SYLLABUS

Framework for Democracy

Political Science 1 - Telecourse

Spring 2009

INSTRUCTOR: CHARLOTTE JOSEPH

OFFICE: M230

OFFICE HOURS: Monday/Wednesday, 8:30-9:30a.m., Tuesday, 12:00-2:00p.m.

Friday, 5:00-6:00p.m. (only on dates when the course meets on campus)

OFFICE PHONE: 562-938-4347.

E-MAIL – (Subject line: Student Needs Help)

REQUIED TEXTBOOKS

Thomas E. Patterson We the People: A Concise Introduction to American

Politics, 8th ed.

Carelton, Vile, & Eaton, Framework for Democracy Study Guide, 4th ed.

Larry Gerston and Terry Christensen, California Politics and Government: A Practical

Approach, 10th ed. 2009.

WEBSITES – Great online study aids

http://www.mhhe.com/pattersonwtp8e

http://policentral.mcgraw-hill.com/policentral/html/home.html

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to be an introduction to the principles and problems of government and the political process, with emphasis on the national government in the United States and state and local government in California.

1. To provide the student with basic information about the structure and functions of the governments of the United States and the State of California.

2. To enable the student to critically analyze many aspects of contemporary U.S. society, politics, and government, in light of the democratic ideals established in our constitutions.

3. To develop an understanding of the scope and purpose of the political techniques used to influence the decisions of voters and public officials.

4.  To develop an understanding of politics as a series of power relationships and influences. Who has the power? How do they choose to exercise their power?

5. To stimulate an interest in public affairs and to develop an individual who will be better able to understand and participate in the political process.

6. To develop the student's capacity to respond to new knowledge, to make personal use of it, and to cope with the changes that occur around us.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Examinations:

There will be2 written exams. They will be given on the 3rd and 6th class meetings. Each exam will include written questions provided by the instructor. Blue Book for each exam. Each exam will be worth 150 points each. Remember the Bookstore closes at 2:00p.m. on Fridays, so buy your test materials early.

THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.

Examinations will cover the materials presented primarily in the TEXTBOOKS, as well as the lectures, class discussions, and television lessons. Even if the programs have not aired prior to the exam, the student is responsible for the readings.

Most of the questions on the exam will be based on both textbooks. Questions from the Patterson book will relate to textbook and video objectives printed in the Study Guide. Gerston questions will relate to the handout the instructor will provide.

Care should be given to take accurate notes from your readings, telelessons and lectures. If the program or teacher introduces an idea or concept that is not clear, then ASK her to clarify the information. This helps you to get more from the class and also helps those who are afraid to raise their hands.

B. Reading Chapter Quizzes

Students will take the chapter reading quizzes online at https://www.eztestonline.com/221694/index1.tpx. The top fifteen scores (15) scores will be added together, two exams will be dropped. The student will have multiple attempts at each exam, but the scores will be averaged. Each quiz has a cut off date to complete the quiz.

Go to the website provided and click on register. Create your entry into the class.

Your first assignment is:

Take Chapter Quiz for 1 and 2 Quiz by February 20th.

Take Chapter Quiz for 3 and 4 by February 27th

Take Chapter Quiz for 5 by March 6th.

At each class meeting you will be provided with a new quiz assignment.

You are expected to stay ahead of the instructor in your readings. Class lectures are designed to enhance and answer questions about the reading assignments and the in class exams.

C. Reading and Exam Schedule:

Read the book Patterson’s We the People according to the schedule in the Telecourse Study Guide and read Gerston’s California Government and Politics according to the schedule listed below.

Lesson Number and Title Patterson Book Gerston Book

(See reading schedule found in (See reading schedule

Carelton Study Guide) listed below)

1 - American Heritage Chapter 1

2 - The American Experiment Chapters 1, 2

3 - The Living Constitution Chapters 1, 2

4 – Federalism: A Question of Sovereignty Chapter 9, 10

5 – The Most Basic Rights

6 - Rights of the Accused

7 - The Struggle for Equality

8 - Frames of Reference

9 - Voices of the People

10 - Party Politics Chapter 2

11 - Campaign Trail Chapter 3

12 - Pressure Politics Chapter 4

13 - The Fourth Estate Chapter 3

14 - The First Branch Chapter 5

15 - Government by Committee Chapter 5

16 - The Glorious Burden Chapter 7

17 - Leader of a Nation

18 - The Federal Workplace Chapter 7

19 - The Power Imperative

20 - The Rule of Nine Chapter 6

21 - Legal Precedent

22 – Balancing Act Chapter 8

23 - The Nation’s Welfare Chapter 10

24 - Health of the Nation/Planet Chapter 10

25 - Global Politics

26 - Preserve Protect and Defend

C. Attendance and Participation:

Class attendance and participation are an important part of the course and are MANDATORY. Class attendance will be worth up to 30 bonus points. You will receive 5 points for each class session that you attend for the entire period, beginning to end. Roll will be taken at the beginning of class and at the end. You must sign both sheets to be considered present.

YOUAREREQUIRED TOATTENDALLCLASSMEETINGS. A SECOND ABSENCE WILL RESULT IN THE STUDNT BEING DROPPED FROM THE CLASS OR RECEIVING A LETTER GRADE OF “F”.

Orientation/Lecture: / Friday, February 7th / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101
Lecture/Review / Friday, March 6th / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101
Midterm/Exam One / Friday, March 27th / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101
Lecture/Projects due / Friday, April 24th / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101
Lecture/Review / Friday, May 8th / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101
Final/Exam 2 / Friday, May 22nd / 6:00-9:00 p.m. / C101

HOW TO STUDY

When studying these lessons, the Study Guide should be followed carefully for success in this course. The Overview provides a general focus for the whole lesson and the Textbook and Video Objectives act as the major direction your study should take. It would be helpful to read over the Textbook and Video Objectives before you read the assignment and then afterwards, write out the answers to those questions to reinforce your knowledge. These answers can be helpful for review before the exams.

Before viewing the television programs, read over the Video Objectives and, again, write out the answers to reinforce learning for the exam. However, DONOT just memorize the answers to these objectives or the Key Terms found in your readings. You must try to understand the connection between the objectives and the learning materials of each lesson. The key terms are the vocabulary that will help you to understand the lessons better. You should be familiar with the key terms before viewing the programs and reading the textbook.

One or two questions will be taken from each Textbook and Video Objective in each lesson, just as they are for the Practice Test for each telecourse guide lesson. Therefore, it is important to keep those Textbook and Video Objectives in mind when studying.

Write out answers for the Gerston study term handout.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will be given on a point basis. The final grade will be based on the following scale:

A = (90%); B = (80%); C = (70%); D = (60%); and F= 59% or below.

A grade of "W" will only be given in accordance with the college's policy. Watch the deadlines! Bring a self-addressed, stamped postcard if you want to learn your final class grade prior to the issuance of grade reports by the college. I do not give out grades in my office.

PROGRAM VIEWING SCHEDULE

LBCC (Channel 15 - Long Beach, Channel 29 – Lakewood)

Broadcast Start Date: Start Date: February 2 •

Final episodes air the week of May 4
LBCC Cable Schedule:
Daily Mon-Sun 12-1pm
Review Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat 9-10pm

Viewing options for LBCC televised course

1.  LBCC Cable (Long Beach: Channel 15, Lakewood: Channel 29) - see schedule above

2.  On-campus viewing at the Center for Learning Assistance Services at both campuses

·  Liberal Arts Campus: Downstairs in building E, Room E07L
Check Learning Center for hours - (562)938-4474

·  Pacific Coast Campus: Rm. GG-113
Check Learning Center for hours - (562)938-4474

3.  Public Broadcast Stations (PBS -- if available)
*Please note that there will be no scheduled broadcasts on KCET for the current semester.
Check the schedule for other PBS stations at: http://www.intelecom.org/memberservices/broadcast_schedule.asp
If you have a question about the viewing time for a particular episode on a PBS station contact:
Esperanza "Espy" Martinez
Coordinator, Member Services
INTELECOM
Phone: (626) 796-7300 X-117

4.  Intelecom Student Store http://www.intelecom.org/ Purchase Video CDs, DVDs, or access to streaming video (Pay service)

CONDUCT FOR A HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Classroom Expectations:

It is expected that students in this class will:

1. Be on time to class

2. Be attentive to, and participate in all instructional activities

3. Be courteous and respectful to people with different

perspectives and values

4. Be ready with pen and paper before class begins

5. Have the necessary testing materials the day of the exam.

6. Not leave early or come late without the permission of the instructor

7. Not disrupt the class with inappropriate behavior

8. Not cheat or plagiarize on assignments or exams

9. Not eat or drink in class

10.  Turn off all cell phones, pagers and PDFs.

11. Handle problems early, not after they occur.

12. Make use of the professor’s time outside of class.

A breach of classroom etiquette will result in the removal of a student from the class.

Please see the college catalog about the policies related to creating a conductive learning environment. It describes your responsibilities and those of the teacher.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Copying material from another source (book, journal, another student, etc) without proper acknowledgement is cheating. So is the use of crib sheets during exams. These and other forms of cheating will result in an automatic grade of F for the course and other appropriate disciplinary action as provided in the college policy. If you have questions ask me!