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.
Course Title, Number, and Section: POLS 2301 HI01 - American Government
Term: Spring 2015
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: Tuesday 1730 – 2110 WBU Pearl Harbor 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 prerequisite for this course
Required Textbook(s) and/or Required Material(s): American Government 2013-2014,, Joseph Losco & Ralph Baker,
978-0077409937
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.
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
10 points
Other F2F Class (5 per class)
35 points (max)
Last Class
15 points
Total
60 points
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
50%
12.5%
(200 points)
(50 points)
(025 points)
(025 points)
Video Reports
Attendance
TOTAL
22.5 %
15%
100%
(90 points)
(60 points)
(400 points)
Quizzes:
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:
None.
Mbr of Congress:
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 15 points.
My Senators are: ________________________ & ______________________________
My Representative is _________________________________
Assignment is due Apr 21, 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 May 12,
2015. An additional 5 points can be earned for a response to their question (not the automated
responses).
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 May 5, 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
completed for each video. Students will email their reports by the next class session. Points will be
deducted for late assignments.
Participation:
(Attendance)
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 2-7 – 5 each ; Class 8 – 15 points;
Total 60 points.
Bonus:
Students can earn 10 points for starting the F2F class with a prayer or devotion or leading a
discussion of a newsworthy 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%)
Below 239 (below 60%)
A
B
C
D
F
(and complete all video online assignments)
(and complete 80% video online assignments)
(and complete 70% video online assignments)
(and complete 60% video online assignments)
The University has a standard grade scale:
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:
Feb 24
Face to Face (F2F) Welcome. Course Review.
Blackboard 2hr - Video 1: A More Perfect Union
Mar 3
Face to Face (F2F) Discussion Chapter 1: Citizenship, and Chapter 2: The Constitution.
Quiz: Chapters 1 & 2.
Mar 10
Blackboard Full Session (4.5 hrs): Video 3: Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Video 4: 12
Angry Men
Mar 17
Spring Break
Mar 24
F2F Discussion: Chapter 3: Federalism; Chapter 4: Civil Liberties, Quiz: Chapters 3 & 4.
Blackboard 2hr – Video 2: We Shall Not Be Moved
Mar 31
F2F Discussion: Chapter 5 Civil Rights, Chapter 6: Public Opinion; Quiz chapters 5 & 6.
Apr 7
F2F Discussion: Chapter 7: Political Participation, Chapter 8: Interest Groups. Quiz
Chapters 7 & 8.
Apr 14
F2F Chapter 9: Parties and Political Campaigns &: Chapter 10 Media. Quiz Chapters 9 &
10.
Apr 21
F2F Discussion: Chapter 11: Congress & Chapter 12: Presidency
Quiz Chapters 11-12. Members of Congress report Due. Full Session
Apr 28
Blackboard Full Session (4.5 hrs): Video 5: Illegal Immigration Invasion, Video 6:
Missiles of October
May 5
F2F Discussion; Chapter 13: Bureaucracy & Chapter 14: Courts;
Federal Agency report Due.
May 12
F2F Discussion: Chapter 15: Public Policy and Chapter 16: Foreign & Defense Policy.
Quiz Chapters 15, & 16.
Quiz Chapters 13-14
Videos are subject to change based on the online availability. Students will be notified via
blackboard of any changes.
Additional Information:
1. Homework is due on the assigned date. Provide electronically as 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 Jan 27, 2013
http://catalog.wbu.edu