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.

Class Information:

Section Number:        0841

Meeting Times and Location: Online class starts 01/19/2021- 05/10/2021

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.

Course Credit Hours:  

            Lecture Hours:  3

Prerequisite: None

Required Course Materials:

Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 13^th 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:

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. (Communication Skills) 
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. (Communication Skills)
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. (Social Responsibility)
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. (Communication Skills; Personal Responsibility)
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. (Critical Thinking; Personal Responsibility)
6. Analyze the election process. (Critical Thinking)
7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Personal Responsibility; Social Responsibility)
8. Analyze issues and policies in the U.S. politics. (Critical Thinking; Social Responsibility)

GRADING CRITERIA

SmartBook Chapter Assignments: there will be 17 SmartBook Chapter Assignments. SmartBook is a digital version of your course textbook but It creates a personalized reading experience by highlighting the most impactful concepts you need to learn. As you engage (answer questions) with SmartBook, the reading experience continuously adapts by highlighting content based on what you know and don’t know. Each Chapter is worth 20 points.  I do not reset or extend due dates

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5th.

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)

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)_______        

□          Communication

□          Mathematics               

□          Life and Physical Science

□          Language, Philosophy & Culture

□          Creative Arts

X         Government/Political Science

□          Social and Behavioral Sciences

□          Component Area Option

□          American History

X                Critical Thinking

X                        Communication 

□                       Empirical and Quantitative

□                        Teamwork 

X                         Personal Responsibility 

X                         Social Responsibility