INSTRUCTION
Course Package
POS 227
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
APPROVED: MARCH 2, 2012
EFFECTIVE FALL 2012-13
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Prefix & Number POS 227
Purpose of this submission:
If this is a change, what is being changed?
(Check all that apply)
Course Title: United States Constitution
New
Change/Updated
Retire
Update Prefix
Course Description
Title
Course Number
Format Change
Credits
Prerequisite
Competencies
Textbook/Reviewed Competencies-no changes
needed
Does this course require additional fees?
No
Yes If so, please explain.
Is there a similar course in the course bank?
No
Yes (Please identify)
Articulation: Is this course or an equivalent offered at other two and four-year universities in Arizona?
No
Yes (Identify the college, subject, prefix, number and title:
ASU: Elective Credit
NAU: Elective Credit
UA: POL Departmental Elective (Political Science)
Is this course identified as a Writing Across the Curriculum course?
No
Yes
Course Textbook, Materials and Equipment
Textbook(s)
Title
Current
edition
Author(s)
Publisher
Constitution of the United States—13th Edition;
ISBN #: 9780064671057
Harold J Spaeth & Edward Conrad Smith
HarperCollins Publishers
Title
Author(s)
Publisher
Software/
Equipment
Instructor: Suggested sites of general interest:
Note: “Suggested Sites of Interest” section is offered as a potential resource for faculty use as it relates to
issues being discussed in the learning unit topic. Content (particularly on those websites with blogs) is
constantly changing and faculty members are directed to view these websites, gauge their suitability and
content to determine how resources might best be used in their course. The inclusion of a resource does
not constitute an endorsement on the part of MCC of the views expressed via the resource.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
This is the official website of the US Constitution.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwjc.html
This website provides journals from the Continental Congress as well as links for the Constitutional
Convention.
http://www.constitution.org/ussc/usscdeci.htm
This link summarizes landmark decisions of the US Supreme Court.
http://www.whitehouse.gov
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
This is the official website for the White House.
http://www.house.gov/
This is the official website for the US House of Representatives.
http://www.senate.gov/
This is the official website for the US Senate.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/
This is the official website for the US Supreme Court.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/bill_of_rights/bill_of_rights.html
This website is for the US National Archives. It provides a variety of information including resources for
teaching about US government.
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting/Learn.shtml
This website provided general information regarding voting and elections.
Course Assessments
1. Exams: (Objective in nature; multiple choice, fill in the blank,
listing, describing, short answer essay, etc.)
Instructors should construct tests that include
both objective and essay formats. A scheduled
midterm and final (if standard exams are
utilized) is a minimum given the amount of the
material.
Testing methods should be adjusted to meet the
needs of the current student population;
however, questions on the course material
should be included as noted in the objectives
and competency requirements.
2.
Class Activities
3.
Homework Assignments
.
In support of a student-centered learning
environment, instructors are strongly
encouraged to make class activities an integral
part of overall grade assessment. MCC requires
“participation” to be a minimum of 15% of the
overall grade. Class activities that get students
involved and interacting about the subject
matter have proven to be a very effective tool to
support learning outcomes.
Instructors are strongly encouraged to
incorporate homework (out of class activity) into
the course.
This provides students an opportunity to take
ownership of the course material, as well as the
opportunity to make application of classroom
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Where can faculty members locate or access the required standardized
exams for this course?
concepts to out-of-class situations. Homework
can also serve to reinforce concepts covered in
class.
Standardized tests are not required for this
course. Faculty may write their own exams.
If standardized tests are utilized, they will be on
file with the Academic Chair for each campus.
Exams standardized for this course? No
Midterm
Final
Other (Please specify):
Are exams required by the department?
No
Yes
If Yes, please specify:
NOTE: Exams are not mandated, but highly
encouraged and generally expected as a
part of the overall assessment measures for
learning outcomes.
Where can faculty members locate or access the required standardized
exams for this course?
Standardized tests are not required for this
course. Faculty may use test banks within
ancillary materials provided with the text or
write their own exams.
If standardized exams are utilized, they will
be on file with the Academic Chair for each
campus.
Check all that apply:
1. Communicate effectively.
a.
b.
Read and comprehend at a college level.
Write effectively in a college setting.
2. Demonstrate effective quantitative reasoning and
solving skills.
problem
3. Demonstrate effective qualitative reasoning skills.
4. Apply effective methods of inquiry.
a. Generate research paper by gathering information
from varied sources, analyzing data and organizing
information into a coherent structure.
b. Employ the scientific method.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
Method of Assessment
Course exams with essay components;
Assignments that require reading and
comprehension of text material as well as
outside reading in the discipline; Oral
communication may also be stressed as a way to
communicate what has been researched, read,
and written via oral presentations.
Faculty can engage in this general education
goal as an option by involving students in current
political events, Supreme Court cases, as well as
in-class activities that involve students in working
with quantitative data that calls for engaging in
critical thinking that will lead to formulating
solutions to current issues in the discipline.
Course exams with essay components (calling for
application of material gained by qualitative
means such as interviews, video viewing,
objects, etc. as well as applying qualitative
reasoning—with the focus on one’s senses—to
issues in the discipline).
Oral communication via oral presentations on
topics of interest may be used to share prepared
assignments with other students.
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
5. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity
a. Experience the creative products of humanity.
b. Describe alternate historical, cultural, global
perspectives.
Office of Instruction Use only:
CIP Code:
ONET Code:
Minimum Qualifications:
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
Interactive class activities and discussions (with
interaction also suitable to DE sections) on
topics within the field of political science.
Examples: Research and discussion on voting
rights; Research and discussion on the
freedoms allowed via the Bill of Rights, Research
and discussion on various Supreme Court
decisions, etc.
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
COURSE INFORMATION
Initiator: Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Ruth Wentling, Course Package Lead
Michele Bogue, Department Chair
Rob Bridges, Social & Behavioral Sciences
Date of proposal to Curriculum Sub-Committee:
Effective Semester/Year
Fall 2012
Spring
Summer
Prefix & Number: POS 227
Full Title: (100 character limit)
U.S. Constitution
Short Title: (30 character limit)
US Constitution
Catalog Course Description: This course involves an intensive study of the US Constitution, as well as a
survey of the American governmental institutions, which are based upon this document. This class
also meets the federal Constitution requirements for teacher certification in Arizona.
SUN Course Number: NA
Credit Hours: 1
Lecture Hours: 1
Lab Hours: 0
Prerequisite(s) NA
Co-requisite(s) NA
Intended Course Goals
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. describe the background of the US Constitution and how it developed.
2. explain why the US Constitution is described as a “living document” as well as a “document of
compromises.”
3. identify and explain the basic provisions of the US Constitution and its governmental processes.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)
INSTRUCTION
Course Package
Course Competencies and Objectives
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
Competency 1 Identify the origins of the US Constitution.
Objective 1.1 Summarize how the American Revolution influenced the beginning of the state constitutions.
Objective 1.2 Explain why the Articles of Confederation failed and the need for the Convention of 1787.
Objective 1.3 Describe how “compromise” was utilized when the US Constitution was designed.
Objective 1.4 Explain the process of amending the US Constitution.
Objective 1.5 Analyze the importance of democracy in our Constitutional system.
Competency 2 Explain the history and role of the US Supreme Court as outlined in the US Constitution.
Objective 2.1 Discuss the importance of judicial review.
Objective 2.2 Describe the evolution of the structure of the US Supreme Court.
Objective 2.3 Explain the jurisdiction of the US Supreme Court.
Objective 2.4 Discuss the relationship between the state and federal judicial systems.
Objective 2.5 Compare and contrast the meanings of “equal protection” and “due process”.
Objective 2.6 Explain the selection process for US Supreme Court Justices.
Objective 2.7 Summarize the organization of the federal court system (District Courts, Courts of Appeals and Special
Courts.
Competency 3 Describe the powers of Congress as outlined in the US Constitution.
Objective 3.1 Identify the qualifications for membership in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate.
Objective 3.2 Define implied powers and explain its importance throughout history.
Objective 3.3 Summarize the following powers: power to tax, regulate commerce, business, and labor.
Competency 4 Describe the Presidency as outlined in the US Constitution.
Objective 4.1 Identify the qualifications to be President of the United States.
Objective 4.2 Summarize the duties/responsibilities of the US President.
Competency 5 Explain the rights of the states in relation to the federal government.
Objective 5.1 Describe the “full faith and credit” clause
Objective 5.2 Discuss the importance of the 10th Amendment as a limitation to federal regulation for the states.
Competency 6 Examine the amendments to the US Constitution.
Objective 6.1 Summarize the Bill of Rights and describe how it impacts our society.
Objective 6.2 Explain the importance of the Civil Rights Amendments.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev. 10/07/11)