Government 2301 (3:3:0) Spring, 2011 American Government, Organization Melanie Johnson, Instructor Office Hours: By Appointment only Phone: 787-0327 Email: [email protected] Government 2301 General Objectives and Purpose Government 2301, as taught at South Plains College, is a reading intensive course designed to acquaint the learner with the history, theory, and evolution of American democracy through a survey of the institutions and processes that comprise it. Government 2301 will also contribute to the learner’s understanding of the present state of American and Texas Government. Theories, models, and observation will be utilized to demonstrate the scientific study of political phenomena. Further, the course meets statutory requirements as set forth by the State of Texas. Text: I highly recommend that the text for this course be purchased, as course information will be drawn from the text. American Government, Roots and Reform, 2009 Texas Edition. O’Connor, Sabato, Haag, Keith.2 GRADING AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1. Three major exams (which include the final exam) will be conducted during the semester. Exams will be a combination of objective and essay style questions. The first two major exams will be worth 100 points each and the final exam will count as 100 points. The final exam is mandatory for all students. Failure to take the final exam will result in the grade of “F” for the course. 2. Other assignments as designated throughout the course will make up the other 100 points. These assignments will be given as we progress through the text and will be in conjunction with the chapter. These assignments will range from 5-20 points. These assignments may be a reading quiz, short paper, or other means of assessment. 3. Arriving at the Final Course Grade Exam #1 100 points Exam #2 100 points Semester assignments 100 points Final Exam 100 points Total points 400/4=100 Grading Scale: 350-400=A 300-349=B 250-299=C 200-249=D Below 199=F ATTENDANCE POLICY (Read Carefully!!!) College policy regarding attendance can be located within the school catalog. An attendance roster will be circulated at the beginning of each class period for the student to sign. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure his/her name is registered on the roster. Failure to sign the roster, for whatever the reason, will result in the student being counted absent for that class period, NO EXCEPTIONS.3 The following is my policy concerning absences: 1. Classes missed on the 4th absence will result in the student being dropped with an F. 2. If you quit attending the class it is your responsibility to complete the “drop”. If I drop you from the class it will be with an F. 3. Being late for class is unacceptable for any reason. Tardiness is disruptive to the classroom setting and will not be tolerated. DO NOT enter the classroom after the door is closed. In addition, the student is not dismissed from class until I dismiss class. No leaving class early. Make-up Policy for Major Exams Missing the two major exams is strongly discouraged. You will not take the same exam and the make-up exam is usually not easily taken. A student will only be allowed to take a make-up exam if he/she has a legitimate excuse for missing the exam. I will accept illness with a note from a doctor as proof of illness or obituary concerning a death in the family. Other wise, the student will receive a “0” for that particular major exam. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy!! Cell Phones and Electronic Devices Cell phones and all electronic devices will be turned off upon entering the classroom. They will remain turned off, put away and out of my sight until the class is dismissed. Students will not be allowed to use laptop computers within the classroom. Failure to comply with this policy will lead to dismissal from class and an absence for that day. Statement of Nondiscrimination: It is the policy of this instructor not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services Building, 894-9611 ext. 2529, 2530.4 Academic Ethics: Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. The following acts will result in immediate dismissal from this class: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and falsifying any records or information. American Government, Organization Introduction Chapter 1 U.S. Constitution Chapter 2 Texas Constitution Chapter 21 Federalism Chapter 3 EXAM 1 U.S.Congress Chapter 7 Texas Legislature Chapter 23 The Presidency Chapter 8 The Texas Executive Chapter 24 EXAM 2 Political Socialization Chapter 11 Political Parties Chapter 12 Voting and Elections Chapter 13 The Campaign Process Chapter 14 Conclusion FINAL EXAM Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit