Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305

Section Number:  320

Semester: 2017 SU

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

   ** 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.

Name of Instructor:

Adam Ramsey

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 331 … MWF 8:45-9:15, and by appt.

Telephone Number:

817-999-5446

E-mail Address:

aramsey@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

4

Exams

30%

4

Short Essays

20%

1

Research Project

20%

4

Discussion Board Posts

15%

17

“Learn Smart” Chapter Readings

15%

Grading Policy & Procedures

A detailed assignment guide for each of the graded components is provided on Canvas under the “Modules” tab.  Please review these files.  Below is a brief description of the overall structure of the course.

The course is divided into 4 modules.  Exams, Short Essays, Chapter Readings, and Discussion Boards are organized evenly across the 4 modules.  These assignments must be completed in sequential order.  You will not be able to complete Exam 1 until you have completed the minor assignments leading up to it, and so on. 

Ø  “Learn Smart” Chapter Readings will account for 15% of the final grade.  Each chapter is a required assignment, so pay attention to these due dates to avoid losing easy points.

Ø  Discussion Boards on our Canvas course website will account for 15% of the final grade based on your participation in these virtual conversations.  There is 1 for each Module based on outside readings or activities provided by the instructor.

Ø  Short Essays will be completed for each of the 4 course modules, based on an external reading and prompt provided by the professor.  Together, they amount to 20% of your final grade.

Ø  Exams will consist of four multiple choice exams at the end of each course module.  Each exam is equally weighted, and together, they amount to 30% of the overall final grade.

The Research Project is a stand-alone written assignment to be completed over the course of the semester, amounting to 20% of your final course grade.

Though this is an online course, all assignments have a completion deadline that matches the progress through a normal semester.  I do not view online classes as being completed “at your own pace” as much as they are done “on your own time.”  So, you are free to work ahead as much as you like, but you will not be able to fall behind the progress of a normal college course.  Make-ups or late work will not be accepted, so please organize your time accordingly and let me know if you have scheduling concerns ahead of time.

Tentative Course  Schedule

Online courses allow for students to complete the course on their own time, but I recommend following this schedule as closely as possible.

Assignment deadlines throughout the semester reflect this schedule. See Canvas for specific due dates.

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 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 August 2, 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:

Crystal Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville 800

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu