GOVT 2305 331 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Introduction

Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305

Section Number:  331

Semester: 2017SU

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

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Les Stanaland

Campus/Office Location:

 

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

lstanaland@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

15

LearnSmart Adaptive Check for Understanding

15%

15

Quizzes

35%

1

“What Did You Learn” Paper

10%

 9

 Discussion Boards

 40%

 

This online course will use cutting edge technology to maximize student learning. By using LearnSmart, each student will read the text and answer questions until mastery is attained. Therefore time is of no consequence in your learning. One student may learn the material in 30 minutes while another takes 2 hours. Learning isn’t determined by a clock; it is determined by answering questions correctly and understanding why you got them right or wrong. So the bulk of your grade will be mastering these various American Government topics, and the course will not let you proceed until you do. As your instructor, I want you to learn and get a good grade!

 

Quizzes are exactly what they sound like; more advanced opportunities for you to demonstrate your knowledge of the course material. The purpose of this scaffolded approach is to get you slowly more confident in your knowledge of the course content so that you can get a good grade! My advice would be to not take the quiz for each chapter until you are confident!

 The discussion boards are ways to apply the knowledge we are gaining in class. Taken from historical or current events, we will get to understand on a realistic level how these concepts we are learning about are applied in the real world.

The last important part of education that sometimes gets overlooked is the idea of reflection. That is, taking time to look back and seriously think about what you have spent the entire semester doing. The point of education and learning is not for a letter on a transcript, but actually being challenged and learning more than you did when you walked in the door. I know most of us are in it for the letter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something during the process! So, for our “final exam”, you will write a 5 page reflection paper in which you tell me what you have learned in our short time together.

 I use a standard grade distribution: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = 0-59. Grades are rounded up, and if you are a dual credit student, anything under a 70 final grade is failure.

STUDENT 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.

 

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.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

For our course schedule, pay special attention to the due dates for each module. I will also remind you with emails. You must complete all work for each module in order before you can proceed to the next module. Remember, I want you to learn, so skipping a module isn’t an option!

 

Also, due dates WILL NOT be extended unless a serious circumstance has occurred! A serious circumstance would include a one-week hospital stay, not a last minute computer malfunction. Please plan your time in this course accordingly. Depending on the module (some are short, others long), you will have anywhere between 2 to 5 weeks to complete a module. So waiting until the last minute to complete the work does not look good. Always check the due date!

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is July 26, 2017.

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

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 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.