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Books:

Schmidt, Shelley, and Bardes. American Government and Politics Today, current edition.

Grade Breakdown:

Exam 1	18%
Exam 2	18%
Exam 3	18%
Exam 4	18%
Exam 5	18%
Group Debate/Paper *	10%
TOTAL	100%

* Students choose one out of the six debate topics listed below

Course Content:

Social Change and Political Response

American Political Ideology

The American Constitution

Constitutional Democracy

American Federalism

The Legislative Branch

Congressional Powers

The Institution of the Presidency

Presidential Powers

The Executive Branch

The Judiciary and the Federal Court System

Judicial Politics

• Debate: Have the politics of judicial selection gone too far?

Public Opinion

Interest Groups

Political Parties: A Background Perspective

Political Parties: Present and Future

• Debate: Will the Democrats' control of Congress make a difference?

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

American Civil Liberties

• Debate: Should same-sex marriage be constitutionally protected?

American Civil Rights

• Debate: Should affirmative action and diversity policies be protected?

American Domestic Policy

American Political Economy

• Debate: Does America need a national health insurance plan?

American Foreign Policy

• Debate: Was the invasion of Iraq an unjust war?

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