Instructor: Mr. Daniel L EnglishOffice: Reese Campus, SPC Building 3, Room RC316A Chapter Quizzes:Government 2301 Summer I, 2011 Mr. Daniel L English, Assistant Professor South Plains College Syllabus for Mr. English’s GOVT2301.156 Internet Class (page 2) Common Course Syllabus (page 7) Course Agreement (page 9) 1Syllabus for Government 2301.156 -- Summer I, 2011 Instructor: Mr. Daniel L English (This syllabus shall serve as the guideline, requirements, and obligations for student performance for this course.) Primary communication for this course -- E-mail: please contact through WebCT (I will NOT be keeping office hours during Summer I, please email.) Office: Reese Campus, SPC Building 3, Room RC316A Office Phone: 894-9611 ext. 2454 Office Hours: no scheduled office hours Office email address: [email protected] 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 the American political system through a survey of institutions, processes, public policies and the actions of and interactions between the institutions of governmental and private entities. Government 2301 will also contribute to the student’s understanding of the present state of American and Texas government. Theories, models and observation of past and current events will be utilized to demonstrate the scientific study of political phenomena. Further, the course meets the statutory requirements as set forth by the state of Texas. Statement of Instructor’s Intent: Of necessity, we may discuss political ideas, events or personalities in politics or society, or you may be required readings which, to some, may include issues or viewpoints in conflict with a student’s personal beliefs, values or ideology. It is not the instructor’s intent to either “convert” or offend any student, but to introduce students to the spectrum of ideology, political thought, and reasoned political policy debate in a pluralistic society. Recommended Textbook: Politics in America Texas Edition, Eighth Edition, Dye, Sparrow, Gibson and Robison, [Used copies available at bookstores or on internet] Copies of the text will be on reserve at the SPC Levelland Library and the SPC Reese Library circulation desks for limited in-library check out. Nine chapters out of the text will be used in this course. Assigned Readings (in addition to the text) may be used in this course. These readings will be posted in WebCT and will be relevant material and current events for this course and may be included on the chapter quizzes. Students are required to deliver a signed “course contract” (see last page of syllabus) to the instructor no later than 10:00pm Monday June 6th. Since successful completion of this course depends on understanding and following this syllabus, failure to agree to the guidelines, requirements and obligations of student performance will result in the student being dropped from the class with an “X” shortly after the Official 4th Class Day (June 6th.) 2Course (Text) Requirements: Chap. 3 .......US Constitution Chap. 4 .......Federalism Chap. 7 ........Political Parties Chap. 10 .......Congress Chap. 8 ........Campaigns and Elections Chap. 11 ........The Presidency Chap. 20 ........Texas Constitution Chap. 22 ........The Texas Legislature Chap. 23 ......The Governor and Bureaucracy in Texas Assignments/Test and Due Dates Schedule: Quiz 1 Wednesday June 1st 11:00pm Pre-Assessment quiz Quiz 2 & Quiz 3 Monday June 6th 11:00pm chapters 3 & 4 Quiz 4 & Quiz 5 Monday June 13th 11:00pm chapters 7 & 10 Quiz 6 & Quiz 7 Monday June 20st 11:00pm chapters 8 & 11 [Quiz 8 & 9 will not be required during the summer session due to time constraints.] Last Day to Drop Thursday June 23rd Quiz 10 & Quiz 11 Monday June 27th 11:00pm chapters 20 & 22 quiz due Quiz 12 & Quiz 13 Thursday June 30th 11:00pm chapter 23 & Post-Assessment quiz Grading and Course Requirements: Summary: Item Points Total Points total % 8 chapter quizzes 100 each 800 94% (the lowest chapter quiz score will be dropped) Pre & Post Assessment 25 each 50 6% TOTAL 850 100% Grading Scale: 850 to 765 total points = A > 90% of 850 764 to 680 total points = B > 80% of 850 679 to 595 total points = C > 70% of 850 594 to 501 total points = D > 60% of 850 All exams will be completed or posted within the WebCT course for GOVT2301.156. Chapter Quizzes: To provide greater flexibility to meet students’ summer schedules, all chapter quizzes will be available beginning June 1st. This will allow students to work ahead if the opportunity exists. The due dates have been set to prevent students from waiting until the last few days of the semester to attempt completion of all the chapter quizzes. Each chapter quiz will be approximately 40 multiple choice questions for each chapter in the quiz. (The number of questions may vary depending on the chapter(s) and additional readings.) Chapter quizzes will be timed, one attempt tests. The time allowed for each quiz will be determined by the number of questions on that particular quiz. The quizzes are intended to ensure students cover adequate material and areas in the assigned chapters. It is advisable to read and study the chapters before attempting the chapter quiz to be familiar with the material (to prevent a “blind” and hurried “hunt-the-answer” strategy which tends to be unsuccessful.) Additional readings may be provided which are relevant to particular chapters. This material will be included on the chapter quiz. 3Retests and late testing will not be allowed. Any student not completing a chapter quiz by the due date/time will receive a zero for that quiz. Pre and Post Assessments: The Dean of Arts and Sciences and our department require assessment tests as a course evaluation tool. Please do not use notes, resources or the text to assist you during the assessments. Student Internet Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that they have the necessary computer resources and skills to take an online course. The academic instructors are not your computer instructors or technical advisors. If your computer is down or an older slower machine, use computers in the SPC