Government 2305 Federal Government Fall 2015 ONLINE

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1 Government 2305 Federal Government Fall 2015 ONLINE Dr. Alicja Jac-Kucharski Office: CLA 200-G Telephone: (281) Office Hours: By appointment. Skype: Prof._Jac-Kucharski Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. Winston Churchill Course Overview The purpose of this class is to give students an introduction to the national politics of the United States and to the processes of American political life. This course covers the history, governing institutions, political trends, and national ideals of the United States of America. Students will learn about the founding and functions of the major institutions of national government: the Congress, the presidency, and the judiciary; about the political processes that involve the participation of political parties, interest groups, and voters; and about the major problems and challenges facing American society at the national level of government. During this course, I would like you to gain more than just a textbook understanding of this country. My goal is to have you understand what the US government looks like and how it functions, but also to know what problems exist and what solutions are possible. Beyond that, I would like you to see what your role is as a citizen, whether it comes to being informed, taking action, or voting. Finally, I would like you to work on professional skills in this course, including: critical thinking, reading comprehension, and research and writing skills. Course Structure This course will be delivered entirely online through the course management system Desire2Learn (D2L). In D2L, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources. At designated times throughout the semester, you will take quizzes and participate in a variety of Internet-based learning activities. This course is instructionally equivalent to a traditional course. As such, the workload, expectations, and student learning outcomes are the same as those of an on-campus course. Catalog Description: Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights. THIS 1

2 COURSE SATISFIES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN TEXAS. (Approval Number: ) Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. 5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. 6. Analyze the election process. 7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens 8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics. Required Readings: 1. Textbook: By the People: Debating American Government: Second Edition (2014) by Morone, James A. and Kersh, Rogan. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2. Software: Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer (free) available at: Adobe Reader (free) available at: 3. Supplementary materials: These will be posted on Monday night each week on D2L under Content and may include articles, internet links, video or audio files, PowerPoint presentations (with or without narration), simulations, etc. Grading Criteria Weekly quizzes 70% Final Project 30% This class will consist of thirteen (13) quizzes; the lowest three (3) quiz grades will be dropped. Each remaining quiz is worth 7% of your total class grade. You will need to take each quiz online. However, these quizzes are not meant to be open-book. The majority of the quizzes will have a set time limit and consist of ten (10) questions. The time limits require that you have mastery of the material if you have to look everything up, you won't complete the quiz on time. The quizzes will usually be administered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They will appear on D2L under Assessments. You will have until midnight to take the quiz on the due date, after which the quiz will no longer be available. Pay careful attention to your syllabus for quiz days as make-up quizzes will not be given. 2

3 The capstone of the course will be a paper (final project), evaluating both research skills and students ability to apply concepts and ideas covered in this class. The details of the project will be included in an additional handout at a later point and time. Grading Scale: Letter Grade Final Average in Percent A % B 80 89% C 70 79% D 60 69% F <60 Class Policies Civility in the classroom and respect for the opinions of others is very important in an academic environment. It is likely you may not agree with everything that is said or discussed. Courteous behavior and responses are expected. All online communications need to be composed with fairness, honesty and tact. o Please use college-level diction, grammar, and mechanics in your s. They are supposed to be composed in a professional manner (i.e. not sound like text messages). o I will attempt to answer s promptly, during normal business hours, but please do not expect a response at 2AM the night before the quiz is due. o If you have questions about the content or rules of the class, please always refer to the syllabus first. Late papers will NOT be accepted. All lectures, handouts, assignments, and exams are the property of the instructor and may not be published online or in any other way without permission. You must abide by the Academic Integrity Policy of Lone Star College (below). Cheating and plagiarism will be punished to the fullest extent possible. You must write your own papers, quizzes, and exams. Keep in mind that the technology that allows students to retrieve papers from the internet also allows instructors to find those papers. If you are unclear what constitutes plagiarism please come talk to me. 3

4 Talk to me as soon as possible if you find yourself struggling with the class. The longer you wait, the less likely it will be that we will be able to find solutions to your problem. Students with special needs who require reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations should speak with me promptly. All discussions will remain confidential. See Americans with Disabilities Act (below). The instructor has the right and option to add, delete or revise segments of this course or syllabus during this semester. Important Dates: Quizzes due: There will be a quiz every week. The quizzes will be available at 12:01am on Friday and become unavailable on 11:59pm on Sunday. Final Project: The final project is due on December 4, 2015 at noon. Tentative Schedule of Topics and Readings: Week 1 (August 24- August 30): Introduction and Orientation Week 2 (August 31-6): Democracy and Citizenship - By the People, Chapter 1 - Quiz 1 (Sept. 4-6) - covering week 2 Week 3 (Sept. 7-13): Constitutional Foundations - By the People, Chapter 2 & Chapter 3 (pages 64-91) - Quiz 2 (Sept ) - covering week 3 Week 4 (Sept ): Federalism and the Constitutional Framework - By the People, Chapter 3 (pages ) & Chapter 4 - Quiz 3 (Sept ) - covering week 4 Week 5 (Sept ): Fundamental American Liberties - By the People, Chapter 5 - Quiz 4 (Sept ): - covering week 5 Week 6 (Sept. 28-Oct.4): The Struggle for Equal Rights - By the People, Chapter 6 - Quiz 5 (Oct. 2-4) - covering week 6 4

5 Week 7 (Oct. 5-11): The Congress - By the People, Chapter 13 - Quiz 6 (Oct. 9-11) - covering week 7 Week 8 (Oct ): The Presidency - By the People, Chapter 14 (& Skim Chapter 15) - Quiz 7 (Oct ) - covering week 8 Week 9 (Oct ): Political Parties, Voting, Campaigns and Elections - By the People, Chapters 10 & 11 - Quiz 8 (Oct ) - covering week 9 Week 10 (Oct. 26-Nov. 1): Public Opinion, Political Socialization, and the Media - By the People, Chapters 8 & 9 - Quiz 9 (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) - covering week 10 Week 11 (Nov. 2-8): The Courts - By the People, Chapter 16 - Quiz 10 (Nov. 6-8) - covering week 11 Week 12 (Nov. 9-15): Interest Groups - By the People, Chapter 12 - Quiz 11 (Nov ) - covering week 12 - November 9- last day to drop and receive a "W". Week 13 (Nov ): Policy- Special Topics - By the People, Chapter 17 - Quiz 12 (Nov ) - covering week 13 Week 14 (Nov. 23-Nov. 29): Policy- Special Topics - By the People, Chapter 18-11/26-11/29: Thanksgiving Holiday No School Week 15 (Nov. 30-Dec. 6): Policy- Special Topics - Quiz 13 (Dec. 4-6) covering weeks 14 & 15 - Final Project due (Dec. 4 at noon) 5

6 Week 16 (Dec. 7-13): Final Exams - Grades Submitted *This syllabus provides a general plan for the course, deviations may occur. *Extra Credit Opportunities: Opportunities may become available as the semester progresses, at the discretion of the professor. * If you find that you are having trouble with any of the technology aspects of the class, and I am unable to help, please contact the Office of Tech Services at (832) Alternatively, you can use VTAC Live Chat available 24-7 on the D2L website under the tab Support. 6

7 Academic Integrity Policy: The Lone Star College System upholds the core values of learning: honesty, respect, fairness, and accountability. The system promotes the importance of personal and academic honesty. The system embraces the belief that all learners students, faculty, staff and administrators will act with integrity and honesty and must produce their own work and give appropriate credit to the work of others. Fabrication of sources, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration is not permitted on any work submitted within the system. The consequences for academic dishonesty are determined by the professor, or the professor and academic dean, or the professor and chief student services officer and can include but are not limited to: 1. Having additional class requirements imposed, 2. Receiving a grade of zero or F for an exam or assignment, 3. Receiving a grade of F for the course, 4. Being withdrawn from the course or program, 5. Being expelled from the college system. Grievance Procedures: If any student is concerned about policies, classroom discussions, grades or other matters pertaining to the course (s)he should see me immediately so that we can address those concerns. If your concern is not satisfactorily addressed, you may contact: Dr. Thilo Schimmel, Chair, Social Sciences Thilo.W.Schimmel@lonestar.edu (281) Dr. Marie Sesay, Dean, SSH Division Marie.Sesay@lonestar.edu (281) Americans with Disabilities Act: Lone Star College-Kingwood is dedicated to providing the least restrictive environment for all students. We promote equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities. If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the Counseling Office to obtain the necessary information to request accommodations. Upon completion of this process, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class to arrange for reasonable accommodations. For information or assistance, call: Lone Star College-Kingwood voice TDD Lone Star College System (LSCS) is committed to maintaining the safety of the students, faculty, staff, and guests while visiting any of our campuses. See for details. Register at to receive emergency notifications. In the event of an emergency contact LSCS Police at (281) or X