Course Title: 

US Federal Government

Course Prefix & Number:  

GOVT2305

Section Number:  

Semester/Year: 

Sp21
8w1

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

Name of Instructor:

Professor Benjamin Vail

Campus/Office Location:

1525 West California Street - 824,
Gainesville, TX 76240 (mail only)

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731 (no voicemail)

E-mail Address:

bvail@nctc.edu

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

4-6PM (online)

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

1

Lecture videos

10%

2

Text Book Assignments

10%

3

Midterm Exams

30%

4

Term Paper

40%

5

Final Exam

10%

6

Extra Credit - up to a letter grade

10%

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

If I suspect a student of cheating, I will report that student. The student will have the opportunity to plead their case, and to appeal any decision I have made regarding academic dishonesty. The student has the right to have representation present during such pleas and/or any appeal process. I reserve the right to assign extra work, to adjust the score of a plagiarized assignment, or not accept work that is plagiarized, or to readjust the final grade in the class in the event of plagiarism. Moreover, 

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, Section II, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct” especially as regards to page 29-31 “Academic Dishonesty”: https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf   

1

All work must be your own. I take academic integrity very seriously. 

2

All assignments must be completed by the due date, assignments will lose a letter grade (10%) each day they are late. After five days the maximum a student can earn for a late submission is 50%

3

The password to the syllabus exam is excelsior.

4

As this is class will be meeting online, be professional in all of your communications with your fellow classmates and with your professor, when we meet virtually in a conference, and in written communication with each other. Use your best “internet etiquette.” (mute your mic when you’re not talking, don’t have distracting things in the background, don’t flood the chat board with garbage, etc.) Be polite and respectful in online discussion boards, do not insult or attack your fellow classmates or your professor.

5

Above all, apply the golden rule: do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. 

Ben Vail’s Absence Policy: Attendance and participation is mandatory. If you are sick, or have to care for a sick family member, don’t come to class. You should send me an email to let me know, stay home, and feel better. 

Ben Vail’s Online Participation Policy: You are required to have access to the class page on Canvas, https://nctc.instructure.com/, log in with your NCTC credentials via the OneLogin app, https://nctc.onelogin.com/. I will regularly post materials, and updates via the Canvas class page. If you are not logging in and not completing assignments I will assume that you have stopped “participating” in class, and I will drop you for non-attendance. The date of record for this class is January 25, 2021 and the last day to withdraw is February 22, 2021. 

Official NCTC 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 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 (North Central Texas College 2019-2020 Catalog Vol. 83, p.98, “Attendance Regulation”): https://www.nctc.edu/catalog/all-catalogs/catalog-2019-2020.pdf 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is February 22, 2021

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.

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. 

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

–Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

STUDENTS SHOULD

• Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence. 
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website. 

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

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.

Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of the United States.

□

Communication

X

Government/Political Science

□

Mathematics

□

Social and Behavioral Sciences

□

Life and Physical Science

□

Component Area Option

□

Language, Philosophy & Culture

□

American History

□

Creative Arts

X

Critical Thinking

X

Communication 

□ 

Empirical and Quantitative

□

Teamwork 

X

Personal Responsibility 

X

Social Responsibility

□ 

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

X

Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course 

□

WECM Course

Name of Chair/Coordinator: 

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-7731, Ext 4925

E-mail Address:

aramsey@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

Week of:

Subject

Reading

Assignments

01/19-
01/23

Introduction / Political Culture
Constitutions

Lecture: “Why Government?”

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Syllabus Exam,
Pretest

01/24-
01/30

Federalism

Civil Liberties
Lecture: “Ideology”

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Paper Topic Due

01/30/21

01/31-
02/06

Civil Rights 

Public Opinion

Lecture: “Game Theory”

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Exam 1
02/06/21

02/07-
02/13

Political Participation

Political Parties

Lecture: “On Justice”

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Rough Draft Due

02/13/21

02/14-
02/20

Interests Groups

The Media

Lecture: “Gender and Politics Policy”

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Exam 2
02/20/21

02/21-
02/27

Congress

Presidency
Lecture: “Budget Process”

Chapter 11
Chapter 12

Term Paper Due

02/27/21

02/28-
03/06

Bureaucracy

Judiciary

Lecture: “Energy and Environmental Policy”

**No assignments will be accepted with a late penalty after 03/06**

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Exam 3
03/06/21

03/07-
03/13

Final Exam Week Mar 11-13

Term Ends - Mar 13

All rosters submitted by noon Mar 14

Final Exam
03/13/21,

Post test