Course Title:

Federal Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2305

Section Number: 

402

Semester/Year:

Spring 2019

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

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 Course Materials:

Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 12^th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access) ISBN 9781260442977

Name of Instructor:

Richard Huckaby

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth campus, Room #335

Telephone Number:

940-498-6204

E-mail Address:

rhuckaby@nctc.edu

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

11:00 am 2:00 pm, Rm#313, Corinth Campus

8:00am – 12:00pm (before/after class @ Ponder HS

11:00 am 2:00 pm, Rm#313, Corinth Campus

8:00am – 12:00pm (before/after class @ Ponder HS

1:00-3:00pm Rm#313 (Corinth Campus)

1:00-3:00pm Rm#313 (Corinth Campus)

Online – Anytime (Monday-Sunday) using message utility in your Canvas account

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 an understanding of our 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 in the political system.

Analyze the election process.

Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics.

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

6

Exams

60%

3

Graded Written Assignments (GAs)

20%

17

Discussion Boards (DBs)

10%

17

LearnSmart (Connect)

10%

GRADING POLICY

Examinations

Graded Assignments

Discussion Boards

Connect (LearnSmart) Activities

Grading Policy

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.   These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. 

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 decision 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)

Students receive a bonus of 5 points for perfect attendance (no unexcused absences). One point is deducted from the bonus for each unexcused absence. Unexcused absences in excess of five will result in a one point (-1) penalty for each additional absence up to a maximum of minus (-) 5 points.

All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to sickness or emergencies which are approved by the instructor, or due to participation in an approved college-sponsored activity authorized in writing by the appropriate instructional Dean.

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.

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).

Office for Students with Disabilities

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)]”. 

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

Cheating on exams or the other graded assignments is not tolerated. The instructor has the authority to give a student an "F" in the course when there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that cheating occurred. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  Plagiarism is defined as any of the following: 

• Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
• Copying words, ideas, or images from someone else without giving credit;
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation or image;
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
• Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.
• Students will receive an F on the first documented instance of plagiarism and a warning from NCTC. A second instance of plagiarism will result in the student's suspension from all classes for the remainder of the semester. 

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 the instructor on your behalf in Canvas.  If you have an emergency and cannot contact the instructor yourself, it is best to have an alternative person contact the instructor on the office phone 940-498-6295 or the NCTC email address: rhuckaby@nctc.edu.  

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