Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: MW 10:00 AM- 11:20 AM

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2305

Section Number: 970

Semester: Fall 17

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

BOW/BOW01/117

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, 12th edition, ISBN: 9781259563614

   ** Students can order a full color loose leaf book for an additional $15 directly from McGraw Hill when registering Connect Access

Name of Instructor:

Prof. Moses Omane-Boateng

Campus/Office Location:

Econ & Govt. Dept.: Graham Faculty Room

 Library: Office Hrs.: W:12-20 PM

Telephone Number:

Corinth:940-498-6295 Graham: 940-521-0720 Ext.7109

E-mail Address:

Momane-boateng@nctc.edu/kwadwo@yahoo.com

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.

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Two Midterms and a Final Exam

300 Points

3

Three Pre-Exam Quizzes

100 Points

3

Case Study Homework Assignments

150 Points

50 Points Per

Assignment

2 PHASES

10

10

Leaders for Tomorrow Project: (1) Select a Community Leader and develop 5 Interview Questions-25 points. Preferred Leaders-A Local Government Leader-The Mayor of Corinth, Government Institution-A School, A Church, and The Police Department

II. Final Interview Report-75 points.

Connect Learn-Smart Post Chapters Presentations Practice Assignments

Canvas Computed Attendance Grade

Random Class Readiness Assignments

100 Points

100 Points

100 Points

100 Points

TOTAL POINTS EARNED MEASURED BY PERCENTILE LEVEL ARE:

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

Students will make corrections on Case Studies homework assignments for extra credit to reinforce the Assignment’s Critical Thinking Perspective

·         Late Assignments will be subject a Penalty of 5-points deduction Per Due Dates

Make-Ups

·         Rare instances are make-ups given. If you know in advance you will be absent on a test date, you may make a special arrangement with your professor for the Make-Up Quizzes/Exams.

TEST 1: Oct. 2-Learning Outcomes

·         Chapter 1 Syllabus Preview and Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming A Responsible Citizen

·         Chapter 2 The Founding and the Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

·         Chapter 3 Federalism: Forging A Nation

·         Pre-Exam Quiz#1-Due Sept. 25

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 1,2, & 3-Sept. 18

Case Study 1: Brown v.  Board of Education of Topeka (1954) (Petterson, 2017, pp. 129-131, 419, & 436). Use the Case Study Outline Theme Concept. Due: Sept. 11

Semester Project:

Prepare five questions based on your project objective to reflect: (1) Family, (2) Education, (3) Occupation, (3) Community service, (4) Hobbies and future goals, and (5) Your perception of his or her personality. Due: Sept. 11

Semester Project: “Leaders for Tomorrow”: Final Paper Report and Presentations: Due Nov. 13

TEST 2: Oct. 30-Learning Outcomes

·         Chapter 6 Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Sharing People’s Voice

·         Chapter 10 The Mass Media and News Media: Communicating Political Images

·         Chapter 11-Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interest- Presentation and DVD Tele-Cast: “How Bill Becomes a Law”

Case Study 2: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (Petterson 2017, pp. 70-71, & p. 131). Due: Oct. 16

·         Pre-Exam Quiz # 2 Due: Oct. 23

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 6, 10, & 11-Oct. 23

Final Exams-Dec. 13-Learning Outcomes

Chapter 12

The Executive Branch

Chapter 13

Bureaucracy

Chapter 14

The Federal Judiciary System: Applying the Law

Debate over Death Penalty

Chapter 4 & 5

Order, Civil Liberty, Equality and Civil Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Chapter 7, 8 & 9

Political Participation: Campaigns, Elections, Political Parties, and Interest Groups-

Congressional, State Legislative, and Local Government Elections- DVD Tele-Cast: “Last Man Standing: Politics, Texas Style.”

·         Pre-Final Exam Quiz # Due: Nov. 27

·         Case Study # 3-Miranda v. Arizona (1962)-Due Nov. 6 (Petterson, 2017, pp. 115 & 124)

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 4, 12, 13, & 14-Due Dec. 4

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  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 office phone Corinth: 940-498-6295 or my NCTC email address: Momane-boateng@nctc.edu or kwadwo@yahoo.com

v    Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, assignment, posttests) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

v    Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” Nov. 9

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

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  

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

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

 Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

EEOC Statement

  North Central Texas College does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville, R824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731 Ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth R305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu