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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: 370
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Semester: 2016SP
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Semester Credit Hours: 3
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Lecture Hours: 3
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Office Hours: Thursdays 7-9 PM
By appointment please give at least 24 hours notice
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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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Charles Cooper
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth
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Telephone Number:
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@Thrasymachus
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E-mail Address:
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ccooper@nctc.edu
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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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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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8
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Exams *Any discussions, debates, or issues presented “in class” may be included in an exam.
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50%
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3
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Graded Written Assignments – The three assignments will all be written and submitted into Canvas. There will be at least one research paper. Please take care to cite your sources.
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15%
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17
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Learn Smart Assignments – One Learn Smart Assignment per chapter per week. Questions are randomly chosen from large bank.
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20%
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17
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Weekly Forum Discussions – Two posts due per chapter: one is your original reflection with citations from the textbook or a reputable online news source and the second is a response to another student’s reflection.
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15%
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Grading Policy & Procedures
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Exams - All exams will be online through McGraw-Hill Connect via Canvas. They will be multiple choice exams. Your exam average will constitute 50% of your final course grade. There will be no extra credit (on the exam or elsewhere) and no make-up test dates.
GWAs - Your graded written assignment (gwa) average will constitute 20% of your final course grade. Any graded written assignment not completed (ie. Not submitted in the appropriate manner) will be calculated as a zero. Whether the assignment (any assignment) has been completed on your side does not matter if it is not submitted before the due date. No make-up grades or extra credit grades will be offered for any missed GWA’s.
Discussion Forums - Your discussion board participation grade average will constitute the remaining 15% of the final course grade. If you do not participate in the discussion boards a zero will be placed in the grade book for that particular “absence” for that particular assignment. No make-up grade or extra credit grades will be offered for these missed assignments. To get full credit for discussion forums you will need to complete two tasks. First, fully address the prompt at the top of the forum (this will be due by midnight each Wednesday). You will need to either cite a page number in the textbook or add a link to a reputable online news site that supports your statement or comment. Second, you will need to reply to another student’s initial post (this will be due by midnight each Sunday). In your reply to another student (your second post), your reply will need to be as academically sound as your first post. In other words, you will need to build upon another students first post, not simply “agree” or “disagree” with them. Please email me with questions if this is unclear. I will also clarify further in my first video post to the class. Each of these tasks is worth 50% of the 100% possible points. Posting only once will get you 50% of the total points. All students are expected to participate in each discussion forum. Your first post will be due before midnight Wednesday of each week. Your second post will be due before midnight Sunday of each week.
(Connect) Learn Smart and (Connect) Assignments - These resources are here to help you in this course. They will not be graded. However, since I do not offer extra credit, if you need a couple extra points at the end of the semester, having these assignments completed will show how serious you are about the class.
Chapter Quizzes - These are available to take as calibration tools for the exam. Chapter quizzes ARE NOT graded. They do not count in your overall grade, but can help you get ready for exams.
Campus Connect Assignments - These ARE NOT graded, but can help you better understand the content.
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CANVAS/CONNECT ACCESS: All students must have complete access to Canvas for the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet at all times, as well as having all needed programs to complete an online course. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account. Students can be removed from the online course immediately up violating this rule. Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
Connect Access- The textbook, Learn Smart, and Connect activities are all maintained within the McGraw Hill Connect System. Students need to be enrolled immediately in Connect, which can be purchased at the bookstore, or online directly from McGraw Hill from Canvas. Temporary access can be used directly from Connect McGraw Hill for 14 days from the first day of class. Students must be enrolled by the end of day 1, as assignments are due immediately.
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Tentative Course Schedule
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Week 1
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Date:
January 17-22
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Read: Chapter 1
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(Connect) Ch 1 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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(Canvas) Chapter 1 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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(Connect) Learn Smart:
Chapter 1
Due on Sunday
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(Canvas) Graded Written Assignment #1
Due February 26th
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(Connect) Assignment Chapter 1
This resource is to help you, but is not graded.
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Unit Exams
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Week 2
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January 23 - 29
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Read: Chapter 2
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Ch 2 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 2 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 2
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Assignment Chapter 2
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Unit 1 - (ch 1-2) Exam
Opens Friday January 27th
Closes Midnight Sunday January29th
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Week 3
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January 30th - February 5th
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Read: Chapter 3
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Ch 3 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 3 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 3
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Assignment Chapter 3
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Week 4
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February 6th - 12th
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Read: Chapter 4
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Ch 4 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 4 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 4
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Assignment Chapter 4
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Unit 2 - (ch 3-4) Exam
Opens Friday Feb 10th
Closes Midnight Sunday Feb. 12th
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Week 5
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February 13-19
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Read: Chapter 5
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Ch 5 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 5 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 5
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Assignment Chapter 5
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Week 6
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February
20-26
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Read: Chapters
6 & 7
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Ch 6 & 7 Quiz -
Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 6 & 7
Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter
6 & 7
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GWA #1 Due February 26
GWA #2 Due March 26th
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Assignment Chapters
6 & 7
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Unit 3 - (ch 5-7) Exam
Opens Friday February 24
Closes Midnight Sunday February 26
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Week 7
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February27
March 5th
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Read: Chapter 8
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Ch 8 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 8 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 8
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Assignment Chapter 8
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Week 8
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March
6-12
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Read: Chapter 9
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Ch 9 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 9 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 9
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Assignment Chapter 9
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Unit 4 - (ch 8-9) Exam
Opens Friday
March 10
Closes Midnight Sunday March 12
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Week 10
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* Spring Break March 13-19
March 20-26
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Read: Chapter 10
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Ch 10 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 10 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 10
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GWA #2 Due March 26th
GWA #3 Due May 10
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Assignment Chapter 10
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Week 11
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March 27 -
April 2
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Read: Chapter 11
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Ch 11 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 11 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 11
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Assignment Chapter 11
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Unit 5 - (ch 10-11) Exam
Opens Friday March 31
Closes Midnight Sunday April 2
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Week 12
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April 3-9
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Read: Chapters
12
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Ch 12 Quiz -
Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 12 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 12
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Assignment Chapters 12
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Week 13
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April 10-16
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Read: Chapter 13
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Ch 13 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 13 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 13
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Assignment Chapter 13
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Unit 6 -
(ch 12-13) Exam
Opens Friday April 14
Closes Midnight 1Sunday April 16
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Week 14
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April 17-23
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Read: Chapter 14
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Ch 14 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 14 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 14
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Assignment Chapter 14
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Week 15
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April 24-April 30
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Read: Chapter 15
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Ch 15 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 15 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Sun
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Chapter 15
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Assignment Chapter 15
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Unit 7 - (ch 14-15) Exam
Opens Friday April 28
Closes Midnight Sunday April 30
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Week 16
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May 1-7
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Read: Chapter 16
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Chapter 16 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Friday
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Chapter 16 Discussion Forum
1st Post Due Midnight Weds
2nd Post Due Midnight Sunday
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Chapter 16
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Assignment
Chapter 16
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Week 17
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May 8 - 12
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Read: Chapter 17
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Ch 17 Quiz - Open Monday
Due Midnight Thursday
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Chapter 17 Discussion Forum
1st Post due Midnight Weds
2nd Post due midnight Thurs
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Chapter 17
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GWA #3 Due May 10
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Assignment Chapter 17
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Unit 8 - (ch 16 & 17) Exam
Opens Monday May 8
Closes Midnight Thursday May 12
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Other Pertinent Information
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v 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 persona contact me on my office phone _________ or my NCTC email address:_______________. 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 April 6th.
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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.
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
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Disability Services (OSD)
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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.
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
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Support Services
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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
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EEOC Statement
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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.
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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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