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Intro to American Government
Course Information
Instructor: Dr. Rabidoux
Semester: Fall 2025
Three Branches of Government
Federal Level
Legislative (Makes Laws)
Congress
Senate
House of Representatives
Executive (Enforces Laws)
The White House
President
Vice President
Cabinet
Judicial (Interprets Laws)
U.S. Supreme Court
Other Federal Courts
The President of the United States
Cabinet Departments
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Department of Defense
Department of Justice
Department of the Interior
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Labor
Department of Transportation
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Energy
Department of Education
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Federal Budget, Deficit, and Long-Term Debt
Annual Budget FY 2024: $6.8 Trillion
Actual Revenue: $4.92 Trillion
Deficit: $2.6 Trillion
Long-Term Public Debt: $32 Trillion
Government and Politics
Notable Quotations and Events
Example of civic engagement discussed through David Blevins on X regarding LA Mayor Karen Bass
Biden's statements indicating he and Harris could have won against Trump, despite current polling showing Trump leading
The Cabinet Nomination Process
Overview of Nomination Procedure
President nominates individuals for the Cabinet
U.S. Senate provides advice and consent (confirmation or rejection)
Requires a simple majority vote in the Senate after the Judiciary Committee review
Civic Engagement
Understanding Civic Engagement
Questions for Reflection:
What does civic engagement look like in different governance systems?
Democracy
Oligarchy
Communist State
Dictatorship
Discussion on legitimate vs. illegitimate forms of engagement/participation
Basic Purpose of Government
Core Functions
Safety
Security
Education
Guaranteeing Outcomes
Role of Government and Politics
Current Issues
Recent wildfires in Los Angeles
Government response and mismanagement issues raised
Immigration concerns highlighted in public polls regarding the Southern Border Crisis
Our Gameplan: Hybrid Approach
In-Person (Lecture/Discussion/Team Activity)
Online (Moodle for readings and assignments)
Exam submission via Moodle
No late work accepted
Attendance mandatory; 5 unexcused absences results in failing grade
Make-up work for excused absences required by instructor
What is Government?
Discussion of the spectrum from ideals and ideology to policy
Personal reflections on the “blessings of liberty”
Who Governs?
Exploration of Elitism vs. Pluralism
Types and Forms of Government
Inquiry into citizen rights and government structure
Methods of citizen influence on government
Guarantees against governmental excesses
Discussion on direct vs. representative democracy
Public vs. Private Goods
Key Considerations
Who pays?
Access and Provision
Collective vs. Individualized goods
Free vs. Toll-based services
Factors that Influence Civic Engagement
Differences between engagement and participation
Influencing factors:
Partisanship
Ideology
Knowledge
Week 4 Lecture PPs Notes | Knowt
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(7) IQ, or Multiple Intelligence?
(1) The Big 5 Personality Traits
New Yorker article on Altenberg
Immigration Policy Power Points
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(1) Understanding Rotter's Theory of Locus of Control
Week Power Points Dr. Rabidoux
Week 4 Lecture PPs
(7) False memories - Lost in a shopping mall - Elizabeth Loftus
The Human Behavior Experiments
(2) Season of Valor, Battle of the Bulge
(20) The Second Viennese School: An Introduction
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Course Information
Course Name: POL 201
Week: 4
Semester: Spring 2025
Institution: CCU
Instructor: Dr. Rabidoux
The Fentanyl Trade
Overview of the Trade
Fentanyl production involves Chinese manufacturers developing drug precursors.
These precursors are sent to Mexican drug cartels, which operate drug processing plants along Mexican ports.
Thousands of Chinese workers are involved in this process.
Mexican cartels utilize “mules” to illegally cross into the US and distribute fentanyl.
Economic Impact
Estimated revenue for Mexican drug cartels: $400-500 billion annually.
Chinese revenue from fentanyl trade: $300-400 billion annually.
Chinese Government Statement
A Chinese official stated that if Americans were poisoned and die from fentanyl, it would aid China's ambitions for global dominance.
Seizures
Example: 2,500 pounds of fentanyl seized in Phoenix, enough to kill 200 million Americans.
ICE Actions and Public Response
Protests Against ICE
Over 1,000 protest against ICE arrests in DeKalb County.
Recent ICE Arrests (February 2, 2025)
Total arrests: 985, with 850 having prior criminal convictions related to serious offenses (rape, assault, robbery, drug possession, homicide).
45% linked to known gang members, including Mexican cartels.
750 had removal orders during the Biden administration but remained in the US.
A significant number of minor children remain unaccounted for.
Public Opinion
74% of voters support arrests and deportations of illegal immigrant criminals.
US Funding and Foreign Aid
Diverse Allocation of Funds
$1.5 million for DEI initiatives in Serbia.
$70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland.
$2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam.
$47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia.
$32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru.
$2 million allocated for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala.
$6 million allocated for tourism in Egypt.
Controversial Spending
Funds linked to terrorist organizations were distributed even after investigations.
Funding directed to EcoHealth Alliance involved in Wuhan lab research.
Issues raised regarding support of al Qaeda in Syria and aids for poppy cultivation in Afghanistan benefiting the Taliban.
Trump Administration's Policies
Imposition of Tariffs
Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China (25% - 10%).
Government Actions
Continued operations by ICE, DEA, FBI, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Dismantling DEI programs at the federal level.
Plans to ramp up Guantanamo Bay for detainees.
Public Reactions
Schumer claims tariffs will increase costs on Super Bowl essentials, affecting consumers.
Civil Liberties and Rights
Civil Liberties Defined
Limitations on Governmental Power.
Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition as outlined in the Constitution.
Limitations and Regulating Rights
No right or liberty is absolute; regulatory circumstances apply.
Constitution ensures freedom but from a collective perspective.
Civil Rights
Guarantees of Equal Protection
Equal protection under the law covers all citizens.
Transition from equality to equity is highlighted.
Key Issues
Analysis of conflicting rights and freedoms.
Free Exercise vs No Establishment Clause
Legal Precedents
WI v Yoder (1972) established limits and government interests in regulating religious practices.
Considerations included compelling governmental interest and measures to ensure narrow tailoring.
Examples include cases surrounding Christmas displays and peyote use.
Establishment Clause Tests
Lemon v Kurtzman Test
Assess excessive governmental entanglement with religion.
Ensure laws do not inhibit or advance religion and serve a secular purpose.
Contemporary Concerns
Issues raised about pandemic lockdowns and big tech censorship in relation to religious freedoms.
Freedom of Speech/Expression
Limitations
Speech is not absolute; different types include political, commercial, symbolic, and hate speech.
Current Debates
Challenges with misinformation and disinformation and how regulations might apply.
Scenarios for Discussion
Team Activities
Scenario 1: Transition from yard sales to educational settings.
Scenario 2: Restrictions on free speech at educational institutions and the concept of "Free Speech Zones."
Scenario 3: Conflict between sorority requirements and self-identification concerning freedom of assembly versus freedom of expression.