American Government
GOVT-2305

T R 2:50 - 4:05 pm  Building A Room 106

Office/Visiting Hours: MWF 10-12:00 and TR 10-12:00

Office A259

Phone: 979-209-7462 - it will forward to my cell phone

email: [email protected]

Government 2305 is a study of the organization, functions, and administration of the several branches and agencies of the national government, including a study of the federal constitution. The primary factors considered relate to the three branches of government -- judicial, executive, legislative -- major historical documents, the events that shaped the nation, and current events. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction of these subsystems. 48 contact hours. Credit: Three semester hours.

Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge in human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. For details relating to this core course, please see:

http://www.blinn.edu/academics/core_curriculum.html

Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.

Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.

Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.

Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.

Analyze the election process.

Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.

ALL:   We The People, 11th edition. Ginsberg, Lowi, Weir, Tolbert; Norton Publishing, 2017. 

Assignments:

Tests: The tests will be objective (multiple choice and matching) and some short answer. The final is comprehensive. Once an exam has started, admittance will only be allowed until the first student finishes and leaves the classroom. IF you come after that point a make-up essay exam will be administered. Do not be late for exams.

Supreme Court Briefing:  Each student will chose a Supreme Court case from a provided list and will prepare a brief to submit to the teacher as well as present (not read) the case orally to the class.  You may prepare an overhead presentation (which is not to be read) of the case if desired. 

Make-up Exams: Will be given with instructor permission only and must be scheduled in advance or within one class period of the original date. Make-up exams will not be the same as the one presented in class and will be in essay form.

Quizzes/Homework: Quizzes will be given to ensure that students complete their reading assignments. You will have a quiz every day there is a reading assignment. To receive a grade for the quiz, you must stay the entire class period. Early departures will result in a zero on the quiz. Homework may be assigned occasionally.  A student must be in class to receive the homework assignment.  Make up of homework assignments is not available for missed classes.  Late turn in of homework assignments is not accepted.  

Participation: You are expected to participate in class. Your participation should be constructive and respectful, both to the instructor and other students. I keep a record of who does and does not participate in class, who was and was not able to answer questions, and who indulged in distracting or otherwise negative behavior. Since this is a course in government, you are expected to keep up with current political events. Please take the time to review current events either online, in a printed sources, or through television.  If you are uncertain how to find sources please see the instructor.  Your participation grade will be affected by your willingness to be a part of our classroom experience.

Presentations: Each student will be expected to complete a group project based on a public policy that will be chosen during class.

Literature Review: Students will prepare a literature review of 1-2 pages in length based on review of current political science academic research. Topic to be determined by student and instructor.

Extra Credit:  There is one opportunity for extra credit through the quizzes. 

            1)  Your quiz exam scores will be added and average with a final possible extra credit of 5 points added to your final grade.

All policies, guidelines, and procedures in the Blinn College Catalog, Blinn College Board Policies, and the Blinn College Administrative Regulations are applicable to this course.

Specific information on civility, attendance, add/drop, scholastic integrity, students with disabilities, final grade appeal, alternative retailers, campus carry and proctoring arrangements and cost.

Notice of any action taken under these protocol and procedures, by Blinn College or its employees, may be delivered by hand, through the U.S. Postal Service, or electronically to the student’s Blinn Buc e-mail account. Notice shall be deemed received upon actual receipt, on deposit in the U.S. Mail, or upon entering the information processing system used by Blinn College for Blinn Buc e-mail accounts, whichever first occurs.

Attendance:

You are strongly encouraged to attend every class session. You will not be penalized for merely being absent, but you will miss various quizzes, homework assignments, and extra credit opportunities that cannot be made up. Additionally, if you miss the college maximum of 2 weeks you could be dropped from the course. You are responsible for obtaining notes and handouts that you missed from other students. Tardiness will not be tolerated.  Once the lecture starts you should not enter the classroom.  Do not plan to leave the classroom once class has started, you will not be able to reenter.  If you arrive late or leave early, you will not receive a quiz grade for that class.

Classroom Conduct:

Students are expected to treat each other and the professor with respect and courtesy.

Students should be attentive and engaged at all times. Cell phones and other electronic or distracting items should not be visible or audible (keep in pockets, purses, or bags and on silent). Use of them during class is disrespectful toward the instructor and your fellow students. Studies have shown that you do no learn more by using a computer or Tablet to take notes, therefore, unless you have accommodations to do so please do not ask or try to use them.  Tablets and laptops can be used only with instructor permission only.

Attire:

I will come to class dressed professionally and ready to teach.  I expect each of you to come to class dressed ready to learn.  Thus, tight and revealing clothing will not be tolerated, you will be asked to leave and change your clothes.  Pants will be worn at the waist, with a belt if necessary.  If I see unintended body parts or undergarments you will be asked to leave and change your clothes.  TShirts with inappropriate messages are not acceptable.

Cheating: The easiest way to fail this class is to cheat. Do not copy any work from another student, and do not plagiarize (defined as using someone else’s work without proper documentation). I will recommend that you receive a zero grade for this course. Plagiarism is any use of work that is not your own, which includes use of another’s language or research without proper citation (see student handbook for more information on plagiarism). Anytime you quote something or refer to a non-obvious fact then you need a citation. If in doubt, cite the source or do not use it.