PS 250 - American Constitutional Foundations

Description
In PS 250 students study the significant and continuing impact that the judicial system has on the development of our political system. This course introduces students to the process of constitutional decision making in the U.S., with particular emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court. Students analyze the political and constitutional sources of presidential, congressional, and judicial power, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights. Also assessed are the potential societal changes decisions could produce and the importance of the Judiciary as a major player in social change in past and present American society.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Evaluate and apply the principles underlying the U.S. Constitution; Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism, based on their role in developing institutional powers (i.e. Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches).
Evaluate the influence of the Supreme Court’s decisions on the powers of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government.
Compare and contrast the Supreme Court’s decision making in the areas of individual rights and procedural, economic, and substantive due process.
Identify the various cases and explain the impact of Supreme Court decisions on the voting rights of citizens in the United States.
Clearly and completely state and describe a problem/issue.
Evaluate information to identify limitations and biases.

Course Outline:
I. The Living Constitution

II. Understanding the Supreme Court Institutional Authority

III. The Judiciary

IV. The Legislature

V. The Executive Nation-State Relations

VI. Federalism

VII. The Commerce Power

VIII. Economic Substantive Due Process Civil Liberties

IX. Religion: Exercise and Establishment

X. Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Association

XI. Freedom of Press

XII. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms

XIII. The Right to Privacy The Rights of the Criminally Accused

XIV. Investigations and Evidence

XV. Attorneys, Trials, and Punishments Civil Rights

XVI. Discrimination

XVII. Voting and Representation

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 60-80%

Discussion: 0-30%

Group Work: 0-20%

Video Media: 0-20%

Debates: 0-10%

Service Learning: 0-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Elective- Offering designed to expand learning opportunities for degree seeking students. May or may not be required for students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 104199
Course CIP Code: 45.10
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: PS
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (MTA & HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
18 Credit Hours of Coursework in Political Science or J.D.

Last Revision Date Effective: 20180302T09:32:56
Course Review & Revision Year: 2022-2023