Course Name

American National Government

Semester & Year: Fall 2021 Online August 23, 2021 – December 11, 2021__

Instructor’s Name & Office #

Joe Ialenti

Corinth, Room 200

Office Hours

5:30-6:30PM/MTWTh

Online only

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, 14th Edition.  McGraw Hill.   ISBN10: 1260242927/ISBN13: 9781260242928

Registration in the course gives you access to the e-book needed for GOVT2305. You do not need to purchase a separate textbook. Inclusive Access is a partnership between NCTC and McGraw-Hill Education, to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class. Students can gain access to McGraw-Hill’s adaptive online platforms with the latest version of the eBook at a discount. If students would like to purchase a physical copy of the textbook, they can order a discounted loose-leaf version through the bookstore. Students who drop before the add/drop date will have their book fees credited back to their student account, and students who remain in the course will be charged a materials fee by the school to have continued access of the online platforms. If you remain enrolled in the course but wish to opt-out of access to the book please email the NCTC Bookstore with your name and student number to 1263mgr@follett.com.

Tentative Instructional Schedule

 (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

    Total Pts.                                                                                       700

You cannot receive a semester grade of A, B, or C in this class if you do not submit all assignments on time and per instructions regardless of the number of points accumulated.

Assignments consist of anything for which you can earn points in this class except Pre & post-tests.

Exceptions procedures:

• Promptly contact me by e-mail
• Explain (in detail) why you did not submit the assignment.
• Provide any requested documentation.
  • If explanation accepted: I will make arrangements for you to submit the assignment (with a points penalty)
  • If explanation not accepted: you will receive a semester grade of D or F. If I deem it appropriate, you may receive a semester grade of Incomplete with points reduction).

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

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.

• Unless otherwise directed, contact me only through Canvas mail.

Last day to drop is November 1, 2021.

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day.

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 take and submit both of these, then you’ll earn twenty (20) points. If you don’t, no points at all. All 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 above. Each Module’s Canvas instructional material as well as Discussion Forums, Chapter 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.

Exams

There will be several 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 several days 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 may be granted a make-up exam if I okay it after you fully and completely explain why, provide requested documentation, and I accept that explanation and documentation. You must contact me within 24 hours of the exams close and make-up exam questions, number, and type may vary from the exam you missed. It is your responsibility to fulfill all of the foregoing. 

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 December 5, 2021. You’ll find them under Chapter Quizzes in Canvas under Assignments. All quizzes are now open. Each quiz is worth up to 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 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 per About Discussion Forums and the good Forum examples 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. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.   

Grading

To calculate your percentage grade at any point in the semester, simply divide the number of points you 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

You cannot receive a semester grade of A, B, or C in this class if you do not submit all assignments on time and per instructions regardless of the number of points accumulated.

Assignments consist of anything for which you can earn points in this class except Pre & post-tests.

Exceptions procedures:

• Promptly contact me by e-mail
• Explain (in detail) why you did not submit the assignment.
• Provide any requested documentation.
  • If explanation accepted: I will make arrangements for you to submit the assignment (with a points penalty)
  • If explanation not accepted: you will receive a semester grade of D or F. If I deem it appropriate, you may receive a semester grade of Incomplete with points reduction).

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 November 1, 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.

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

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.

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Donna Smith

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 208

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Flusche

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room312

Telephone Number:

940-668-3321

E-mail Address:

Sflusche@nctc.edu