UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
POLS 1101 American Government – Spring 2014 – Online Course
Charlene Warwick
Office: Strickland Building, Room 124
Office Hours: Mon/Wed 10AM to 12PM and Tues/Thur 11AM to 12PM and 3:30PM to 5PM
Office Phone # 678-717-3552-Voice Mail Only
e-mail – charlene.warwick@ung.edu
Specific details of this syllabus may be subject to change.
Course Description - 3 Credit Hours
This course is a distance learning course, meaning that all of the class activities will be through D2L via the
internet. We will be meeting face-to-face in the classroom only one time during the semester and that will
occur for the comprehensive final exam. All of your work during the next four weeks will be done on-line.
Only students with excellent computer skills and disciplined enough to maintain a self-governing work
environment should be enrolled in this course.
All students must be able to access D2L, D2L email and UNG email. If you are unable to access D2L through
your home computer, there are many computers available on campus for this purpose. I will utilize email
within D2L as the official means of communication and it will be necessary for you to check your D2L email
every day during short summer session. If you do not complete an assignment on time you will earn a zero
unless there is a confirmable emergency with official documentation. Computer issues will not be an
acceptable excuse for incomplete assignments or missed exams.
This is an introduction to American Government. The major policy, system and institutions of American
government will be covered in this course. We will also be discussing Georgia government.
To be truly successful in this course you must acknowledge that you will need to actively participate in every
aspect of this distance learning experience. We will meet every day during the July summer session
electronically. All material will be presented through D2L, UNG’s learning management system.
https://ung.view.usg.edu
It is essential for you to devote a period of time equal to class time every week (minimum of 3-4 hours weekly).
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, we will have covered some very interesting aspects of American government. We
will discuss why our system has endured over the years and some of the problems within our system and
institutions.
This particular course will enable students to describe the following:
 Examine the historical and philosophical roots of America’s system of government
 Evaluate the significance of our Declaration of Independence and US Constitution
 Analyze the interaction of political actors and institutions in the United States and their interactions with
global actors and forces
 Show understanding of Georgia’s history and government including current issues in Georgia.
 Formulate and defend logical arguments in discussing a variety of contemporary political issues.
 Consider the effects of cultural difference and economic interests of political actors within the United
States and between the United States and other global actors.
 Assess the accuracy, completeness and potential bias of sources of information pertaining to politics and
government in the United States and world.
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Course Prerequisites:
Completion or exemption from READ099 or concurrent enrollment if necessary
Course Materials (required and available in the campus bookstore)
By The People, Brief Edition, Morone and Kersh
UNG Bookstore - http://ung.edu/bookstore/index.php
Additional materials/readings will be required and/or provided during the semester.
Course Policies
Tests
There will be four exams and one comprehensive final exam during this course. The final exam will be given
face-to-face on the Gainesville Campus April 30th. I will confirm the time and classroom location. No make-up
tests are permitted.
Course Assignments
Each section will have an on-line exercise that will require you to participate in a simulation, watch videos, or
review websites dealing with the chapter material. Subsequently you will answer on-line questions related to
the activity. There will be many course discussions that you are required to be involved with. You must
complete the exercise and discussions before 11:59 PM on the day assigned. Any exercises not completed
by the deadline will receive a grade of zero, and there will be no make-ups.
Withdrawal
If you desire to drop this course it is your responsibility to begin the withdrawal procedure. The last date to
withdraw and receive a "W" can be found on the UNG website. Other withdrawals are given only when they are
consistent with general university guidelines.
Academic Exchange
The values of an intellectual community are trust, honesty, free inquiry, open debate, tolerance of difference and
respect for others’ convictions. Further, the intellectual community always seeks to foster the virtues and
characteristics of intelligence, curiosity, discipline, creativity, integrity, clear expression and the desire to learn
from others. It is these that must guide our work and exchanges in the classroom.
Anyone perceived by the instructor to conduct him/herself in such a manner as to obstruct or disrupt, or attempt
to obstruct or disrupt, the class or its learning activities will be given a verbal warning and may be asked to
excuse him/herself from the discussion in which the conduct occurred. Further disruptive conduct may be
reported to the Vice President for Student Development and may be subject to disciplinary procedure as
outlined in the University Catalog.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
All students are expected to do their own work. Utilizing another student’s work is cheating and will be dealt
with appropriately. In cases where the work of others has been drawn upon, the work must be cited
appropriately. (see Student Handbook)
Plagiarism/Cheating: Plagiarism or any other form of cheating will not be tolerated. Any violations will be dealt
with swiftly. Students caught cheating on an exam will be given a grade of zero on the exam in question and
may be reported under the Student Code of Conduct policy. Students who plagiarize on a paper will receive a
grade of zero for the paper in question and may be reported under the Student Code of Conduct policy. Other
penalties, above and beyond the grade of zero, can be assessed with each transgression in accordance with UNG
policies including the possibility of receiving an F in my course.
If you have any question regarding this, please ask, do not give any instructor reason to doubt you.
http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/student-handbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
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College Information and Policies
E-Mail is the official means on communication for UNG. You will be required to utilize your UNG and D2L
e-mail for various correspondence and information.
Please use the proper etiquette to communicate with your instructors.
Grading
Tests
Four exams and one final exam will be given.
The final exam is comprehensive and will be given face-to-face on campus.
First four exams will total 60% of course grade.
Comprehensive Final Exam = 20%
Assignments
Class assignments, discussions and journal grade will count as 20% of your course grade.
Final Calculations for grading
60% = 4 Exams
20% = Comprehensive Final
20% = Assignments, discussions and journal
Grading System
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
Below 60 = F
UNG Information and Policies
SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE INFORMATION
Students are responsible for accessing supplemental course information common to all courses at
http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/policies-and-guidelines/supplemental-syllabus.php
Student Disability Services:
http://ung.edu/student-disability-services/index.php
Academic Integrity Policy:
University of North Georgia’s honor policy is below:
“On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, conspire to deceive, or tolerate those who
do.”
See the link below to the student handbook, beginning on page 33, for information and policies regarding
plagiarism.
http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/student-handbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
This link also outlines student code of conduct violations’ procedures and is found on the Dean of Students
website:
http://ung.edu/dean-of-students/student-code-of-conduct/index.php
Early Alert/Early Intervention Program:
“I am committed to your success in this course and at this university. I may, therefore, refer you to other
persons and/or services available to help you achieve academic success. In turn, if you are referred, you will
be expected to comply with the referrals. Please understand that such referrals are not a form of punishment,
rather, they are intended to help you.
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NGCSU has implemented an Early Alert/Early Intervention program. I am a participating faculty member in
the program. I may, then, refer you to other persons and/or services at the university designed to help you
achieve your academic goals. You, in turn, will be expected to take advantage of the help offered to you.
As your teacher I am committed to your academic success, not only in this class, but at this university. If I feel
you would benefit from some of the special services available to students, I will make the appropriate referral.
I will, further, expect you to comply with the referral and take advantage of the services offered.”
Statement Composed by the Recruit Back, Early/Alert Intervention Team, 2006
Dates to Remember:
January 6 at 12pm
January 10
January 20
March 3
March 17 – 22
April 25
April 28 – May 2
– Classes begin
– Drop/Add ends
– MLK, Jr. Holiday (no classes)
– Full Session midpoint (last day to withdraw without penalty)
– Spring Break (no classes)
– Last day of class
– Final Exams
*Specific details of this schedule will change throughout the semester. Items will be added to this daily!
Day
Topic
Assignments
Week 1
Introduction
Syllabus
Acquiring Textbook
Sign into D2L
Syllabus - Introduction
Morone Chapter 1
First Assignment will be available – January 12
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Sources of Politics
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Morone Chapter 2 Read Appendix I
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Complete Assignment 1 by January 16 at
11:59pm
Constitution
Nature of Government
Morone Chapter 2 begin Chapter 3
Read Appendix II
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Federalism
Political Culture
Ideology
Morone Chapter 3
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Complete Assignment 2 by January 24 at 11:59pm
February 1- 4
Exam 1
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Week 5
Legislative Power
Legislative Power
Week 6
Executive Power
Morone Chapter 10
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Morone Chapter 10
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Morone Chapter 11
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Week 7
Executive Power
Morone Chapter 11
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Week 8
Bureaucracy
Morone Chapter 12
View Websites/Links/2ocuments in D2L
March 1-4
Week 9
Exam 2
Judicial Power
Morone Chapter 13
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
RIGHTS
Week 10
Civil Liberties
Week 12
Civil Rights
Morone Chapter 4
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Morone Chapter 5
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Exam 3
April 2-5
POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
April 23-26
April 30
TBA
Public Opinion
Political Participation
Morone Chapter 6
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
The Media
Voting and Elections
Morone Chapter 7 and 8
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Interest Groups Political Parties
Policy
Georgia Politics
Morone Chapter 9
View Websites/Links/Documents in D2L
Exam 4
Final Exam
Comprehensive
Will be face to face final – you must http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/fall-and-springattend in person!
exams.php
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