NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Federal Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2305

Section Number: 

371

372

Semester/Year:

Spring

2021

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 Course Materials:

Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 13th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)

ISBN 978-1264031919

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Kathy Corley

Campus/Office Location:

Bowie 130

Telephone Number:

940-872-4002 ext 5216 select follow me or leave message

E-mail Address:

kcorley@nctc.edu prefer use of Canvas as primary email

I do not have a problem with you calling me through the method above, just not on Sunday Mornings or after midnight. If I am available, I will answer.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

 

9:00 am-12:pm

 

9:00 am-12:pm

 

 

 

9:00 pm-11:pm

 

12:00pm-5:pm

 

 

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 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 in the political system.

 

Analyze the election process.

 

Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

 

Pre-Course Requirements

Required to stay in class due first week of class

17

 4 modules Smartbooks

200

2

APA Format Saved/References

25

3

4 Quizzes over the 17 chapters

400

2

3Watch and Write

150

1

APA Paper

100

1

Final if not exempt

200

 

Total Possible Points – must complete Smartbook and Final. To be exempt from the final you must have an 80% average (minus SmartBooks) on all assignments before the week of finals. If you have to take the final, your final exam grade will count, as well as your SmartBooks. If you do not need to take the Final Exam, your SmartBooks grade will count as the Final Exam grade as well as your SmartBooks grade

 

All SmartBooks must be completed to be exempt from the final!

 

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

 

Week

Due Date

Assignment

Points

Wednesday -Tuesday

Tuesdays

2305

 

1/19-1/27

27-Jan

Pre-Course

Take to Stay in Class

1/28-2/03

3-Feb

Format APA

25

2/4-2/10

10-Feb

SmartBooks

50

2/11-2/17

17-Feb

Quiz 1

100

2/18-2/24

24-Feb

Watch/Read/Listen/Write

50

2/25-3/3

3-Mar

SmartBooks

50

3/4-3/10

10-Mar

Quiz 2

100

3/11-3/17

17-Mar

Watch/Read/Listen/Write

50

3/18-3/24

24-Mar

Spring Break

0

3/25-3/31

31-Mar

APA Paper

100

4/1-4/7

7-Apr

Watch/Read/Listen/Write

50

4/8-4/14

14-Apr

SmartBooks

50

4/15-4/21

21-Apr

Quiz 3

100

4/22-4/28

28-Apr

SmartBooks

50

4/29-5/5

5-May

Quiz 4

100

5/6-5/12

12-May

Final

200

 

   

1075

17 SmartBooks

200

   

Final

200

   

APA Paper/1 papers

125

   

17 Ch/3 Quizzes

400

   

4 Watch/Write

150

   
 

1075

   
       

 

 

   

Total Possible Points – must complete Smartbook and Final. To be exempt from the final you must have an 80% average (minus SmartBooks) on all assignments before the week of finals. If you have to take the final, your final exam grade will count, as well as your SmartBooks. If you do not need to take the Final Exam, your SmartBooks grade will count as the Final Exam grade as well as your SmartBooks grade

 

Instructions for Assignments are within Canvas!

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Within the First Week of Class it is expected that you complete the Pre-Course Requirement. If you do not Complete these Requirements by Monday after the start date, you will be dropped from the course. If you do not complete an assignment for the week it is due, you will be considered absent. Late assignments are not accepted. If you miss a due date for an assignment on the third time, you will be dropped from the course.

Since this is an online course, turning in assignments on time is considered punctual attendance. Therefore, because the internet can be unreliable on some days, watch the weather. Turn assignments in early. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO DO THE ASSIGNMENT. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING, GO AHEAD AND TURN IT IN. THE DROP BOX WILL ACCEPT A LATER SUBMISSION AND UPDATE THE BOX SO I SEE THAT ASSIGNMENT FIRST. 

Regular 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:

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

 

 

 

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

 

COURSE TYPE

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

X          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

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)]”. 

 

Plagiarism includes using others thoughts as your own. Make sure you use proper citations within the paper and list those at the end of your paper. I do grade for how you use APA style of writing. It is required.

If I catch you cheating on quizzes or exams. I will report you.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2020

 

North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 814

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4925

E-mail Address:

aramsey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201

Telephone Number:

940-380-2504

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

Anything stated in this syllabus is subject to change during the course of the Spring 2021 Semester!

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