NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: A. Lawson
Email: alawson@nctc.edu
Course title: Federal Government
GOVT 2305 0848
Modality: Online
AUGUST 26 TO DECEMBER 11
Semester credit hours: 3
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 prerequisites: none
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 nctc@bibliU.com.
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Connect/Canvas Assignments (including) Research Assignment: 20% of Grade
Exams (4 each) 20% of grade
Exam 1=20%
Exam 2=20%
Exam 3=20%
Exam 4=20%
Total=80%
Grade Scale:
A= 90% or higher
B= 80-89.99%
C= 70 -79.99%
D= 60 – 69.99%
F= 59.99% or less
** Grades are never rounded up in this course. The student will receive the grade earned. Every student has the ability to increase his/her grade with hard work and extra credit.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: 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)]”.
AI/Natural Language Programs (NLPs)/Large Language Models (LLMs) Usage Policy: This information is used with permission and citation with gratitude to Princeton University: The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning.
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Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community and for my fair evaluation of your work. All work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with the College's academic regulations. You may not engage in unauthorized collaboration or make use of ChatGPT or other AI composition software/NLPs/LLMs.
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Students must obtain permission from me before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without my permission puts your academic integrity at risk.
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This course does make use of AI/NLPs/LLMs plagiarism checker software for the purpose of detecting the use of AI programs.
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Any violation of this policy will be considered academic dishonesty and will be documented as such
Late assignments will not be accepted. Please manage your time wisely, and leave enough time to deal with any computer problems that might arise and keep you from completing your course work as required. Submitting early is the best rule of thumb. Students are free to make unlimited corrections and/or re-submission before the due date; however, after the due date has expired, no resubmissions/corrections will be accepted.
Research Assignments and Connect Assignments: LATE Assignments/Papers will not be accepted FOR ANY REASON. Students are not allowed to submit previously submitted papers from a previous class. Students are encouraged to submit assignments early, especially when Turnitin, plagiarism reporter, is used to ensure adequate time to review and make edits as needed. Papers with 50% or more plagiarism will receive an automatic zero and require a student/faculty meeting to determine the outcome, which may include a permanent zero on the assignment, failing the course; filing of scholastic dishonesty with the Provost office, etc. Turnitin will also detect any use of AI (such as Chatgtp). If the student fails to meet with the instructor as required, the instructor will make the final decision on penalties assessed.
Recycled Assignments-Students should never submit an assignment in this course that has been used in any previous course. If a student wishes to use part of a recycled assignment, they must first clear use of any kind with the instructor.
**SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
Attendance Policy: Punctual assignments are expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. Valid reasons for late work, 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, 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. Students will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has not completed work. 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)
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: November 4th, 2024
CANVAS & CONNECT ACCESS: All students must have complete access to Canvas and Connect for the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet, as well as all needed programs to complete both face to face and online courses. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas or Connect account. Students can be removed from the course immediately up violating this rule. Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
COMPUTER ACCESS: Students must have access to a computer for various assignments in this course. You cannot use a cell phone to perform all requirements of this course. If you do not have a computer, then you need to make sure that you access a computer at one of the NCTC campuses, a public library, etc.
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:
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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.
Core Objectives: Critical thinking, Communication, Personal Responsibility, Social Responsibility
COLLEGE POLICIES
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
AI STATEMENT
Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.
When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and other such technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.
Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student
may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Instructor: A. Lawson
alawson@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Crystal Wright
Office location: FSB Exchange/Denton Campus, Room 204
Telephone number: 940-380-2504
E-mail address: cwright@nctc.edu