Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

American National Government (Online)

POLS 1100-30I

Course: POLS 1100-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 20597

Course Description

Source of democratic ideas and principles of the constitutional system. Cultural, group, party, and governmental influences on the process of public policymaking. The administration and impact of public policy. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: American Institutions

Required Texts

All Students Are Required to Purchase and Use Pearson E-Learning Textbook and Related Assignment Modules That Are Integrated Into The SUU Canvas course Shell. The Approximate Cost is $75.00

Learning Outcomes

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.

Course Requirements

GRADING BREAKDOWN

Online Pearson Learning Modules (Reading, Activities & Quizzes)..........................................................60%
Online Pearson Learning Modules (Reading, Activities & Quizzes)
The Pearson Learning Management System (LMS) is an online learning platform that integrates the assigned Pearson e-textbook with multimedia activities 

Group Video Presentation 1 Due at the End of Week 4............................................................................20%
Grading rubric is integrated into the assignment)

Group Video Presentation 2 Due at the End of Week 7............................................................................20%
Grading rubric is integrated into the assignment)





Course Outline

CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY & CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS WEEK 1 MAY 11- MAY17
Political-Economic Systems
  • Conceptual Distinctions Between The "State" (Peace of Westphalia 1648), A "Country", A "Nation" and The "Nation State" (1880s)
    • Sovereignty 
  • The Distinctions Between "Monarchal", "Socialist", "Communist", "Fascist", "Liberal", "Democratic", "Democratic Socialist", and "Authoritarian" Systems 
  • Republic" vs. "Democracy"
  • Democratic Republic"
  • Democratic Pluralism vs. Democratic Corporatism
  • American Political Ideologies
    • Classical Liberalism
    • Neoliberalism
    • Conservatism
    • Neoconservatism
    • Progressivism
    • Neo-Progressivism
  • American Political Culture
    • Civic Virtue 
    • Civic Trust
  • The Seven Bourgeois Ideals & The Great Enrichment (Deirdre McCloskey)
  • Political & Economic Liberty: Innovation & Invention
  • American Bourgeois Civic Virtues and Individual Liberty, Human Dignity and Human Flourishing
  • Civic Nationalism vs. Ethnic Naționalism

  • Evolution from British Colonies, to Articles of Confederation, to US Constitution
  • The Constitutional Convention 1787
  • The Ratification of the Constitution 1789
  • Connections with the The French Revolution
  • Federalists vs Antifederalists
    • Bill of Rights
  • Horizontal vs. Vertical Separation of Powers 
    • States Rights
    • Federal Sovereignty
  • Federalism
    • The Evolution of Federalism
    • The Three Branches of Government 
      • Separation of Powers vs Separate Institutions Sharing Powers
      • Montesquieu
      • Madison "checks and balances"
  • The Constitution as a Social Contract
    • The English Civil Wars (1642-1651)
    • The Glorious Revolution of 1688: The Foundations of Popular Sovereignty 
    • John Locke "Consent of the Governed" 
    • Thomas Jefferson "The Declaration of Independence" (1776)
    • Adam Smith "The Wealth of Nations" (1776)


THE PRESIDENCY WEEK 2 MAY 17- MAY 24
Article II
  • The Job of the American President
    • Some Roles Played By The President
      • Chief of Government: The President is NOT The Head of Government, But Historically Has Played That Role (Why?)
      • Commander-In-Chief (Civilian)
      • Chief Administrator (i.e. "The Trump Administration" NOT "The Trump Government")
      • Chief Legislator
      • Chief Diplomat (i.e. Head of State)
      • Chief Economist (Herbert Stein)
  • The Evolution of the American Presidency
    • Formal (institutional Power) vs. Informal Power (Personal Power): Richard Neustadt
    • Progressivism & Presidential Power: Woodrow Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryant
  • Presidents, Popularity, and Congress
  • What Is Bureaucracy, and Why Do We Need It?
  • The Purpose and Organization of the White House Bureaucracy
    • The Executive Office of The President
      • The Cabinet
      • The Role of The OMB
      • The Role of The Council of Economics Advisers
      • The Role of The Joint Chiefs of Staffs
  • The Purpose and Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy: The Rest of the Executive Branch
    • The Federal Departments: Executive Offices vs. Executive Departments
  • Power Plays in the Bureaucracy


THE CONGRESS WEEK 3 MAY 24- MAY 31
  • Article I
  • The Role of Congress as The Legislative Branch
  • How the Constitution Structures Congress
  • How Congress Organizes Itself
    • The Committee System
  • The Congressional Role in Checks and Balances
  • Doing the Hard Work of Making Laws
    • The Legislative Process: Case: The US Federal Budget
  • Tensions That Challenge Congress’s Ability to Do Its Job
  • Congressional Elections
    • Intererest Groups and Lobbyists
  • Who Runs and Who Wins?
  • "Show me the Money"
    • The Perks and Privileges of Being a Legislator  

THE JUDICIARY JUNE 1- JUNE 7

  • TYPES of LAW
  • The American Legal System
  • Who’s Who and What’s What in a Court of Law?
  • Equality and the Criminal Justice System
  • The Constitution, Congress, and the Dual Court System
  • The Supreme Court


CIVIL LIBERTIES JUNE 8- JUNE 15
  • The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and The Freedom of Religion 
  • Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
  • The Bill of Rights
    • Discuss the First 10 Amendments and their ratification. 
    • Discuss their purpose and the historical context in which they emerged
  • Civil Liberties–Understanding the First Amendment
  • Civil Liberties–Understanding Due Process Rights
    • The 10th Amendment and The 14th Amendment
  • Civil Liberties–Understanding the Right to Privacy
  • Civil Rights–Battling Political Inequality
  • The Civil War and Post-War Civil Rights Amendments
    • Discuss the 13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments
  • Civil Rights–The Case of Race
    • Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)
    • Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
    • Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
    • Loving vs. Virgina (1967)
  • Civil Rights Leaders & Movements
    • MLK
    • Malcolm X
    • Medgar Evers
    • Mississippi Burning (The deaths of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerne)
  • Civil Rights–The Case of Gender
    • Minor v. Happersett (1875)
    • The 19th Amendment (1920s)
    • Roe vs. Wade (1973)
    • Bostock vs. Clayton County (2020)
    • Dobbs v. Jackson Women’ Health Organization (2022)
  • Accessibility & Opportunity For All
    • The Rehabilitation Act (1973)
    • Chadbourne vs. Raytheon (1989)
    • The ADA (1990)
      • Reasonable Accommodation
  • Regents of the University of California vs. Bakke (1978)
  • The Persistence of Inequality in America
  • The Data Shows That While The Middle Class is Struggling,


FOREIGN & DEFENSE POLICY JUNE 16-JUNE 28
  • World Views & Ideologies
    • Systems Theory (Dependencia)
    • Realism
    • Neorealism
    • Liberalism
    • Neoliberalism
    • Neoconservative
  • The Balance of Power Thesis vs. The Power Transition Thesis
    • US & Russia
      • The Cold War, Its End and Re-Emergence
    • US and the Middle East 
    • US and China Relations
    • US and Europe 
    • US and Africa
    • America's Australia and Australia's America
  • The Nuclear Dilemma
    • Tactical Nuclear Weapons vs. Strategic Nuclear Weapons
    • ABM Treaty
      • Star Wars (SDI)
    • SALT I Treaty
    • SALT II Treaty
    • Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CBT)
  • Globalization and The Backlash Against
    • Global Trade
      • The World  Trade Organization (WTO)
      • The World Economic Forum (WEF)
      • From The MFN to The GTT
      • The Rise and Fall NAFTA
    • The Rise of Economic Nationalism and Populism
      • The EU & BREXIT
      • Trumpism
        • Tariffs
        • Border Enforcement & Re-Enforcement
        • Isolationism & Global Disenagement






Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Attendance Policy

NO ATTENDANCE REQUIRED;THIS IS AN ONLINE CLASS

Course Fees

NO COURSE FEES

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.