Course Syllabus
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SECTION 331 Summer 1 2019
SYLLABUS
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2305
Section Number: 331
Semester: Summer 2018
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
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. 48 lecture hours.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required Materials:
We the People (ebook with Connect Plus Access Card) by Thomas E. Patterson, McGraw Hill, 12th edition
** Students can order a full color loose leaf book for an additional $15 directly from McGraw Hill when registering Connect Access
Web Address for Book:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-stewart-govt-2305-online-summer-2019 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
CANVAS/CONNECT ACCESS: All students must have complete access to Canvas for the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet at all times, as well as having all needed programs to complete an online course. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account. Students can be removed from the online course immediately up violating this rule. Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
Connect Access- The textbook, Learn Smart, and Connect activities are all maintained within the McGraw Hill Connect System. Students need to be enrolled immediately in Connect, which can be purchased at the bookstore, or online directly from McGraw Hill from Canvas. Temporary access can be used directly from Connect McGraw Hill for 14 days from the first day of class. Students must be enrolled by the end of day 5, as assignments are due immediately.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor: Karen Stewart
Campus/Office Location: Online Instructor No Campus Office
Telephone Number: 940-597-9110 Text only before 9:00 P.M. 940-498-6295 Campus
E-mail Address: kstewart@nctc.edu
GRADING CRITERIA # of Graded Course Elements 5
1
Chapter Quiz’s.. There will be a total of 10 chapter quiz’s each worth 10 points
100 Points
2
EXAMS: There will be a final exam worth 100 Points 100 Points
3
Professional paper
Students will choose from various topic over national government and discuss in an extensive research paper
100 Points
- Supreme Court Justice Assignment
Students will choose a supreme court justice and research and create a power point
40 Points
- Weekly discussions
There will be weekly discussions over articles for reading over the subjects in class
10 Points Weekly 100 Points Total
- Pre and Post Test each worth 5 Points Mandatory Assignments!
- Various Worksheets
Worksheets over various topics
60 Points
6 Grades Elements for a 500 Point Total
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.
ATTENDANCE 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.
Online class attendance is mandatory based on a regular log in basis daily. In an online environment it is the students responsibility to keep up with the readings and assigned work. Internet connectivity issues is not an excuse for missing assignments and due dates.
If a student fails to login to canvas at least once a week, after 3 weeks their grade will be reduced by 10 points
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
NO LATE QUIZES WILL BE ACCEPTED!!
All Assignments are due by Midnight Unless specified
June 10th -16 Week 1
Chapter 1. Alien Population Political Thinking
Chapter 1 Quiz 20 Points Due June 16th
June 17-23rd Week 2
Chapter 3 Federalism
Chapter 4 Tinker v. Des Moines
Chapter 5 Brown v. Board of Education
Civil Rights Anthology Due June 23 15 Points
Chapter 4 Quiz Due June 23rd 15 Points
June 24-30 Week 3
Chapter 6. Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People’s Voice
Chapter 6 Quiz Due June 30 15 Points
July 1- 7 Week 4
Chapter 7. Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will
Chapter 7 Quiz Due July 7 15 Points
July 8-14 Week 5
Chapter 8. Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter's Choice
Chapter 9. Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence
Chapter 9 Quiz Due July 14 20 Points
July 15-21 Week 6
Chapter 10. The News Media: Communicating Political Images
Muckraker Article Due July 21 25 Points
Chapter 10 Quiz Due July 21st 10 Points
July 21-28 Week 7
Chapter 11. Congress: Balancing National Goals And Local Interests
Chapter 12. The Presidency: Leading the Nation
Scandals in Congress Due July 28 25 Points
Quiz Chapter 11 Due July 28 20 Points
July 29-Aug 4 Week 8
Chapter 13. The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government
Chapter 14. The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law
Supreme Court Justice Assignment Due Aug 4 40 Points
August 5-11 Week 9
Chapter 15. Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity
Chapter 16. Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need
Professional Paper Due August 5th 100 Points
August 12-15 Final exams Week
Final exam due August 14th 100 Points
Grades are based on the following grading criteria
500-450=A 449-399=B 398-348=C 347-297=D 296- Below
THERE IS A 10% DEDUCTION FOR EVERY DAY AN ASSIGNMENT IS LATE
Disability Services
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 (Links to an external site.)
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA
X Communication
X Mathematics
X Life and Physical Science
X Language, Philosophy & Culture
X Creative Arts
X American History
X Government/Political Science
X Social and Behavioral Sciences
X Component Area Option
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
X Empirical and Quantitative
X Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
X Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
X WECM Course
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
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
CRYSTAL WRIGHT Office Location: Gainesville
Telephone Number: 940-498-6266
E-mail Address: cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Dr. Larry Gilbert