POL 220W - Minority Group Politics

1. Assess American democracy from a multi-cultural perspective.
   1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental assumptions underlying democratic theory. Explain the importance of accountability in representative democracies.
   2. Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of citizenship in democratic societies.
   3. Demonstrate an understanding of the critical dynamic between majority rule and minority rights that occurs in all democratic societies.
   4. Suggest alternative structures and models for collective decision-making in a multi-cultural society.
2. Analyze the causes and solutions to the problems of prejudice and discrimination in the American political system.
   1. Describe the roles that race, ethnicity, gender, class, citizenship and alternative lifestyles have played in the development of group relations in the United States.
   2. Distinguish racial minority groups and ethnic minority groups.
   3. Compare and contrast the experiences of racial and ethnic minorities with those of the “new minorities.”
3. Analyze how individuals and groups influence American political institutions.
   1. Describe and assess the role of public opinion in the United States.
   2. Critique opinion polls and the use of polling data from the perspective of minority groups.
   3. Distinguish the goals and methods of interest groups and political parties.
   4. Describe and assess the ability of American interest groups and political parties to advance or obstruct the aspirations of minority groups.
   5. Evaluate the role and influence of the mass media in the United States.
   6. Compare and contrast media coverage of groups and group interests in our multi-cultural society.
   7. Evaluate the ability of minority groups to access and influence our political institutions.
4. Relate the structure of American political institutions to specific policies that have restricted or advanced the rights and opportunities of minority groups.
   1. Compare and contrast the powers, duties, roles, and functions of the Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
   2. Describe and assess the policymaking process of each branch of our government in terms of equal access and the fair treatment of all groups in our society.
   3. Describe the influence of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances on the formation and implementation of policies that restrict or advanced the rights and opportunities of minority groups.
   4. Develop a model that describes, explains, and predicts how American political institutions manage conflict in our multi-cultural society.
5. Access and evaluate information on important public issues affecting minority groups.
   1. Locate articles or other materials that relate to specific course topics.
   2. Assess the quality of these materials.
   3. Use information in these materials to examine and test conclusions.
   4. Distinguish and critique positions on controversial issues related to course content.
   5. Develop and support a position on controversial issues.
6. Use critical thinking skills.
   1. Evaluate the credibility of sources of information with respect to an issue or problem.
   2. Analyze and evaluate theories, positions, viewpoints and policies.
   3. Generate and assess solutions to problems.
7. Write effectively for a specific audience and purpose.
   1. Articulate clearly important ideas.
   2. Select, organize, and present details to support a main idea.
   3. Employ the conventions of written, edited, standard English.
   4. Quote, paraphrase and summarize accurately.
   5. Document sources in a conventional style.
   6. Use appropriate vocabulary for the audience and purpose.
8. Demonstrate the learning of concepts through writing.
   1. Analyze course content in written form.
   2. Explain the subject matter in a coherent writing style.