Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305

Section Number:  351

Semester: Fall 2016

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights. 48 lecture hours.

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Materials:

We the People (ebook with Connect Plus Access Card) by Thomas E. Patterson, McGraw Hill, 11th edition, ISBN: 9781259563614

  ** Students can order a full color loose leaf book for an additional $15 directly from

McGraw Hill when registering Connect Access

Name of Instructor:

M. Kathryn Fogle

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295 (email preferred)

E-mail Address:

Please use Canvas email for correspondence

1

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

2

Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.

3

Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.

4

Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.

5

Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.

6

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties.

7

Analyze the election process.

8

Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

9

Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.

10

Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

17

McGraw Hill Connect Chapter Quizzes

15%

17

McGraw Hill Connect LearnSmart Activities

15%

1

Campaign Project: Will include several parts to be discussed in detail

20%

1

Political Socialization Project: Will include project and self evaluation

10%

1

Policy Creation Project :Will include project, self evaluation, and peer evaluation

20%

Throughout Semester

First Week Assignments and Participation: Will include First Week Assignments and Participation Assignments throughout the Semester

20%

Grading Policy & Procedures

I will post grades and feedback on Canvas as soon as they are ready, and will try to return all work submitted within one week of receiving it.  Late work will not be accepted unless the student has a documented excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with course assignments and contact the instructor with any questions or concerns. The student is responsible for regularly checking their Canvas Inbox and their feedback on assignments. More detailed instructions will be distributed on Canvas regarding course assignments. All course instruction will be located online in Canvas and the McGraw Hill Connect site.

Attendance Policy

Since this is an online course, attendance will not be taken officially; however, regular and consistent participation will be required in order to be successful in the course. Regular attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Absence does not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Please contact the instructor immediately (before if possible) after missing an assignment to discuss getting the absence excused and making up missed work. Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absences.  Students who fail to log in to Canvas and purchase access to McGraw Hill Connect within the first week of class will be dropped from the course.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

Tentative Course  Schedule

Please see Canvas Calendar and Syllabus page for updated course schedule. We will focus on the topics listed during the week of:

August 22-First Week Assignments and Introduction to Government

August 29- Constitution and Federalism

September 5- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Participation Assignment

September 12-Public Opinion and Political Socialization, Political Socialization Project

September 19- Political Participation

September 26- Political Parties

October 3-Interest Groups

October 10-  The Media, Participation Assignment

October 17-Election Project

October 24-  Congress and the Presidency

October 31- Bureaucracy and Judiciary

November 7-Economic and Environmental Policy, Welfare and

Education Policy

November 14-Foreign Policy and Participation Assignment

November 28-Policy Creation Project

December 5- Participation Assignment, Project Revisions

Other Pertinent Information

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  You are not to give any person (which includes parents, spouses, friends, etc) access to your Canvas account at any time during the semester.  If you do, you are putting the integrity of the course work completed in question.  Do not ask someone to email me on your behalf in Canvas.  If you have an emergency and cannot contact me yourself, it is best to have an alternative person contact me on my NCTC email address:mkfogle@nctc.edu.  Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, assignment, post tests) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 3, 2016.

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

Please notify the Professor within the first week of class if you will need accommodations.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx  

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Donna Hooper

Office Location:

Corinth 209

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu