POLI 104 The U.S. Constitution

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of the United States Constitution. The course will analyze the political philosophy guiding the writing of the Constitution, the historical context in which it was produced, and the political forces which shaped it. The course will explore the various interpretations and applications of the Constitution as well as implications for the future of the Constitution.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify and organize information and ideas about the Constitution.
2. Generate ideas, explore possibilities, and consider alternative interpretations of the Constitution.
3. Analyze and evaluate ideas about or logical consequences of the Constitution for government policies.
4. Apply information and ideas about the Constitution to consider changes or alternatives to the Constitution as it is currently interpreted.
5. Apply appropriate strategies of inquiry and exploration in order to find, evaluate, and use information ethically in the study of politics and government.
6. Analyze the Bill of Rights and trace the evolution of civil liberties in America.
7. Analyze the relationship between the Supreme Court and the Constitution as it has evolved through American history.
8. Investigate the process and outcome of amending the Constitution.
9. Explore the possible evolution of the Constitution in the future.
10. Write clearly and effectively using appropriate, relevant, and properly attributed content that demonstrates the writer’s understanding of the US Constitution.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and organize information and ideas about the Constitution.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT1
2. Generate ideas, explore possibilities, and consider alternative interpretations of the Constitution.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT2
3. Analyze and evaluate ideas about or logical consequences of the Constitution for government policies.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT3
4. Apply information and ideas about the Constitution to consider changes or alternatives to the Constitution as it is currently interpreted.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT4
5. Apply appropriate strategies of inquiry and exploration in order to find, evaluate, and use information ethically in the study of politics and government.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Information Literacy Rubric

   Information Literacy

   • IL1
   • IL2
   • IL3
6. Analyze the Bill of Rights and trace the evolution of civil liberties in America.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam rubric
7. Analyze the relationship between the Supreme Court and the Constitution as it has evolved through American history.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam rubric
8. Investigate the process and outcome of amending the Constitution.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam rubric
9. Explore the possible evolution of the Constitution in the future.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Course assignment/exam rubric
10. Write clearly and effectively using appropriate, relevant, and properly attributed content that demonstrates the writer’s understanding of the US Constitution.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Writing Assignments

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Course writing rubric