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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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American National Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2305
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Section Number:
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842
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2017
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Patterson, Thomas E. We the People. 12th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)
ISBN 9781260200607
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Sherri Sistrunk
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Campus/Office Location:
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MHS B211
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Telephone Number:
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469-948-7179
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E-mail Address:
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ssistrunk@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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7:55am – 8:15am
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7:55am – 8:15am
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7:55am – 8:15am
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7:55am – 8:15am
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7:55am – 8:15am
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3:40pm – 4:15pm
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3:40pm – 4:15pm
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3:40pm – 4:15pm
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3:40pm – 4:15pm
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3:40pm – 4:15pm
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
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Demonstrate an understanding of our federal system.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
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Analyze the election process.
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Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics.
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Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage
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LearnSmart Activities
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15%
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Assignments/Current Events/Participation
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15%
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Quizzes
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20%
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Research Paper
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25%
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Unit Exams
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25%
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Total
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100%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE
Unit I
- Course Pre-test
- Chapter 1 Political Thinking
- Chapter 2 Constitutional Democracy
- Chapter 3 Federalism
- Chapter 4 Civil Liberties
- Chapter 5 Equal Rights
Unit II
- Chapter 6 Public Opinion
- Chapter 7 Political Participation
**** Texas Education Policy and Law (Research Assignment)
- Chapter 8 Political Parties
- Chapter 9 Interest Groups
- Chapter 10 News Media
Unit III
- Chapter 11 Congress
- Chapter 12 Presidency
- Chapter 13 Bureaucracy
- Chapter 14 Judicial System
Unit IV
- Chapter 15 Economic/Environ Policy
- Chapter 16 Welfare/Education
- Chapter 17 Foreign Policy
- Course Post-test
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 judgment 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)
Important Notes:
- This course has a general policy of not accepting any late work. Late work will only be accepted if students have a documented medical reason/emergency.
- This is NOT a self-paced course. Students must complete and submit each week’s assignments by the specified due date(s).
- You will have an entire week to complete an assignment. Therefore, do not wait until the day before an assignment is due and potentially experience any technical difficulties. A due date extension will NOT be given.
- Assignments are automatically submitted on the due date. Failure to complete assignments by their specified due date(s) will result in a zero (0).
- Full participation in course discussions, reading chapters, reviewing slides, and/or watching any video clips are additional attributes that will help students perform well in the course.
- Save your work. Students are expected to keep a copy of all saved course work until the final course grade has been posted for the semester. Electronic communications can sometimes fail.
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 or CONCERNS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Crystal R.M. Wright
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 824
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4320
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E-mail Address:
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cwright@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Larry Gilbert
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 305
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6216
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E-mail Address:
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lgilbert@nctc.edu
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