Course Name & Number

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 2305

Semester & Year

Spring 2017 (162S)

Instructor's Name

Office Phone #

E-mail Address

Office #

Kent D Johnson

1-940-498-6295

kdjohnson@nctc.edu

FM 107

Office Hours

By Appointment Only

Catalog Description

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.

Textbook & Materials Required:

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

You MUST use Connect.  No exceptions. You WILL access Connect to take the pre-test, quizzes and post-test.  

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.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities:  Student Conduct [FLB (LOCAL)]” #20 on page 175.

Attendance Policy

v  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 doing class work and assignments.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence (per Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog).

v  We have a contract:  I am contracted to instruct and you are contracted to receive instruction.  I fulfill my obligation by providing instruction and you fulfill your obligation by attending class.  Late arrivals or missing class is breaking the contract.  Because much of what we learn comes from classroom discussions, credit will be given to those that arrive on time and do not miss class, therefore, attendance counts for 5% of your total grade. 

Grading Policy & Procedures

1.     Exams. There will be two written exams (mid-term and final).  Exams will be multiple choice/true-false. The exams will cover chapters and primarily from in-class discussions.

a.     Makeup Exams. A makeup exam is possible; a) if the need for a make-up exam is discussed beforehand, and/or b) the reason for missing the exam involves a significant event that warrants compassion.   The instructor will determine if a make-up exam is authorized. If a student misses an exam, the student must contact the instructor to discuss options.

2.     Research Papers:  Student will write two (2) research papers: Research Paper 1 and Research Paper 2.  Unless told otherwise, the subject of the papers will not be the same, they are to be different subjects.  Research papers will be well sourced, well cited, and a minimum of 1200 words (not counting citations or bibliography).  Plagiarism is NOT tolerated and earn a “Zero” grade. Research a subject, review facts, use sound research and thought to develop the paper.  Do NOT write on Illegal Aliens, Homosexual Marriage, Legalization of Marijuana or illegal drug use/war on drugs, the Death Penalty or Abortion.

3.     Student will not use: Fairvote.org, Wikipedia, ProCon, BalancedPolitics, Nicapt, NLYN, Debate.org, Ballotpedia or other similar websites as references. Using websites like those reveal lazy research and ignore searching for original sources where you can find the most accurate information—do not rely on someone you don’t know to tell you what others believe or what a report says. 

4.     “Feelings” or emotions, as well as undefined subjective words like “many,” quite a few,” etc, have no place in research papers.  Address at least one major counter-argument to your position.  The paper must be balanced and fair when reviewing both sides of the subject.  In the conclusion review what you think of the subject and why.   The student will submit their paper through Canvas (via turn-it-in.com).  Accepting late papers is at the discretion of the instructor.

5.     Debate:  Students will participate in one classroom debate.  Subject will be assigned by the instructor.

6.     Attendance:  Attending class is responsible adult behavior and will be rewarded. Some test questions may be developed from classroom discussions that were not included in review materials.

7.     Connect:  You WILL access Connect to take the pre-test, practice quizzes and post-test.  

Tentative Course  Schedule

Other Pertinent Information

v  Grade Distribution – 100 points Maximum for the Course 

v  Academic Dishonesty: will not be tolerated.  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 the office phone 940-498-6295 or my NCTC email address: kdjohnson@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  Cheating: in any manner will not be tolerated. If it is determined a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment or exam and Academic Dishonesty procedures may be imitated. 

v  Canvas:   All students must have complete access to Canvas and Connect for the entire semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet (Canvas/Connect) at all times, as well as having all needed programs to complete online assignments.  Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas or Connect account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately for violating this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his/her Canvas or Connect account, the credibility of any work becomes questionable.  

v  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, however, it is the students responsibility to purchase complete access for the entire course.  Students must be enrolled in Connect by the end of the first day of class as assignments begin immediately.

v  Chatham House Rule:  Class will be conducted under Chatham House Rules (http://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chathamhouserule).  Students are free to speak without fear of derision or retribution.   Students are encouraged to be open and share thoughts and information. 

v  Current Events:  Government affects virtually everything and is constantly in the news.  Each class will begin with a discussion on a federal government-related news item(s). Students will be prepared each class to discuss government items in the news

v  Class will begin on time:  Adults OCCASIONALLY arrive late.  It happens.  However, consistent late arrivals are disrespectful and will not be tolerated.  When arriving late the student will apologize to the class and instructor.  Consistent late arrivals will be counted as an absence.

v  Missing class: Adults OCCASIONALLY miss class.  Consistently missing class indicates irresponsibility and will not be tolerated.  You are an adult, act responsibly.   Some subjects discussed in class will not be posted for review and may be on the mid-term or final exam. 

v  Electronic Media: In accordance with Texas State law, recording class is permitted.   If recording of this nature takes place, the student doing the recording will politely advise the instructor and other students (refer to Chatham House Rules, above).   To do otherwise is juvenile, rude and impolite.  At no time during class will the student access electronic media such as (but not limited to): email, the “web,” social media of any type or forum, nor will the student make or receive calls.  If a student can’t wait for a break before engaging in electronic media, the student will leave or be ejected, and not receive attendance credit.  Ringers will be off before class..

v  Rude or Disrespectful Behavior:  If a student acts rudely or disrespectful to another student or the instructor, the student will be ejected from the class and not return until an additional assignment is accomplished.

Disability Services (OSD)

v  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.

v  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.

v  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  

Support Services

v  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

v  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

v  Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

EEOC Statement

 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.