American National Government

Instructor Information

• Course Coordinator: Dr. Deborah Evans (Associate Professor of Political Science)
• Section Instructors: Listed for each section in AlkimiHub. Your section instructor's office hours and office are posted in your Canvas course page.
• Email: devans@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 262
• Coordinator Office Hours:
  • Monday & Wednesday: 10:00–11:30 a.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 262)
  • Tuesday: 2:00–3:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

The Constitution, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, Congress, the presidency, the courts, parties, elections, interest groups, and public opinion in the United States. POSC 101 provides an analytical, foundational examination of the institutions, political behavior, and constitutional structures that shape the American political system. Students investigate the constitutional framing, federalism, the expansion of civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion formation, electoral dynamics, and the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. The course emphasizes empirical political analysis, civic literacy, and the critical evaluation of contemporary policy disputes and democratic stability.

Prerequisites

None.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of POSC 101, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Constitutional Architecture: Explain the design and operation of the US Constitution, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the evolving dynamics of American federalism.
2. Evaluate Civil Rights and Liberties: Examine the legal evolution and constitutional interpretation of Bill of Rights liberties and Fourteenth Amendment equal protection guarantees.
3. Interpret Political Behavior and Elections: Assess the determinants of public opinion, voter turnout, polarization, campaign finance, and the strategic behavior of political parties and interest groups.
4. Examine Federal Governing Institutions: Analyze the formal and informal powers, internal procedures, and strategic interactions of Congress, the presidency, the federal bureaucracy, and the courts.
5. Formulate Evidence-Based Policy Briefs: Synthesize empirical political data and constitutional arguments to write concise, professional policy memos addressing contemporary national issues.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Glen Krutz and Sylvie Waskiewicz. American Government 3e. OpenStax, 2021. Free digital edition at openstax.org; optional print copy approx. $40.
2. Alkimi American Government Primary Source & Landmark Supreme Court Case Packet. Free digital access provided via Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: $0 to $40.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), POSC 101 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to explore background legislative histories, look up federal agency jurisdictions, brainstorm civic stakeholders for policy briefs, and proofread preliminary drafts for grammatical clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write substantive policy arguments, generate draft text for submitted papers, complete reading quizzes, or take examinations.
• Disclosure: Any policy brief or analytical paper completed with generative AI assistance must include an AI disclosure appendix summarizing the tools consulted, prompts submitted, and substantive revisions made by the author.

Grading Components and Weights

• Policy Brief 1: Federalism & Constitutional Governance: 15% (Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Midterm Examination: 20% (In class during week 8 (week of October 12))
• Policy Brief 2: Institutional Power & Civil Rights: 15% (Due Friday, November 13 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Civic Issues Analysis: 15% (Weekly short analytical responses to assigned readings and current political controversies submitted in Canvas on Mondays at 11:59 p.m.)
• In-Class Deliberation & Congressional Simulations: 15% (Active participation in weekly legislative simulations, policy committee debates, and town-hall exercises)
• Final Capstone Policy Brief & Strategic Memo: 20% (Due Monday, December 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in POSC 101. Students succeed through consistent engagement with weekly policy analyses and class deliberations.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

All sections follow this common weekly schedule. Section meeting days vary, so dates are shown by week; your section instructor posts exact class dates in Canvas.

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Classroom attendance and active engagement in all lecture and discussion sections are vital for cultivating informed civic discourse and participating in legislative simulations. Students are permitted two unexcused absences; each subsequent unexcused absence results in a penalty of one-third of a letter grade. Missing more than five class sessions will result in a failing grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Policy briefs submitted late lose 10% for each calendar day overdue and will not be accepted after three days past the deadline. Weekly civic issue posts must be submitted prior to Monday midnight to receive credit.

Final Exam Policy

POSC 101 has no final examination. The final capstone policy brief & strategic memo takes its place. Nothing is due on Reading Day (Thursday, December 10, 2026).