Government 2301
Fall 2012
American and Texas Government
Houston Community College
Stafford Campus Room 321 Learning HUB 8:00 a.m. T TH
Instructor:
Email:
Phone No.:
Office Hours:
Vickie McBride, PhD
Vickie.mcbride@hccs.edu
832-971-4313
By Appointment
English 1301 -
Pre/Co Requisite
REQUIRED TEXT and Readings:
Karen J. O’Connor, Larry J. Sabato, and Alixandra B. Yanus. American Government:
Roots and Reform, Texas Edition (New York: Pearson Longman)
MyPoliSciLab (www.mypoliscilab.com), which includes practice tests, multimedia
activities, and more to reinforce your understanding of the textbook.
Additional Readings:
Supplemental readings will be accessed online throughout the semester.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Government 2301 is one of two courses designed to introduce students to the politics of
government in America at the national, state, and local levels. This course is fully
transferable to other colleges and universities. – A study of theories of American
democracy and other ideologies, United States and Texas constitutions, federalism,
state and local government, political economy, political socialization and public opinion,
the media, interest groups, and political parties and elections. The course will
encourage both critical and analytical thinking about American government and the
major challenges facing contemporary America.
The course objectives will be accomplished through the following activities 1.) Lectures
2.) Assigned readings 3.) Class discussions 4.) Vocabulary tests 5.) Exams 6.) A
Research paper and 7.) A Service Learning Project. In order to do well in the course,
students are expected to take useful notes, read and study the assigned reading
material; and participate in class discussion and activities.
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DISABILITIES:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Ability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester.
Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Ability
Services Office. At Southwest College, students should contact Dr. Becky Hauri at 713718-7909.
GRADING:
The grade you receive for this course will be based on your performance on three
vocabulary tests, 3 exams, 1 research paper and a Service Learning project. Your
participation in class discussion, attendance and general contribution to the class will be
considered. There are a total of 300 points for the course. Your grade is based on the
total points you earn. The points that may be acquired are distributed as follows:
Vocabulary Test One ___________________ 10 points
Vocabulary Test Two ___________________ 10 points
Vocabulary Text Three __________________ 10 points
Exam One _________________________ 50 points
Exam Two ___________________________ 50 points
Exam Three __________________________ 50 points
Research paper _______________________ 50 points
Community Service Project ______________ 50 points
Participation/Attendance ________________ 20 points
2 Extra Point Pop Quizzes ________________ Up to 20 points
300-270 points
269-240 points
239-210 points
209-150 points
149-Below
(100%-90%)
(89%-80%)
(79%-70%)
(69%-60%)
(59% and Below)
A
B
C
D
F
If for any reason a student misses an exam due to a serious problem, it is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor before the next class session. There is no
opportunity to make-up missed exams. Make-up exams will be strictly essay-format.
There will be no exception to this rule regardless of circumstances. A grade letter will be
taken off each class session that an assignment is turned in late. Extra points (up to 20
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points) may be earned through 2 pop quizzes given over assigned readings and will be
given at the beginning of the class. Guest speakers will also attend the class when
specific topics are discussed and their input will also be covered on exams and quizzes.
You must attend class and be on time to earn these points.
ATTENDANCE:
You should come to class. Students with good attendance records usually do well in
the course. Please keep me informed if you are having problems that are affecting your
attendance and I will do my best to work with you. If you decide you must drop the
course, please see the counselors to fill out the appropriate form. A student who does
not officially notify HCC of his/her intention to drop the course will most likely receive a
grade of F. A student may drop the course for any reason up to November 2, 2012 at
4:30 p.m.
NOTICE:
As of Fall 2006, students who take a course for the third time or more will face
significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and
universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning
passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your
study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course
participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion. Cheating on a test includes copying from another student's test paper; using,
during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test; collaborating with
another student during a test without authority; knowingly using, buying, selling,
stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an un-administered
test; or bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered. ‘Plagiarism’
means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one's own written work for credit. ‘Collusion’ means the unauthorized
collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit."
If you are caught committing scholastic dishonesty in any way, you will receive an F for
the course.
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STUDENT DISCIPLINE:
Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior/activities, which interfere with teaching
and/or learning will not be tolerated, and may result in an administrative withdrawal
without refund.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
Cell phones should be turned off completely during class unless required for class work.
Computers may be used for note taking and classroom activities.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Describe and evaluate the impact of government on the lives of individuals and
society as a whole, focusing on public finance, the provision of public services,
regulatory policy, civil rights, civil liberties, criminal justice, foreign policy, and defense
policy.
2. Compare and contrast the institutions of American national government with those of
the state of Texas.
3. Trace the development of the U.S. and Texas Constitutions from their drafting
through the present.
4. Identify and evaluate information sources for political news, data, and opinion,
including newspapers, websites, television, radio, and social media.
FINAL GRADE OF FX
Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the
withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or
be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who stop
attending classes will receive a grade of "FX", compared to an earned grade of "F"
which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation
is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding
for students who have never attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail
to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay
back their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of
GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress.
EGLS3
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of
the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions
related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to
your professors and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look
for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near
the end of the term.
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Schedule and Reading Assignments:
August 28
Explanation of Syllabus and Course and Introduction
Unit One:
Foundations of Government
The Political Landscape, The Constitution, Federalism, and State and Local
Government
Chapter Pre-Test: Before beginning the readings, be sure to take the chapter pre-tests
to get a sense of the material’s relevancy. Organize your time by using the study plans
created by these pre-tests.
August 30
Chapter 1
September 4
Chapter 1
September 6
Chapter 2
September 11
Chapter 2
September 13
Chapter 3
September 18
Chapter 3
September 20
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Service Learning Project Assignment
September 25
Guest Speaker
Website Resources:
www.house.gov/house/Educate.shtml
www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters.html
www.statelocalgov.net/
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www.csg.org
www.nga.org
www.ncsl.org
Unit Two:
Political Behavior
Public Opinion and Political Socialization, Political parties, Elections and Voting,
The Campaign Process, The News Media and Interest Groups
Chapter Pre-Test: Before beginning the readings, be sure to take the chapter pre-tests
to get a sense of the material’s relevancy. Organize your time by using the study plans
created by these pre-tests.
September 27
Exam Review
October 2
Exam 1
October 4
Chapter 11
October 9
Chapter 11
October 16
Chapter 12
Service Learning Assignment
October 18
Chapter 13
October 23
Chapter 14
October 25
Chapter 15
November 1
Chapter 16
Research paper assignment and Exam Review
November 6
Exam 2
Website Resource:
www.gallup.com
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www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/
www.dnc.org
www.rnc.org
www.people-press.org
www.cnn.com/elections
www.civicyouth.org
www.commoncause.org
www.ajar.org
www.opensecrets.org
Unit Three:
Texas Government
The Context for Texas Politics and Government, The Texas Constitution, Local
Government and politics in Texas, Political Parties, interest Groups, Elections,
and Campaigns in Texas
Chapter Pre-Test: Before beginning the readings, be sure to take the chapter pre-tests
to get a sense of the material’s relevancy. Organize your time by using the study plans
created by these pre-tests.
November 8
Chapter 20
November 13
Chapter 20
November 15
Chapter 21
November 20
Chapter 21
November 22
Thanksgiving
November 27
Chapter 22
November 29
Chapter 22
December 4
Research Paper Due and Presentations
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December 6
Chapter 26
Exam 3 Review
December 11
Exam 3
December 13
Final Service learning Report Due and Presentation
Website Resources:
www.texancultures.utsa.edu
www.tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/tex/1845index.html
www.tml.org
www.ncl.org
www.sos.state.tx.us/elections
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