North Central Texas College

Course Syllabus

GOVT 2305 Section 346

Spring 2017

Course Information

Satisfies Core Component for Government

Semester Credit Hours: 3  

Lecture Hours: 3     

Lab Hours: N/A

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2017.

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.

Required Materials:

We the People (ebook with Connect Plus Access Card) by Thomas E. Patterson, McGraw Hill, 11th edition, ISBN: 9781259563614. Please purchase the ebook directly from McGraw Hill (click on the PreTest to be directed to their purchasing site) or purchase an access card from the NCTC bookstore.

** 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: M. Kathryn Fogle Deering

Campus/Office Location: Corinth Campus

Telephone Number: 940-498-6295 (email preferred)

E-mail Address: Please use Canvas email for correspondence

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.

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

• Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Empirical and Quantitative
• Teamwork
• Personal Responsibility
• Social Responsibility

GRADING CRITERIA

Grading Scale

This course includes assignments worth 2000 points. Dual credit student’s numerical grade will be determined by dividing the number of points earned into the total number of points available in the course.

1800 pts - 2000 pts = A

1600 pts - 1799 pts= B

1400 pts – 1599 pts = C

1200 pts – 1399 pts = D

1000 pts and below = F

Policies & Procedures 

Communication

I will answer email within 24 hours during the week and within 48 hours on weekends. Please be respectful in your communications with me and with other students. We will be discussing controversial issues throughout the semester. My goal is to have students engage in productive dialogue with one another.

Discrimination

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.

Student Conduct

Students are expected to follow the code of conduct from the Student Handbook. Disrespectful behavior towards the instructor or other students will not be tolerated.

Grading

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 mail box and their feedback on assignments. More detailed handouts will be distributed on Canvas regarding course assignments. All course instruction will be located online in Canvas and the McGraw Hill Connect site.

Attendance

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.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  All assignments will be analyzed for plagiarism. Students who plagiarize will automatically receive a 0 on the assignment and may incur additional penalties to their course grade. In the case of multiple offenses the student will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

Canvas Account Security

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. 

Accessibility and Accommodation

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).

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 as soon as possible if you will need accommodations.

Student 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. 

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.

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information. 

Tentative Course Schedule

Please note this schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be posted to the Syllabus tab in Canvas.

Alternative Contacts for Student Support

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