NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2305	Section Number:  841	Semester: 161S
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

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Donna Hooper
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth 209
Telephone Number:	940-498-6266
E-mail Address:	dhooper@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
17	Learn Smart ( 1 per chapter) Connect	340
17	Chapter Post Tests	170
20	Chapter Activities/Assignments	310
4	Exams	280
	Total Points	1100

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

	At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
	Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
	Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
	Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
	Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
	Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties.
	Analyze the election process.
	Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
	Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
	Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Regular and punctual 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.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Tentative Course Schedule

Unit I

Ch  1 Political Thinking                                 

Ch 2 Constitutional Democracy                     

Ch 3 Federalism                                             

Ch 4 Civil Liberties    

Ch 5 Equal Rights                  

Unit II

Ch 6 Public Opinion                          

Ch 7 Political Participation                 

Ch 8 Political Parties                          

Chapter 9 Interest Groups                  

Ch 10 News Media                            

Unit III

Ch 11 Congress

Ch12 Presidency                                            

Ch 13 Bureaucracy

Ch 14 Judicial System                        

Unit IV

Ch 15 Economic/Environ Policy                    

Ch 16 Welfare/Education                                                                               

Ch 17 Foreign Policy                         

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 3, 2015.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

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

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________ 

 

o        Communication

o        Mathematics             

o        Life and Physical Science

o        Language, Philosophy & Culture

o        Creative Arts

 

o        American History

X         Government/Political Science

o        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o        Component Area Option

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

X              Critical Thinking

X              Communication

o             Empirical and Quantitative

 

o             Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o             Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

x        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

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

 

 

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