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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Federal Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2305
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Section Number:
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0810, 0849
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2021
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required Course Materials:
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.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Adam Ramsey
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Campus/Office Location:
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Gainesville 814
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Telephone Number:
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(940) 668-7731, Ext 4925
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E-mail Address:
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aramsey@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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8:00a – 8:30a
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8:00a – 9:30a
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8:00a – 8:30a
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8:00a – 9:30a
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10:00a – 10:30a
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12:30p – 2:00p
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10:00a – 10:30a
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12:30p – 2:00p
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1:00p – 3:00p (online)
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1:00p – 3:00p (online)
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Email me for other times available by appointment.
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
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Analyze the election process.
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Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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4
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Exams
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30
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1
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Research Paper
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20
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1
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Midterm Essay
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10
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17
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Smartbook Chapters (via Connect)
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20
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4
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Classroom Debates
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20
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
A detailed Assignment Guide for each Graded Course Element is available on Canvas under the Modules tab beneath the Course Files heading. These include assignment details, grading criteria, and tips for success. Specific due dates for each assignment can also be found on Canvas, along with the dropboxes for the written assignments.
The course is divided into 4 Modules. At the conclusion of each Module, an in-class Exam is given. Each exam consists of several testing methods, including multiple choice, matching, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and an essay question. A Research Paper in which the student chooses an existing federal law, researches credible information on the history of that law, and recommends reforms to that law will be submitted in Module 4. A Short Essay in which the student reads an external document and responds to a prompt provided by the instructor will be submitted in Module 2. In each module, there will be Smartbook Chapter reading assignments completed via the McGraw-Hill Connect system within Canvas. Each module also includes a Discussion Board on Canvas concerning a key topic from that section. In an additional Discussion Board in Module 4, students will discuss the results of their Research Papers.
Module 1 (Chapters 1-5) August 23 – September 25
Module 2 (Chapters 11-14) September 26 – October 16
Module 3 (Chapters 6-10) October 17 – November 9
Module 4 (Chapters 15-17) November 10 – December 9
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)
Attendance will be kept through sign-in sheets in each class period. I reserve the right to remove any student who is absent for more than 4 class sessions.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 1, 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
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM 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)]”.
Any student engaged in the aforementioned behaviors will forfeit all points on the assignment in question and may be removed from the course at the instructor’s discretion. Any such instance will be reported to NCTC.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Donna Smith
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 208
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Sara Flusche
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 1312
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3321
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E-mail Address:
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sflusche@nctc.edu
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