GOVERNMENT 2302
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
Instructor: Erik Neel
Contact: neel4967@gmail.com
All telephones, beepers, and other electronic devices must be turned off during
class
NO EXCEPTIONS
Government 2302 is one of two courses designed to introduce students to the
government in America at the national, state, and local levels. This course is fully
transferable to other colleges and universities.
Required Readings:
TBA
These books can be purchased from local college bookstores, and may also be used for
BOTH Government Classes.
GRADES
Midterm
Final
3 Papers
Quizzes
20%
40%
30%
10%
100%
The final percentage value resulting from the sum of the above
components will be converted into letter grades according to the
following scale:
A = 91 - 100%
B = 81 - 90%
C = 71 - 80%
D = 61 - 70%
F = 60% and below
Please take all exams at the scheduled time.
emergency situations.
Makeup exams will be given only in
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
HCCS is compliant with the ADA and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. "Any
student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability
Service office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester."
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
This class will consist of class discussions and oral presentations, so you should
attend class regularly, attendance may help or hurt your grade (10% of your
grade is based on random Quizzes to objectively gauge attendance), and the
college provides instructors with authority to drop students that miss more than six hours
of class time (4 classes). I do not wish to drop anyone who is making an effort to
succeed in the course. If it appears to me, however, that you have stopped attending, I
will drop you because the alternative is to give you an F. 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 fill out the appropriate form in the
college office on campus.
Three-Peater Statement
NOTICE: Students who take a course for the third time or more may soon 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.
HONESTY POLICY:
Ethical conduct is part of being a competent student. Academic dishonesty (cheating) will
result in a zero for the assignment and/or failure of the course, and possible expulsion
from college, depending on the severity of the offense.
Course Overview:
I have the 2302 Course structured to have the students’ gain an understanding of
American political structure. I start this with a historical background of what has
influenced this structure.
I then cover the national level with a cursory lecture on the US Constitution itself, then
following the first three Articles I cover the Congress, President, and the Courts.
After the midterm we cover the state and local government structures. This discussion
starts with the State Courts, Executives, and Legislatures; followed by the local
governments.
The final section of this course is the coverage of the policies that are made.
discussion commences with fiscal followed by monetary and foreign policies.
This
STUDENT OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES
Objectives:
1) Demonstrate the ability to read and evaluate government documents and data critical
to the study of American government and politics. 2) articulate contrasting points of view
on one or more major political issues. 3) Use online data sources to describe and
critically evaluate the budgetary policies of the United States national government, the
state of Texas, and local governments in Harris County. 4) Demonstrate the political
knowledge to understand what is being reported/discussed in the media.
Outcomes:
1) Describe and evaluate the impact of government on the lives of individuals and society
as a whole. 2) Compare and contrast the institutions of American national government
with those of the state of Texas. 3) Identify and evaluate information sources for political
news, data, and opinion.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT:
Three papers will be written throughout the semester. The assignments are bases on
what is going on in the news during the current semester, so it is advisable to watch the
national news agencies on the TV (FOX News, CNN). visit the local libraries or subscribe to
a (inter)national newspaper/magazine (Financial Times, New York Times, Wall Street
Journal, The Economist).
Topics in past:
George W Bush Tax Cuts, Chinese Currency, North Korean Attack of South in November
2010, Death Penalty, Healthcare Law 2010, etc.
5% Extra Toward Final Grade
Write your congressman (www.house.gov)
State representative (www.capital.state.tx.us)
City council member (http://www.houstontx.gov/council/index.html)
For International students: Contact your Consulate General or Trade Representative.
Please see me for proper etiquette. And acceptable topics
STUDENT CONFERENCES
If you have any problems in the course, with grades or otherwise, please see me.
However, conferences will be scheduled by appointment only, and within reasonable
hours.
COURSE OUTLINE
7-09
Through
7-13-2012
Introductions
Overview of Historical Context
Founding documents
Dec of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution
Legislative Branch
7-16
Through
7-20-2012
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Review of Midterm
7-23-2012
Midterm
7-24
Through
7-27-2012
State Level Government
State Courts
TX Supreme Courts
TX Judges
Start State Executives
7-30
Through
8-03-2012
State Executives
TX Plural Executive
TX Governor, Lt Governor. AG,
Agriculture
Secretary of State
Other non-Elected Departments
8-06
Through
8-09-2012
State Legislatures
TX Legislature
County Government
Special Districts
City Government
Fiscal Policy – Tax and Budget
Monetary Policy
Foreign Relations
Review
8-10-2012
Final
Comptroller,
Land
Comm,