GOVT 2301: American Government Eastfield College GENERAL INFORMATION College Name Eastfield College Division Social Science Division Semester/Term & Year FALL 2011 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Name A. Phoenix Rousseau DCCCD E-mail Address [email protected] MOST USED ADDRESS: [email protected] Telephone 972-860-7163 Office Number G213 Office Hours (FT faculty) 1:20PM - 2:20PM MONDAY/WEDNESDAY FRIDAY 11:15AM-12:15PM TUESDAY/THURSDAY COURSE INFORMATION Course Number GOVT 2301 Section Number 4483 Credit Hours 3 (3 Lec.) Class Meeting Time 12:30-1:50PM - 12:10 TUESDAY, C205 classroom Course Title American Government Course Description This course is an introduction to the study of political science. Topics include the origin and development of constitutional democracy (United States and Texas), federalism and intergovernmental relations, local governmental relations, local government, parties, politics, and political behavior. (To ensure transferability, students should plan to take both Government 2301 and 2302 within the DCCCD.) Course Prerequisites Prerequisite: Developmental Reading 0093 or English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0044 or have met the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standard in Reading.Exemplary Educational Objectives The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. This course satisfies 7 of the 12 Exemplary Educational Objectives for the Social and Behavioral Sciences component area. They are: 4. To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues. 5. To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural and global forces on the areas under study. 6. To comprehend the origins and evolution of U.S. and Texas political systems, with a focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. and Texas, federalism, civil liberties, and civil and Human rights. 7. To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world. 10. To analyze, critically assess and develop creative solutions to public policy problems. 11. To recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy. 12. To identify and understand differences and commonalties within diverse cultures. Intellectual Competencies This course reinforces 5 of the 6 Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 1. READING: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials--books, articles and documents. A core curriculum should offer students the opportunity to master both general methods of analyzing printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual disciplines. 2. WRITING: Competency in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. Although correct grammar, spelling and punctuation are each a sine qua non in any composition, they do not automatically ensure that the composition itself makes sense or that the writer has much of anything to say. Students need to be familiar with the writing process including how to discover a topic and how to develop and organize it, how to phrase it effectively for theiraudience. These abilities can be acquired only through practice and reflection. 4. LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication. 5. CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods of applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task. 6. COMPUTER LITERACY: Computer Literacy at the college level means the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems and possibilities associated with the use of technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available. Specific Course Learning Outcomes 1. Upon completion of this course students will understand the importance of their participation in the governmental process. (IC: 1,3,4,5 ~ EEO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 2. Students will have a working knowledge of the United States and Texas Constitutions and government so they understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. (IC: 1,2,4,5 ~ EEO: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) 3. Students will have the tools necessary to locate information so that they are able to understand public policy issues that are important as American citizens. (IC: 1, 3, and 4 ~ EEO: 2, 3, 4, and 5) 4. They will have the understanding necessary to become engaged in the political process, and to vote as educated and informed citizens. (IC: 1, 3, 4, 5 ~ EEO: 1, 3, 4, 5) 5. Students will have an understanding of how the federal system of government works, and why it is of importance to them. (IC: 1, 3, And 4, ~ EEO: 2, 4, and 5) 6. The ability to assess and understand the global world and the relationship the United States plays with other countries will be examined. (IC: 1, 3, 4, 5 ~ EEO: 1, 3, 4, and 5) 7. Students will study how Supreme ourt Decisions affect the government and the citizens of the United States, in the past,present and hear future. (IC: 1,2,4,5,6~ EEO: 4, 6, 7) 8. Students will understand the process of presidential elections including the Electoral Colege and the procedure in the case of a tie election. (IC: 4, 5, ~ EEO: 6, 11) SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR EACH CHAPTER IN THE TEXTBOOK WILL BE NOTED ON ECAMPUS UNDER THE HEADING MODULES.Course Outline CHAPTERS COVERED: Understanding American Politics and Government...... Chapters 1 through 7 Texas