Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305	Section Number:  503	Semester: Spring 2018
Semester Credit Hours: 3	Lecture Hours: 3	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, 11th edition, ISBN: 9781259563614    ** Students can order a full color loose leaf book for an additional $15 directly from McGraw Hill when registering Connect Access

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Les Stanaland
Campus/Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	lstanaland@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

Method of Evaluation: 

The evaluation methods I will be using in this class are probably a bit different than you are used to, and that’s okay. Basically, I give you a choice of approaches, you decide which one you prefer, and then those are the assignments you complete. Easy! Some students are better at time-limited tests, some are better at projects they can plan out over time – either way, my advice is to choose the methods that best fits your personality and learning style. A list of pros and cons will be passed out to help aid you in this decision.

Regardless of approach, some assignments will be due for all. They include the discussion boards found on Canvas and a literature review.

Should you choose the exam approach, there will be 3 non-comprehensive essay exams covering an equal amount of course material. 

Should you choose the project approach, the 12 projects will serve to assess your learning for each of the units, as opposed to a multiple choice exam. I believe it allows each student to better show me what has been learned, while a MC exam can (and will) be crammed for, and all information will be forgotten once the test is over. Through projects, research has shown students learn better when they have a chance to be actively engaged in the overall product.

 

 

Exam-based approach

Number of Assessments	Description	Percent of Grade
3	Non-comprehensive in class essay exams	60%
1	Literature Review	25% (subdivided)
9	Discussion Boards	15%

 

 

Project-based approach

Number of Assessments	Description	Percent of Grade
12	Topic based projects	60%
1	Literature Review	25% (subdivided)
9	Discussion Boards	15%

We will discuss the pros and cons of each approach now.

Attached is supplemental material to help you better understand the literature review and discussion board components.

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

	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.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Regular and punctual 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.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5, 2018.

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

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

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

 

□ Communication

□Mathematics

□ Life and Physical Science

□ Language, Philosophy & Culture

□ Creative Arts

 

□ American History

✠ Government/Political Science

□ Social and Behavioral Sciences

□ Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

✠ Critical Thinking

✠ Communication 

□ Empirical and Quantitative

 

□ Teamwork 

✠ Personal Responsibility 

✠ Social Responsibility

COURSE TYPE

□ Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

⌧ Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course 

□ WECM Course

 

 

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

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Crystal Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville 813
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Larry Gilbert
Office Location:	Corinth 305
Telephone Number:	940-498-6216
E-mail Address:	lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

COURSE CALENDAR:

Dates are listed as Tuesday/Thursday.  Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

 

January

16/18 – Syllabus review; Philosophies and Constitution

23/25 – Federalism

30/1 - Civil Liberties; Research Check 1 - Topic

 

February

6/8 – Civil Rights

13/15 – Exam 1

20/22 – Congress

27/1 – Presidency; Research Check 2 – Annotated Bibliography

 

 

 

 

 

March

6/8 – Bureaucracy

13/15 – Spring Break

20/22 – Judiciary

27/29 – Exam 2

 

April

3/5 – Political Socialisation and Public Opinion

10/12 – Political Parties and Interest Groups; Research Check 3 – Rough Draft

17/19 – Media

24/26 – Economic Policy

 

May

1/3 – “What Did You Learn?”

8/10 – Finals Week. Exam 3; Final Research Paper due