College of the Canyons Political Science 150
Fall Semester, 2013 Section Code 93274
Main (Valencia) Campus Wednesdays, 6:45-9:50 p.m.
Bonelli Hall, Room 306 (BONH 306) Dr. Dyke
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Course Syllabus
Contacting the Instructor
If the student needs to contact the instructor, the student may call the College or call (213) 351-5553 and leave a message on Voice Mail. The instructor can also be contacted by email at .
College of the Canyons Political Science 150
Fall Semester, 2013 Dr. Dyke
Course Syllabus - Page 3
Office Hours
The instructor will be available in BONH 306 25 minutes before class and 10 minutes after class. The instructor will also schedule phone calls if requested by students and answer inquiries by email.
Course Overview and Description
This course is an introduction to American government and politics. It provides an overview of major terms, concepts, ideologies, institutions, and structures of the U.S. federal system. It will consider the U.S. Constitution and the rights and privileges that Americans enjoy, particularly our civil liberties and civil rights. This course will also consider in detail the California Constitution; the federal institutions, including Congress, the President, the Bureaucracy, and the Courts; voter participation, public opinion and the media; interest groups, political parties, and elections; and U.S. domestic and foreign policies.
Required Text for This Course
College of the Canyons Custom Edition, Political Science 150, Introduction to American Government and Politics (ISBN: 978-0-393-13790-3), which includes all or almost all (consult this syllabus) of:
Ginsberg, Benjamin; Lowi, Theodore J.; Weir, Margaret; and Tolbert, Caroline J., We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, Ninth Edition; New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013 (ISBNs: 978-0-393-91308-8 [hardcover] and 978-0-393-12436-1 [pbk.]).
- AND -
Anagnoson, J. Theodore; Bonetto, Gerald; Buck, J. Vincent; DeLeon, Richard E.; Emrey, Jolly; Kelleher, James J.; and Koch, Nadine, Governing California in the Twenty-First Century: The Political Dynamics of the Golden State, Fourth Edition; New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013 (ISBN: 978-0-393-91915-8 [pbk.]).
Activity Schedule
Page 4 of this syllabus is the Activity Schedule. It is subject to changes, if necessary, but generally provides a good road map to most, if not all, of the lecture topics, reading assignments, and examination dates that will be part of this course. To the extent feasible, the instructor will adhere to the schedule. Examination dates should be considered as virtually certain, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Class Format
This class meets about three hours each Wednesday night during the semester. There will be a 15-minute break called by the instructor around the middle of each class session (at approximately 8:00 p.m.). The two portions of each class will feature lectures by the instructor, some instructor-led discussions, and also some highlighting of related topics, such as glossary terms and items of political interest. There will be previews of examinations prior to each examination. Attendance is essential. Each student must maintain class notes and bring them to each session and also bring the text with them to each class, since the instructor may make frequent references to the notes and/or the book.
Examinations
There will be four (4) examinations in this course. (See Activity Schedule, Page 4, for the scheduled dates.) Exams will normally be given during the first half of the class, with the second portion devoted to the next lecture or reading assignment topic, due to the course's tight schedule. IMPORTANT NOTE: Examinations will cover the lectures, the applicable reading assignments, and any hand-outs, so ATTENDANCE AT ALL CLASS SESSIONS, GOOD NOTE-TAKING, and COMPLETING THE REQUIRED READING are all important to pass examinations. Exams will consist of multiple choice, essays, and/or short answers/identifications. The final exam will be a multiple-choice/Scantron-graded exam due to the short time frame under which grades must be submitted.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING SCANTRON #882 FORMS AND No. 2 lead pencils for multiple choice tests, and 8.5” X 11” bluebooks for essays. No examination is to leave the classroom at any time, but students will be given an opportunity in class to review examination results.
College of the Canyons Political Science 150
Fall Semester, 2013 Dr. Dyke
Course Syllabus - Page 3
Make-up Examinations
One make-up examination is available to each student from among Exams #1, #2, and #3, but there is a
20-point penalty that is deducted from the make-up exam score. There is no make-up for the final examination. Make-up examinations will be given ONLY at the FIRST HALF OF THE VERY NEXT SESSION the class meets after an examination. Students may make up an exam ONCE AND ONLY ONCE during the semester. Students needing to take a make-up examination are responsible for contacting the instructor and for being prepared to take the make-up test. The instructor reserves the right to offer a make-up examination that is different from the examination given on the scheduled date and to deduct 20 points from the examination score. If the student cannot take the final examination for a good reason, he or she should obtain and complete a “Request for Incomplete" form from Admissions, followed up by a prompt telephone call to the instructor to make arrangements for taking the final exam. The final examination is required of all students at College of the Canyons to receive a passing grade. Instructors are required to give an automatic "F" if the final exam is not taken.
Grading
The four examinations will each be worth 100 points; therefore, exclusive of EXTRA CREDIT, there will be a total of 400 possible points for the course. Each student’s total may be diminished by less-than-perfect performance on the test and/or the deductions made for absences or make-up tests as provided in this syllabus. The standard grading schedule will be as follows: A = 90% (89.5% or higher, 358 points or more); B = 80% (79.5 – 89.4%, 318-357); C = 70% (69.5 – 79.4%, 278-317); D = 60% (59.5 – 69.4%, 238-277); and F=59.4% and lower (237 points or less). However, the instructor reserves the right to “grade on a curve,” especially with regard to the lower grades, depending on overall class performance, and each student’s individual efforts to meet course requirements, including perfect attendance as a consideration. Students receiving a D or an F will generally be those who missed more than one weekly class session or partial session, did not opt to do the EXTRA CREDIT assignment, and/or missed the final examination without requesting a grade of "Incomplete," or performed substantially lower on examinations than the majority of the class, as determined by the instructor.
EXTRA CREDIT
Each student will have the opportunity to improve his or her final grade by earning up to a total of 60 points for extra credit activities, to be added to the student’s total points for grade determination. Extra credit may consist of any combination of the following, with a maximum of up to 60 points: a service learning project involving 20 hours of community volunteer service (40 points); reading a book and completion of a book review on a political topic (20 points); a term paper on a political topic (20 points); and/or a visit to a political institution or presidential library (10 points). Up to 10 points can be earned for completion of Supplemental Instruction/Guided Learning Activities (GLAs), each worth 5 points. All extra credit must result in a typed paper on the service learning, book, political topic, visit, or GLA, plus participation in the EXTRA CREDIT WRITING SESSION (See Page 4, Activity Schedule) as specified by the instructor.
Other Study Assistance Available to Students
The academic development and skills of students in political science courses vary widely. Many students, especially persons new to the college environment, will find that they need additional skill training in reading, study and note-taking skills, writing, spelling, and/or grammar. The college has testing and tutoring programs that can assist students in need of additional help. Students should explore testing, tutoring, training, and other options available to them through the college. Counselors in "Admissions" can provide guidance on assistance available.
Attendance
1. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Students who miss a partial class session or full class session for any reason will have 25 points deducted from their examination total for each class session or partial class session that they are absent, until they have made up the absence as described in the second item below. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the second half of the class. Only students present for this roll call will be counted as present. Students are encouraged, therefore, to come late to class rather than not at all. If you have a good reason, a little lateness can be waived without penalty. If you become ill or for some other reason cannot attend for two or more sessions (or two or more PARTIAL sessions), ask the instructor to support your petition for late withdrawal.
2. Any absence (full or 2nd half session) must be made up by (1) completion of three (3) Supplemental Instruction/Guided Learning Activities (GLAs) of the student’s choice, plus completion of a typed, one-page paper on each GLA describing it and its benefit to the student. Failure to submit the GLAs within 2 weeks of the absence will finalize the 25-point deduction. See page 5 for more information.
3. The College allows instructors to drop students who miss one entire weekly class session, because such an absence amounts to three normal one-hour class sessions. If you decide to drop, be sure you properly withdraw. Instructors are required at the end of the course to give an "F" to students who did not withdraw properly and therefore remained on the class roster.
4. Students should carefully review the Schedule of Classes on student rights and responsibilities. This instructor shall take reasonable actions during exams to discourage cheating/misconduct.
College of the Canyons Political Science 150
Fall Semester, 2013 Section Code 93274
Main (Valencia) Campus Wednesdays, 6:45-9:50 p.m.
Bonelli Hall, Room 306 (BONH 306) Dr. Dyke
Course Syllabus - Page 4
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
(May be Subject to Changes during the Semester)
G = Ginsberg, et. al., We the People A=Anagnoson, et.al., Governing California
(The numbers at the right indicate the appropriate chapters of each text to be read by each date.)
8/28 Class Orientation/Introduction to Political Science
9/4 The United States Constitution G: 1-2
9/11 The U.S. System of Government: Federalism G: 3
California Government: Part I A: 1-4
9/18 California Government: Part II A: 5-10
9/25 FIRST EXAMINATION (Covers Lectures, “Handouts,” G: 1-3 and A: 1-10)
America’s Federal Institutions: The Congress G: 12
10/2 America’s Federal Institutions: The President G: 13
10/9 America’s Federal Institutions: The Bureaucracy G: 14
10/16 America’s Federal Institutions: The Federal Courts G: 15
10/23 SECOND EXAMINATION (Covers Lectures, “Handouts,” and G: 12-15)
Political Socialization and Public Opinion G: 6
10/30 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights G: 7-8
11/6 Political Participation and the Media G: 4-5
11/13 THIRD EXAMINATION (Covers Lectures, “Handouts,” and G: 4-5 and 6-8)
11/20 Interest Groups, Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections G: 9-11
11/27 IN-CLASS WRITING SESSION FOR EXTRA CREDIT PROJECTS
12/4 Economic, Social, and Foreign Policy G: 16, 18
12/11 FINAL EXAMINATION (Covers Lectures, Handouts, and G: 9-11, 16, and 18)
Syllabus.Poli Sci 150 93274.Fall Semester 2013.BONH 306.Wednesdays 6:45-9:50 p.m.
Political Science 150 – Dr. Dyke
BE AWARE OF YOUR SEMESTER POINTS – PLUSES AND MINUSES
Four Examinations (4 exams X 100 points each) 400 points
EXTRA CREDIT PROJECTS (Maximum 60 points total)
Service Learning* +40
Read book and do book report* +20
Read 2 books and do 2 book reports* +40
Read 3 books and do 3 book reports* +60
7-Page Term Paper on a Political Topic** +20
Visit to a political institution/pres. library + 2-page typed paper*** +10
If make up of one examination is needed (only one make-up is available) -20
Full or 2nd Half Absences, per each occurrence**** -25 per occurrence
(No penalty for coming a little late. Better to come late than not at all.)
*Instructions for Service Learning/Book Reports (Book Reviews): SEE HANDOUTS from instructor.
**Instructions for 7-page Term Paper on a Political Topic (Maximum 20 Points Each)
►Get prior approval from the instructor for your topic. Use Introduction-Body-Conclusion format.
►TEXT of paper must be 7 typed pages, double-spaced, 1” margins all around, 12-point font.
►You must have a title page (your name, exact class name/time), endnote page, & a bibliography.
►Title page, endnote page, and bibliography do not count toward the 7 MINIMUM TEXT pages.
►10 sources minimum, including minimum 2 books from library and minimum 8 internet sources
►10 endnotes minimum. Your endnotes must be consistent, following an endnote system.
***Instructions for Trip to a Political Institution/Presidential Library (Maximum 10 Points Each)
►You must obtain and submit a receipt with your typed report showing you visited the institution.
►Submit a minimum 2-page, typed paper on your visit and its application to political science.
►TEXT of paper must be 2 typed pages, double-spaced, 1” margins all around, 12-point font.
►You must have a title page, with your name and exact class name/time and section number.
►You may attach documents or brochures, but must attach ORIGINAL receipt to get credit.
****Full or second-half absences are -25 POINTS EACH unless you make them up.
Only 2 full/partial absences may be made up. The steps to make up absences are:
STEP ONE: GO TO CCC TLC –or-- VLC TLC AND COMPLETE 3 GLAs.*
STEP TWO: KEEP your paper tests on the 3 GLAs to attach to your 3 papers (see Step Four).
STEP THREE: TYPE UP a one-page paper ON EACH GLA on what you learned and how it helped you. (1 page, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins all sides)
STEP FOUR: ATTACH the GLA test to each GLA paper.
STEP FIVE: SUBMIT the three (3) GLA papers and attachments to the instructor.
DEADLINE: 2nd class after the absence. These GLAs do not count toward extra credit.
WARNING: GLAs ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO OF THE SEMESTER.