NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	American National Government
Course Prefix & Number:	GOVT2305	Section Number:	350	Semester/Year:	Spring 2017
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:	Mary K. Fogle Deering
Campus/Office Location:	Online
Telephone Number:	940-498-6295 (email preferred)
E-mail Address:	Please use Canvas email for correspondence

 

OFFICE HOURS

Available online by appointment.  

 

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
17	McGraw Hill Connect LearnSmart Assignments	10%
17	McGraw Hill Connect Quizzes	15%
1	Political Socialization Project	10%
1	Campaigns and Elections Project: Includes project sign up, group plan, rough draft and final submission	20%
1	Policy Creation Project: Includes project sign up, project, and peer reviews	20%
10	Current Events: Includes 5 original posting assignments and 5 analysis posting assignments	20%
5	Reflection and Self- Evaluation Assignments: Includes Course Contract, Self-Evaluations for each project, and Semester Reflection Assignment	5%

 

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

 

 McGraw Hill Connect LearnSmart Assignments: Will be completed throughout the semester via McGraw Hill Connect in Canvas. The purpose of these assignments is to learn the basics of American Federal Government.

 

McGraw Hill Connect Quizzes: Will be completed throughout the semester via McGraw Hill Connect in Canvas. The purpose of these assignments is to evaluate your understanding of the basics of American Federal Government.

 

Political Socialization Project: You will be evaluated on your thorough analysis of the factors of your own political socialization. The purpose of this assignment is to begin reflecting on your political views. Due Sept. 29^th.

 

Campaigns and Elections Project: The purpose of this project is to become deeply familiar with the role of political parties and the media in the campaign cycle. You will be evaluated on your ability to create a political campaign or news media regarding the campaign. This project requires you to work with others. Project will have deadlines throughout Module 2. See Canvas for deadlines.

 

Policy Creation Project: The purpose of this project is to become an expert on a particular area of policy of your choice and to propose a new policy. You will be evaluated on your research and proposal. Final Project due on Dec. 6^th.

 

Current Events Assignments: Throughout the semester we will be finding and discussing current events pertaining to American government. The purpose of these assignments is to become familiar with the current political climate and practice civil discussion of political issues. Due throughout semester.

 

Self-Evaluation and Reflection Assignments: Throughout the semester we will be reflecting on our learning and our work in the course. The purpose of these assignments is to give you an opportunity to contemplate your learning and to give me feedback on your perceptions of the course. Due throughout semester.

 

COMMUNICATION

I will answer email within 24 hours during the week and within 48 hours on weekends. Please be respectful in your communications with me and with other students. We will be discussing controversial issues throughout the semester. My goal is to have students engage in productive dialogue with one another.

GRADING

I will post grades and feedback on Canvas as soon as they are ready, and will try to return all work submitted within one week of receiving it.  Late work will not be accepted unless the student has a documented excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with course assignments and contact the instructor with any questions or concerns. The student is responsible for regularly checking their Canvas mail box and their feedback on assignments. More detailed handouts will be distributed on Canvas regarding course assignments. All course instruction will be located online in Canvas and the McGraw Hill Connect site.

 

 

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. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Since this is an online course, attendance will not be taken officially; however, regular and consistent participation will be required in order to be successful in the course. Regular 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.  Please contact the instructor immediately (before if possible) after missing an assignment to discuss getting the absence excused and making up missed work. Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absences.  Students who fail to log in to Canvas and purchase access to McGraw Hill Connect within the first week of class will be dropped from the course.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

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

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)]”. 

 

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  All assignments will be analyzed for plagiarism. Students who plagiarize will automatically receive a 0 on the assignment and may incur additional penalties to their course grade. In the case of multiple offenses the student will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

CANVAS ACCOUNT SECURITY

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:mkfogle@nctc.edu.  Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account. 

 

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