Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305

Section Number:  110

Semester: Summer 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

Name of Instructor:

Kevin Faulk

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville campus

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

kfaulk@nctc.edu

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.

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

12

Chapter Quizzes - 10 pts each

120

13

Learn Smart Activities - 5 pts each; drop one

60

2

Semester Pre/Post Tests– 10 pts each

20

20

In-Class Attendance/ Participation – 5 pts each

100

5

Tests – Each worth 150 points; drop lowest

600

1

Paper: Domestic Policy

100

Semester Total Possible Points

1000

Semester Grade Scale

Grade Scale:                         

895-1000 A

795-894 B

 695-794 C

595-694 D

0-594 F

Your grade for the semester works as a running total. The maximum points you can receive in this class is 1000. To determine your percentage grade, all you have to do is move the decimal place by one.  So if you have 763 points at the end of the semester, you achieved a 76.3% in this class.

Grading Policy & Procedures

Participation and Attendance: Worth 10% of final grade.

1)     Attendance: Attendance in any class is required to do well, and this class is no different. That being said, I understand people miss class from time to time. I will allow everyone one (1) absences without it affecting your grade, but after that, you will loss the 5 participation points for that day.

2)     Tardiness: I will pass the roll around within the first 15 minutes of class. If you come in after the roll has passed, please come see me at the end, so I may mark you “here, but late.” Every 2 late marks count as an absence. So again, this could negatively impact your grade.

3)     If you miss more than 4 classes, you will be given a grade of F.

4)     Participation: This class is heavily influenced by the amount students participate. Politics is about discussion and debate. To get all your points in this section, you must be engaged in class. Simply showing up is NOT enough. 

Homework: Each chapter will have three (2) homework assignments. 20% of semester grade.

1.     The first assignment is to read the chapter we will be discussing the following week and then complete the chapter quiz. The quiz will consist of 20 multiple choice questions over what you read. Each question will be worth a half a point, so 20 questions x .5 points = 10 points per weekly quiz. The quiz is located in Connect. There are 12 chapter quizzes for you to take at 10 points each for 120 points total.

2.     The second part of the weekly homework assignments is to complete the “Learn Smart” activity in Connect. You will complete the activity and questions. This is worth 5 points. The number of questions varies per assignment, but the total points for each assignment is ALWAYS 5 points. There will be 13 Learn Smart assignments throughout the semester, so 13 Learn Smarts x 5 points each = 65 points.  

Tests & Final: Five (5) tests will be given. Represent 60% of final grade.

1)     The 4 unit tests will consist of 50 multiple choice and true/false style questions @ 2 points each. The final will be structured the same way, but will be 100 questions instead. I will drop your lowest test score from the 4 tests and final. Each test is worth 150 points. Total possible points for tests are 600 (60% of semester grade) for semester with one test dropped.

2)     Missed tests – if you miss a test, I must be notified before the start of the test for you to be considered for a make-up. With a legitimate excuse, I will let you take the test on the NEXT DAY you are in class. If you do not notify me before class starts, you will get a zero on the test (however this can be your dropped test). No make up for the final is allowed, since that is the last day of class.

Grading Policy & Procedures

Domestic Policy Paper (worth 100 points or 10% of final grade)  

a.      First, you will choose a policy topic that you care about and want to learn more about. I will supply a list of possible topics, but you are not limited to those. If you choose something outside of that list, you will need to approve it by me before you do this assignment.   

b.     You will write a 2-3 page (double space, 12 point Times New Roman, 1 inch margins) paper over the policy topic. To clarify, that means you should completely finish two whole pages and not go over three. Please remember to use correct grammar, spelling, citations, and page numbers. You must use a minimum of two (2) sources of which one (1) must be a primary source. Please use APA style. A memo as to “Do’s and Don’ts for writing” will be posted online. Use it. It will include information on APA style.  

c.      The paper MUST include but is not limited to: 

                                                    i.Present the RECENT background on the topic as an introduction. 

                                                  ii.What is the key debate over? 

                                                iii.What do Republicans and Democrats (parties) think?   

                                                iv.What is the overall opinion of the public on the topic?  

                                                  v.Please include a solid introduction with a THESIS STATEMENT.  

                                                vi.Also, a conclusion should wrap up all points made in the paper. Conclusions should be detailed.  

d.     Due Wednesday 2/17/2016 by 11:59pm

Week

Day

Date

Hour 1

Hour 2

Item Due

1

M

5-Jun

Syllabus

Chapter 1

1

T

6-Jun

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

1

W

7-Jun

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

1

T

8-Jun

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Attendance Certification Day

2

M

12-Jun

TEST

TEST

TEST ON CHAP 1-3

2

T

13-Jun

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

2

W

14-Jun

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

2

T

15-Jun

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

3

M

19-Jun

TEST

TEST

TEST ON CHAP 4-7

3

T

20-Jun

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

3

W

21-Jun

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

3

T

22-Jun

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

4

M

26-Jun

TEST

TEST

TEST ON CHAP 8-10

4

T

27-Jun

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

4

W

28-Jun

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Last day to withdraw with grade of "W"

4

T

29-Jun

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Policy Paper Due

5

M

3-Jul

TEST

TEST

TEST ON CHAP 11-14

5

T

4-Jul

4th of July

4th of July

5

W

5-Jul

REVIEW

5

T

6-Jul

Final

Final

FINAL ON ALL CHAPTERS

Other Pertinent Information

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: kfaulk@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 June 28, 2017.

Disability Services (OSD)

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

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.  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

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.

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