NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course title: Federal Government

Course prefix, number, and section number: GOVT2305-0344

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2025

Semester start and end dates: 1/21/2025 – 5/17/2025

Modality: Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times: All work is completed online.  We do not have scheduled meetings.

Lab meeting location, days, and times: 0

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 GOVT 2305.  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.

Name of instructor: Peter G. Doas, B.S., I-M.B.A., M.A., Ed. D (ABD)

Office location: Corinth Campus

Telephone number:

E-mail address: pdoas@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: 9:00 PM-10:00 PM (Online) Monday through Friday

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

List of graded assignments:

Course Outline Quiz, Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, Exam 4, Final Exam, Fourteen Chapter SmartBook Assignments, Research Assignment, Twelve (12) Video Analysis Assignment Quizzes, four (4) Discussions Topics, Twelve (12) Data Analysis Assignment Quizzes, Pre-Test (Extra Credit Assignment), and Post-Test

Final grade scale: 

(90% to 100%)  = A                       

(80% to 89.9999%)  = B

(70% to 79.9999%)  = C

(60% to 69.9999%) = D

Anything below 60% =F

Late work policy:  Late work and make-up work is not accepted with the work in the course.

Every Exam, Chapter SmartBook Assignment, Data Analysis Assignment Quiz, Research Assignment, Video Analysis Assignment Quiz, Discussion Topic, Pre-test (Extra Credit Assignment), and the Course Outline Quiz was opened on the first day of the semester for students to complete.  Each Exam, Video Analysis Assignment Quiz, Chapter SmartBook Assignment, Data Analysis Assignment Quiz, Pre-test (Extra Credit Assignment), Discussion Topic, Research Assignment, and Course Outline Quiz has a specific due date and time.  The class has been provided plenty of time to complete the work.  Do not wait until the due date to complete course work.  The dates for the Post-test are determined by NCTC.  The Post-test will be open for the class to complete towards the end of the semester.  The Post-test is the only assignment that was not opened on the first day of the semester.  Late work and make-up work is not accepted with the work in the course. 

[Although we have twelve Video Analysis Assignment Quizzes, only 10 of the twelve will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  Please remember that although we have twelve Data Analysis Assignment Quizzes, only 10 of the twelve will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  Please remember that although we have fourteen SmartBook Assignments, only 12 of the fourteen will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  Please remember that although we have Five Exams (Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, Exam 4, and the Final Exam), only four of the five will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  As you are completing the work during the semester, Canvas will automatically be calculating your course grade based on these criteria.  Please read the Course Outline for more information.]

SEE THE COURSE OUTLINE IN CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS AND MATERIAL.

Please make sure you have completed the registration process and fulfilled your obligations to the college.  Periodically, students are dropped by the college towards the start of the semester because of various reasons, including if they have not fulfilled financial obligations.  If this takes place and you are later reinstated in the course, I will not be able to open missed assignments.  Again, reach out to your advisor ASAP to make sure you are properly registered for the class, and you have met all obligations and responsibilities.

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.

• 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.
• 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. 
• This course does make use of AI/NLPs/LLMs plagiarism checker software for the purpose of detecting the use of AI programs.
• Any violation of this policy will be considered academic dishonesty and will be documented as such

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please make certain that all assignments and examinations are completed individually.  If I find evidence of academic dishonesty, students will be given a failing grade.  Collaboration with others in the class is not permitted.  If a student works with others in the completion of the coursework, a failing grade will be given to all those that collaborated.  Plagiarism is also considered academic dishonesty. Please review the information in our Canvas class to make sure you understand what is meant by plagiarism.  Any form of plagiarism will result in a grade of zero.

The use of AI apps/programs to help students complete the Discussion Topics or the Research Assignment is an academic integrity violation and will result in a failing grade.  This also applies to Grammarly and other similar programs.  Grammarly cannot be used in the completion of the Discussions and the Research Assignment.  We are provided detection programs and each Discussion response by each student and each Research Assignment will be reviewed using those AI detection programs. 

No use of Generative AI Permitted

Students are not permitted to use generative AI tools in this course. This also applies to Grammarly and other similar programs.  Grammarly cannot be used in the completion of the Discussions and the Research Assignment.  Any student use of AI to help write, develop, create, or inspire work is considered a form of academic dishonesty and will be processed as such following the guidelines for academic dishonesty

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 FC (LOCAL)

Although we are not in a classroom environment, by completing all required course work, you will fulfill the attendance requirements.  Attendance is based on the completion of this work.  By not completing the work you will be recorded as not attending for the day that work was required.

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: 4/7/2025

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:

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
6. Analyze the election process.
7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. 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