Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

                   Class in Room #208 from 9:30am to 10:50pm MW

Course Title:

American National Government

Course Prefix & #: 

GOVT 2305

Section Number: 

501

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.   

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

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

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

  Kevin T Davis

Campus/Office Location:

  Flower Mound Room #107 – Cubicle #4

Telephone Number:

  972-899-8410

E-mail Address:

  kdavis@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9:00am – 9:30am

9:00am – 9:30am

9:00am – 9:30am

9:00am – 9:30am

11am to 1pm

11am – 12:30pm

11am – 12:30pm

11am – 12:30pm

11am – 12:30pm

(online)

2:00pm – 2:30pm

2:00pm – 2:30pm

2:00pm – 2:30pm

2:00pm – 2:30pm

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

 

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.

Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Point Values

16

Learn Smart Chapters

5 pts / 80 pts

12

Participation Assignments

10 pts / 120 pts

1

Debate

25 pts

3

Research Papers / Survey Project

25 pts / 75pts

2

Midterm Exams

100 pts / 200 pts

1

Final Exam

100 pts

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Completed Learn Smart Assignments will get full credit IF completed by due date.  This is about 12% of your grade, so DON'T ignore it!

Participation Assignments are assigned weekly, and are pretty much all or nothing.

Sign up for a Debate, and they will be scheduled after the first week of class.  More info below.

Three short research papers, or one paper and the two Survey assignments.  More info below.

Midterms and the Final Exam will be 100 points each and count for half of your grade!

Make Up Exams will ONLY be made for medical reasons, which are accompanied by a doctor's note on letterhead or a Rx Pad.  Make-Up exams will be essay in nature, but will only be worth up to 80 points.  Make Up will be given 1 week after the missed exam, or result in an Incomplete if the Final Exam is missed.  Students MUST call/email ASAP to see if a make up is possible.

Plagiarism/Cheating/Collusion will NOT be tolerated and will result in a Zero for that assignment and a report to the Dean for Disciplinary Action.

 

This is a TENTATIVE Schedule which is subject to change W/O notice due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events.

 

January 21st – MLK Holiday – No Class

January 22nd – First Day of Class

March 1st – Learn Smart Unit #1 - Due by 11:59pm

March 4th –  First Midterm Exam - Module #1 - Chapters 1-4 & 11

March 8th – Research Paper #1 due through CANVAS by 11:59pm

March 11 - 16 – Spring Break Holiday – No Class

April 4th Last Day to Withdraw from Course.

April 8th – Research Paper #2 due by 11:59pm OR Survey Cards due in class.

April 12th – Learn Smart Unit #2 - Due by 11:59pm

April 15th –  Second Midterm Exam - Module #2 - Chapters 5-8 & 12

May 6th – Research Paper #3 OR Survey Input Spreadsheets due by 11:59pm

May 10th - Final Learn Smart Unit #3 - Due by 11:59pm

May 15th –  Final Exam - Module #3 - Chapters 9-10 & 13-16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you cannot meet these dates/deadlines, then drop this course.

 

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

 

COURSE TYPE

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

X           Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o         WECM Course

 

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


STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

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)]”. 

 

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.  Students 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)

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 this course with a “W” is April 4, 2019.

 

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.

 

STUDENT 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

 

Completion Center offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab 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

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

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:

Gainesville Campus

Telephone Number:

940-498-6464

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rumsfeld’s Unknown Speech

"As we know, there are known knowns. These are things we know. These are things we know we know… We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know… But there are also unknown unknowns, the ones we don't know, we don't know." – Donald Rumsfeld

 

Debates:

Every student should participate in at least one debate.  (Students may elect to participate in a second debate for extra points, but points will only be added if their side “wins” the debate.)  We will register for debates the first week of classes, and each student can choose which side to represent on the debate; Pro or Con.  (Debate slots are filled based on first-come, first-serve.  Extra credit sign-ups will be available after everyone has had a chance.)  

 

The debate is worth 25 points towards your final grade, and points are assigned as follows:

5 points – Argued your own side and gave at least three valid responses.

5 points – Cited facts/research during debate.

5 points – Did not “bait” or ask direct questions of your opponents.

5 points – Opened/Closed or was especially vocal.

5 points – Won debate according to secret ballot election results.

(At the end of each debate, the electorate (those in class) will vote on which team did the better job defending their topic.  Winner of the secret ballot election gets 5 points, the losers do not.  A tie will result in BOTH sides receiving 5 points.)

 

Students can sign up and participate in a second debate for extra credit.  If you are on the winning side, you are awarded an extra 5 points.  Those on the losing side, who try, get 1 to 3 points, depending upon your participation.  Those who lose, and do not try, get no points.

 

GOVT 2305 – Research Paper / Survey Project – Spring, 2019

 

Research Papers will consist of three 1000 to 1200 word essays from the assigned topics listed below.  Please choose your words carefully and make sure your paper is no longer than 1400 words with your citations.  Put your name at the top, skip a line and then start writing.  Be sure to focus on relevant information and not extraneous personal information like exact birth dates, siblings, pets, mother’s/father’s occupation, etc.  Make sure your discussion is significant to the topic at hand and researches/discusses both sides of each issue.  In your conclusion, discuss your own opinions on the subject; for or against, etc. and justify that conclusion! 

 

Make sure to cite ALL your quotes, and use APA or MLA format for citations/sources.  Failure to cite your quotes is plagiarism, and you will be counted off for that.  Also, do not cite more than 10%, or 100 words, of your paper.  Using encyclopedias and encyclopedic websites (wikipedia.com or about.com), or grade school websites, will count against you!  Do NOT quote your instructor or textbook.  This is supposed to be OUTSIDE research, so make good use of the books, magazines, journals, reports, and government/education websites.

 

 

Each paper or project is worth 25 points towards your final grade, and paper points are assigned as follows:

3 points – Is the length correct? 

6 points – Covered subject matter w/o grammatical, spelling, or sentence errors?

4 points – Is there a conclusion?  Was it a high quality conclusion?

4 points – 4 or more “good” sources?  (You will lose points for using wikipedia.com, about.com, or any encyclopedic site, as a source.  You also lose points for using your textbook or instructor as a source.)

8 points – Quality of your paper.  (Answers the questions, sticks to subject, no excessive quoting, no awkward spots, and has good flow?)

 

Papers will be submitted through Canvas by 11:59pm on the day it is due.  If you miss the deadline, you can e-mail it to me, but I will deduct 5 points for EVERY day that it is late.  It is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOUR paper is submitted by the deadline.

 

 

Paper #1 Due October 8th – The US Constitution gives everyone the right to Due Process.  What does that mean and where does it stop?  Some people want us to prohibit gun sales to those on the “No Fly” list, but there is currently no due process for those who are put on the list.  What Due Process should they get?  The Dallas Shooter recently was killed by a bomb carrying robot, and received no Due Process.  Several Americans have been killed by drones in foreign countries without Due Process.  Why did they not get Due Process?  What kind of society would we be without Due Process?  Discuss the Philippines, where you can kill a drug dealer without Due Process.  Conclude with your opinion of how much, or little, Due Process an American should receive, and where we should draw the line as to when you do, and do NOT, get Due Process.

 

Although your conclusion is your opinion be careful NOT to use “I” or “we.”  Personal pronouns are not to be used in a formal research paper, which this is, even though it is a bit short.  Just say it like you mean it, and it is a fact.

 

 

Two Options for 2nd part of Research Grade – Due April 8th:

Write and Submit a Second Paper What was the Government shutdown all about?  Was it really just about $5.7 billion for a wall?  Lots of conspiracy theories going around...  Be sure to talk about the shutdown itself: What parts got shutdown?  Who HAD to work?  What affects did it have on the American public?  And finally, which side do you feel was justified, and why?

Although your conclusion is your opinion be careful NOT to use “I” or “we.”  Personal pronouns are not to be used in a formal research paper, which this is, even though it is a bit short.  Just say it like you mean it, and it is a fact.

 

 

Although your conclusion is your opinion be careful NOT to use “I” or “we.”  Personal pronouns are not to be used in a formal research paper, which this is, even though it is a bit short.  Just say it like you mean it, and it is a fact.

 

Or Conduct 50 or more surveys with Eligible Texas Voters.  Surveys will be provided by your instructor, but you have to get 50 or more individuals to complete them before the deadline.  These will be non-partisan surveys about people’s political habits.  Any one is eligible to complete the survey as long as they are a US Citizen 18 years of age or older, living in Texas.  It is vital that they complete the entire survey and NOT leave out any information.  There are no wrong answers and we are NOT here to judge, but just to collect data.  Incomplete surveys will NOT be counted.  Your instructor will send around a sign-up sheet to see if you are interested in this option the first week of class.  I will provide survey materials. 

 

If I find out you intentionally fabricated cards, I will give you a zero for the entire assignment, throw out all your cards, report you to the Dean for cheating and withdraw you from this class.)

 

Two Options for 3rd part of Research Grade – Due May 6th:

Write and Submit a Third Paper – What is your opinion of President Donald Trump so far?  He has only been in office for a bit over two years, so what has he accomplished?  Does he seem to be making progress on his promises to Make America Great Again?  Are his Cabinet picks working out okay?  What major legislation has been passed?  How are Foreign Relations working out?  Has the economy improved substantially?  What successes/problems do you see so far?  How has been doing compared to other Presidents?  What do you think he will, or won’t, do in the rest of his term?  Conclude with your judgment/opinion of what you think/hope he will/will not do by the end of his first term.

 

Although your conclusion is your opinion be careful NOT to use “I” or “we.”  Personal pronouns are not to be used in a formal research paper, which this is, even though it is a bit short.  Just say it like you mean it, and it is a fact.

 

Input Your 50 or so Surveys into the Excel Spreadsheet provided.  For those of you who completed gathering your surveys, now it is time to input your information into an Excel Spreadsheet.  Look at the example of how to quantify the information for all 50+ surveys.  For example, a “Yes” answer will be a 1 in the spreadsheet, and a “No” is a 2, etc… (see example in the Announcement section).  Once finished, email them to me through a normal email account.  Do NOT email them through CANVAS.  Return the survey cards during your next class period.  Grades will NOT be awarded until the survey cards are returned, and the information has been successfully downloaded into the database.

 

If you have any questions, please ask!

 

Also, I have a few limited opportunities for extra credit for those who would like to input an additional 25 survey cards from a past semester.  If you would like to help, I can award you an additional 5 points of extra credit.  There are not many of these cards left, so it is first come, first serve.  E-mail me if you are interested.

 

Grading Scale: 600 total points possible

A = 536+ pts     B = 535 – 475 pts     C = 474 – 415 pts    D = 414 – 355 pts    F = 354 or less

 

 

Helpful Phone #’s for Flower Mound:

 

Admissions: 972-899-8430

Business Office: 972-899-8403

Counseling/Testing: 972-899-8412

Financial Aid: 972-899-8400

FM Director: 972-899-8402

Library: 972-899-8413

 

Kevin Davis: 972-899-8410

Email: kdavis@nctc.edu

 

Address:

1200 Parker Square
Flower Mound, Texas 75028

There are no Handouts for this set.