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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Federal Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2305
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Section Number:
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504
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Semester/Year:
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Sp 2019
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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 Course Materials:
Patterson, Thomas E. We the People. 12th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)
ISBN 9781260442977
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Rebekah Sanchez
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth-Pinnell Square Suite 102
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Telephone Number:
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940.498.6440
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E-mail Address:
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rsanchez@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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10 am – 11 am
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9 am – 10 am
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10 am – 11 am
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You are welcome to make an appointment outside my office hours. My regular office hours are in Corinth. I am in Flower Mound Tuesday and Thursday mornings before class.
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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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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Point Values
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5
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Exams (lowest exam grade replaced with highest exam grade)
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500
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15
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Chapter Quizzes (17 total, lowest 2 dropped)
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150
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15
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Learn Smart (17 total, lowest 2 dropped)
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150
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1
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Research Assignment - Brief
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200
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900-1000 points = A
800-899 points = B
700-799 points = C
600-699 points = D
0-599 points = F
COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE *deadlines are at 11:59 pm on the due date
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Unit
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Dates
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Topic
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Assignments
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1
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1.22, 1.24
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Chapter 1. Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen
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Pre-Test – Due 2.3
Chapter 1 Quiz - Due 1.26
Chapter 1 Learn Smart - Due 1.26
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1.29, 1.31
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Chapter 2. Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government
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Chapter 2 Quiz - Due 2.2
Chapter 2 Learn Smart - 2.2
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2.5, 2.7
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Chapter 3. Federalism: Forging a Nation
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Chapter 3 Quiz - Due 2.9
Chapter 3 Learn Smart - Due 2.9
Exam 1 Open online 2.7 after class until 11:59 pm on 2.11
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2
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2.12, 2.14, 2.19
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Chapter 4. Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights
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Chapter 4 Quiz - Due 2.21
Chapter 4 Learn Smart - Due 2.21
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2.21, 2.26, 2.28
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Chapter 5. Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness
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Chapter 5 Quiz - Due 3.2
Chapter 5 Learn Smart - Due 3.2
Exam 2 Open online 2.28 after class until 11:59 pm on 3.4
Submit case for research assignment
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3
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3.5
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Chapter 6. Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People's Voice
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Chapter 6 Quiz - Due 3.7
Chapter 6 Learn Smart - Due 3.7
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3.7
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Chapter 7. Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will
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Chapter 7 Quiz - Due 3.9
Chapter 7 Learn Smart - Due 3.9
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3.19
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Chapter 8. Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter's Choice
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Chapter 8 Quiz - Due 3.21
Chapter 8 Learn Smart - Due 3.21
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3.21
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Chapter 9. Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence
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Chapter 9 Quiz - Due 3.23
Chapter 9 Learn Smart - Due 3.23
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3.26
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Chapter 10. The News Media: Communicating Political Images
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Chapter 10 Quiz - Due 3.28
Chapter 10 Learn Smart - Due 3.28
Exam 3 Open online 3.26 after class until 11:59 pm on 3.30
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4
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3.28, 4.2
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Chapter 11. Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests
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Chapter 11 Quiz - Due 4.4
Chapter 11 Learn Smart - Due 4.4
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4.4, 4.9
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Chapter 12. The Presidency: Leading the Nation
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Chapter 12 Quiz - Due 4.11
Chapter 12 Learn Smart - Due 4.11
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4.11
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Chapter 13. The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government
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Chapter 13 Quiz - Due 4.13
Chapter 13 Learn Smart - Due 4.13
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4.16, 4.18
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Chapter 14. The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law
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Chapter 14 Quiz - Due 4.20
Chapter 14 Learn Smart - Due 4.20
Exam 4 Open online 4.18 after class until 11:59 pm on 4.22
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5
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4.23
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Chapter 15. Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity
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Chapter 15 Quiz - Due 4.25
Chapter 15 Learn Smart - Due 4.25
Research Assignment Due 4.27
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4.25
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Chapter 16. Income, Welfare, and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security
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Chapter 16 Quiz - Due 4.27
Chapter 16 Learn Smart - Due 4.27
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4.30, 5.2
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Chapter 17. Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way
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Chapter 17 Quiz - Due 5.4
Chapter 17 Learn Smart - Due 5.4
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5.14
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Final Exam 11-12:50
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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’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgment 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 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.
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
X 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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