{"id":4,"date":"2026-01-19T14:02:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T19:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu\/pol-100-introduction-to-american-government-artinian\/syllabus\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T15:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T20:03:20","slug":"syllabus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu\/pol-100-0505-spring-2026-introduction-to-american-government\/about-this-class\/syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"Syllabus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Borough of Manhattan Community College
City University of New York<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Course Name<\/strong><\/td>Introduction to American Government, SPRING 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Course Code<\/strong><\/td>POL 100 (0505)<\/td><\/tr>
Class Hours<\/strong><\/td>This is an online course. You are expected to devote 6-9 hours a week studying for this course.<\/td><\/tr>
Credits<\/strong><\/td>3 credit hours<\/td><\/tr>
Prerequisites<\/strong><\/td>None<\/td><\/tr>
Instructor<\/strong><\/td>Prof. Arto Artinian, Ph.D.<\/td><\/tr>
Email<\/strong><\/td>aartinian@bmcc.cuny.edu<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Course Description <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The history, development, and intellectual origin of American government are studied and analyzed. Special consideration is given to the structure and operation of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, and the role of government and politics in a modern industrial society.
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Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Prerequisites or Corequisites<\/strong>
NONE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required Text & Readings <\/strong>

This is an OER\/No-Cost course. This means you are not required to purchase materials or a textbook for this course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Resources\/Materials<\/strong>

Additional readings will be posted on the class website, on the OpenLab, here: https:\/\/openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu\/pol-100-0505-spring-2026-introduction-to-american-government\/course-guide\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: ignore that the URL for the class refers to a different class section. This is the correct class<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE<\/strong>: All reading materials in our weekly modules can be openly accessed from the internet by visiting the class URL noted above. <\/strong>Exams and reading response papers can be submitted without logging into the BMCC OpenLab system. However, submitting Discussion Board assignments, as well as completing practices quizzes, requires logging into the BMCC OpenLab. Instructions on how to do this are provided on our class website linked above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grading Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
ASSIGNMENT TYPE<\/strong><\/td>HOW MANY<\/strong><\/td>% OF FINAL GRADE<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Discussions<\/td>1-4 per module<\/td>30%<\/td><\/tr>
Reading Responses<\/td>1 per module<\/td>10%<\/td><\/tr>
Midterm Exam<\/td>1 per semester<\/td>30%<\/td><\/tr>
Final Exam<\/td>1 per semester<\/td>30%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Late Assignments<\/strong>
Late assignments or make-up assignments are not permitted in my class. If you are planning to be out of town or if you have an emergency, please contact me ahead of times so that we can come to alternate participation methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late Enrollment<\/strong>
If you enroll late in this course, it will be your responsibility to either catch up quickly or receive no points for assignments due before your late enrollment to the class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video Participation:<\/strong>
You are not required to participate in any class-related video activities. However, throughout the semester, I may hold optional Zoom meetings, where I host a Question & Answer meetings, mostly likely after a few modules have been presented. Such optional QA Zoom sessions will also be held before exams (to answer your questions, as well as review specific points). Note, again, you are encouraged to attend these Zoom meetings, but you will not be required to do so, your attendance of these video meetings is optional. All such Zoom meetings will be recorded and made available on our class website for everyone to watch, whenever convenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulties with Technology:<\/strong>
You must have a plan for dealing with technical difficulties. It is your responsibility if internet goes out in the middle of submitting an assignment. It is your responsibility to find alternate ways to access content (campus Learning Center offers internet and computers). Reach out to me before assignments are due if you are having emergency issues that prevent you from participating in course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online Learning Orientation:<\/strong>
This class will be using BMCC’s OpenLab for hosting our course website. Extensive introduction and help on how to use the OpenLab is available here<\/a>. In addition, specific requests for technical support on the OpenLab, can be made by writing to: openlab@bmcc.cuny.edu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Office of Compliance and Diversity<\/strong>
BMCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive learning environment free of unlawful discrimination\/harassment, including sexual harassment, where all students are treated fairly. For information about BMCC’s policies and resources, or to request additional assistance in this area, please visit or call the office, or email olevy@bmcc.cuny.edu, or twade@bmcc.cuny.edu. If you need immediate assistance, please contact BMCC Public safety at 212-220-8080.
www.bmcc cuny.edu\/aac, room S701, 212-220-1236. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility<\/strong>
The office of Accessibility can be accessed at www.bmcc.cuny.edu\/accessibility, room N360 (accessible entrance: 77 Harrison Street), 212-220-8180. This office collaborates with students who have documented disabilities, to coordinate support services, reasonable accommodations, and programs that enable equal access to education and college life. To request an accommodation due to a documented disability, please visit or call the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Learning Outcomes: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What you should be able to do by the end of the semester<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>You will be able to…<\/em><\/td>Types of Assessment<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Course Student<\/strong>
Leaning <\/strong>
Outcomes<\/strong>
<\/td>		1. Describe <\/strong>the history, structures and purpose of fundamental political documents such as the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court cases that have significantly shaped American political institutions and practices.
2. Describe <\/strong>and Discuss<\/strong> the functioning of the American political system (the branches and division of government)
3. Demonstrate <\/strong>an understanding of the moving forces of American politics, including the intersection of class, race, and gender, and how they have precipitated important events in United States political history and current events.
4. Discuss <\/strong>ongoing events and controversies in U.S. politics.<\/td>		– Essay Exams
– Essay papers
– Quizzes
– Discussion board posts
– Collectice annotations of assigned readings<\/td><\/tr>
General Education Goals<\/strong><\/td>Social Sciences <\/strong>– Students will understand and apply the concepts and methods of the social sciences.

Student behaviors include being able to:
– demonstrate an understanding of the unique theories and methods of a social or behavioral science
– analyze and interpret a social, economic, cultural, political, philosophical, or historical issue.

Information and Technology Literacy  <\/strong>– Students will collect, evaluate and interpret information and effectively use information technologies.

Students will be able to generate pieces of informal writing in response to a variety of prompts, situations, concepts, or reading assignments. <\/td>		<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Requirements and Grading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n