This course synthesizes the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. This is a flipped classroom experience!!! According to the Derek Bok Center on Teaching & Learning at Harvard University, a flipped classroom is "synonymous with active learning." Students in a flipped classroom are introduced to "basic information" through online learning modules before class, thereby freeing-up face-to-face class time for deeper class discussion that emphasizes "higher-order" thinking.
The "flipped-classroom" involves two parts (both are very important for student learning):
1) Asynchronous instructional modules are integrated within the Sage Vantage online learning management system (LMS). These online modules are interlinked with your "e-text book" used in this course, entitled American Government: Long story short by Christine Barbour. Both your e-textbook and the Sage Vantage LMS are embedded directly in the Canvas shell for this course. The combined cost for these learning resources is approximately 50 dollars per student.
2) In class-lectures are provided by your professor and are based on his formal training, peer-reviewed research, theoretical contemplations and practical experience.The professor's in-class lectures are devoted to exploring high-order concepts and philosophy that goes well-beyond the basic "need-to-know factual information" contained in the online Sage Vantage modules. Course instruction will be enriched with problem-based learning activities, historical narratives, short documentaries, interviews, speakers (both live and recorded), news clips, and open sourced reading materials.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED CLASS LECTURES AS THEY ARE IMPORTANT FOR PROVIDING DEEPER CONTEXT AND FOR YOUR COURSE GRADE. If a student does not have the discipline and/or commitment to attend scheduled classes in-person, the student is strongly advised to take another course with another professor (perhaps online). If a student misses an occasional class for a legitimate reason (e.g., personal illness, care for a loved one, family obligation, unforeseen emergency, extreme bad weather), the student must notify me no later than the COB the day of the absence.
Development of core skills will be emphasized through the following Learning Outcomes:
(1) Analysis: Students will be able to analyze, contextualize, and use primary source documents to understand the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States and its functions and operations;
(2) Interpretation: Students will be able to explain and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information;
(3) Communication: Students will be able to communicate effectively about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States;
(4) Diversity: Students will have the ability to in engage in a wide array of viewpoints (liberal, conservative libertarian, and progressive) in a civilized and constructive manner regarding the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States;
(5) Synthesis/Integration: Students will be able to use historical, political, and economic methods to develop an understanding of the United States that integrates those viewpoints.