Syllabus

GOVERNMENT 2305.231– ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Name

American National Government

Semester & Year: Fall-Mini 2020 Online  December 21  – January 15

Instructor’s Name & Office #

Joe Ialenti

Corinth, Room 200

Phone Number: (940) 498-6295

 

Office Hours

5:30-6:30PM/MTWTh

online

E-Mail: through Canvas ONLY

 

Catalog Description

A survey of the political system of the United States including: the United States Constitution, the three branches of the government; political theory, political parties, interest groups and the media.

 

Required Texts & Material

Thomas Patterson.  We the people, 13th Edition.  McGraw HillISBN10: 125991240X
ISBN13: 9781259912405

 

 

 

Tentative Instructional Schedule

 (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

Modules and Dates

Topics, Assignments, and Exams

Associated Chapters/Power points

Points

Module I:

 

Political Thinking; Constitutional Democracy; Federalism

Chapters 1,2,3

 

12/26-28

 Exam I

Chapters 1,2,3

100 points

Module II:

 

Civil Liberties; Civil Rights, Judiciary

Chapters 4,5,14

Forums: 50 points each

1/2-4

Exam II

Chapters 4,5,14

100 points

Module III:

 

Congress; The Presidency; (Forums: Voting 12/31)

Chapters 11,12

Forums: 50 points each

1/4

Topic Paper: Coronavirus Government Restrictions

 

100 points

1/8-10

Exam III

Chapters 11,12

100 points

Module IV

Public Opinion; Political Participation; Political Parties; Interest Groups; The News Media

Chapters 6,7,8,9,10

 

1/-13-14

Exam IV

Chapters 6,7,8,9,10

100 points

Various (See below)

Quizzes

 

10 points each

   

 

If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement (anything for which you can earn points except the Pre/Post tests), you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

  

    

 

 

Grading Policy & Procedures

All assignments are to be accessed through the Canvas Assignments tab. If you access them through Connect, it will mess things up.

 

  • By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge that you have internet access and that such access is stable and reliable.
  • It is totally your responsibility to read and understand the Syllabus and other class documents.
  • It is your responsibility to know the Instructional Schedule
  • The Syllabus is the class’s control document. However, it is subject to changes made by the Instructor.
  • If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.
  • It is your responsibility to know how to navigate Canvas and Connect and any other software that is used in this class
  • It is your responsibility to access and study Canvas and Connect and any other course material as well as the textbook.
  • It is your responsibility to frequently access class Announcements and e-mail.
  • It is your responsibility to frequently view your grades in the Grade Center.
  • This Syllabus subject to change with little or no notice.

 

Last day to drop is January 5, 2021.

 

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day.

 

Unless otherwise directed, contact me only through Canvas mail.

 

All assignments are to be accessed through the Canvas Assignments tab. If you access them through Connect, it will mess things up.

 

 

Pre/Posts Tests

 

If you answer all questions and submit both of these, then twenty (20) points will be added to your semester point total. Twenty points or nothing (not a course requirement).

 

Your Instructional Modules

 

This course is made up of four (4) Modules each of which is illustrated by the Instructional Schedule (tentative) above. Each Module’s Canvas instructional material as well as Discussion Forums, Quizzes, and Topic Paper is available to you from the first class day so that you can study, compose, and post ahead.

 

Make sure that you are aware of all due dates as stated in the Instructional Schedule.  Due dates are firm.

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement (anything for which you can earn points except the Pre/Post tests), you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

 

Exams

 

There will be four (4) Exams, one for each Module. The exams are located in Canvas under Assignments. Exams are not comprehensive. Exam questions can be generated by the textbook, power points, or as otherwise directed by the Instructor.

 

You will have about three (3) days (except Final) during which to access and submit each Exam and you’ll have 70 minutes to take each one. However, once you start an Exam you must complete it; you cannot start it, exit or pause it, and then return to it. The clock keeps running. Each Exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. Exams are not comprehensive unless directed so by the Instructor.  

 

Should you fail to take an exam when scheduled, you will be required to take a make-up exam if I okay it after you explain why, provide any requested documentation, and I accept that explanation. Make-up exam questions, number, and type may vary from the exam you missed.

 

Unless otherwise stated in the assignment and with the exception of Forums, all course requirements must be submitted by 11:59PM (Canvas’s clock) on their respective due dates.

 

Chapter Quizzes

 

There will be several chapter quizzes in this course all due by January 10, 2021. You’ll find them under Chapter Quizzes in Canvas under Assignments. All quizzes are now open. Each quiz is worth 10 points and consists of 10 questions. You’ll have 20 minutes to take each quiz. Once you start a quiz you must complete it; you cannot start it, pause or exit it, and then return to it. The clock keeps running.

 

Although the Quizzes all have a late semester due date, I suggest that you take each Quiz during the related Module of study.

 

Topic Paper

 

There ia a Topic Paper in this class for you to submit. Paper subjects and instructions are stated in Topic Papers in Canvas.

 

Discussion Forums

 

There are Discussion Forums located in the Discussion Forums Module in Canvas. Each Forum will be open from the first day of class. However, each Forum has a due date. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic (See About Discussion Forums in Canvas.

 

Forum posts are due by 11PM on their respective due dates. Each Forum will accept only a maximum post of 4,000 characters.

 

These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of their topics and class material. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.   

 

Grading

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement (anything for which you can earn points except the Pre/Post tests), you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

 

To calculate your percentage grade at any point in the semester, simply divide the number of points have earned by the number of points you could have earned to that point in the semester.

 

90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 0-59% = F

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of our federal system.

3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.

5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties

6. Analyze the election process.

7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens

8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.

 

Attendance Policy

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 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.

 

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy: NA

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is January 5, 2021.

 

Participation is essential for online classes and such participation is up to you. Some students are not suited for online course success because they require a campus to drive to and a classroom to sit in with their classmates and a visible instructor to help provide motivation. Thus, it can be easy for students to procrastinate and to put off completing assignments. As a result, some students find themselves in a self-imposed time squeeze that results in their submission of a sub-par product or no submission at all.

 

The great majority of students do what’s required of them. To accommodate students who don’t is unfair to those who do. Well, I insist on maintaining a level playing field for all students. So, don’t put off assignments, do what you are supposed to do, learn, and achieve success.

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement (anything for which you can earn points except the Pre/Post tests), you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

 

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day. That’s how and where any class-related changes, advisories, and my comments will be posted. However, I may elect to use either Announcements or e-mail depending on certain factors. So, check them both. Remember, Canvas records all of your online activity. Conversely, it reveals your lack of activity also.

 

All Forums must be submitted by 11:00 PM on their due dates unless otherwise stated. Canvas has an internal clock and it is the one which I go by. So, give yourself plenty of lead time.

Disability Accommodations

 

 

 

 

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.

 

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

     

 

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)]”. 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 814

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4295

E-mail Address:

aramseyt@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408

Telephone Number:

940-498-6464

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

This Syllabus is subject to change by the Instructor with little or no notice.

There are no Handouts for this set.