NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): (1) a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination; (2) the learning objectives for the course; (3) a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and (4) any required or recommended readings. Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students.

 

Course Title: American National Government
Course Prefix & Number: Govt 2305	Section Number:310	Term Code: 2017 SU
Semester Credit Hours: 3	Lecture Hours: 3	Lab Hours:
Course 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.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Course Type: o - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core) x - Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course o - WECM Course

 

Name of Instructor:	Charles Cooper
Campus/Office Location:	Online (Twitter: @Thrasymachus )
Telephone Number:	817-698-7620
E-mail Address:	ccooper@nctc.edu

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Donna Hooper
Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 209
Telephone Number:	940-498-6266
E-mail Address:	dhooper@nctc.edu

 

 

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 fee directly from McGraw Hill when registering 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Points Values
5	Exams *Any discussions, debates, or issues presented "in class" may be included in an exam.  Exams will be taken via Campus Connect.	50%
14	Learn Smart Assignments - These assignments will act as your "quizzes" to help prepare you for the exam at the end of each week.	20%
14	Weekly Forum Discussions (2 posts per week per chapter) Your	15%
1	Graded Written Assignments: 1 total paper * Details forthcoming*	15%

 

Exams - All exams will be online through McGraw-Hill Connect via Canvas.  They will be multiple choice exams.  Your exam average will constitute 50% of your final course grade.  There will be no extra credit (on the exam or elsewhere) and no make-up test dates.  

Learn Smart - You will also complete a “Learn Smart” assignment for every chapter in this course.  All “Learn Smart” will be online.  The average of your Learn Smart assignments will constitute 20% of your final course grade.  LearnSmart is a proven adaptive learning program that helps students succeed by providing a personalized learning path that's based on their responses to questions, as well as their confidence about the answers they provide. Learn Smart assignments are due the Sunday each chapter is covered.  For example, if we begin chapter 1 on Monday, June 5th, the Learn Smart for Chapter 1 will open Monday of that week and will be due by midnight Sunday, June 11th.

GWAs - Your graded written assignment (gwa) average will constitute 15% of your final course grade.  Any graded written assignment not completed (ie. Not submitted in the appropriate manner) will be calculated as a zero.  Whether the assignment (any assignment) has been completed on your side does not matter if it is not submitted before the due date.  No make-up grades or extra credit grades will be offered for any missed GWA’s. 

 

Discussion Forums - Your discussion board participation grade average will constitute the remaining 15% of the final course grade. If you do not participate in the discussion boards a zero will be placed in the grade book for that particular “absence” for that particular assignment. No make-up grade or extra credit grades will be offered for these missed assignments.  To get full credit for discussion forums you will need to complete two tasks.  First, fully address the prompt at the top of the forum (this will be due by midnight each Wednesday).  You will need to either cite a page number in the textbook or add a link to a reputable online news site that supports your statement or comment.  Second, you will need to reply to another student’s initial post (this will be due by midnight each Sunday).  In your reply to another student (your second post), your reply will need to be as academically sound as your first post. In other words, you will need to build upon another students first post, not simply “agree” or “disagree” with them. Please email me with questions if this is unclear. I will also clarify further in my first video post to the class. Each of these tasks is worth 50% of the 100% possible points.  Posting only once will get you 50% of the total points.  All students are expected to participate in each discussion forum. Your first post will be due before midnight Wednesday of each week.   Your second post will be due before midnight Sunday of each week.

Tentative Course Schedule:

 

Unit	Date – From/To		Description	Read	Discussion Posts	Learn Smart	Homework	Exams
I.I	July 10th	July 16th	1 – Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen	Ch 1	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2nd post due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week	GWA #1 Assigned July 10th/Due July 24th	Unit I Exam: July 14th - 16th
			2 – Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-government	Ch 2	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2nd post due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
I.II	July 10th	July 16th	3 – Federalism: Forging a Nation	Ch 3	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week		Unit I.II Exam: July 14th - 16th
			4 –  Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights	Ch 4	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
II.I	July 17th	July 23rd	5 – Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness	Ch 5	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week	(GWA #1 Due July 24th)	Unit II.I Exam: July 21st - 23rd
			6 - Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People's Voice	Ch 6	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
II.II	July 17th	July 23rd	7 – Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will	Ch 7	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week		Unit II.II Exam: July 21st - 23rd
			8 – Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter's Choice	Ch 8	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
III.I	July 24th	July 30th	9 – Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence	Ch 9	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week	(GWA #1 Due July 24th)	Unit III.I Exam: July 28th - 30th
			10 – The News Media: Communicating Political Images	Ch 10	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
III.II	July 24th	July 30th	11 – Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests	Ch 11	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week		Unit III.II Exam: July 28th - 30th
			12 – The Presidency: Leading the Nation	Ch 12	1st post due by midnight Wednesday/2ndpost due by midnight Sunday	Due by Friday of this week
IV	July 31st	August 6th	13 – The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government	Ch 13	1st & 2nd posts due by midnight Wednesday this week only	Due by Friday of this week		Unit IV Exam: August 4th - 6th
			14 – The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law	Ch 14	1st & 2nd posts due by midnight Wednesday this week only	Due by Friday of this week		Unit IV Exam: August 4th - 6th
V	August 7th	August 10th	3 Minute U.S. Government Video Tutorial	Details Found in Syllabus	Due by midnight August 10th	This is your final exam grade		Due August 10th

 

 

Throughout this course students will be exposed to current issues facing America today; various incarnations of freedom of speech, terrorism, abortion, gay rights, health care, immigration, education, social services, the federal debt, as well as many other topics. Students should keep in mind to stay current in the issues. Topics covered in class may be included in the exams.

 

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING GOALS

 

x      A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.

o       Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.

o       Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.

o       Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.

 

PROGRAM PURPOSE STATEMENT

 

NCTC seeks to implement its goal of offering quality general education curriculum in all associate degrees by offering a core of general education courses designed to help students achieve academic, career and lifelong goals. Acquiring knowledge, thinking critically, and utilizing the methodologies of various disciplines exposed students to experiences that serve to advance their personal growth. The chief focus of the General Education Core Curriculum at NCTC is to emphasize Exemplary Educational Objectives and Basic Intellectual Competencies.

 

DEPARTMENTAL PURPOSE STATEMENT

 

The NCTC Social Science Department of Government and Economics provides students at NCTC a strong foundation in the liberal arts that is essential for career success, leadership, global citizenship, and a lifetime of learning. The department provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the world; significant intellectual, critical thinking and practical skills; and a strong sense of civic responsibility for enriching their lives and making a difference in society.

 

STATEMENT OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF NCTC GRADUATES

 

NCTC seeks to implement its goal of offering a core of general education courses designed to help students achieve academic, career and lifelong goals. The chief focus of the General Education Core Courses at NCTC is to emphasize basic intellectual competencies and broad intellectual perspectives.

 

FOUNDATION COMPONENT AREA

 

1. The course “focus[es] on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas.”
2. The course “involve[s] the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations.”

 

GOVERNMENT CORE OBJECTIVES

Critical Thinking Skills

• to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

Communication Skills

• to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication

Empirical and Quantitative Skills

• to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions

Social Responsibility

• to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Personal Responsibility

• to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making;

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.

Demonstrate an understanding of our 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 in the political system.

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.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR EACH LECTURE/DISCUSSION

Topic	General Description of Subject Matter
Perspectives & theories of American Govt	Freedom; order & equality; differing ideologies & forms of democracy
The Founding & the Constitution	Growth and development of America’s political system from colonization to present
Federalism	Ideology and structures of federalism; Key features of the Constitution: Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, and Checks & Balances; Role/Limits of the States
Rights and Liberties	Differentiate between Civil Liberties and Civil Rights; Protections within the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and additional amendments; role of the judiciary
Policy Making Institutions	The powers, responsibilities and organization of all three branches of government; role and scope of bureaucracy in our federal government;
The American Political Landscape	Public opinion, values & socialization; the growth of social policy within the US
Campaigns and Elections	Growth of voting rights; participation; history and forms of voting; nominations, campaigns and elections; electoral college; campaign finance limitations
Media and Politics	Various forms of mass media & bias; effects on government and social policy
Political Parties & Interest Groups	Development of political parties in America; role of Interest Groups; campaign finance and assistance; affects of each on the political and policy-making process
Politics of National Policy	Economic policy: budgeting, funding sources & expenditures; Role and powers of the Legislative and Executive Branch in Domestic and Foreign Policy; National security and Defense; US involvement in world affairs

 

Last day to Withdraw	For the Summer I semester, the last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is July 1st, 2015.
Student Rights & Responsibilities	NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.   These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.
Scholastic Integrity	Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Office for Students with Disabilities (Links to an external site.) (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).

Financial Aid Office (Links to an external site.) is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education. The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA. For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office.

Student Success Center (Links to an external site.) is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening. The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops about Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, and much more. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

As of January 1, 2012, all campuses of North Central Texas College are tobacco-free. NCTC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students and visitors. As a result of becoming a tobacco-free campus NCTC will restrict the use of any and all tobacco products at all NCTC campus. Click Clearinthe Air (Links to an external site.) for complete details.