Syllabus
American Government: Practices and Values
POL1101 – Section TBD
Fall 2025
Mo/We, TBD
Room B-Vert XX-XXX
Instructor: John Frank Email: [email protected] / (c) 917-482-6567
Student Hours: Before or after class, or Tu/Th. or email for a Zoom appointment.
Communication Policy: Contact me by email. I respond the same day, Mon. – Fri. On weekends, I might take a little longer. If it’s urgent, text me. When you do, include your name and course.
Course Description
This course explores the creation and development of the American political system through an historical perspective. The course begins with a discussion of important concepts in the American political system and an introduction to the Constitution. Next, we will explore the opinions and beliefs of the American people, the factors that shape these beliefs, and how citizens express their beliefs through interest groups and political participation. Finally, we will examine the structures of the three branches of American Government: Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary.
In addition to informing students about American Government and Politics, this course also aims to: 1) improve your critical thinking skills; 2) improve your writing skills by using language precisely, demonstrating an understanding of political science terminology, and being able to state a thesis and support it through use of evidence and acknowledgment of rebuttal claims.
2) Staying Informed
You are highly encouraged to read the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, or a national news publication every day and come to class in command of current events, especially those relating to American politics. As a Queens student, you have access to these papers online for free:
NY Times: https://myaccount.nytimes.com/verification/edupass
Wall St. Journal: http://guides.newman.queens.cuny.edu/wallstreetjournal
Requirements and Assessments: This is a zero-textbook course. The textbook we will be using is American Government, 2e by Glen Krutz, University of Oklahoma, PDF version ISBN-10: 1-947172-66-2. Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/American-government. For all other readings, I provide links.
Readings and due dates are listed in the schedule (below) and on Blackboard (Bb) under Assignments. Videos and supplemental materials are on Bb, under the Week-by-Week link. Read the assigned readings. For each chapter, a short quiz is given and 1 or 2 questions will be posted under assignments. Students are required to answer at least 3 mini papers by the semester’s end.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
| Quizzes | 15% |
| Midterm /Final Exam | 20% |
| Class Participation | 20% |
| Final Project | 20% |
| Mini Papers | 25% |
| Total | 100 |
Assessments and Grades:
Mini-Papers: (25%) Students are required to submit 3 mini papers, worth up to 10 pts. each. For certain chapters, 2 question sets are posted on Blackboard (Bb). Answer 1 set of questions (450 – 650 words). A Rubric for Grading – Mini-Papers is posted on Bb under Course Materials. Late papers are NOT accepted. By accumulating 25 points on these mini papers that’s equal to 100%.
Quizzes: (15%) For certain chapters, a short, in-class quiz is given.
Mid-Term & Final Exams: (20%) These exams test your knowledge. 50 questions.
Final Project: (20%) Walk through your neighborhood. Take pictures with your smart phone and observe the urban world through your newfound lens of Urban Sociology. Apply what you’ve learned in class–the theories, the concepts and people we’ve studied—to what you see. A Final Project Description & Instructions is posted on Bb under Course Materials. Friday, May 16, 11:59 pm.
Final Grading Scale:
| A | B | C | D | F |
| A+=100 or above | B+=89 – 87 | C+=79 -77 | D+=69 – 67 | F=59 or Below |
| A = 99 to 94 | B=86 – 83 | C=76 -73 | D=66 – 63 | |
| A-=93 – 90 | B-=82 – 80 | C-=72 -70 | D-=62 – 60 |
