POLITICAL SCIENCE 150
(ONLINE)
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Spring, 2014
COURSE OUTLINE
DAVID C. ANDRUS OFFICE HOURS – On Campus
OFFICE: Seco Hall -208 Tuesday: 12:30pm to 1:30pm
TELEPHONE: (661) 259-7800 x3052 – campus Wednesday: 1:15pm to 2:15pm
(626) 260-0029 – cell Thursday: 12:30pm to 1:30pm
OFFICE HOURS – Online
E-MAIL – 24/7 (E-mail, phone or text)
COURSE SUMMARY
Political Science 150 is an introductory course that seeks to establish a foundation and basis of understanding of American government. The course will cover various elements and dynamics of American democracy, the institutional and practical linkage between citizens and their government, and the roles and functions of the individual governmental institutions. A portion of the course will be devoted to understanding California State government and its relationship with the federal government.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to speak knowledgeably of the following subjects: the United States Constitution, federalism, public opinion and the role of news media in government, political parties and interest groups, elections, campaign finance, congress, the presidency, the judiciary and American democratic values in general. The learning process should sharpen and refine the students’ ability to understand everyday news and current events relating to the overall governmental structure in the United States. Student participation in online discussion is deemed necessary to enhance learning and allows for continued development of individual speaking and oratory skills. In addition, the exchange of political opinions and experiences is vital to gaining a well-rounded understanding of issues that exist across the political spectrum.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) listed in the Political Science 150 course outline for College of the Canyons. SLO’s are similar to the objectives listed above. They are the intended learning outcomes a student can expect to achieve for this course. They are as follows:
Identify and explain the basic institutions of the government of the United States and the State of California.
Compare and contrast democratic theories of American government.
Exhibit a heightened sense of personal political efficacy and civic responsibility.
BOOKS
Beginning fall, 2013 the Department of Political Science has adopted and will use a custom textbook for Political Science 150. The Department made this decision to reduce the cost of the textbook available in the COC Bookstore. The custom textbook will be sold in the COC Bookstore and is a compilation of the following two widely published and available textbooks:
1. We the People (9th Edition – Full Version) by Ginsberg, et. al.
2. Governing California (4rd Edition) by Anagnoson, et. al.
The custom textbook will not be available for purchase anywhere other than the COC Bookstore. But, these other versions are available at other sources for a much higher price, unless you purchase them used, of course. FYI.
PUBLISHER RESOURCES
For this course you can access online resources from the publisher for the assigned text book. Accessing these resources will enable the student to take practice exams in the form of multiple choice, essay, short answer, matching etc… It also provides important excerpts from the textbook, as well as video resources explaining chapter topics. Feel free to use these resources to prepare for the Learning Unit Tests and weekly assignments. There is also a possibility that you will be required to visit this web site for some weekly assignments. They are useful as they match the assigned readings in the syllabus. Here is the link: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/we-the-people9/full/welcome.aspx I’ll provide more information about these resources as the semester progesses.
ASSIGNMENTS
The assignments for the semester are grouped into 2 Learning Units. To access the Learning Units click on the “Assignments” link on the Blackboard menu bar. For each chapter you will be assigned reading, writing and participation assignments. The semester schedule at the end of this syllabus lists the assignments and their due dates. There are also tests and writing assignments for the semester. Upon completing the assignments you will be able to access your grade by viewing your personal grade book. Further details and the overall grading breakdown are as follows:
Assignments / Description / Value(1) Online Assignments / Please complete assignments and discussion questions for each topic. Failure to submit the assignment by the deadline will result in a zero score for that particular assignment. There are multiple assignments for each chapter. You need to submit all components of each assignment in order to receive credit for that assignment. The assignments are generally assigned on Mondays and due on Sunday nights, with a couple of exceptions. Once the deadline has passed, the assignment cannot be submitted and is closed out of access by Blackboard. *, ** / 60%
(2) Two unit tests / Each test will consist of an essay question based on the readings or multiple-choice questions. / 20%
(3) Essay/Written Paper / One goal of this class is to relate the concepts and theories that we discuss to current political events. Students will write at least one or more essays during the semester. The details of the essay/writing assignment will be posted via a separate assignment sheet on the Blackboard website for the class. It may involve some analysis of selected readings and research available from additional online resources. Certain assignments might require MLA or another standard academic paper format. / 20%
*Alternative Assignment
In Lieu of the Essay/Written Paper
*Service Learning is not an available option to students enrolled in the summer or winter semesters. / *Students have the option of participating in a service-learning project through COC’s Service Learning Department in lieu of the required Essay/Written Paper Assignment. Students that successfully complete 20 hours of work for one of the local organizations recognized and chosen by the instructor will receive the full 20 points for this component of the course assignment/grade points. Students who choose to participate in the Service Learning program are not required to complete the Essay/Written Paper. Students must attend an orientation held at various times and dates during the first month of the semester. Student participation is monitored and administered by the Service Learning Department. The instructor plays no role other than to sign off on your initial paperwork for which you will have to see me during my office hours. If students sign up for this program and do not complete the hours, they will either lose 20 points from their grade total, or they may complete the written assignment if the due date has not yet passed. Please see the appropriate web links for more information. Those links can be found under the “Assignments” tab on BlackBoard.
*Uploading Assignments – After you have reviewed the weekly assignment, you can submit your answers by clicking on the link labeled “launch”. After that a window will come up that allows you to write your answers in the box provided, or in the alternative, type the answer as a Word document and attach it. Either way, you have to submit the assignment through that window. If the assignment is something other than an automated quiz or test, my preference is to have you submit the assignment through the assignment text box rather than as an attachment. However, if the assignment (your answer) is too lengthy, Blackboard will require you to submit it as an attachment. One way or another I’ll receive your assignment, however, if possible, please submit the assignment in the text box.
**Discussion: Some assignments will require you to participate in an online discussion group/board. Each topic will be listed under the weekly assignments within the learning unit folders. You can follow the hyper link within that weekly assignment to access the discussion board. Or, in the alternative, access the discussion board from the main menu on the left of the web site by following the “Discussion Board” link. Once there, click on the appropriate discussion board forum for that week of the semester. Using the online message board, respond to queries from me and from other students.
GRADING
The semester is based on a straight 100 point grading system. Thus, since the weekly assignments are worth 50% of your semester grade, they are worth 50 points; 20% of your grade will be decided by the Learning Unit tests (20 points, 10 points per test) and 20% for the Analytical Paper. Out of 50 possible points for the chapter assignments each assignment will be worth anywhere from 3 to 5 points. Thus, every point is very concentrated in its value.
90% - 100% A 90 - 100 Points
80% - 89% B 80 – 89.9 Points
70% - 79% C 70 – 79.9 Points
60% - 69% D 60 – 69.9 Points
0% - 59% F 59 Points or less
MAKE-UP EXAMS and DEAD LINES
Online courses demand commitment and personal responsibility from students. Tests will be strictly timed and due dates will be strictly honored. Unless you have a doctor’s note indicating a good reason why you were not able to finish your assignments or tests during a particular learning unit or period, you will not be able to make up the test or assignment. Online courses are offered largely in order to assist students who maintain a busy lifestyle. Consequently, you have extended time periods week by week to complete assignments and tests at your convenience. Waiting to the last minute is no excuse. Do not e-mail me requesting an extension for a missed assignment. It will be denied.
ONLINE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Please use proper and customary online behavior. Any behavior deemed offensive or contrary to COC student behavioral policies will be promptly addressed by the instructor. Be respectful and courteous of your fellow classmates. Be open minded and respectful of the various political and social opinions that will inevitably be revealed throughout the duration of the semester.
ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL
School policy states that “any student absent for any reason for one more time than that class meets in one week may be dropped from the class providing the withdrawal deadline for the semester/term has not passed”. The instructor reserves the right to officially drop a student from the course for exceeding this attendance standard.
Check the Schedule of Classes catalogue to determine the withdrawal and refund deadlines.
ONLINE CLASS PARTICIPATION/DISCUSSION
The general nature of the material demands class participation through online discussion. This course addresses matters of public affairs. If the course is at all representative of American society at large, then expect to listen to and hear a variety of opinions and political positions. The instructor welcomes all views and opinions. I only ask that you address these issues in a respectful manner and be mindful and sensitive of your classmates and their diversity of thought and background. Additionally, as indicated in the grading matrix, participation and attendance are a substantial part of your semester grade.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
COC Statement and Policy on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Approved by Academic Senate in May, 2010
Students are expected to do their own work as assigned. At College of the Canyons, we believe that academic integrity and honesty are some of the most important qualities college students need to develop and maintain. To facilitate a culture of academic integrity, College of the Canyons has defined plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Due process procedures have been established when plagiarism or academic dishonesty is suspected.
At COC, we define plagiarism as follows: Plagiarism is the submission of someone else’s work or ideas as one’s own, without adequate attribution. When a student submits work for a class assignment that includes the words, ideas or data of others, without acknowledging the source of the information through complete, accurate, and specific references, plagiarism is involved. This may include dual submissions of a similar work for credit for more than one class, without the current instructor’s knowledge and approval.
To be specific, below are some of the situations that will be considered plagiarism at COC:
· Use information from any source, online or in print, in one’s own writing without acknowledging the source in the content and in the reference page of the assignment;
· Simply list the sources in the reference page, without parenthetical citations in the body of the essay;
· Take more than one printed line of words consecutively from the source without putting quotation marks around them, even though the student has put the author’s name in the parentheses or in the reference page;
· Turn in work done for other classes, regardless how big or small the assignment may be, without the current instructor’s approval—this is considered “self-plagiarism,” which is a form of academic dishonesty; or,
· Turn in work by another student, even by accident.
In addition, COC has strict rules against using electronic devices during exams without the instructor’s approval. To be specific, absolutely no cell phones or any electronic devices can be on the desk or in sight during test or exam without the instructor’s approval. The presence of electronic devices in sight during exams may be considered as intention to cheat and will be processed as a form of academic dishonesty.
Cases of alleged academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or cheating, will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for investigation. See your syllabus for course specific policies, rules, and guidelines on plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
SEMESTER SCHEDULE
*(All weekly assignments for each chapter can be found on Blackboard under the “Assignments” tab. However, due dates are listed below.)
LEARNING UNIT #1
WEEK #1
Monday, February 10th (Assignment Due Sunday, February 16th at 11:55pm)
Please Click on the Assignments Tab, Learning Unit #1, Chapter #1 Assignment to access your assignment
Chapter 1 – American Political Culture (Ginsberg)
Chapter 8 – Political Participation and Voting (Ginsberg)
Chapter 1 – California Government in Crisis (Anagnoson)
WEEK #2
MONDAY – FEBRUARY 17TH – HOLIDAY – LINCOLN’S/WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY(S)
Tuesday , February 18th (Assignment Due Sunday, February 23rd at 11:55pm)
Please Click on the Assignments Tab, Learning Unit #1, Chapter #2 Assignment to access your assignment