POL 1560 - American Government
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41329,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Dr. Cryshanna A. Jackson Leftwich
Professional Qualifications:
Ph. D, University of Akron, Master’s of Science, West Virginia University, Bachelor’s, Miami University
Professor
Email: cajackson@ysu.edu
Office: 426 Debartolo Hall
Office Phone: 3309412114
Preferred Contact Method: Email
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Jackson
Log in to view more
Course Description
1560. American Government. The foundations of American democratic government with an emphasis on the responsibilities of citizenship, civil rights, and civil liberties, parties and elections, and American political institutions. Students are encouraged to understand and discuss issues of social justice, equality and freedom, and majoritarianism. Topics include the civil rights movement, campaign finance reform, federalism, and affirmative action. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | We the People 15th Essentials Edition: | Ginsberg, Lowi, et al. | 9781324085454 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Course Outline
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Textbook CH 1 | Americans & Their Political Values | Video Lecture 1 Quiz 1 |
| 8/31 | Textbook CH 2 | The Founding and the Constitution | Video Lecture 2 Feedback Fruits 1 Quiz 2 |
| 9/7 | Textbook CH 10 | Congress | Video Lecture 3 Quiz 3 |
| 9/14 | Textbook CH 4 | Civil Liberties | Video Lecture 4 Feedback Fruits 2 Quiz 4 |
| 9/21 | Textbook CH 6 | Public Opinion | Video Lecture 5 Quiz 5 |
| 9/28 | Textbook CH 7 | The Media & Political Information | Video Lecture 6 Quiz 6 TEST 1 |
| 10/5 | Textbook CH 9 | Participation Campaigns & Elections | Video Lecture 7 Feedback Fruits 3 Quiz 7 |
| 10/12 | Textbook CH 3 | Federalism | Video Lecture 8 Quiz 8 |
| 10/19 | Textbook CH 12 | Bureaucracy | Video Lecture 9 Quiz 9 |
| 10/26 | Article: Social Contract Theory | Social Contract Theory | Video Lecture 10 Quiz 10 |
| 11/2 | Textbook CH 8 | Political Parties and | Video Lecture 11 Quiz 11 TEST 2 |
| 11/9 | Textbook CH 13 | The Federal Courts | Video Lecture 12 Feedback Fruits 4 Quiz 12 |
| 11/16 | Textbook CH 5 | CIvil Rights | Video Lecture 13 Feedback Fruits 5 Quiz 13 |
| 11/23 | Federalist Papers #10 & 51 | Dangers of Factions & Checks and Balances | Video Lecture 14 Quiz 14 |
| 11/30 | Article: Reading the Constitution | Political Trends | Video: Constitution USA Feedback Fruits 6 Quiz 15 |
| 12/7 | EXAM WEEK | TEST 3 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.