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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: 450
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Semester: 2017 SP
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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
** 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.
** 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 the course. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account and can be removed from the course immediately upon violating this rule.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Adam Ramsey
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 331 … MWF 8 - 9 a.m. & 10 - 11 a.m.
TR 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Gainesville Campus, Room 814 … TR 9:00 – 11 a.m.
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Telephone Number:
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817-999-5446
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E-mail Address:
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aramsey@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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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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4
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Exams
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40%
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4
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Short Essays
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20%
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1
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Research Project
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20%
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2
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Current Event Discussions
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10%
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17
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Chapter Readings (on Connect)
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10%
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GRADING CRITERIA
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Grading Policy & Procedures
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There will be 4 in-class Exams, each consisting of multiple choice, matching, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.
Chapter Readings will be assigned throughout the semester, corresponding with the textbook’s 17 chapters. These “Learn Smart” assignments are completed on the McGraw-Hill “Connect” website.
Each student will research and present 2 Current Event Reports on major issues presently affecting US politics. We will discuss these issues as a class, and you will be graded on the quality of your presentations and discussions.
Written assignments will consist of 2 different types of essays. Short Essays will be completed for each of the 4 course modules, based off of an external reading and prompt provided by the professor. A major Research Project focused on a political science question will be completed over the semester.
A detailed assignment guide for each of these graded components is provided on Canvas under the “Modules” tab. Please review these files.
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Tentative Course Schedule
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Week
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Topics
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Chapters
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1/16
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Introduction to Politics and Government
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1
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1/23
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The US Constitution
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2
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1/30
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Federalism
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3
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2/6
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Civil Liberties
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4
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2/13
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Civil Rights
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5
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2/20
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The US Congress
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11
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2/27
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The Executive Branch
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12-13
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3/6
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The Federal Judicial System
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14
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3/13
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Spring Break
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3/20
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Public Opinion and Political Participation
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6-7
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3/27
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Political Parties
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8
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4/3
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Interest Groups and the News Media
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9-10
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4/10
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Economic and Environmental Policy
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15
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4/17
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Economic Policy (cont’d)
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15
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4/24
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Welfare and Education Policy
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16
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5/1
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Foreign Policy
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17
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5/8
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Final Exam Week
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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 person contact me on my NCTC email address: aramsey@nctc.edu. 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.
v Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2017.
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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, which will be allowed at the professor’s discretion. Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but the professor reserves the right to drop any student for excessive absences. Thus, any student who exceeds 5 absences in a MWF course or 3 absences in a TR course risks removal from the class. See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.
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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