POLITICAL SCIENCE 1040.006

Spring 2016

Instructor: Dr. Gloria Cox, Wooten Hall 163

Class Time: MWF, 10-10:50 a.m., General Academic Building 105

Office Hours:Mon 1-3, Tues & Thurs 9:30-10:15 and 3:30-4:00; and other times by appointment

Telephone: 940-565-2601(Instructor’s Office) and 940-565-2276 (Department Office)

E-Mail:

We have a teaching assistant for this class:

Mr. Wei-Feng (Alex) Tzeng

E-mail address:

Office: Wooten Hall167, Telephone 940-369-8733

Office Hours: Tuesdays 2-4 and Fridays 10-12, and by appointment

Supplemental Instructor: The Supplemental Instructor (SI) for this class is Jeanne Anne Tye. The SI will attend all lectures and facilitate study sessions each week. Your SI will be an asset as you work to do well in this class.

Contacting the Course Instructor: Although you are in a class with lots of other students, please remember that a conversation with your course instructor is as close as your computer. You are welcome to send me a message at any time, day or night, although it may take me up to 24 hours to respond. I try not to answer messages from students on weekends, so as to have some time off each week. A couple of things: when you write to me, please put your name and course number and section in the subject line so I will know the message is from one of my students rather than someone trying to sell me something or whatever. Second, I am not permitted by University policy to discuss anything about grades if your message is from any source other than your official UNT account. Even then, I have to be very careful, as your records are protected by federal law. Another reminder: Your access point for business and academic services at UNT occurs at my.unt.edu. All official communication from the university will be delivered to your Eagle Connect account.

  1. INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Welcome to this class. I look forward to having a productive, informative, and enjoyable semester. Thank you for signing up for this class with me.

Three good reasons to take this course: 1) The content of this course is really important and interesting, as our lives are always affected by the actions of government whether the subject is curbside recycling or war; 2) A democratic nation like this one needs an informed citizenry; and 3) credit for this class is required for graduation in Texas. I promise to do my best to convince you that learning about American Government is both interesting and worthwhile.

Specific Learning Outcomes: As a result of your presence in this class, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the foundations of U.S. and Texas governments, including important ideas like the social contract, rule of law, and republican government;
  • Gain a detailed understanding of the important principles and details of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions;
  • Learn about civil liberties and the development of individual rights over time through legislation and court action;
  • Explore the concept of equality and its progression for groups in American society; and
  • Learn about the institutions of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—along with the bureaucracy, for both federal and state government.
  1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

We will use Blackboard to support our efforts in this class. You will be able to use Blackboard to check the syllabus, review announcements, see PowerPoint slides used in class, and check your grades. A cautionary note about that: Blackboard is a work-in-progress during the semester, and it is constantly being updated. It may be hard to interpret at times, as we occasionally have to make changes and also we reserve the right to correct errors. You are most welcome to be in touch with your instructor or the teaching assistant if you need help with Blackboard content. The site also provides a number to call in case of technical problems.

Reading Assignments: A textbook and a workbook are assigned for this class.

  1. The textbook isAmerican Government: Roots and Reform by O’Connor, Sabato, and Yanus. Please try to read the assigned material before we cover the topic in class.Eight chapters from this textbook are assigned.
  1. In addition, we will use the 1040 Workbook, Soomo 2014.The workbook was created as an additional resource for our students so that we can be certain that we as a department meet the learning objectives which the State of Texas has created for this course. Because there are four objectives set by the State, each workbook chapter is divided into four parts, each of which directly addresses one of the course learning objectives. Each workbook chapter is worth 20 points, for a total of 160 points this semester.

Eight chapters from the workbook are assigned, and your completion of chapter questions from the workbook will constitute your homework grade for the course. Each workbook chapter is divided into four parts, and you will need to make sure that you complete all four parts for each chapter and submit your answers. Questions can be reset so you may make multiple tries for each question. That creates a situation in which every student is able to get a perfect or very high grade on every workbook chapter.

There is a deadline by which each workbook chapter must be completed. The date is available on the syllabus and at the workbook site. If you are not able to complete the workbook assignment by the deadline, you will have an additional three days (72 hours) to complete the work for half credit.

You may purchase the workbook at the bookstore or online. If you purchase it at the bookstore, you will receive a passkey to enter at the online site. If you are not ready to purchase the workbook, you will be able to receive a three-week trial period after which you will need to finalize the purchase for the material to be available.

Four tests: Four tests are scheduled, and you must take all four tests for successful completion of the course. Each test will be worth 100 points for a total of 400 points. Tests will cover material from class as well as questions taken from the assigned reading in the textbook and the workbook. Please remember that there will be questions on each test about material we have not discussed in class.All regular tests will be in multiple choice format. All makeup tests will be short answer in format, and will require that the student write out answers for submission.

Each test will be available online during the class period as well as in class in paper form. You are required to take the test during the appointed time. Should you not be able to do so, you will be able to take a makeup test as long as you contact the course instructor as soon as you know you will be missing the test and no later than 48 hours after the scheduled beginning time for the test. In your written message to the course instructor, please let me know why you are missing the test. The reasons below are considered reasonable, and will qualify you for a makeup test. Other reasons will be considered on an individual basis.

  1. You are sick and have a valid official excuse from a physician;
  2. You experience a serious family issue (such as accident or death) for which you have supplied documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students;
  3. You areofficially representing UNT as a member of an athletic team, at a student conference, or in a similar situation; or
  4. The test falls on an important religious day. In this case, you are required to notify the course instructor in advance to make arrangements to take the test at another time.

Final exams must be administered in accordance with the University’s exam schedule. Please do not ask to take the final exam at another time, as it is not within my authority to grant such requests. Please note the time of the final at the start of the semester and keep it in mind as you make plans for the end of the semester.

Attendance and Participation Credit: This class meets 42 times. You will have an assigned seat of your choosing, and attendance will be checked at each class period. I believe that regular class attendance will benefit you greatly in your efforts to be successful in the course, so I am offering a reward for good attendance in the form of attendance/participation points. You may earn up to 30 points (five percent of total points) for attendance, at the rate of one point for each complete class attended. These points are based on your actual attendance, and there are no points for absences even though you may have a good reason for not being here. The purpose of this credit is to encourage you to attend class, which has definite learning benefits, and to participate in class discussions which will enhance the value of the class for you.Absolutely no makeups will be available for this credit.

Occasional Quizzes: The remaining ten points of your grade can be earned by the occasional in-class quiz over reading assignments or previous lessons. We will have a few extra quizzes that may roll over to extra credit.

Extra Credit: While I do not offer individual extra credit opportunities, I will from time-to-time announce an opportunity for any student in the class to earn a few points of extra credit. As you would expect, these typically arise from important speakers presenting on our campus and similar events. I will announce these on Blackboard and also in class.

  1. GRADING/GRADING SCALE

Course requirements count as follows:

  • Four tests, including the final exam. Each test is worth 100 points for a total of 400 points
  • Eight workbook chapters, each worth 20 points, for a total of 160 points
  • Attendance and Participation Credit for a total of 30 points
  • Two quizzes for a maximum total of 10 points

You will have the opportunity to earn at least 600 points over the course of the semester. The following grading scale will be used for this class:

If you earn 359 or fewer points, your grade for the class will be F.

If you earn between 360 and 419 points, your grade will be D.

If you earn between 420 and 479 points, your grade will be C.

If you earn between 480 and 539 points, your grade will be B.

If you earn between 540 and 600 points, your grade will be A.

You will be able to check your points in Blackboard. To repeat my earlier cautionary note, please remember that it often takes some time for us to post your points and that we reserve the right to correct errors. My experience is that Blackboard can be difficult to interpret at times, so please let me know if you have questions or concerns about what you see posted there.

  1. SOME THROUGHTS YOUR INSTRUCTOR WISHES TO SHARE WITH YOU

You are my students this semester, and I commit myself to doing a good job for you. My goal is for you to deepen your understanding of government, enjoy the class and make the grade you want in the class. Here are some thoughts I want to share:

  • Please commit yourself to coming to class every day, as the single most important thing you can do to make sure you make a good grade in this class is to attend every day. As Woody Allen (an old movie director of whom you may have heard) put it, 85 percent of success is showing up. If you miss class, you miss what we covered that day and the discussion pertaining to it. You also lose track of what we are discussing and how ideas fit together. Remember that attendance will be taken every day, and that you can earn up to 30 pointsjust for being present and, hopefully, being part of the classroom discussion.
  • Beyond that, I encourage you to read the assignments and take notes in class. Most students don’t take notes these days and, as a result, students have become passive learners, expecting that the notes will be sent to them later. That is not my practice, however, as we know with certainty that we learn by writing things down. I will post on Blackboard a version of the PowerPoint slides used in class, not the actual lecture notes. Please bring a notebook and a pen, and take notes in class. You will be amazed what a big help this turns out to be.
  • I know that government is not the most interesting subject to every student. (I have some theories on why that is true.) I also know that this course (PSCI 1040) has a fairly high number/percentage of students who disappear as the semester moves along, or drop the class, or request an Incomplete, or keep coming but do not submit assignments and/or do poorly on them. That fact is why I am going to share a secret with you at the outset: my goal is that every student taking this class with me this term will make a grade of C or higher. If it looks like that will tough for you, please attend study sessions conducted by the Supplemental Instructor, or talk with me or one of the teaching assistants. We will be able to offer strategies for your success.
  1. OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS

ADA COMPLIANCE: The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at disability.unt.edu. You may also contact the ODA Office by phone at (940) 565-4323.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY/INTEGRITY: Any suspected case of Academic Dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the University Policy and procedures.Possible academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to a grade of “F” in the course. Further sanctions may apply to incidents involving major violations.The Political Science Department adheres to and enforces UNT’s policy on academic integrity (cheating, plagiarism, forgery, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty and sabotage). Students in this class should review the policy, which is located at:

Please remember that your instructor and the Department of Political Science expect students to conduct themselves with integrity, including academic honesty, and we adhere to a strict policy on cheating and plagiarism. In this class, a student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a "0" for that particular assignment or exam. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Dean of Students, who may impose further penalties. According to the UNT catalog, the term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. Occasionally, a student will have another student attend class and/or take exams for him or her. The penalty in such a case will be failure in the course plus whatever other sanctions the University chooses to impose when the case is reported to the Dean of Students and other appropriate authorities.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: The information and materials provided by the instructor in this course remain our intellectual property and are not to be sold, posted on the Internet, or otherwise used or distributed, whether for profit or not.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: We will try to adhere to the schedule provided, but it is important to note that changes may be necessary to meet unforeseen needs and events. The University Attorney has determined that a syllabus is not a contract.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR: My personal expectation is that each Student will conduct himself/herself with regard for the rights of others. Student behavior that interferes with the instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in this class. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Dean of Students to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct.