NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT	Section Number:  2305	Semester: Spring 2017
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:	Holly Bell
Campus/Office Location:	331 Corinth
Telephone Number:	940-498-6293
E-mail Address:	hbell@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
3	Exams	100
10	Assignments –Various independent and McGraw Hill Connect Assignments	100
1	Project	100

 

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

 

Week 1 Political Thinking

Week 2 Constitution

Week 3 Federalism

Week 4 Civil Liberties

Week 5 Equal Rights

Week 6 Public Opinion

_____Exam 1

Week 7 Political Participation 

Week 8 Political Parties and Candidates

Week 9 Spring Break

Week 10 Interest Groups

Week 11 Media

_____Exam 2

Week 12 Congress

Week 13 Congress

Week 14 Presidency

Week 15 Judicial

Week 16 Foreign Policy

Week 17 Finals

______Exam 3

 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2016.

 

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