GOVT 2305 347 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

American National Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2305

Section Number: 

347

Semester/Year:

F 17

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

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.       

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 12th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)

ISBN 9781260200607

 
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Les Stanaland

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

lstanaland@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

12:30-1:30

 

12:30-1:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

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 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.

 

 

 

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%

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

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.

 

My advice for you is to shoot for at least a C. Many Universities will not accept a D for credit, whereas most public Universities will accept a C.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Given the online nature of the course, as long as the work is done, you are here! Make careful note to NOT wait until the last minute to do assignments; inevitably those times will be the ones in which the computer or the internet connection or the college servers decides to take the day off. Don’t wait until the last minute; it is NOT an excuse for missing a deadline.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9, 2017.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______     

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

X         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

o         American History


 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

X             Critical Thinking

o           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 and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.