WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES
HAWAII CAMPUS
Wayland Mission Statement: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused, and distinctively Christian environment for professional success and service to God and humankind.
CourseTitle, Number, and Section: POLS 2301 HI02 - American Government
Term: Summer2015
Instructor: Mr John Walsh
Office Phone Number and WBU Email Address: 456-5038 Email : john.walsh@wayland.wbu.edu
or walshj009@hawaii.rr.com
Office Hours, Building, and Location: Before or after class
Class Meeting Time and Location: Thursday 1730 – 2130 KBay Joint Education Center
(Hybrid Class – 33 hours face-to-face; 12 hours online)
Catalog Description: Survey of the American national government including such topics as the U.S. Constitution, institutional structures and processes, political parties, elections, civil liberties, and civil rights
There is no prerequisitefor this course
Required Textbook(s) and/or Required Material(s): American Government 2015-2016, , Joseph Losco& Ralph Baker,
ISBN-13: 978-1259284267 ISBN-10: 1259284263 NEW TEXT
Optional Materials: None
Course Outcome Competencies: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
 national constitutions,
 the major institutions of the national government,

 the national policymaking process, the electoral system, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights.
Attendance Requirements:
Students enrolled at one of the university’s external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings.
All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be made up. When a student reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the external campus executive director/dean.
Any student who misses 25 percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may receive a grade of F in the course. Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the university’s attendance policy. A student may petition the Academic Council for exceptions to the above stated policies by filing a written request for an appeal to the executive vice president/provost.

All Wayland students are expected to attend every class meeting; the minimum percentage of class participation required to avoid receiving a grade of “F” in the class is 75%. Students who miss the first two class meetings without providing a written explanation to the instructor will be automatically dropped from the roster as a “no-show.”
Students who know in advance that they will be absent the first two class meetings and who wish to remain in the class must inform the instructor in order to discuss possible arrangements for making up absences.
Additional attendance policies: Attendance is very important to your success in this class. While tests may be made up, lectures and class discussion cannot be replicated. Arriving thirty minutes late or leaving thirty minutes before class has been dismissed constitutes an absence. In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to notify WBU and the instructor.
Absences will affect your grade. Sleeping in class constitutes an absence. Students will earn participation/attendance points as follows:
First class
Other F2F Class (5 per class)
Last Class
Total
10 points
35 points (max)
15 points
60 points
Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Wayland Baptist University observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per university policy as described in the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be reported and second offenses will result in suspension from the university.
Disability Statement: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of
Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 291- 3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for accommodations.
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria:
Course requirements: Quizzes (textbook)
Reports:
Member of Congress Report
Federal Agency Report
Video Reports
Attendance
TOTAL
Quizzes:
50% (200 points)
12.5% (50 points)
(025 points)
(025 points)
22.5 % (90 points)
15% (60 points)
100% (400 points)
Quizzes will be some combination of 5to 20 multiple choice, true/false, and/or fill-in-the blank questions. Quizzes will be given at the end of each class session for those chapters discussed.
Missed quizzes can be made-up during the half hour before the next class session. Makeup quizzes will consist of more questions but graded on the same point scale. Quizzes will not be returned. The Quizzes count for50% of the student’s grade (200 points).
Final Exam:
Mbr of Congress:
None.
Students will identify their two U.S
. Senators and their one member of the U. S.
House of
Representatives and complete the provided worksheet/report. Students earn 25 points.
My Senators are: ________________________ & ______________________________
My Representative is _________________________________
Assignment is due Oct 29, 2015.
Bonus: Student can write a letter (or email) to a member of Congress requesting their position on a topic of interest. Possible issues will be discussed at the first/class session. (5 points) Due Oct 29,
2015 . An additional 5 points can be earned for a response to their question (not the automated responses). Due Oct 29, 2015.
Federal
Agency Report:
Students will provide a 1-2 page double spaced report on an assigned federal government organization to be selected at the first/second class session. Paper is due Oct 29, 2015 and students will give a short report on their assigned agency __________________________ (time permitting).
(25 points)

Video Reports:
(Hybrid)
Students will watch several videos during the blackboard (online) sessions. Reports will be
completedfor each video. Students will email their reports by the next class session. Points will be deducted for late assignments.
Participation:
(Attendance)
Bonus:
Students are expected to be prepared for each class and participate in class discussions.
Scores are assigned for each (F2F) session. Class 1 - 15; Classes 2-8 – 5 each ; Class 9 – 10 points;
Total 60 points.
Students can earn 10 points for starting the F2F class with a prayer or devotion or leading a discussion of anewsworthy item during the appropriate class. A maximum of 10 bonus points can be earned.
Congressional question/answer does not count against the maximum.
Method of determining course grade:
Grading Scale: 360 - 400 (90-100%)
320 - 359 (80-89%)
280 - 319 (70-79%)
240 - 279 (60-69%)
A
B
C
D
(and complete all video online assignments)
(and complete 80% video online assignments)
(and complete 70% video online assignments)
(and complete 60% video online assignments)
Below 239 (below 60%)
The University has a standard grade scale:
F
A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F= below 60, W = Withdrawal, WP = withdrew passing, WF = withdrew failing, I = incomplete. An incomplete may be given within the last two weeks of a long term or within the last two days of a microterm to a student who is passing, but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work for reasons beyond the student’s control. A grade of “incomplete” is changed if the work required is completed prior to the last day of the next long (10 to 15 weeks) term, unless the instructor designates an earlier date for completion. If the work is not completed by the appropriate date, the I is converted to an F.
Student grade appeals:
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations or course bypass examinations. Appeals limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the Executive
Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty
Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
Tentative Schedule:
Aug 20 Face to Face (F2F) Welcome. Course Review.
Blackboard 2hr - Video 1: A More Perfect Union
Aug 27 Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 1: Citizenship, and Chapter 2: The Constitution.
Quiz: Chapters 1 & 2.
Sep 3
Sep 10
Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 3: Federalism; Chapter 4: Civil Liberties, Quiz:
Chapters 3 & 4.
Blackboard 2hr – Video 2: Civil Rights selection
Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 5 Civil Rights, Chapter 6: Public Opinion; Quiz chapters 5 & 6.
Sep 17 Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 7: Political Participation, Chapter 8: Interest
Groups. Quiz Chapters 7 & 8.

Sep 24 Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 9: Parties and Political Campaigns &: Chapter 10
Media. Quiz Chapters 9& 10.
Oct 1 Blackboard Full Session (4.5 hrs): Video 3: Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Video 4: 12
Angry Men
Oct 8
Oct 15
Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 11: Congress & Chapter 12: Presidency
Quiz Chapters 11-12.
Face to Face (F2F) Discussion; Chapter 13: Bureaucracy & Chapter 14: Courts; Quiz
Chapters 13-14
Oct 22 Blackboard Full Session (4.5 hrs): Video 5: Illegal Immigration, Video 6: Cuban Missile crisis
Oct 29 Face to Face (F2F) Discussion: Chapter 15: Public Policy and Chapter 16: Foreign &
Defense Policy.
Quiz Chapters 15 & 16.
Members of Congress report Due. Federal Agency report Due.
Videos are subject to change based on availability. Students will be notified via blackboard of any changes.
Additional Information:
1. Homework is due on the assigned date. Provide electronicallyas an Email attachment.
2 . Late homework will result in a lower grade ( 20% penalty per week).
3. Grammar as well as content and organization of content will be part of the grading criteria
4. Homework assignments must be typed and double spaced in Times New Roman 12.
5. Questions about an assigned grade must be resolved within a week after the assignment is returned to the student. This is to avoid questions about grades arising at the end of the course or after the course is over.
6. All exams and homework are to be the work of the student except for any study group oral presentations.
7. Students need to use the internet to access information for the homework assignments.
8. Please no beepers or cellular phones in class unless they are placed on silent or vibrating mode.
9. Please do not bring children to class.
10. Always contact the instructor if you have difficulty with the course material, assignments, or should personal situations arise where you need assistance. However, always contact the instructor as early as possible for direction or assistance. Missed exams are not given at a later date as a matter of policy.
Extraordinary circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please ask for assistance or clarification if needed. Also note that education is a collaborative process between the instructor and students—all of us have a role in the learning process. I hope this will be an enjoyable and rewarding class for each of you!
Students will be provided with a homework guide on blackboard to help with assignments.
Students who miss the first class need to review the Welcome Power Point Slides and the Homework
Guide. Then follow-up that review with questions, questions, and more questions.
POLS 2301 is a 45 class hour course. Approximately 33 hours will be face to face sessions and 12 hours via blackboard (online) sessions.
This is the cover from Amazon.com website retrieved Mar 26, 2015 http://catalog.wbu.edu