Course Name

American National Government

Semester & Year: Fall 2017 Online

August 28 – December 15

Instructor’s Name & Office #

Joe Ialenti

Corinth, Room 200

Phone Number: (940) 498-6295

Office Hours

6-7PM MW

E-Mail: through Canvas  ONLY

Catalog Description

A survey of the political system of the United States including: the United States Constitution, the three branches of the government; political theory, political parties, interest groups and the media.

Required Texts & Material

Thomas Patterson.  We the people, 12th Edition.  McGraw Hill.  ISBN: 978-1-259-43918-6

Tentative Instructional Schedule

 (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

Grading Policy & Procedures

·         By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge that you have internet access and that such access is stable and reliable.

·         It is totally your responsibility to read and understand the Syllabus and other class documents.

·         It is your responsibility to know the Instructional Schedule

·         The Syllabus is the class’s control document. However, it is subject to changes made by the Instructor.

·         If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.

·         It is your responsibility to know how to navigate Canvas and Connect and any other software that is used in this class

·         It is your responsibility to access and study Canvas and Connect and any other course material.

·         It is your responsibility to frequently access class Announcements and e-mail.

·         It is your responsibility to frequently view your grades in the Grade Center.

Last day to drop is November 9, 2017.

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day.

Pre/Posts Tests

If you take and submit each of these, then ten (10) points will be added to your semester point total for each test.

Your Instructional Modules

This course is made up of four (4) Modules each of which is illustrated by the Instructional Schedule (tentative) above. Each Module’s Canvas and Connect material as well as Discussion Forums, Quizzes, and Topic Papers are available to you from the first class day so that you can study, compose, and post ahead.

Make sure that you are aware of all due dates as stated in the Instructional Schedule.  

Due dates are firm.

Topic Papers

There is one Topic Paper in this class for you to submit. Paper subjects and instructions are stated in Topic Papers in Canvas.

Discussion Forums

There will be two (2) Discussion Forums located in the Discussion Forums Module in Canvas. Each Forum will be open from the first day of class. However, each Forum has a due date. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic (See About Discussion Forums under Start Here in Canvas.

Forum posts are due by 11PM on their respective due dates.

Each Forum will accept only a maximum post of 4,000 characters.

These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of their topics and class material. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.   

Quizzes

There will be several quizzes in this course all due by December 3, 2017. You’ll find them under Chapter Quizzes in Canvas under Assignments. All quizzes are now open. Each quiz is worth up to 10 points and consists of 10 questions. You’ll have 20 minutes to take each quiz.

Although the Quizzes all have a late semester due date, I suggest that you take each Quiz during the related Module of study.

Exams

There will be four (4) Exams, one for each Module. The exams are located in the Exams folder in Canvas.

You will have about 72 hours during which to access and submit each Exam and you’ll have 70 minutes to take each one. However, once you start an Exam you must complete it; you cannot start it, exit it, and then return to it. Each Exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. Exams are not comprehensive.  

Should you fail to take an exam when scheduled, you will be required to come to the Corinth Campus to take a make-up exam in the Testing Center if I okay it after you explain why and I accept that explanation. Make-up exam questions, number, and type may vary from the online exam you missed. It is your responsibility to learn from the Testing Center about its processes and procedures.

Unless otherwise stated in the assignment and with the exception of Forums, all course requirements must be submitted by 11:59PM (Canvas’s/Connect’s clock) on their respective due dates.

Grading

To calculate your percentage grade at any point in the semester, simply divide the number of points have earned by the number of points you could have earned to that point in the semester.

90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D ; 0-59% = F

Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.

Participation is essential for online classes and such participation is up to you. Some students are not suited for online course success because they require a campus to drive to and a classroom to sit in with their classmates and a visible instructor to help provide motivation. Thus, it can be easy for students to procrastinate and to put off completing assignments. As a result, some students find themselves in a self-imposed time squeeze that results in their submission of a sub-par product or no submission at all.

The great majority of students do what’s required of them. To accommodate students who don’t is unfair to those who do. Well, I insist on maintaining a level playing field for all students. So, don’t put off assignments, do what you are supposed to do, learn, and achieve success.

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day. That’s how and where any class-related changes, advisories, and my comments will be posted. However, I may elect to use either Announcements or e-mail depending on certain factors. So, check them both. Remember, Canvas records all of your online activity. Conversely, it reveals your lack of activity also.

All Forums must be submitted by 11:00 PM on their due dates unless otherwise stated. Canvas/Connect has an internal clock and it is the one which I go by. So, give yourself plenty of lead time.

Disability Accommodations

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.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

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.