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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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102
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Semester/Year:
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Fall/2018
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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:
Thomas E Patterson. We the People. (ebook with Connect Plus Access) 12th edition. McGraw Hill. ISBN 9781260200607
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Steve Sorensen
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Campus/Office Location:
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Gainsville
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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ssorensen@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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9:20–11 am
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9:20–11 am
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2 pm–3:30 pm
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2 pm–3:30 pm
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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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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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17
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Learn Smart Connect
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10%
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17
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Chapter Post Tests
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10%
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13
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Quizzes
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10%
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1
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Term Paper
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10%
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3
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Exams
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60%
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Total Points
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100%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
Dates Subject and Readings
I. The Origins and Principles of American Government
Week 1 Aug 28–Aug 30 A. History Patterson, Ch. 2
Week 2 Sept 4–6 B. Political Theory Aristotle, Politics, ch. 1, 2; Locke, Second Treatise on Government, excerpts; Hobbes, The Citizen, ch. 1, 2; Leviathan, ch. 13; Patterson, ch. 1
Week 3 Sept 11–13 1. The Principles of the Union The Declaration of Independence, Patterson, Appx.
Week 4: Sept 18–20 2. The Extent of the Union Federalist #10, Patterson, Appx., ch. 9
Week 5: Sept 25–27 3. The Structure of the Union Federalist #51, Patterson, Appx,. ch. 3
· Review and Exam 1
II. American Deliberation
A. The Constitution, Patterson, Appx.
Week 6: Oct 2 –4 1. The Legislature, Patterson, ch. 11
Week 7: Oct 9–11 2. The Executive, Patterson, ch. 12
B. Extra-constitutional Institutions
Week 8: Oct 16–18 1. The Bureaucracy, Patterson, ch. 13; Wilson, “The Study of Administration”
Week 9: Oct 23–25 2. Political Parties, Patterson, ch.8
Rough Draft of Term Paper Due
Week 10: Oct 30–Nov 1 3. Mass Media, Patterson, ch. 10; Anastaplo, “Self-Government and the Mass Media: A Practical Man’s Guide”
Week 11: Nov 6–8 C. American Citizenship
1. Elections and Voting, Patterson, ch. 6, 7
2. Public Policy, Patterson, chs. 15–17
· Review and Exam 2
III. The Law and American Deliberation
Week 12: Nov 13–15 A. The Judiciary Patterson, ch. 14, Marbury v. Madison; Jefferson: “On Judicial Review,” Fed. #78
B. Constitutional Law
1. Amendments
Final Draft of Term Paper Due
Week 13: Nov 20 2. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Patterson, ch. 4-5
Week 14: Nov 27–Nov 29 a. Equal Rights
i. Slavery Dred Scott v. Sandford; Marshal, “Race and the Constitution.”
ii. Segregation Civil Rights Cases, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education
iii. Affirmative Action Bakke v. Regents of the University of California; Hopwood v. Texas, Grutter v. Bollinger, Gratz v. Bollinger
Week 15: Dec 4–6 b. Right to Privacy
i. Contraception Griswold v. Connecticut
ii. Abortion Roe v. Wade; Planned Parenthood. v. Casey, Stenberg v. Carhart
iii. Gay Rights Bowers v. Hardwick, Lawrence v. Texas
Week 16: Dec 11–15 Review and Final Exam
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Nov 8
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)
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is September 28.
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
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
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, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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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. Bruce King
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Office Location:
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1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6464
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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