TEMPLE COLLEGE
GOVERNMENT 2301
Summer 1, 1996 - 5 wks
COURSE SYLLABUS
This course surveys the American political culture and the ideological framework for
American government, the U.S. and Texas constitutions, federalism and
intergovernmental relations, and participatory institutions and processes. These
specific topics are worked into the broader context of American politics and
policy-making and are examined using basic political science methods. This course
transfers to all universities in Texas and is required to receive a bachelor's degree.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a result of taking this course, students should be able to:
(1)
identify the basic institutions and processes relevant to the political and
public
policy-making processes at the national, state, and local levels of
government in the United States;
(2)
demonstrate understanding of these institutions and processes by
successfully responding to objective and written-format test items, thereby developing
criticalthinking and writing skills;
(3) utilize basic statistical tools to empirically analyze quantitative data relating
political, economic, and other social variables;
(4)
apply the factual information and concepts introduced in the course to
current and
future political problems facing American society.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
3 regular exams -- each is 1/6 of course grade
1 final exam -- 1/3 of course grade
series of out of class assignments -- 1/6 of course grade
Regular exams: Exams in this course will feature multiple choice and written-format
questions. Test items will be taken from BOTH the assigned reading materials AND
materials presented and discussed in class. NOTE: The exams in this class are CRITICAL
THINKING exercises!
As such, they are designed to test students recall of factual
information, ability to analyze and synthesize information, weigh alternatives and make
decisions. Students should expect to see three types of questions on exams: factual,
conceptual or thematic, and application items.
Final exam: The final exam will cover materials presented and discussed over the course
of the entire semester. The format of the final exam will be very similar to the regular
exams.
Make-up exams: Students who miss one of the three regular exams are entitled to take a
make-up exam over the tested material. However, students should keep the following
conditions in mind: (1) to be eligible to take a make-up exam, you should inform the
instructor AHEAD OF TIME that you will be unable to take the exam at the scheduled time;
(2) make-up exams are entirely written (essay) format; (3) the instructor will schedule ONE
DATE for all students who have missed any of the regular exams to take make-ups (this
will be in the week before finals and will NOT be during class time); (4) students who miss
the final examination for a legitimate reason will be given a grade of incomplete and
allowed to make-up the final according to the policy of the College; and (5) there will be
NO EXCEPTIONS to these conditions.
Out-of-class assignments: A series of assignments designed to provide students with a
working knowledge of some basic tools of empirical political science will be made this
term. Some of these will be “pen and paper” assignments; others will require that
students use a computer. Assignments which require the use of a computer will be
designed so that they may be completed at one of the open-access labs on campus.
Students should be able to complete most of the assignments in 15-20 minutes -- of
course, the time required to complete an assignment will vary among students
depending on degree of familiarity with computers, etc.
SPECIFIC DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH EACH ASSIGNMENT.
points:
Please note the following general
(1) 12 assignments will be made during the course of the semester.
will
be required to complete 10 of these;
Each student
(2) Students may ONLY obtain assignments if they are present in class during the
meeting that the assignment is made - assignments WILL NOT be given to
students
outside of class;
(3) Whereas each student is required to complete 10 of 12 assignments, the
preceding
means that a student may miss two class meetings in which assignments
are made
without being penalized (this provision is consistent with the College’s
policy on
excessive absences, see Student Handbook);
(4) The instructor WILL NOT announce ahead of time when assignments will be made;
(5) Assignments must be turned in when they are due in order to receive credit. No
late work will be graded by the instructor. Absolutely, no exceptions will be made to
this rule!!
TEXTBOOKS
 Schmidt, Shelley, and Bardes. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY,
1995-96.
Maxwell, Crain, et al. TEXAS POLITICS TODAY. 7th edition.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is expected of all students. The instructor will take attendance
daily and report excessive absences to the administration as required by the policy of
the College. Absence from 4.5 hours (summer terms) of classroom instruction is
defined as excessive. Please refer to the TC Student Handbook for information
concerning administrative drops and readmission as a result of excessive absences.
MISCELLANEOUS
The instructor will not post a schedule of regular office hours this term. However,
the instructor will be in frequently on an informal basis. Students are encouraged to
arrange a consultation to discuss any issues related to the course.
My office telephone number is 817/773-9961 ext. 239.
message with the Faculty Secretary at ext. 344.
DAILY preparation is
terms!
ESSENTIAL
Students may leave a
for success in this course, especially during summer
Approach this course with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE! Disregard what others may have
told you about the course, good or bad. You can learn more about American
government and politics this semester than you ever imagined, if you let yourself.
PRECONCEIVED ATTITUDES concerning college courses such as this one can do more to
impede your education than anything else!
DO NOT EXPECT
initiative to learn!!!
THE MATERIAL TO SIMPLY
"WASH OVER YOU!"
YOU
must take the
2301 TOPICAL SYLLABUS
Topic #
1
2
Description
Reading Assignment*
Introduction to studying politics;
a systems approach to studying
American politics and policy.
AMERICAN, 3-9; 555-561;
Economics and politics.
AMERICAN, 595-622.
721-724.
EXAM #1 Date: _________________
3
Political culture, thought.
AMERICAN, 9-29.
4
The U.S. Constitution.
AMERICAN, 33-69; 693711; 715-719.
5
The Texas Constitution.
TEXAS, 25-48.
EXAM #2 Date: _________________
6
Federalism and IGR.
AMERICAN, 71-104.
TEXAS, 1-23; 345-360.
7
State and local government in the U.S.;
AMERICAN, 661-692;
local government in Texas.
TEXAS, 319-343.
EXAM #3 Date: _________________
8
Public opinion/political socialization.
AMERICAN, 219-251.
9
Political parties.
AMERICAN, 285-317;
TEXAS, 79-106.
10
Interest groups.
AMERICAN, 253-283;
TEXAS, 107-129.
11
Campaigns and elections.
AMERICAN, 319-362;
TEXAS, 49-78.
FINAL EXAM
Date:__________
Time:_________
*The instructor reserves the right to add new or delete any existing reading assignments.