American Government 100 Fall 2017
Ricardo Salas, Instructor Sec# 11092
Office Hr: 1320-05, Tues. 5p-6:50p On-Line Class
Ph (714) 992-7525
E-Mail:
Website: http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/rsalas
SYLLABUS
This Online course functions with BLACKBOARD. The course is conducted entirely ONLINE. Students must log onto the course by Sep. 5 or may be dropped. Ideally, students should log on on Aug. 28 (First day of the semester). The course itself will be activated the coming weekend. For more specific requirements visit my website listed above or contact me directly via e-mail. There is also a “help desk” at http://online.fullcoll.edu where general information and answers to frequently asked questions are provided.
Textbook
One book is required for American Government 100, Thomas Patterson's, “We the People” 12th Edition, (ISBN: 9781260156171). Keep in mind that the FC ISBN number of the Patterson book might be different. For example: Amazon has a different ISBN# than that given to me by the publisher (McGraw-Hill) which is 9781259439186. I plan on posting a cover of the new edition at my website.
SAVE MONEY ON BOOKS: Students can purchase “E” books or rent books, including the Patterson book at Vitalsource. Go to the Vitalsource website (link below).
https://www.vitalsource.com/student-etextbooks
A direct link to the Patterson book at VitalSource is:
https://www.vitalsource.com/referral?term=9781260156171
Be careful when purchasing the Patterson book at the FC Bookstore because Dan Conforti and Joe Reilly (Political Science FC Instructors) use an older edition of Patterson with the same title. Verify the latest 12th edition of Patterson by either asking the book-rep at the FC Book Store or by checking the ISBN number. Older editions of Patterson cannot answer all the questions asked on exams and will cost a student the possibility of a lower grade.
Do students need Connect Plus or LearnSmart? NO! But the services provided by McGraw-Hill (Publisher) are positive and further serve to enhance a student’s ability to master the material. My website and Blackboard will include much of the same material and more, critical for preparing for each of the 4 exams given throughout the semester.
Exams, Power Point, Chapter Breakdowns, Study Guides and Quizzes are located in the Course Content of Blackboard. Course Content is the primary area student will need to access to prepare for each of the 4 exams.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the American political system which includes political theory, Constitutional law, the three branches of government, and the historical forces that impacted its development.
Course Objectives (Student Learning Outcomes)
At the conclusion of this course students will be able to:
1. Understand the theories and philosophical principles that were used to establish the American political system.
2. Apply those theories and philosophical principles to the evolution of the American political system.
3. Become familiar with the workings of the three major branches of government, the role of interest groups, and public policy outcomes.
4. Identify some of the critical periods in the evolution of the American political system.
Grading Policy, Final grades will be tabulated based on the following:
Examination 1 25% Sep. 22-23
" 2 25% Oct. 20-21
" 3 25% Nov. 17-18
" 4 25% Dec. 15-16
There will a mix of 30 true/false and 70 multiple choice for each of the 4 exams amounting to 100 questions (except for the final exam). The Final exam 4 will have an additional 4B Exam that will include 5 assessment questions. Students will have 1 hour to complete each test (excluding the 4B exam that will allow 5 minutes to complete). It is vitally important that students have a reliable computer with access to a stable on-line provider. This comes with the requirements for taking any online class at FC.
Preparation is critical to doing well. Online students are theoretically self-reliant and more independent than on-campus students. Therefore, students need to take advantage of the services provided at BLACKBOARD (study guides, quizzes, power point) and the direction and advice the instructor provides to effectively prepare for each exam. Students may send an e-mail, make a phone call, or come to the office hour of the instructor.
Any problems that arise from not following the proper procedures/instructions are the responsibility of the student. Each concern that arises will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
SCALE FOR DETERMINING GRADES
A 90% to 100%
B 80% to 89%
C 62% to 79%
D 56% to 61%
F 0% to 55%
The last day to drop classes for On Campus Classes is Nov. 19. It may be different for OnLine courses. A student intending to drop a class at Fullerton College must keep track of the exact date to assure not to receive an “F” on their transcript. Not officially dropping by Nov. 19 will result in an “F” grade. It is the responsibility of each FC to drop a class and not the instructor’s (though I attempt to clear my rosters of students that have disappeared as a courtesy).
Academic Honesty Policy:
Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates a mastery of the required assignments to determine their legitimate grades. Such standards are founded on basic concepts of integrity and honesty.
Any violation of the Academic Honesty Policy will result in a student receiving an "F" grade and a report will be submitted to the proper authorities at Fullerton College.
Requirements
Participation
It is critical that students visit BLACKBOARD at least 2 times per week to take advantage of the services that are provided. At BLACKBOARD the instructor has left valuable information, reminders of important dates, and additional materials to prepare students for the exams. These materials include Study Guides, Chapter Breakdowns, Power Point, & Quizzes.
Quizzes
When taking the quizzes at Blackboard, students will receive an aggregate score and nothing more. Invariably, students will request the ability to check each of the questions that were missed. The answers to the odd numbered questions on Quizzes are provided in the “key” section of the chapter breakdowns. Answers to even-numbered questions come from reading the Patterson book.
Failure to visit BLACKBOARD is in violation of the participation requirements for all OnLine classes at Fullerton College and could result in a student being dropped from the course.
1) Students must have a current e-mail address listed with WebStar (FC)
2) Students must respond to e-mails when asked by the instructor.
Exam Deadline
Students are reminded that there a specified dates and time requirement to take exams. If a student misses the scheduled exam dates and time assigned for an exam, the student will receive a zero grade. Because each exam is worth 25% of your grade, this would be a costly error.
Updated and Reliable Computers
1) Students must have a reliable computer for the online class.
2) Students should take the exam in a safe environment, i.e., airports, hotels, workplaces and busy areas are not safe.
3) Students should not wait until the very last day of an assigned exam schedule. If a student waits until the very last day of a scheduled exam and a problem arises, there is little that an instructor can do to resolve the matter. Waiting until the last day of Exam 4 is even more precarious. For the reasons cited, I strongly encourage students to not wait until the last day and time to take an exam.
Glitch
If a student experiences a glitch on their computer while taking the exam, the student must contact the professor immediately. Do not wait until the next day and definitely not two days later. It is easy to make a mistake when taking an Exam at Blackboard if a student is not reading the instructions carefully. This is the reason why the SAMPLE EXAM is available at Blackboard to expose and train students for taking exams at Blackboard. Students who fail to take the Sample Exam and encounter a problem while taking one of the exams will receive little sympathy from the instructor. Almost all the problems that result when taking an exam are the result of a student hitting the Submit key by mistake or opening another browser. Never open an additional browser while taking an exam at Blackboard. That will immediately shut down the exam the student is taking.
If a problem arises during an exam, shut down the exam immediately to assure that the time left may be used if a makeup exam is required.
Warning! When will students not receive much sympathy?
If a student uses Explorer rather than some other Internet Program (In the past, Explorer has been found to have problems with Blackboard)
If a student waits until the last day and time to take an exam.
If a student uses an inadequate computer, an unreliable service provider and an unreliable site.
If a student has failed to participate at BLACKBOARD on a regular basis by utilizing the study guides, quizzes and power point program.
On-Campus Exams
Your Professor has the option to ask an online student to take an exam on-campus if a particular situation warrants.
Dropping a Student
If a student is not participating at BLACKBOARD by not visiting the site on a regular basis.
If a student does not respond to an e-mail by the instructor.
If a student misses an examination and does not immediately contact the instructor explaining the reasons for not taking the exam.
Assignments:
Aug. 28-9/1 Chpt.1, Political Thinking, pgs.1-24 (Class Begins Aug. 28).
Sep. 5-9/8 Chpt.2, Constitutional Democracy, pgs. 26-58
National Holiday, “Labor Day,” Mon. Sept. 4, 2017
11-15 Chpt.3, Federalism, pgs. 60-90
22-23 Exam 1 Remember that exams can be taken beginning at 2pm on Friday. Sep. 22 and must be completed by Saturday, Sep. 23 at 10pm. Students are not allowed to take an exam after 10pm. Students have 1 hour to complete 100 questions.
Sep. 25-29 Chpt.14, Federal Judicial System, pgs. 415-444
Oct. 2-6 Chpt.4, Civil Liberties, pgs. 92-125
9-13 Chpt.5, Equal Rights, pgs.127-157
20-21 Exam 2 (Exams can be taken at 2pm on Friday, Oct. 13 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 10pm. Students have 1 hour to complete 100 questions.
23-27 Chpt.11, Congress, pgs. 307-344,
30-11/3 Chpt.12, The Presidency, pgs. 346-380
Nov. 6-9 Chpt.10, The News Media, pgs. 279-305
National Holiday, “Veterans Day,” Fri. Nov. 10, 2017.
. 17-18 Exam 3 (Students can begin taking the exam at 2pm on Fri. Nov. 17- Sat., Nov. 18. The exam will close at 10pm on Saturday. Students have 1 hour to complete 100 questions.
(Last Day to Drop Classes with a “W” Grade is Sunday, Nov. 19)
20-22 Chpt.7, Political Participation, pgs. 188-212,
National Holiday, “Thanksgiving,” Nov. 23-24
27-12/1 Chpt.9, Interest Groups, pgs. 248-277,
Dec. 4-8 Chpt.15, Economic & Environmental Policy, pgs. 446-472,
15/16 Semester ends, Sat., Dec. 16. Exams 4A & 4B will be available on Friday, Dec. 15, beginning at 2pm & ending Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10pm. The final exam has two sections. A & B. Students are required to take both exams, though they can complete them on separate days. Exam 4B is worth 5 points and no more. It has only 5 questions. Further details will be provided at the time of finals exam week.
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