MCCCD Program Description

U.S. and Arizona Constitution

Course: POS220

First Term: 1994 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Examination of the United States Constitution and the constitution and government of the State of Arizona

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and explain how our current Constitution was to remedy each. (I) 2. Explain the Founders` application of the principles of federalism, separation of power, republicanism and constitutional protections of civil liberties. (I) 3. Identify the Founders` reasons for creating a republican form of government. (I) 4. Explain the importance of Marbury vs. Madison and the constitutional role of the courts. (I) 5. Explain the judicial review authority of the post World War II Court and its role in the reinterpreting the Constitution. (I) 6. Examine the constitutional and political limitations on the Courts` powers. (I) 7. Explain the importance of the bicameral organization of Congress. (II) 8. Identify the legislative and economic powers granted to Congress in Article I. (II) 9. Explain the importance of McCulloch vs Maryland and its impact on Congress` authority. (II) 10. Identify the explicit limitations on Congress` power included in Article I. (II) 11. Explain the process of Presidential election, including the role of political parties, winner-take-all state elections, and the electoral college. (II) 12. Compare and contrast the difference between the foreign affairs and domestic powers granted the President in Article II. (II) 13. Examine the modern struggle between the President and the Congress over the distribution of the war powers. (II) 14. Explain the procedures for amending the Constitution. (II) 15. Explain how the Bill of Rights was born of the politics of ratification in 1790. (III) 16. Define civil liberties and explain how the 19th century court created a dual citizenship interpretation of the Bill of Rights. (III) 17. Explain the difference between constitutional protection of religious belief and practice. (III) 18. Identify and explain the constitutional limitations on speech. (III) 19. Define the exclusionary rule and its role in nationalizing the Bill of Rights. (III) 20. Compare substantive and procedural due process. (III) 21. Define eminent domain and describe the constitutional conflict over the definition and consequences of regulatory takings. (III) 22. Define civil rights and explain the constitution consequences of the court`s redefinition of equality in Brown vs the Board of Education. (IV) 23. Define affirmative action and the constitutional controversy surrounding it. (IV) 24. Identify Arizona`s major historical periods from Pre-Columbian to early statehood. (V) 25. Compare and contrast the initiative and referendum processes. (VI) 26. Describe the impeachment and recall processes. (VI) 27. Describe the structure of Arizona`s legislative districts. (VII) 28. Explain how a bill becomes a law. (VII) 29. List the executive offices and their specific powers. (VIII) 30. Describe the courts in the Arizona judicial system and the jurisdiction of each court. (IX) 31. Explain the organization and powers of county and municipal governments. (X)

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. U.S. Constitution A. Historical Overview B. Political Principles 1. Republican vs Democratic Governments 2. Federalism 3. Separation of Powers 4. Checks and Balances 5. Protection of Civil Liberties C. The Supreme Court and the Constitution 1. Judicial Review 2. Doctrine of Political Questions II. Articles A. Article I - Legislative Power 1. Economic Powers of Congress 2. Military Powers of Congress 3. Presidential Veto 4. Limitations on Congressional Power: Habeas Corpus B. Article II - Executive Power 1. Foreign Affairs Presidency 2. War Powers and Foreign Policy 3. Domestic Presidency 4. Evolution of American Government 5. Process of Presidential Election C. Article IV - Relations among the States 1. Full Faith and Credit 2. Privileges and Immunities 3. Interstate Extradition 4. State Admission D. Article V - Amendment Procedure E. Articles VI and VII - National Supremacy and Ratification III. Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties A. Dual Citizenship B. Nationalization of the Bill of Rights C. First Amendment 1. Freedom of Religion 2. Freedom of Speech 3. Protecting Political Rights D. Procedural Restraints on Police Power 1. Exclusionary Rule 2. Search and Seizure 3. Due Process 4. Power of Eminent Domain 5. Restraints on Judicial Power IV. Fourteenth Amendment and Civil Rights A. Brown vs Board of Education 1. Redefining Quality 2. Obligation to Promote and Protect Equality B. Affirmative Action and the Constitution V. Geography and History of Arizona A. The Three Topographical Zones B. Pre-Columbian, Spanish, and Mexican Periods C. Territorial and Early Statehood Periods VI. Elections and Removal from Office A. Voting and Candidacy Procedures B. Initiative and Referendum C. Impeachment and Recall VII. Legislative Branch A. Structure B. Lawmaking Process VIII. Executive Branch A. Organization B. Powers of the Office IX. Judicial Branch A. State Court System B. Trial Procedures X. County Government and Municipalities A. Organizations B. Powers and Responsibilities

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 4/26/1994

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.