Government 2301 Traditional INSTRUCTOR SYLLABUS Course Description: This course is a survey of the fundamental principles of political science, including the American system of government and the origins and development of the constitutions of the United States and Texas. Instructor Information: Name: Mr.. Jimmie McGee Messages for Professor: Use "Messages" found on your left under course tools. As an EMERGENCY backup, you can contact me at [email protected] Office: AS 115 (Levelland). Office Hours: 7-8AM and 9:15-11AM MWTTh and 9-11AM Friday Office Phone: (806) 716-2128 Please leave a message if I do not answer. Cell: (806) 535-5736 Do not call me at this number after 10PM or before 6AM. If I do not answer, please leave me a message and slowly tell me your name and your phone number. You can "text" me as long as you identify who you are and have a very brief question. Biography: AA Texarkana College; BA University of Texas at Austin; MA Texas State University; Additional Courses: Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University. Assistant City Manager in Texarkana, Texas for 7 years. Twenty Years at South Plains College. 15 Years Internet and ITV experience. TEXTBOOK is Optional: Professor will provide course materials online. A text will be available in the library. Title: We The People: An Introduction to American Politics: 8th Texas Edition (Required) Authors: Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir Publisher: Norton ISBN: 978-0-393-14957-9 You can purchase this text at either South Plains College Bookstore (Reese or Levelland). Please note: You can purchase a text directly from Norton and even better you can purchase an Ebook from Norton at 1/3 the price: nortonbooks.comCourse Grade: Your grade is determined by the number of points you earn on the three parts of this course: Attendance, Discussion Postings, and four Module Exam: A=3960-4400; B=3520-3959; C=3080-3519; D=2640-3079; F is less than 2640 points You will also have an opportunity to earn up to 300 extra points throughout the course. Attendance: Attendance and participation in this course is crucial. This portion of the course rewards attendance with 1000 points. For each time you are absent in a MWF class, I will deduct 100 points. For each time you are absent in a TT or MW class, I will deduct 150 points. You must be in your seat at the scheduled start of class and remain in the room till the end of class to receive credit. Also, I will interact with several students each day by asking questions. If you refuse to participate, then you will be counted absent. Discussion Postings: Each week you will make two discussion postings. One of your postings will be your reaction to an article related to U.S. or Texas government that you read on the approved websites as noted within each module. Your posting must begin with the title of the article and the date you read it. These original posts must be at least 400 words in length. The first paragraph must be a brief overview telling about the contents of the article and then the second paragraph must be an extensive reaction (your thoughts about the topic. Later in the week, read postings by other students/or your professor and then make your second required posting agreeing or disagreeing with another student. Write a long paragraph (at least 200 words in length) for these reply posts. Postings must be made on at least two separate days. in other words, do not do all of your work on one day. Discussions are due at 11:55 PM CST each Sunday of the course. You will earn 50 points for each of your two required posts for a total of 100 points for each week of the course. (1,400 course total). Module Exams: Each module concludes with a module exam that you will take with supervision. This is a closed There are a total of no more than 100 questions and you will be allowed 60 minutes to take the exam. Each is worth 500 points. Syllabus Exam: You will earn 50 points for taking the syllabus exam during the first several days of the course. It is for extra credit. Policies: Make-up and Late Work Policy: Only one major exam can be made-up. For make-ups you will be required to be in Levelland on a Saturday morning to take an extensive comprehensive essay exam covering the entire course. No late work will be accepted for any other component of the course. Drop Policy: If you miss 6 TT/MW class meetings or 9 MWF class meetings, you will be dropped from the course. Otherwise, it is your responsibility to drop the course.Technology Problems: If you have an unreliable server or computer, please go to a public computer to do your work. If or some reason the professor of the Blackboard server has made a mistake, you will not be penalized. Be aware that when something only happens to you, it is your problem. The professor is not responsible for natural events or acts of terrorism. Please always start early on assignments and finish early to avoid problems. Special Services: 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 Service Coordinator. For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services building, 894-9611 ext. 2529. A student who enrolls in this class that may need classroom accommodations is strongly encouraged to schedule an intake interview with the special services department before enrolling in this class or prior to the add/drop date for this semester. Saving Your Answers: When taking an exam, make sure that you SAVE your answers, wait a minute or two, then submit your exam. Make sure you accomplish this before your time expires for the exam. If you do not follow this procedure, I will receive no response from you and you will receive a zero for that assessment. Calculating Your Grade: "My Grades" shows the grades you receive throughout the course. If you wish to calculate your current grade: Divide your current points to date by the number of possible points you could have made to this point. Your professor will not calculate your grade for you. Release of Grades: Your discussion and exam grades will be released after the period to complete the