GOVT 2305 408 - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: TR 8:00 AM- 9:20 AM

 

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2305

Section Number: 408

 

Semester: Fall 18

 

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

COR260

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.

 

 

Course Prerequisite(s): None

 

Required Materials:

Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 12th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)

ISBN 9781260442977

Enduring Democracy by Dautrich and Yalof (2014). Supporting Study Guide Textbook: Available In Corinth and Flower Mound Libraries.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Prof. Moses Omane-Boateng

Campus/Office Location:

Econ & Govt. Dept.: COR 313

 COR-(Faculty Room:313) Office Hrs.:1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Telephone Number:

Corinth:940-498-6295 Ext. 6256.

E-mail Address:

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

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.

GRADING CRITERIA

# 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-150 Points

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 Quizzes

100 Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 Points

 

100 Points

 

100 Points

 

Course Expected Aggregate Points is 950

 

GRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

 

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.

 

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

 

TEST 1: Oct. 4-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. 27.

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 1,2, & 3-Sept. 25.

Case Study 1: Brown v.  Board of Education of Topeka (1954) (Patterson, 2017, pp. 129-131, 419, & 436). Use the Case Study Outline Theme Concept. Due: Sept. 13.

Readiness Quizzes: Q. 1-Chapt. 1, Q. 2-Chapt. 2, Q. 3-Chapt. 3.                                                                                                   

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. 15.

 

TEST 2: Nov. 1-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) (Patterson 2017, pp. 70-71, & p. 131). Due: Oct. 18.

  • Pre-Exam Quiz # 2 Due: Oct. 25.

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 6, 10, & 11-Oct. 30

Readiness Quizzes: Q. 4-Chapt. 6, Q. 5-Chapt. 10, Q. 6-Chapt. 11.

 

Final Exams-College Final Exam Schedule

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-General Preview for Mid-Term Elections  Year 2018

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. 29.
  • Case Study # 3-Miranda v. Arizona (1962)-Due Nov. 8 (Patterson, 2017, pp. 115 & 124)

Complete Learn Smart Post Presentation Chapters 4, 12, 13, & 14-Due Dec. 6.

Readiness Quizzes: Q. 7-Chapt. 12, Q. 8-Chapt. 13, Q. 9-Chapt. 14. Q. 10-Chapt. 4.

 

 

 

 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

 

 

 

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

  1. 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.
  2. Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” Nov.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

Instructor-specific Absence 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.

 

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

X         Government/Political Science

            Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES


X         Critical Thinking

X         Communication

         Empirical and Quantitative

 

         Teamwork

X         Personal Responsibility

X         Social Responsibility


COURSE TYPE

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

X         Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

         WECM Course

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS8                                                                                                   

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. Bruce King

 

Office Location:

1525 W. California St., Gainesville, Texas

 

Telephone Number:

940-668-4267

 

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.