Government 2301
American Government: National, State, and Local
Summer II Semester 2013
Class# 46418 – West Loop Campus
Days/Time: M,T,W,TR 12:00 – 2:30
Room 151
Instructor: Charlotte Craik
E-Mail: charlotte.craik@hccs.edu
Government 2301 is one of two courses designed to introduce students to the
study of government in the United States at the national, state, and local
levels. This particular survey of the American system of government
includes a study of the fundamental principles of political science, the study
of the national and state constitutions, methods of participation, and analyzes
contemporary policies. This course is fully transferable to all Texas state
colleges and universities.
1. Textbook
Karen O'Connor, et. al., American Government: Roots and Reform
(2011 Texas Edition, Pearson); ISBN-13: 978-1-256-28850-3 or 1256-28850-0 (Custom Edition for Houston Community College.)
Additional Readings
Supplemental readings may be distributed throughout the semester.
Recommended
Study guides are available on-line at
http://pearsonamericangovernment.com. Students are encouraged to follow
current political events by reading newspapers and following media news
reports.
Testing and Grading
Grades will be based on the following:
Grades will be based on the following:
3 Exams @ 35%
(including part essay and part multiple choice
components)
= 105%
Test essay questions are based on text lectures and/or material
distributed to you at least one class before the test. The multiple choice
portion of the test is closed book and based on assigned textbook chapters
and lecture information. You are not only learning facts and theories; you
are also learning critical thinking and the ability to express that thinking in
your essays and in your class discussion.
TEST SCHEDULE
American Political Landscape, U.S. Constitution, and Federalism
Approximate date: Wednesday, July 17th
Chapters 1, 2, and 3
Writing Assignment Due: Tuesday, July 23. All written assignments will
be delivered in class on or before the day assigned. No e-mailed or late
copies will be accepted.
Texas Demographics, Texas Constitution, and Local Governments
Approximate date: Thursday, July 25th
Chapters 20, 21, 22
Public Opinion and Political Socialization, Political Parties, Elections
and Voting, the News Media, and Interest Groups
Approximate date: Wednesday, August 7th
Chapters 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16
Student Notification Statements:
1. Advising and Counseling Services
Advising can be accomplished by contacting the Student Associate at 713718-6879, selection 2, and on-site advising at other HCC locations upon
request. Confidential sessions with education counselors will help students
understand admissions, registration, entrance testing requirements, degree
planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. Houston Community
College counselors also maintain a local referral base in order to provide
appropriate referrals to students with personal or family issues that may
require long-term solutions.
2. Disability (ADA) Notification
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning,
psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability Support
Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is
authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office. The Disability Support Services Office number for
Southwest College is 713-718-7910.
3. NEW POLICY: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times
may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas
public colleges and universities. Please ask your counselor about
opportunities for assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you
are not receiving passing grades.
4. Scholastic Dishonesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity
in fulfilling course requirements. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, cheating on a test or a written assignment, plagiarism, and
collusion. Please refer to your student handbook for definitions of these
terms. The maximum penalty for scholastic dishonesty is failure of the
course.
5. Attendance, Tardiness and Drops
A record of attendance is carefully maintained. Habitual tardiness and /or
talkativeness are disruptive and unacceptable. HCC policy states that
students may be administratively withdrawn if they miss more than 6 hours
of class. A student who misses 6 semester hours of class (3 days) may be
dropped by the Instructor. Three (3) tardy appearances will equal one day of
absence. Any student entering the class after the role is taken is considered
tardy for that class. The Instructor may, at the Instructor’s discretion, not
allow tardy or disruptive students to attend that class. If a student wishes to
drop the course, it is the student’s responsibility to fill out the appropriate
form in the college office on campus. A student may drop the course for
any reason up to Monday, July 29th, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. After the
deadline, a student will receive the grade that he/she has earned on that date.
College policy now prohibits faculty from submitting a grade of W after the
official drop date.
6. Policy on Make-up Tests:
There are no make-up tests after a test is given.
7. EGLS3 - Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey Systems
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student
feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a
designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short
online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors
and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for
the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System
online near the end of the term.