be found by
choosing the appropriate term links in the Academic and Registration Calendars
(http://www.fscj.edu/academics/academic-calendar) at the Florida State College at Jacksonville
website.
Instructional Materials and Equipment
If you have not done so already, obtain your textbook and related course materials. Visit your nearest
campus bookstore or order online via the student portal, Connections
(https://connections.fscj.edu/web/guest/home), or the Follett Online Bookstore
(http://www.bkstr.com). Be sure to order using your course and instructor’s name and the six-digit
course reference number.
Please note that some courses may require a text plus additional software or a publisher Web access
code. If purchasing a used text, be sure to check on and obtain all required materials.
Required Text/Materials
1) American Government 14th edition
2) by Walter E. Volkomer
3) Pearson Publishers (2011)
4) ISBN: 978-0-205-25173-5
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Online Delivery System
This course will be delivered using the Blackboard Learn™ course management system.
Blackboard™ Supported Browsers for Blackboard Version 9.1 SP13
View Blackboard’s Supported Browsers and Operating Systems
(http://blackboard.force.com/publickbarticleview?id=kAB700000008Oom) to see if your browser and
operating system are compatible. Please note the following when reviewing the Blackboard
compatibility ratings.
Certified: 100% Compatible
Compatible: Compatible in most areas, but could have some incompatibility issues
Unsupported: Not tested and not recommended
Technology Requirements
Reliable and consistent computer and Internet access is encouraged to successfully participate in
and complete online courses. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements
noted below and on the Florida State College at Jacksonville Online Learning site
(http://www.fscj.edu/academics/online-learning). Please use the following checklist to determine
your computer readiness.
You should own or have access to:
An email account
Computer with high speed access to the Internet
Access to College computers when needed
Virus-checking software
Word-processing software
Software and plug-Ins that may include (choose the titles for the free downloads)
o Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader/)
o Flash Player (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/)
o Java (http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp)
o Shockwave Player (http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/)
o VLC (http://www.videolan.org/)
It is a good idea to check your computer at the beginning of each course and a couple of times
throughout the term to ensure you have all the necessary software and plug-ins to use the
Blackboard online system and course features. After logging in to Blackboard, choose the Browser
Checker link. Review the results and choose the links to the recommended software.
Please note that you will need to turn off your pop-up blocker to use all features of this online course.
Accessibility
If you require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Florida State College at
Jacksonville Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (http://www.fscj.edu/admissions-
aid/services-for-students-with-disabilities), located at 101 W State St, Room A1020, Jacksonville, FL
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32202 with additional offices at Kent, North, and South campuses. You may reach the main OSSD
office at (904) 633-8488.
Your Course Participation and Assessments
Learning Communities
Students learn through interactions with each other, with their instructor, and with the course material.
A major goal of this course is to encourage you to build learning communities within the course. This
course has special forums to aid in building our learning community. We will use the discussion area
to meet each other and share our thoughts and concerns.
The “Questions for the Professor” discussion forum is used for general questions about course content,
navigation, or flow. Please do not ask personal or specific grade-related questions in this forum, send
individual communication instead.
The “Cyber Café” is available to discuss items of interest to you and your classmates. Please
remember that in all discussion forums, you must follow all netiquette rules and guidelines.
Assigned Work
In each module, you will have individual and team activities to complete. Detailed information and
instructions for each assignment can be found below and in the online classroom. Your assignments
and papers will be graded using the rubrics included at the end of this syllabus and as attachments
to the online assignment submission areas.
To see all the assignments due in this course, refer to the Calendar of Activities below. Be sure to
check the Calendar of Activities carefully for due dates on all assignments/papers as some weeks
may require completion of more than one module of work.
Discussions
You will participate in 15 graded discussions. Discussions are worth up to 20 points each for a possible
total of 300 points toward your final grade. The links to the forums are located in the Course Content
area.
Our discussions are an opportunity to have thoughtful discussions about a given topic. The questions
raised will be general in nature and ask you to think deeply. In each discussion forum, you will be
required to give a thoughtful and comprehensive response of at least five to eight sentences that are
reflective and well written, as well as respond to at least two other people. The discussion begins
when other class members read what you wrote and respond.
Class members are expected to contribute original thoughts as well as respond to classmates’ posts.
In your responses, you will ask your classmates questions, expand on one of their ideas, ask for clarity
on one of their points, and maybe even politely disagree and explain why.
Please note that you should complete all of the readings for the module prior to posting your
discussion response. You are expected to post in correct sentence and paragraph format.
Remember to check for correct spelling and grammar.
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Discussions are graded using the Discussion Rubric included at the end of this syllabus and in the
Blackboard classroom.
Assigned Work
In each module, you will have individual and team activities to complete. Detailed information and
instructions for each assignment can be found below and in the online classroom. Your assignments
and papers will be graded using the rubrics included at the end of this syllabus and as attachments
to the online assignment submission areas.
To see all the assignments due in this course, refer to the Calendar of Activities below. Be sure to
check the Calendar of Activities carefully for due dates on all assignments/papers as some weeks
may require completion of more than one module of work.
Original Writing, Style, and Sources
Written assignments must adhere to APA style guidelines. Writing style resources are available in the
Tools and Resources folder within your Blackboard classroom.
Your written assignments should be original writing and include citations as described in the APA style
guide. Turnitin® is an online tool that scans written assignments for signs of plagiarism and may be
used to screen your assignment submissions. Please go to Turnitin®
(http://www.turnitin.com/en_us/products/overview) for information about originality checks and
reports, and to What is Plagiarism? (http://www.plagiarism.org/) for plagiarism prevention resources.
Wikipedia is a tertiary (condensed) source of information and should not be used as a reference in
your assignments and papers. It is, however, a good resource for finding primary and secondary
sources that may be acceptable.
Assignments
There are four (4) assignments spaced throughout the course. Each Assignment is worth up to 50
points each for a possible total of 200 points toward your final grade. Detailed instructions for each
assignment, as well as completion criteria, are found within the individual module pages.
The assignments ask you to apply your critical thinking skills to what you’ve learned in the textbook.
They may require some additional research or references. You will submit your completed work using
the assignment links within the module pages.
Essays
There are two (2) essays due in this course. Each essay is worth up to 100 points each for a possible
total of 200 points toward your final grade. Detailed instructions for each essay, as well as completion
criteria, are found within the individual module pages.
Your essays will be graded using the Essay Rubric included at the end of this syllabus and as
attachments to the Blackboard assignment items.
The essays ask you to apply analyze your experience with a part of government. They may require
some additional research or references. You will submit your completed work using the essay links
within the module pages.
POS2041: American Federal Government
Team Project
For this project you will work in a collaborative team to identify a political issue. Your team will then
research, analyze, develop, and defend a position within that issue. The end product will be a
presentation that describes the issue and supports your team’s position. The presentation may be a
paper; presentation, such as PowerPoint; blog; website; or other format that is accessible to the
instructor and the class. Remember, your goal is to select an issue, take a position, and develop a
presentation to support that position.
The project should minimally contain the following sections:
1. Introduction
2. Overview of the issue (research including at least 8 references)
3. The team’s position
4. Rationale for your position (research including at least 5 references)
5. Summary, conclusions and recommendations
Citations that document your research are a critical part of this project. Be sure to identify all the
references you use. These should be cited in the text as well as the References list. See the Tools and
Resources page for more information and resources about APA format.
You will elect a team leader who should, among other responsibilities, submit the final project. Be sure
that the names of everyone who participated are included in the final presentation document. More
detailed instructions on completing this project are found in the individual module pages.
Steps in Completing the Project
