NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number: GOVT 2305
Course Title: Federal Government
Instructor’s Information:
Instructor’s Name: Ashlee Branam
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: abranam@nctc.edu E-mails sent Monday – Friday will have a response within 24 hours; those sent after Friday afternoon will be answered by noon on Monday.
*emailing me through Canvas is preferred.
Meeting Times and Location: Online class starts 8/24/2020 - 12/12/2020
Course Description: 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.
Required Course Materials:
Patterson, Thomas E. We the People. 13th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access) ISBN 978-1264031919
Student Learning Outcomes:
State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. (Communication Skills)
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Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. (Communication Skills)
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. (Social Responsibility)
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. (Communication Skills; Personal Responsibility)
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. (Critical Thinking; Personal Responsibility)
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Analyze the election process. (Critical Thinking)
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Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Personal Responsibility; Social Responsibility)
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Analyze issues and policies in the U.S. politics. (Critical Thinking; Social Responsibility)
# of Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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The Grading scale for this class is as follows:
855- 765 points = A 764- 680 points = B
679- 595 points = C 594- 509 points = D
Less than 509 points is an F
Pre/Post Test will be delivered via Canvas. Pre and Post Test is created and monitored by the college to see your progress in the class. Each exam is worth 10 points.
Chapter Quizzes: there will be 17 chapter quizzes consisting of 10 questions per chapter. Each quiz is worth a potential total of 170. Each quiz can be taken TWO times, the best grade of the two will be kept (so if you don’t get full credit the first time try again).These are time limited at 30mins. I do not reset or extend due dates
Unit Summary assignments: there will be 6 Unit Summary Assignments consisting of questions (17 total: 1 question for each chapter) that you will need to answer in a short essay (1-2 paragraphs) FOR EACH QUESTION. Each question is worth a possible 25 points (unit I is 3 chapters; so Unit I is worth a possible 75 points). These are time limited based on the amount of chapters. I do not reset or extend due dates.
Current Events: you will be responsible for 3 current events throughout the semester. Each current event will be worth a possible 50 points for a possible total of 150 points. Current Events will be turned in on Canvas. No emails or late Current Events will be accepted.
Writing Assignment: there will be 1 writing assignment worth 100 points. Writing assignments will be turned into Canvas by the due date & time. NO emails or late writing assignments will be accepted.
Extra Credit: I offer extra credit for each time you utilize Upswing Online Tutoring for ALL writing assignments (Current Events and Writing Assignment). You receive 10 points every time you use Upswing. You will need to show session proof.
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Unit I Summary Assignment
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September 14th by 11:59pm
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September 18th by 11:59pm
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Unit II Summary Assignment
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September 21st by 11:59pm
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Unit III SUmmary Assignment
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Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 2nd.
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. 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)
Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy: This is an online class and I do not require virtual class meetings. HOWEVER, you are expected to mind your due dates closely as I do not accept late work. It is important not to wait until the last minute to turn in your assignment because life loves to throw you curveballs.
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)
□Life and Physical Science
□Language, Philosophy & Culture
XGovernment/Political Science
□Social and Behavioral Sciences
□American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
□ Empirical and Quantitative
XSocial Responsibility
□ Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
XAcademic NCTC Core Curriculum 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
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 814
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
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