GENERAL SURVEY COURSE: UNITED STATES CIVICS Prepared by Michael F.G. Bolton

	Course Overview This course, grounded in a firm knowledge of the regional state and U.S. Federal history and procedures, seeks to investigate the responsibilities and rewards of citizenship on a global level. Students will compare and contrast the U.S. systems of government with other models and innovations in both theoretical and practical form. Communism, Socialism and Capitalism's structures will all be outlined and reviewed in light of the following questions:   What is meant by the terms 'society', 'social contract' and 'justice'? Who is included and excluded in these terms and by what means? What is the difference between morals and ethics? Is a judicial system necessary? What purposes do political parties, special interest groups and treaty organizations serve? What role has organized religion played in national, state, and local systems of governance? Whose 'pursuits of happiness' are paramount and how might we decide? Do the ends justify the means? What is meant by the 'general welfare' and 'public safety'? How do these parameters for U.S. Civics extend beyond the United States?   Sample Syllabus At every opportunity, students shall be encouraged to approach materials academically, philosophically, and in light of their individual/collective personal experiences. Additionally, as suggested above, pupils will view citizenry in a global context. For example, at the end of a section on the U.S. federal budget, students may divide into groups of five and devise a balanced budget facing the many dilemmas involved in the allocation of finite resources. Their decisions may then be entered into UC Berkeley's on-line budget simulation for scoring. After the appropriate closure of the budget debate, the class may then logically go on to discuss 'netiquette' (the, as yet, unwritten code on international Internet behavior) and the difference between the spirit and the letter of the law. Questions of intervention, 'protection', vested interests and alliances may be viewed from interpersonal and international perspectives, in both economic and military fields. In all cases, civic intent and impact (or: cause and effect) will be discussed as will the continual human measurement of both flexibility and enforcement. Grading will be based 40% on completion of a final examination; 30% on a group or individual oral presentation; 15% on completion of two three-page response papers; and 15% on participation, to include attendance. Each unexcused absence after three will drop the grade by one-half point; that is, if the student is earning a B and has four unexcused absences, the overall grade will be no higher than B-; five absences will drop the overall grade to a C+, and so on. Late materials will be accepted throughout the semester, but will normally be downgraded, unless for an excused absence. ALL MATERIALS MUST BE TYPED OR PRINTED NEATLY ON LINED PAPER AND, IF LONGER THAN ONE PAGE, STAPLED, OR THEY WILL NOT BE READ.

	Text © 1997 by Michael F.G. Bolton
	Original Graphic © 1997 by Jim Davis-Rosenthal

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