COURSE SYLLABUS
Political Science 1041.001
American Government: Laws and Institutions
Spring 2016
Instructor: Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers
Office: Wooten Hall, Room 143
Office Hours: T-Th 2-3 pm and by appt.
Office Phone: (940) 565-2276, Cell (940)390-2304
"This is a great country and requires a good deal of all of us, so I can imagine nothing more important than for all of you to continue to work in public affairs and be interested in them, not only to bring up a family, but also give part of your time to your community, your state, and your country."
President John F. Kennedy’s address to college students, August 2, 1963
About the Course---what we will study this semester
This basic course dealing with American and Texas government is designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of government (and satisfy the “Knowledge of Texas Constitution” requirement for educators mandated by Texas state law). We will spend this semester studying four important aspects of U.S. and Texas government:
· The philosophical and constitutional foundation for government, including classical liberalism, democracy, the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, and federalism.
· Civil liberties and civil rights.
· The major institutions of government, including the legislative, executive, administrative, and judicial branches of the U.S. and Texas governments.
Course Objectives---Overall Objectives for Students
As a result of taking this course, you should:
§ Know the ways citizens participate in a democracy and understand why political participation is important
§ be able to explain the values and preferences that determine a person’s political ideology
§ know the characteristics of U.S. democracy. and other forms of government
§ be able to list and identify the key characteristics of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
§ be able to list and explain the main contemporary issues of federalism.
§ know what your civil liberties are and where they come from
§ understand the origins and implementation of civil rights
§ understand the key principles and important Supreme Court rulings relative to civil liberties and rights.
§ know how the main institutions of government---the legislatures, the executives, the courts, and the administrative agencies---operate, including their powers and procedures.
§ recognize the similarities and differences between national and state governmental structures and powers.
Required Textbook and Materials ---
A) Shea, Daniel et al. Living Democracy, 2012 Elections and Election Update, 4th Ed.
B) Eshbaugh-Soha, Matthew (editor). 2014. 1040 Workbook: Laws and Institution. Available: only in eBook (electronic format). There is a “Workbook" tab on the course BB. When you click this tab it will take you to the publisher website, where you can then purchase the workbook.
C) Use the free Texas government textbook available at texaspolitics.utexas.edu/textbook
D) Turning Point Response Card RF-LCD. Each student must purchase a Turning Point Response Card|a.k.a. a \clicker." (It must be Turning Point Technology {others are not compatible.) New and used clickers may be purchased at the UNT bookstore. Clickers can be rented from Dr. Martinez.
E) Use of dictionary.com (If you encounter something in the readings that you are unfamiliar with, and you will, it is your responsibility to do some work to learn about the item—Internet resources are very helpful in this regard—and they’re free!).
F) Enrollment in and continued use of the course’s Blackboard site.
G) Enrollment in and continued use of the course’s Facebook Group (PSCI1040Sp16DrVME).
Course Requirements ---
1. 4-5 page “Personal Ideology” paper and class debate, due and scheduled Feb. 23 (worth 15%)
2. One mid-term exam (worth 25% each), scheduled for March 10
3. 3-4 page “Political Action/Experience” report (worth 15%), due March 29
4. Final exam (worth 30%), scheduled for Thursday, May 12 at 10:30
5. Workbook assignments (worth 15%), see course schedule for assignment dates
Other Grading Details:
· Exempting the Final: If you have an A average going into the final exam and have not exceeded 4 class absences, you may exempt the final. You will receive a progress report in the last week of class that will indicate whether you are exempt from the final. To be exempt, your average must be 89.5 or higher--no exceptions or negotiations.
· Extra Credit: From time to time, you will have a chance to earn extra credit. Each properly completed extra credit is worth one to five points, which will be added directly to test grades or homework, as announced. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class at my discretion.
· Grading Scale: A = 100-90; B = 89-80; C= 79-70; D = 69-60; F = 59 and lower.
For your course grade, I will round your average up to the next highest grade if it is .5 or higher. For example, 89.5 will be considered an A, but 89.4 will not.
§ Please note: the average grade for this class is a C. A higher grade (A or B) will require extra effort, so please work hard if that is your goal (and I hope it will be).
Attendance Policies
The most important thing you can do to learn a lot this semester (and get a good grade) is to attend class regularly. Due to prior commitments, we will not meet in person every class day so when we do meet it is extremely important that you be present and prepared.
§ Attendance will be checked each class meeting with a sign-in sheet or clicker points. It is cheating to sign in or “click it” for someone else, so don't do it.
§ Students with no more than one absence will get five extra credit points when grades are calculated. Please note: This is five points added to your point total, not added to your final class average.
§ You are permitted no more than five class absences, excused or otherwise, during the semester.
§ If you have more than five total absences, your average will be lowered by five points for each extra absence, up to a deduction of 15 points. At the 7th absence, you will fail the course.
§ You will be able to sign in as present if you arrive no later than 10 minutes after the hour (by the clock in the classroom).
§ Please try to arrive on time and remain until class is over unless extraordinary circumstances arise. Early leavers are counted as absent.
Important Details ---TESTS
· Test questions will come mainly (60% or so) from class lectures, discussions, and handouts. Approximately 40% will come from the texts. Of course, a great deal of information included on the tests can be found in more than one place. Tests will consist of multiple choice type questions, short answer questions and one essay.
· If we are running behind schedule, we will still have the test on the appointed date, then include the rest of the material on the next test rather than delay the test.
· Tests are not cumulative (not even the final).
· Students are required to take all the tests to complete the course (unless excused by the instructor). A grade of zero will be entered and averaged in for any test not taken unless it is the final and you are formally exempt from taking it.
· I expect you to be present for each test unless you can provide a written excuse that I deem valid (illness severe enough to seek medical care; a summons to appear in court; or official representation of the university). Any other excuses will be considered case-by-case. Please follow these guidelines if you should find it necessary to miss a test:
a. Text me on my cell phone as soon possible BEFORE the exam begins, preferably as soon as you know you are going to miss the exam.
b. Submit verification/explanation on the day you return to class following the missed exam.
c. All make-up exams will be on Friday, April 29 at 3 pm. A multiple choice test will be available only at that time. If you cannot take the test during that time and you have been approved to make it up, you will be able to take an all essay makeup at a time agreed upon by you and me.
· If you are disappointed with your test grades be sure to come and talk with me. I will offer whatever I can by way of suggestions for improving your work in this class.
Other Important Policies/Guidelines
1. It is the policy of the University, the department of political science and myself, to comply fully with the Americans for Disabilities Act and to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or if you have emergency medical information to share, please notify me as soon as possible. My contact information as well as my office location and hours are listed above.
2. I have a strict policy on cheating or plagiarism. The penalty for either offense will be to assign a failing grade to the test/paper or to assign a failing grade for the course, subject to my discretion. To avoid the charge of plagiarism, ANYTIME you report the opinions or findings of another writer (even if it is written in your own words) YOU MUST CITE the author, and date of publication, eg. (Martinez-Ebers 2009) if it is paraphrased. If it is a direct quote you must provide the page number or full electronic link as well. You can cite it within your narrative using parentheses to enclose the information or use endnotes or footnotes. Remember direct quotes require the exact page numbers as well as author and date of publication or electronic link immediately following the quote. Always include a bibliography or reference page with your papers.
3. As we are all adults, we will treat one another with respect. Turn off your cell phones and no emailing or surfing the web during class.
4. (If applicable) Always make a duplicate of your class paper and put it away in a safe place. Occasionally papers are misplaced and this protects you.
5. Always keep any papers, workbook assignments, exams, etc. that are returned to you. This protects you in case your grade is recorded incorrectly.
6. If an emergency (sickness, accident, death in the family or some other crisis) occurs during the semester that may affect your performance in this course, please inform me promptly. Do not wait until the end of the semester.
7. No pop and/or reading quizzes can be made up due to absences, excused or otherwise.
8. Papers or extra credit assignments should be submitted at the beginning of class on the day they are due. No points will be given for late submissions.
9. This syllabus serves as a guideline for your reading and preparation for exams. As your professor, I reserve the right to deviate from the syllabus when necessary. I will make every effort to announce changes at least 2 classes prior to the adjustment, but, ultimately, students are responsible for keeping in touch with me regarding changes.
DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE COURSE. I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU STUDY MORE EFFECTIVELY OR RECOMMEND ASSISTANCE ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS. REMEMBER...I WANT YOU TO DO WELL IN THIS CLASS.
Course Schedule
Please remember that it may be necessary or wise to alter this schedule at some point during the semester.
1/19 Introduction to Course: Syllabus and Course Requirements
PART I. Democracy in Action
1/21-26 American Political Culture: Democracy in Action
Read Chapter 1 in Text, Chapter 1 in free TXtext, “What Millennials Think About Politics” on Facebook
1/28-2/ 11 The US and Texas Constitutions
Read Chapter 2 in Text, Chapter 2 in TXtext
2/16-18 Federalism
Read Chapter 3 in TEXT; Chapter 2 in Workbook
Workbook Exercise DUE 2/18
2/23 Ideology paper DUE 2/23
Ideology class debate on 2/23
PART 2. POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
3/1-8 Legislative Contrasts: Congress and the Texas Legislature
Read Chapter 6 in Text, Chapter 3 in TXtext, Chapter 5 in
Workbook
Workbook Exercise 5-1 DUE 3/3
3/10 MIDTERM EXAM
3/15-17 SPRING BREAK
3/22-29 Who has more executive power? The President or the Governor
Read Chapter 7 in Text, Chapters 5-6 in TXtext, Chapter 6 in Workbook
Political Action/Experience report DUE 3/29
3/31-4/5 Is Bureaucracy such a BAD Thing?
Read Chapters 8 in Text, Chapter 8 in Workbook
Workbook Exercise DUE 4/5
Review for 2nd Midterm
4/7 SECOND MIDTERM
PART 3. THE COURTS AND THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS
4/12-14 Understanding the American Court System
Read Chapter 9 in Text, Chapter 7 in TXtext, Chapter 7 in Workbook
Workbook Exercise DUE 4/14
4/19-26 Civil Liberties
Read Chapter 4 in Text, Chapter 9 in Workbook
Workbook Exercises DUE 4/26
4/28-5/5 Civil Rights
Read Chapter 5 in Text
Review for Final Exam on 5/5
5/12 FINAL EXAMINATION, 10:30 P.M.
Academic Integrity
UNT Policy 18.1.16 at http://www.unt.edu/policy/UNT _Policy /volume3/18_1_16.pdf
See next page.
I. Categories of Academic Dishonesty.
A. Cheating. The use of unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise, including but not limited to: