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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
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Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305
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Section Number: 343
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Semester: Spring 2017
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Semester Credit Hours: 3
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Lecture Hours: 3
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Lab Hours: N/A
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Les Stanaland
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Campus/Office Location:
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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lstanaland@nctc.edu
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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15
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LearnSmart Adaptive Check for Understanding
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20%
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15
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Assignments
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30%
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15 (drop 2)
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Quizzes
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50%
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In this course, we will be using the Connect learning system for all assignments. Therefore, you must purchase access to this program. Within Canvas there is a document that shows you how to register for the Connect access. Because all assignments are in Connect, there won’t be any assignments in Canvas itself. You will use Canvas for the syllabus and to see your grades, but no work will be done there. All assignments are listed in chronological order in Connect. I would strongly urge you to gain access as soon as possible, because Chapter 1 work is due by Tuesday the 31st. There is a free option to gain access to the course for two weeks if money is a bit tight, and I wouldn’t blame you one bit for taking advantage of it! Just remember that you do have to pay for the course after that time is up.
The course will progress in a “two week, one chapter” format. That means that you will have two weeks to complete the work for each chapter, and multiple chapters will be available at any given time.
There are 3 assignments per chapter – the LearnSmart adaptive technology work, the assignment, and the quiz. LearnSmart is a system in which you answer questions based on your confidence level of the answer. You will see choices like “sure”, “I think so”, and the like for you to learn the information in a casual, low-risk way. You will have access to the textbook and other aids to help you get the right answer. You won’t be penalized for getting the wrong answer; you will have the chance to answer the question again as the question set moves forward. I have set LearnSmart to take the average student anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to complete. Obviously, we all learn at different speeds, so the concept of time will not play a role in your learning. Basically, it takes as long as it takes. I’ve had students master material in 30 minutes while others took 4 hours. Neither is any better than the other. Just do the work and don’t worry about the clock. In essence, the LearnSmart work is a completion grade and is based more on your ability to see the assignment through and less on your actual knowledge level. Doing the reading and completing the LeartSmart portion is the same as being in a regular class listening to me drone on and on about this stuff. It’s the way to gain information, so don’t slack off this part! It’s important!
Assignments and Quizzes are exactly what they sound like; more advanced opportunities for you to demonstrate your knowledge of the course material. Assignments are limited to two chances, with a 5% deduction for the second attempt, and you have one chance on each quiz. I will drop your two lowest quiz grades. The purpose of this scaffolded approach is to get you slowly more confident in your knowledge of the course content so that you can get a good grade! My advice would be to not take the homework assignment and quiz for each chapter until you are confident!
Lastly, no late work can be accepted. I have set the due dates and they are SET. The material should take the average student 3 to 4 hours per 168 hour week. This course should not be more than 2% of your life. However, because it’s only 2% of our life, we frequently wait until the last minute. Don’t feel bad about that; there are scientific reasons why humans usually procrastinate. It is a bad habit though, and one we must strive to break. Therefore, my STRONG advice is to not wait until the last minute to do this work. I will not reopen missed chapters for ANY reason. Time management is an important skill to learn, and by having firm due dates, you may have to juggle your priorities. I have faith in you!
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties.
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Analyze the election process.
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Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
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Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
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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
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2017.
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
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Donna Hooper
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Office Location:
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Corinth 209
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Larry Gilbert
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Office Location:
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Corinth 305
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6216
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E-mail Address:
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lgilbert@nctc.edu
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