Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

American National Government (Online)

POLS 1100-31I

Course: POLS 1100-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 20598

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

Textbook: Ginsberg, Benjamin, Lowi, Theodore J., Weir, Margaret, Tolbert, Caroline J., and Campbell, Andrea L. 2025. "We the People". 15th edition. Norton & Company. ISBN: 9781324085454. (Hereafter referred to as "WTP")

This course makes use of Inclusive Access, allowing students to rent digital versions of the textbook through the Canvas course page at a potentially cheaper rate. Students are not required to purchase/rent any specific format of the text, so long as they are able to do the readings at the start of the course.

Learning Outcomes

American Institutions: Upon successful completion of the General Education American Institutions requirement, students will be able to:
  1. Synthesize: Analyze, contextualize, and interpret primary and secondary source documents to understand the history, principles, form of government, and
    economic system of the United States;
  2. Sources and Evidence: Locate, evaluate, and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information and data to develop and enhance information
    literacy and research skills;
  3. Communicate: Communicate effectively about the history, principles, form of government, multicultural populations, and economic system of the United States;
  4. Examine: Engage diverse viewpoints that contribute to a constructive dialogue about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the
    United States; and
  5. Apply: Apply historical, political, and economic perspectives and methods as appropriate to address big questions or threshold concepts pertaining to the
    history, political system, and economic system of the United States.
This requirement can be fulfilled by completion of ECON 1740, HIST 1700, HIST 2700 & HIST 2710, POLS 1100, or another institutionally approved course.

In addition, students will gain fundamental understandings of:
  • American institutions, including the Constitution and the functioning of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches;
  • Bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups;
  • Population studies and congressional redistricting;
  • Public policymaking;
  • The scientific study of politics

Course Requirements

Grading Policy


The final numeric grade will map to the final letter grade according to SUU's standard number to-letter grade conversion scheme. Final grades ending in .5 or higher are automatically rounded up to the nearest whole percentage point.

A: 94-100
A-: 90-93
B+: 87-89
B: 84-86 
B-: 80-83 
C+: 77-79 
C: 74-76 
C-: 70-73  
D+: 67-69 
D: 64-66 
D-: 60-63
F: 0-59  

The final course grade will be based on the following breakdown:
  • Exams: 30% (2 at 15% each)
  • Community Mapping Project: 25%
  • Redistricting Project: 30%
  • American Institutions Current Events Reports: 15% (3 @ 5% each)

Exams


There will be two exams, both of which are equally weighted. They will be given on Canvas, and the due dates are scheduled in the syllabus. The format of each exam will be multiple-choice and will include any material covered since the last exam. A study guide will be provided in advance.  Exam material will cover concepts, theories, and results from the readings, as well as material from the lectures.

Exams may only be made up for excused for participation in formally sanctioned University events, or extraordinary events if they are accompanied by sufficient documentation within two calendar days of the absence. The instructor reserves the right to determine what constitutes an extraordinary circumstance as well as what shall be considered “sufficient documentation.” If they have been excused for their absence, students will have five working days to make up a missed exam. If there are extraordinary circumstances, which would prevent the student from making up the exam in five working days, the instructor must be informed of this fact prior to the expiration of the five day period. The instructor reserves the right to administer makeup exams of any format (multiple choice, short answer, essay), which may not necessarily correspond to the original exam’s format. If a student misses an exam and does not have an excused absence, the student will receive a zero for the exam. 

Community Mapping Project


This project will have students explore their communities through the lenses of institutions and issue areas.

The Community Mapping Project asks you to create a Google map of your community as you define it with: (1) at least 7 major landmarks and institutions and (2) at least 7 important institutions and organizations at work in a political issue area of your choosing. Your map will include a minimum of 4 sentences caption and photo/graphic/video for each location you map along with a 1 sentence credit or explanation for each photo/graphic/video. This portion of the project is worth 25% of the final grade.

Further instructions will be given in class and on Canvas.


Redistricting Project


Students will be randomly assigned to a state to attempt to redistrict after the add/drop period. This project will make use of Dave's Redistricting Application (DRA) (LINK), a non-partisan and free digital resource used to redraw congressional district boundaries. Students will examine concepts like "gerrymandering", "fairness", population dynamics, institutions of representation and others.

The project is divided into two parts. The first part involves creating a redistricted map by submitting a link to a complete DRA map. The map is worth 15% of the final grade. Students will submit two progress updates (itemized as "Test 1" and "Test 2" below).

The next part of the assignment is a report, where students will take on the roll of advocacy or consultancy groups tasked with "pitching" a new drawing of district boundaries to the state legislature. Reports will be 4-5 pages in length, and should be accurate, professional, and well-researched The report is worth 15% of the final grade. (Map + Report = 30% of the final grade).


American Institutions Current Events Reports

Students will write 3 short essays focusing on a current news event focused on United States political institutions. Additional information will be provided on Canvas.

Course Outline

The course schedule is tentative and subject to change with advance notice. Exam dates will not be moved.

Week 1: June 29-July 5

  • READ: WTP Chp 1 "Americans and their Political Values"
  • READ: WTP Chp 2 "The Founding and the Constitution" 
  • Campus closed Friday, July 3 (Independence Day observed)

Week 2: July 6-12

  • READ: WTP Chp 3 "Federalism" 
  • READ: WTP Chp 4 "Civil Liberties" 
  • Current Events Report 1 Due Sunday, July 12, 11:59pm
  • Redistricting Project Test 1 Due Sunday, July 12, 11:59pm 

Week 3: July 13-19

  •  READ: WTP Chp 5 "Civil Rights" 
  •  READ: WTP Chp 6 "Public Opinion" 
  •  Exam 1 (Midterm): Due Sunday, July 19, 11:59pm
  •  Current Events Report 2 Due Sunday, July 19, 11:59pm

Week 4: July 20-26

  • READ: WTP Chp 7 "The Media and Public Information" 
  • READ: WTP Chp 8: "Political Parties and Interest Groups" 
  • Campus closed Friday, July 24 (Pioneer Day observed)
  • Redistricting Project Test 2 due Sunday, July 26, 11:59pm
  • Current Events Report 3 Due Sunday, July 26, 11:59pm

Week 5: July 27- Aug. 2

  • READ: WTP Chp 9 "Participation, Campaigns, and Elections" 
  • READ: WTP Chp 10 "Congress" 
  • Community Mapping Project due Sunday, Aug. 2 at 11:59pm

Week 6: Aug. 3-9

  • READ: Chp 11 "The Presidency" 
  • READ: Chp 12 "The Bureaucracy"
  • Redistricting Project Part 1 (Map) due Sunday, July 26, 11:59pm

Week 7: Aug. 10-16

  • READ: WTP Chp 13 "The Federal Courts" 
  • Redistricting Project Part 2 (Report) due Sunday, Aug. 16, 11:59pm 
  • Exam 2 (Final): Sunday Aug. 16, 11:59pm




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

A late penalty of 10% per day late will be assessed for missing deadlines associated with the Current Event Reports, Community Mapping Project, and Redistricting Project.

Make-up work for the Exam portion of the grade will not be accepted.

The Late Policy takes effect after the 11:59pm deadline. Meaning a 12:00am submission will count as 1 day late. 

Attendance Policy

This course is fully delivered asynchronously, meaning there are no specified times that the student is expected to view the videos. Students are responsible for planning ahead by checking the syllabus for upcoming readings and assignments. Students are responsible for all assigned readings. Therefore, it is imperative that students complete all readings and integrate them into the course assignments as applicable. The assignment deadlines are "hard" deadlines, so plan your week accordingly. 

Class Policies

Students are responsible for planning ahead by checking the syllabus for upcoming readings and assignments. Students are responsible for all assigned readings. Therefore, it is imperative that students complete all readings and integrate them into the course as applicable.

Students are responsible for checking rubrics for formatting requirements prior to submission. If assignment files are illegible, corrupted, uploaded to the wrong location, blank, or "wrong versions", they will be treated as late and the Late Policy will apply. To avoid issues, be sure to review your assignments after submission. Links to externally stored files (e.g. GoogleDocs) will not be accepted

AI Policy

This course assumes that work submitted for a grade by students – all process work, drafts, brainstorming artifacts, final works – will be generated by the students themselves, working individually or in groups as directed by class assignment instructions. This policy indicates the following constitute violations of academic honesty: a student has another person/entity do the work of any substantive portion of a graded assignment for them, which includes purchasing work from a company, hiring a person or company to complete an assignment or exam, and/or using generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT).

Syllabus Change Policy

Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice. 

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.