POL 215 ENTIRE COURSE

POL 215 ENTIRE COURSE | University Of Phoenix 

POL 215 ENTIRE COURSE
 
 
WEEK  1
POL 215 Week 1 Individual Assignment Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
 
Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
 

 
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
 
Complete the following chart by identifying the three branches of government and their entities.
 
 
 

Short Answer

 
Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words.
 
1.       What are some of the historical events that shaped the formation of the U.S. federal government? Select one event you think had a major effect on the federal government. How does this event affect U.S. citizens today?
 
 
 
2.       Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to U.S. government? How did their ideas help shape the current government of the United States?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.     What is the main function of the legislative branch? What role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws? Summarize how these two branches work together.
 
 
 
4.       What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members of this branch? Briefly describe the judicial process.
 
 
 
5.     Define federalism. How does federalism affect your day-to-day life? Consider these areas: transportation, education, technology, or the environment, for example.
 
 
 
 
 
WEEK 2 
 
POL 215 Week 2  Learning Team Assignment Collaborative Activity: Rural, Suburban, and Urban Issues
 
Work with a partner to complete the University of Phoenix Material: Rural, Suburban, and Urban Issues Worksheet in preparation for your Local Government Issues Presentation, due in Week Four.
Submit your worksheets individually.
 

 
Rural, Suburban, and Urban Issues Worksheet
 
Determine whether the following issues are associated with a rural, suburban, or urban community. Your answers may be a mix of two or all three. Provide a rationale for your answer by explaining why you think the issue is associated with this community.
 
1.     Not enough public transportation – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
2.     Roads – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
3.     Traffic – Rural, Suburban, or UrbaN
4.     Access to public services – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
5.     Gang violence on the street - Rural, Suburban, or Urban
6.     Gang activity in schools - Rural, Suburban, or Urban
7.     School funding – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
8.     Availability of energy, water, and resources – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
9.     Demands on ecosystems – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
10.  Lack of diversity – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
 
 
 
POL 215 Week 2 Individual Assignment Constitution and Systems of the State
 
Locate your state's constitution and examine the major elements and articles of the constitution.
 
Review its contents and functions. Search for information about the branches of government and the funding sources for your state government.
 
Write at least a 1050 word paper that addresses the following:
How are the main components of government set up by your state's constitution?
Which branch of your state government seems the most powerful, on paper? What evidence do you use for your choice?
Does the state constitution contain a Bill of Rights? If so, what appears to be the most important feature?
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.  You should have at least 2 peer reviewed journal articles as part of your reference page and in tex
 
 
WEEK 3
POL 215 Week 3 Individual Assignment Interest Groups and State Government Presentation
 
 
Consider this scenario: You are working as an aide for a representative in your state legislature, and he or she has asked you for a summary of information on a particular interest group. Use the following to prepare your Microsoft® PowerPoint® or Prezi presentation to the representative:
Identifyand provide a description of one interest group.
Discuss its connection or relationship to each of the two major political parties in your state.
Analyze the interest group's relationship with the two major political parties by addressing these questions:
How does the group influence the state government?
What techniques does the group use?
How important is the interest group to your representative?
Summarize the information you found regarding this interest group and provide a recommendation to the representative for responding to the issue with which the interest group is most concerned.
Include at least 8 to 10 slides.
For Local Campus, deliver a 10- to 15-minute oral presentation accompanied by your slides or multimedia.
For Online Campus, provide detailed speaker notes in the presentation file or in a separate document.
 
 
 
WEEK 4
 
POL 215 Week 4 Individual Assignment You are a Mayor Simulation
 
View the You are the Mayor and Need to Get a Town Budget Passed simulation.
Report your score and describe what you learned from the simulation about the political forces that drive the policy-making process.
Write your response in 350 to 400 words.
 
POL 215 Week 4 Individual Assignment Local Government Issues Presentation
 
Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Rural, Suburban, and Urban Issues Worksheet completed in Week Two
 
Select a local government within your state to analyze. You may select either an urban, suburban, or rural government to review.
 
Prepare a presentation addressing the following:
Describe which area you chose: urban, suburban, or rural. Briefly describe the area's demographics and characteristics.
Describethe local form of government and identify the major elected officials of your selected area.
Identify the major public policy issues, current events, and challenges this government faces and analyze one in depth.
Discuss how the state government is addressing the issue you selected.
Provide at least two potential, realistic solutions to the public policy issues, current events, and challenges this government faces.
Include 8 to 10 slides and speaker notes to provide more in-depth information.
 
Format your presentation consistent with APA guidelines.
For Local Campus students, these are 10- to 15-minute oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.
For Online and Directed Study students, these are Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations with notes.
 
 
WEEK 5
POL 215 Week 5  Learning Team Assignment Multiple Governments and 
Intergovernmental Relationships
           
 
Read the "Hydrofracking" article on this week's Electronic Reserve Readings page.
 
Present a 10-15 page Microsoft Powerpoint slide to the class on the  Hydrofracking article. Include the following points in your presentation:
Describe the ways in which different levels of government interrelate. What solution are the different governments trying to achieve?
Identify the advantages and disadvantages in the ways that the governments involved work together.
Provide a possible solution to the current way of hydrofracking that would be better by having different levels of government work together. Include ways in which communication between the governments might be improved.
Identify a way for local and state governments to both stimulate their economies while being respectful of the environment.
Provide an example of a current issue near your home that involves multiple governments and the ways in which they do or do not work together effectively. Examples could include environmental, educational, or technological issues.
Format your PPT consistent with APA guidelines.