Page 1 of 7
Government Minisemester 2012 - Course Syllabus
Course: American Government: National/State/Local I (GOVT 2301)
Section: 0040 (36584)
Instructor: Diana Benoit
Email: diana.benoit@hccs.edu
Office Hours: Before and after class, and by appointment
Meeting Days: Mon-Fri 9am-12pm
Location: Katy Campus Rm 226
Dec 17, 2012-Jan 9, 2013
My faculty website on the Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/diana.benoit
Required Textbook:
 American Government, Roots and Reform 2011 Texas Edition, by O’Connor et al.
NO OTHER EDITION IS ACCEPTABLE
 Hardback, paperback, or electronic version acceptable
 MyPoliSciLab Access Code – NOT REQUIRED
 These are the same textbooks (both acceptable), but they have 
different covers. The blue includes “Houston Community College” on the
front cover and the American flag copy says “Texas Edition” on the cover.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of the theories of American democracy and other ideologies, United States and Texas
constitutions, federalism, state and local government, political economy, political socialization and public opinion, the
media, interest groups, political parties, and elections.
PREREQUISITES: Must have passed ENGL 1301 (Composition I) or be co-enrolled in ENGL 1301 as a Co-requisite.
Exception: Dual credit students only need to be placed into college level reading and writing.
CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS: The instructor reserves the right to change or amend this syllabus if needed.
COURSE GOALS: This course is designed to provide students with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of
the structure, workings and practices of government at the national, state and local levels. Additionally, this course is
designed to help students develop the necessary intellectual skills to examine and critically evaluate the impact of
government to society and understand how they can effectively engage in and influence the policymaking process.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have any special needs that affect your ability to learn in this class, please
inform me. Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs
to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Northwest ADA Counselor at the beginning of each semester
(713-718-5808). Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Services Office of HCC.
STUDENT CONDUCT: Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior/activities which interfere with teaching and/or
learning will not be tolerated, and may result in administrative withdrawal without refund. Students should commit
themselves to behave in a manner that demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every
member of the college community, including respect for college property and the physical and intellectual property of
others.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: HCCS students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by HCC System officials against
a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism,
and collusion.
 Cheating on a test includes but is not limited to: Copying from another student's test paper; using unauthorized
materials during a test, unauthorized collaboration with another student during a test; knowingly using, buying,
selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test; and bribing another person to
obtain a copy of a test.
 Plagiarism includes the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in
one's own written work.
 Collusion includes the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work.
Page 2 of 7
In simplified terms, cheating is:
1) Taking unchanged passages (or slightly edited) from another person’s writing and portraying them as one’s own
2) Submitting a paper that includes paraphrases of another person’s writing without giving credit
3) Having someone else write your paper for you
4) Copying or using another person’s work during in-class writing or testing
5) Violating testing rules. Keep in mind also that whether you are cheating or not, disregarding testing rules, such as
communicating with another student in class or using a cell phone during a test will be construed as cheating. This is not
an exhaustive list of the forms of cheating on written work. If you are in doubt, consult me.
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F on the particular assignment, failure in
the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the HCC System.
ELECTRONICS IN THE CLASSROOM: We will not use laptop computers in class. Phones should be turned off or set
to vibrate. Students who use class time for text-messaging or other activities using electronic devices will not be
allowed to remain in the classroom. THE POSSESSION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING EXAMS WILL BE CONSIDERED
PROOF OF CHEATING. Such devices must be turned off and left in purses/backpacks during exams. Use of recording
devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other
locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as
a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for more information.
CORE CURRICULUM STATEMENT: Social Sciences comprise at least 15 semester hours of each student’s core
curriculum. Essential to the learning process in the social sciences disciplines are at least six basic intellectual
competencies. These include:
1. Reading at the college level, meaning having the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials,
books, articles, and documents.
2. Writing at the college level, meaning having the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose, adapted to
purpose, occasion, and audience. This includes not only grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but the writing
process itself.
3. Speaking effectively, meaning oral communication in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to
purpose, occasion, and audience.
4. Listening at the college level, meaning the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of speech and
communication.
5. Critical thinking, embracing methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and
creatively to the subject matter in order to evaluate arguments, solve problems, and construct alternative
strategies.
6. Computer literacy, meaning having the ability to use computer-based technology in communication, solving
problems, and possibilities associated with the use of present and future technologies.
ATTENDANCE/DROP POLICY: Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for
non-attendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for non-attendance and excessive absences. Students may
be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours of instruction or 6 hours of missed
class time. The six hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class
early. The last day that you can withdraw is Monday, December 31. If you do not withdraw by this date, you will NOT
receive a W. If you stop attending class without officially withdrawing, you may be dropped or receive a grade of F or FX.
FX is a grade that indicates a student failed the course due to excessive absences. Please be aware of financial aid
policies regarding F and FX.
HCC COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
 Students who take a course for the third time or more must now pay significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and
other Texas public colleges and universities. At HCC, it is an additional $50 per credit hour. 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
Page 3 of 7


skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be
available.
Additionally, the State of Texas passed a law limiting new students (as of Fall 2007) to no more than six
withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree.
Students are now able to withdraw from one or more of their classes online. While it is still advisable that
students receive good counsel from instructional and counseling faculty prior to dropping one or more classes,
students will no longer be required to “see” someone before they are allowed to drop.
DISCIPLINE REQUIREMENT: Writing must comprise at least 25% of the student’s final course grade. One of the core
competencies essential to the learning process in the social sciences disciplines is writing at the college level, meaning
having the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose, adapted to purpose, occasion and audience. This
includes not only grammar, spelling and punctuation, but the writing process itself. All writing assignments should meet
or exceed this discipline requirement.
COMMUNICATION: Your instructor often sends important messages through email.
To make sure that you are receiving these emails:
1. Log into the Student System https://hccsaweb.hccs.edu:8080/psp/csprd/?cmd=login and set your email address to
one that you check frequently.
OR
2. Log into your HCC email
https://webmail.hccs.edu/owa/auth/logon.aspx?replaceCurrent=1&url=https%3a%2f%2fwebmail.hccs.edu%2fowa%2f
and change your options to forward all HCC emails to your personal email address.
***STUDENTS SHOULD BE SURE TO EXCHANGE CONTACT INFORMATION WITH AT LEAST 2 OTHER STUDENTS.
SHOULD YOU MISS CLASS, CONTACT YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS FOR NOTES***
GRADING SCALE:
Students earn points in 4 categories:
1. Class Participation/Attendance
2. Syllabus Quiz & Signature
3. Three written exams
4. Fourteen Homework Assignments
Total Points Available:
240 pts.
30 pts.
300 pts.
210 pts.
780 pts.
The final grade is determined on an 780 point scale:
A= 780-680 pts.
B= 679-580 pts.
C= 579-480 pts.
D= 479-380 pts.
F= 379 pts. and below
EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Class Participation/Attendance (240 total pts.):
Students will receive 15 pts. for each day they attend class. In order to receive points, students must be present when
the instructor takes roll and cannot leave before the class is officially dismissed. Students who do not miss roll call
more than one time (present every day for roll and stay until class is dismissed) will receive a bonus of 50 points at the
end of the semester.
2. Syllabus Quiz (30 total pts.):
Students will take a 25 question in-class fill-in-the-blank quiz assessing their knowledge and understanding of this
syllabus. Students receive an additional 5 points for signing a signature page agreeing to abide by the terms of this
syllabus.
Page 4 of 7
3. Three Take-Home Exams (300 pts.)
There are a total of three take home exams distributed in class and then due on the dates listed in the syllabus. Each
exam is worth 100 points and consists of writing – fill in the blanks, essays, and short answers. There are no make-ups.
For each day, the exam is submitted late, 20 points will be deducted from the exam grade. TYPED EXAMS ARE NOT
ACCEPTED. ALL RESPONSES MUST BE HANDWRITTEN. THIS IS NOT A GROUP PROJECT.
4. Fourteen Homework Assignments (210 total pts.)
Students will complete fourteen homework assignments described in detail below. Students should follow the
homework guidelines carefully. LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR HOMEWORK.
Students must be present in class when the instructor takes-up assignments in order to receive credit. Early submittal
or late assignments and homework submitted electronically will not be accepted. Assignments that do not conform to
the homework guidelines may be penalized or returned to students ungraded. See guidelines below.
CLASS CALENDAR
Date
Mon, Dec 17
Assignments/Exams/Important Dates
1st Day of Classes
Introduction to Course
We will be studying and discussing fourteen chapters
1-4, 11-16, 20-22, and 26 throughout this semester.
Tues, Dec 18
Wed, Dec 19
In-Class Fill-in-the-blank Syllabus Quiz
Thurs, Dec 20
Fri, Dec 21
**Chs 1-4 due**
Mon, Dec 24
Take home Exam I goes home Chs 1-4
HANDWRITTEN RESPONSES PERMITTED/NO
TYPING
Work on Take Home Exam I Chs 1-4
NO CLASS
Work on Take Home Exam I Chs 1-4
NO CLASS
**Take home Exam I due in class**
TYPED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Tues, Dec 25
Wed, Dec 26
Thurs, Dec 27
Fri, Dec 28
Mon, Dec 31
Last day for withdrawals
Tues, Jan 1
Work on Chs 11-16
NO CLASS
Wed, Jan 2
Thurs, Jan 3
Fri, Jan 4
Mon, Jan 7
Tues, Jan 8
Wed, Jan 9
Mon, Jan 14
**Chs 11-16 due**
Take Home Exam II goes home-Chs 11-16
HANDWRITTEN RESPONSES PERMITTED/NO
TYPING
Take Home Exam II due in class
TYPED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Last day of instruction
In class Exam III Open Notes Chs 20-22, 26
**Chs 20-22 & 26 due**
Grades Available to Students
Page 5 of 7
Homework Assignments
Ch 1: p. 25. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 1 &2.
Ch 2: p. 60. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question 3.
Ch 3: p. 113. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question 1.
Ch 4: p. 145. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question (not from the textbook):
Explain how the Merit Plan works.
Ch 11: p. 384. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 2, 3, & 4.
Ch 12: p. 415. Test Yourself and Key Terms.
Ch 13: p. 448. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 1 & 4.
Ch 14: p. 478. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question 3.
Ch 15: p. 505. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 3 & 5.
Ch 16: p. 535. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 2 & 3.
Ch 20: p. 669. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 4 & 5.
Ch 21: p. 698. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Questions 2 & 4,
Ch 22: p. 726. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question 5.
Ch 26: p. 870. Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essay Question 5.
Homework Guidelines
Assignments that do not conform to the guidelines will be penalized or returned to students
ungraded. The instructor is very strict about these guidelines and expects all students to be
detail-oriented and organized as well as proofread papers before submitting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Homework must be typed and single-spaced.
INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL PORTIONS ASSIGNED MUST BE COMPLETE.
Key Terms must be numbered and answered in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Responses to essay questions should be at the very least ½ page-single-spaced. It many cases, students will find
that they need to write a page or two to adequately answer the question.
Type the original questions and then respond. All assignments must include the original questions and key
terms for ALL PARTS: Test Yourself, Key Terms, and Essays.
Proofread your homework several times for spelling, grammar errors, and typos.
Homework must include a title page with the following:
Your full name, Date, Class and Semester, Title of Homework
Use black ink, font size 12, Times New Roman.
Margins: 1” on ALL SIDES.
Your answers to all assignments should be in your OWN WORDS. Do not copy whole paragraphs from other
sources or the textbook word-for-word. Shorter quotes (a few sentences in length) are okay. Definitions for key
terms should be IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Plagiarism will NOT BE TOLERATED
Staple your papers.
Students are expected to write at the college level, meaning the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent
prose, adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. This includes not only grammar, spelling, and punctuation,
but the writing process itself. Assignments will be graded for spelling/grammar/punctuation and content.
Be sure that you are thoroughly discussing and answering the question/s presented. Do not go off-topic and
be sure to ANSWER EVERY QUESTION THOROUGHLY TO EARN FULL POINTS.
Page 6 of 7
STAPLE
HERE
SAMPLE HOMEWORK TEMPLATE
Diana Benoit
12/17/2012
Government 2301, Minisemester 2012
Chapter 1-4 Homework
Page 7 of 7
Test Yourself
1. Which of the following settlements was not founded for religious reasons?
Answer
Etc.
Key Terms
Number key terms! Write in complete sentences.
1. American dreams – definition in your own words and be thorough.
Etc.
Essay Questions
1. Describe the differences between the views on human nature of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.
Response should be at least ½ page.
2. What are the implications of the changing demographics of the U.S. population?
Response should be at least ½ page.