Wharton County Junior College (WCJC)
Syllabus for GOVERNMENT 2301
CRNs 11922, 11939, 11333, 11921
Fall Session 2010
Division of Social and Behavioral Science
Department of History, Geography and Government
Academic WCJC Core Course 070
Professor Elizabeth McLane, M.A., M.S.
Purpose: This syllabus serves as the course outline for all of my Government (GOVT) 2301 classes. It is
the syllabus that covers: 1) my face-to-face classes (F2F); and 2) my ITV class this semester.
All of my GOVT classes have a Blackboard Distance Education component. I will orient you to its use
early this semester. If you have any additional technical questions or concerns about Blackboard which
will be used as a supplemental support in the class, please contact the Distance Education staff at 1800-561-9252, x.6336.
For course content questions, please contact me (contact information below).
Please read and, as necessary, re-read this syllabus. It will answer many of your questions during the
semester.
Contact Information: Office Phone Number: 281-243-8559/Office Fax Number: 281-243-8583.
E-mail addresses: elizabethm@wcjc.edu, preferable; for backup address: mclane_e@yahoo.com.
For all student email, I will respond within 24 hours during the work week and within 72 hours over the
weekend; please do not wait until the last minute to contact me using this medium.
Mailbox: Give written messages to the college receptionist on the first floor, who will place them in my
mailbox; otherwise, contact me in person, by phone or by email.
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 12-1, Sugar Land Commons across from the Bookstore.
Tuesday-Thursday: 12-2: SUG UH Office #227.
Virtual Hours for WWW class: 7-10 p.m., Monday nights.
Instructor Biography
Curriculum Vitae
Course Goal and Objectives: The main goal of the course is to broaden and deepen the student’s basic
understanding of American government and politics. This goal has at least three objectives:
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1. The first objective is for the student to develop a body of shared knowledge about American
politics.
2. The second objective is for the student to become acquainted with and understand a number of
important concepts and theories with which to make sense of American politics.
3. The third objective is for the student to develop some of the skills necessary to the understanding
and practice of American politics.
To achieve the goals and objectives, the course will focus particular attention on the following topics:
ideologies, constitutions, federalism, local governments, public opinion, elections, campaigns, political
parties, interest groups, media, and individual as well as group participation in the political process.
Topical Outline: This class is divided into five primary areas:
Area One: Ideology and political culture - This area introduces students to the various forms of
government and to the various alternatives with regard to political and economic ideology.
Students will learn about liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, pluralism, elitism, communism,
capitalism, socialism and the concept of social contract.
Area Two: Federalism – This area introduces students to the concepts of federalism, confederation and
unitary state.
Students will learn about the historical evolution of federalism, the impact of federalism on the operation
of national, state and local governments, the system of grants and mandates and the importance of
judicial review.
Area Three: Local Government - This area introduces students to the various forms of local
government in the United States and Texas.
It explores the types of municipal charters including home rule, the elected and appointed officials
involved in local government and the functions and finances of local government.
Area Four: Constitutions (National and State) - This area introduces students to the content and
evolution of the United States and Texas constitutions.
Students will compare constitutions. The distribution of powers, the structure of the national and state
government, and the process of amending constitutions is explored. Students are also taught about the
various compromises that yielded the United States constitution.
Area Five: Participation - This area provides an overview of the media, public opinion, political parties,
political socialization and interest groups and their role in American politics. Students learn about the
structure of parties, functions of parties, interest groups and the media; the pros, cons and methodology
of measuring public opinion; the types of interest groups and the impact all of these have on the political
process.
Required Textbook to be supplied by the student: ISBN 0558217672, Politics in America, Texas
Edition, 8/E. Authors Names: Thomas R. Dye, Bartholomew H. Sparrow Tucker Gibson Jr., and Clay
Robison. Edition: Number 1. Publication Year: 2009.
You can go to the Online Bookstore here:
http://www.wcjc.edu/admin_offices_n/Student_Services/bookstore_disclaimer.asp.
Make sure you have the WCJC edition of the textbook.
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Under the fair use provisions of the Copyright Act, you can also copy, for your own use, chapters of the
Dye textbook. The Sugar Land library has an edition on reserve and you can check with the Wharton
library as well.
Spatial or Physical requirements beyond typical classroom: Students who are taking the course online are advised to have access to a computer and Internet access adequate to complete this course in a
timely fashion. You are always welcome to videotape and/or audiotape my lectures.
Student Conduct: Per the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog, pages 12 and 13:
“All WCJC students are expected to obey the law, to show respect for properly constituted authority, and
to observe correct standards of conduct. In addition, they are expected to refrain from other types of
improper and socially unacceptable behavior that is specified in the Student Handbook. Students who
violate these rules of appropriate conduct as defined by the college are subject to disciplinary action.”
Seventeen misconduct behaviors are listed on page 13 of the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog. Any of
these behaviors may result in a student being placed on disciplinary probation or suspension (dismissal).
On the same page of the catalog are listed six behaviors that will result in immediate dismissal from the
college.
Additionally, on pages 13 and 14 of the catalog, the student can read the WCJC Sexual Harassment
Policy (Regulation 879) that can result in disciplinary action if the student violates the policy.
Mature, appropriate behavior is expected of students and it is the student’s responsibility to maintain
proper conduct. This is a college course, not a high school course. Learning cannot happen when
distractions occur.
I also would discourage you from arriving or leaving my class early unless you have a legitimate excuse.
Please do not use your cell phones and or engage in texting while in my class. I find the use of them by
students during class RUDE and DISTRACTING to both me and the other members of the class.
I will ask you to leave the classroom if you cannot maintain the appropriate conduct. If the distraction(s) is
not ended by the student, then I will follow the standards addressed by the code of conduct.
Class Requirements: Classroom interaction between students and the instructor is encouraged for the
purpose of developing in students the ability to speak and read about government with authority.
Class discussions should be stimulated by the readings assigned, current events and from points of
interest and interpretations of issues that emerge in class.
The instructor may frequently use the narrative/lecture format of instruction often appropriate for an
introductory class. After the basic facts have been presented the instructor may contrast the U.S./Texas
system with other systems or may invite a critical analysis of the current practices.
Students will be required to complete written work or to prepare oral presentation in order to further
elaborate or explain what has been presented discussed by the instructor. These requirements are
designed to challenge the student to analyze and critique the material presented.
The written work may be in the form of papers on partisan affiliation, analysis of members of Congress,
essay test topics, book reviews, reports on articles in scholarly journals, examination of current political
issues and other written assignments as designated by the instructor. Oral presentations may be
designed as debates, informative overviews of important political issues or persuasive monologues.
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Minimum requirements include the following:
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Attend class in accordance with college policy and as stipulated by the instructor.
Complete appropriate reading assignments IN ADVANCE in order to adequately discuss
materials in a timely fashion.
Complete appropriate writing assignments, discussions or oral presentations as assigned by the
instructor.
Complete appropriate tests (quizzes, major exams and/or the departmental post test) as
designated by the instructor.
Grading Scale, Testing and Measurement Policy: Grades are based on an accumulation of five scores
during the semester. Exams I, II and the writing assignment are each worth 30% of your grade for a total
of 90% your grade.
The final exam is the Post-Test for this department and it is the departmental standard exam; the PostTest is ten percent (10%) of your grade. The Post-Test will have 50 questions on it from the five topical
areas listed on pages three and four (ten questions from each area).
Exam I and II testing may be provided in a wide variety of styles. Objective questions may include
question styles such as multiple-choice, fill in the blank, matching or true/false. Exams may include
current events; keep up with political/government news, be in Internet, TV, radio or print media. You are
welcome to videotape and/or audiotape my lectures to help better prepare you for tests/assignments.
I use the standard rounding method of 89.5 +, 79.5+ to move the student from the lower grade to the
higher grade.
This is the grading scale for the course:
· 90-100% = A or 360-400+ points
· 80-89% =
B or 320-359 points
· 70-79% =
C or 280-319 points
· 60-69% =
D or 240-279 points (Ds do not transfer to four-year institutions)
I RARELY GIVE Ds.
· 59% and below = F Below 240 points (Fs do not transfer to four-year institutions)
Total points available: 400. Please alert me if your name changes during the semester, so I will not lose
you on my official roll. Not alerting me may delay your grade being released in a timely fashion.
My Extra Credit Policy: Yes, I have an extra credit policy. For five extra points on any test, write a 500
word opinion piece on some current event. Please use the op-ed pieces you see in major newspapers as
your model. Make it good, I will not accept just anything. Anything that is poorly written or argued will not
be accepted. This paper must be turned into me no later than one week after the exam is taken. No late
papers will be accepted.
Incomplete grades: These grades are given only if the student meets WCJC guidelines for incomplete
grades, e.g., misses the final examination with a legitimate excuse such as sickness or other emergency,
either of which must be documented in writing from an official source (employer, doctor, for examples).
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Make-Up Exams/Test Exemptions: All make-up exam tests will be given at the discretion of the
instructor and the student must have a legitimate excuse. Make-up exams are written and will consist
of several essay topics. A legitimate excuse is one that is written and comes from an official source
(employer, doctor, for examples) rather than the student.
Exemptions from final exams are not given in this course. Finals are given in accordance with the WCJC
official schedule; there are no exceptions or deviations. Plan your absences around your tests.
Analytical/Writing Component: Topics - Choose one of three essays to write:
I. Federalism is one of the key principles of the U.S. Constitution. Research and write a paper discussing
federalism and how it has shaped American society.
In your response: Define and describe various forms of federalism. How is it different from a unitary
system or a confederation? Are there similarities to these systems?
Identify and discuss up to five advantages and five disadvantages a federal system offers the United
States. Is federalism dying or becoming more dynamic…or both, simultaneously? Provide your own
evaluation of the current state of federalism in the U.S. and defend that evaluation (provide examples).
II. Compare and contrast the forms of city government in two Texas cities: In your essay response,
please compare and contrast each city’s form of government (ex: Mayor-council versus council-manager)
and the implications of each structure for the governance of each city. Describe which form of
government you prefer and defend your answer.
Make sure to include the following elements in your essay: the form of government, the Mayor’s role, the
City Council’s role, the City Manager’s role, whether city department heads are appointed and/or elected,
and if appointed, who makes the choice? You may also choose to discuss such issues as compensation
(salaries), property taxes, land use laws, regulations, etc. Use www.municode.com and each city’s official
government website among your sources.
III. Political Autobiography: Investigate your own political opinions and explain why you have them.
Describe what factors have led to your political affiliations, attachment or repulsion to certain political
figures, parties, interest groups and positions on various policy issues.
Even if you are not that interested in politics, explain why that is the case as well.
Consider your political culture as well as the impact of your family, your socio-economic background, your
peers, the schools you have attended and the various events that have happened over the course of your
life that have had an impact on you.
A proposed outline of your paper will be due to me on Monday, September 20, 2010 for MWF classes
and Tuesday, September 21, 2010 for the TR class at the start of class. Your final paper will be due on
Monday, November 1, 2010 at the start of class. The Baytown ITV class will need to send both
documents to me at elizabethm@wcjc.edu by 1 p.m. of each date.
I will review outlines and give you comments to help you with any issues I see. Students will lose ten
points daily for every day the final paper is late to me.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS REGARDING THE RESEARCH PAPER
1. Use academic resources above and beyond the assigned text, and follow rigorous documentation.
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2. Your research paper must be in MLA format. The paper should be at least five (5.0) pages of text
(Works Cited page(s) ARE additional). Remember: MLA papers have no cover sheet.
MLA style rules are found here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/search.php and here:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/Citation.asp
3. I am requiring that the paper comprised of the following: Times Roman font, 12 point, double spaced
and one inch margins.
4. You must number your pages.
5. Your paper must be a minimum of 1,000 words. Yes, I am counting.
6. Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable academic source; neither is your textbook. Do not use either of them
in your Works Cited page.
7. You will need at least five sources for your paper. I have no maximum. The paper must use both print
and web-based sources. You will lose points if you have fewer than five sources or use irrelevant
sources. You will also lose points if you only use web-based sources or only use print based sources.
8. Your paper must include an introduction with a strong thesis statement, a body and a conclusion. I
deduct for spelling, grammatical and style issues as well as inaccuracies in discipline content.
9. Use SMARTHINKING and/or our Learning Assistance Centers (mentioned in the syllabus) for writing
issues. Go to this site to log in to SMARTINKING:
https://fannin3.wcjc.edu/pls/prod_dad/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin and/or
http://www.wcjc.edu/ed_programs_n/Tutoring.asp
10. Contact the WCJC Library for an orientation and/or to address resource problems:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/orientation/Library/index.html
and http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/default.asp
11. Do not plagiarize. If you are still unclear what that means, read this:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/Plagiarism.asp
12. Bay City High School: Your paper must be in either Word.doc or Word.docx format. I cannot read any
other type of software on my computers
Academic Dishonesty Statement: According to the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog, page 13:
“Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline includes the following categories: Dishonesty,
such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college.”
I do not tolerate any form of academic misconduct and will follow WCJC guidelines to address any
incident. To this instructor, the two major categories of academic misconduct activities include:
1. Cheating:
Academic dishonesty may take the form of cheating when a student presents, as his/her own, the work of
another. Some examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Copying an examination, assignment or other work to be evaluated.
Engaging in inappropriate· collaboration on work to be evaluated by the instructor. (This is also
known as collusion).
The use of "cheat sheets,"· text messages, and the like.
Buying/selling· examinations, term papers, and the like.
Use of "ringers" which is· having another student take an exam or having another student write a
term paper or assignment for which the student will receive credit (more collusion).
Submitting work for which· credit has already been received in another course without the
express consent of this instructor. I have received numerous recycled history and economics term
papers over the years. Those papers have received “Fs.”
2. Plagiarism:
This activity refers to the practice of borrowing from the work of another without indicating by a reference
or attribution, and by quotation marks where exact phrases are borrowed, when the ideas expressed are
not one's own. Examples include:
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Utilizing a direct· quotation without citing the source.
Paraphrasing the ideas, interpretation, and expressions of another without giving credit.
Failing to acknowledge or· document sources, a student is guilty of representing the thought of
others as the student's own.
Please refer to this web site for in-depth information.
Learning Assistance Centers (LACs): WCJC employs reading and writing tutors who are available to
assist you – for free --with this course. Students who have used our LAC tutors have earned higher GPAs
than those students who do not. The Sugar Land campus’ LAC is located in Room 376. A LAC
representative will announce hours for the center in class.
SMARTHINKING: SMARTHINKING is an on-line mentoring system available for a number of
classes/skills including writing. These mentors will provide constructive comments to written drafts
provided to them by students.
To access the system, go to the bottom of your Blackboard dashboard. Look under “Campus Bookmarks”
and click on the SMARTHINKING tutorial tab.
If you do not have Blackboard access, simply go to the WCJC web site (www.wcjc.edu) and click on
WCJC Online Services on the right side on the menu. Log in. You will see a reference to
SMARTHINKING once you have logged on.
Attendance Policy: This instructor follows the attendance policy of the college which is found on page 6
of the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog. Roll is taken at the beginning of all classes.
Withdrawal Information: The last day to drop for your course with the grade of “W” is Friday, November
19, 2010. Texas is attempting to stop the abuse (and diminish the costs it imposes on colleges and the
state) while still allowing flexibility, with a law that went into effect in fall, 2007.
For first-time freshmen, the brief course “shopping period” at the start of a semester will be more
important than ever. These students will be limited to six courses dropped after the shopping period.
Once the student reaches the magic number of six “W’s”, they will have to receive a letter grade of A
through F.
Important Fall 2010 Semester Dates:
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Classes Begin – August 30, 2010
Labor Day Holiday – September 6, 2010
Last Day to Drop Class with the Grade of “W” – November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving Holiday -. November 24, 2010 at 4 p.m. – November 29, 2010 at 8 a.m.
Reading, Testing and Project Calendar:
Syllabus Overview, Introductions, Course Acknowledgement Sent Back to Instructor, Base Test Taken –
Week of August 30, 2010
Module 1 – Read all before the Week of October 25, 2010:
Chapter 1 – Politics: Who Gets What, When and How? Week of September 6
Chapter 2 – Political Culture: Ideas in Conflict – Week of September 13
Chapter 3 – The Constitution: Limiting Governmental Power - Week of September 20
Outlines Due September 20 for MWF and September 21 for TR classes!
Chapter 4 – Federalism: Dividing Governmental Power – Week of September 27
Chapter 19 – The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics – Week of October 4
Chapter 20 - The Texas Constitution – Week of October 11
Chapter 25 – Local Government in Texas: Cities, Towns, Counties and Special Districts – Week of
October 18
Exam 1 over Module 1 – 30 % of the course grade – Chapters 1- 4, 19-20, 25- Week of October 25
2010.
Module 2 – Read all by the Week of November 29, 2010:
Chapter 5 – Opinion and Participation: Thinking and Acting in Politics – Week of October 25
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IS DUE (30 % of course grade) on Monday, November 1, 2010 when class
begins.
Chapter 6 – Mass Media: Setting the Political Agenda – Week of November 1
Chapter 7 – Political Parties: Organizing Politics – Week of November 8
Chapter 8 – Campaigns and Elections: Deciding Who Governs – Week of November 15
Chapter 9 – Interest Groups: Getting Their Share and More – Week of November 22
Exam 2 over Module 2 – 30 % of the course grade – Chapters 5-9: Week of November 29, 2010.
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Chapter 21 –Interest Groups, Political Parties and Elections in Texas – Week of November 29
Final Discussion, any other wrap up –Week of December 6
Post Test/Final:
CRN 11922-Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 10:15-12:15 a.m.
CRN 11939 and CRN 11333-Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
CRN 11921-Thursday, December 16, 2010 from 8 to 10 a.m.
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How to calculate your grade in class:
1. On your first exam, you make a 78 and on the second exam, a 79, while on your paper you make an
82. Add the three together = 239, then divide by three (79.66) and multiply by .90 (90%) = 71.7 points.
That’s your Exam/Paper Grade points.
2. On the Post-Test/Final, you make a 76. Multiply 76 by .10 (10%) and you have your PT/Final points =
7.6 points.
3. Add 71.7 (#1) +7.6 (#2) = 79.3 or a C + for the course
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*Note/Disclaimer: This instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus if appropriate. Students will be
advised in a timely fashion. Students may review their grades on-line generally AFTER the course is over;
this instructor does not provide the grades on-line or by phone call. The college and the instructor will not
mail grades.
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