AMERICAN GOVERNEMT: NATION, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FALL 2012
(Govt. 2302: CRN 26334-Rm STF3321 SYLLABUS) MW 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM
INSTRUCTOR
Professor Anthony Norman
Email address : norm_ant@yahoo.com
7134404895
Office Hours
By appointment only
ALL COLLEGE LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED - NO EXCEPTIONS
TEXT BOOK IS REQUIRED - MANDATORY
SCOPE OF THE COURSE
This course represents the Second Half of the introductory American Government sequence at HCC. As such, your readings and lectures will focus on the Institutions and National policies that shape our democratic government. We will exam the constitutional structures of our government and discuss the basic operational framework of government. We will further examine in detail the impact of immigration (legal and otherwise) and migration and the role they play in the making national and state public policy.
Although each area will be examined separately, their interaction and interdependence will be stressed.
Attention will be devoted to the formal and informal framework within which decisions are made, the actual substance of certain policies, as well as to the behavior of those individuals who create, debate, modify, apply and interpret policy. Additionally, students will be challenged to critically evaluate these policy-making actors as well as the role played by the media in the political process. Throughout this course, every attempt will be made to describe the system as realistically as possible – not as some “ideal” system but as it actually works.
The learning objectives, sample questions, key terms included in most textbooks offer a good study guide. Learning objectives outlines and questions will help you to identify the chapter's main themes. Key terms, meanwhile, are found at the end of each chapter. These are vocabulary words. Although it is not necessary to memorize a definition, it is important to be able to define each term in your own words and to be able to identify its significance in the context of the chapter.

GENERAL FORMAT OF THE COURSE
This course relies heavily on three sources of information regarding the American political process: in class lectures presented by the instructor, extensive readings assigned for completion by the student outside the class, and occasional class discussions focusing on assigned readings or current events. Students are responsible for taking adequate notes on the lecture material, for completing all readings as assigned, and for participating actively in class discussion. Failure to attend class cannot absorb you from knowing your assignment.
TEXT BOOKS AND READER
Reading assignments will be drawn from the following books:
** Karen O’Conner, Larry J. Sabato, American Government: Roots and Reform, 2011 Texas
Edition:
EXAMINATIONS
There will be 4 major examinations worth 100 points each (400 POINTS). Each exam with count for 25% of your grade. These exams are designed to evaluate your mastery of material presented in both lectures and readings assignments. The exams will be comprehensive. In terms of format, the exams will be
Multiple Choice and True and False.
THE PROFESSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE EXAM DATES AS NEEDED
Exam # 1 Chapters 7, 8, 10, 9 (9/19/12)-----100 points
Exam # 2 Chapters 5, 6 (10/15/12)-----100 points
Exam # 3 Chapters 17, 18, 19 (11/12/12)-----100 points
Exam # 4 Chapters 23, 24, 25, 27 (12/10/12)-----100 points
EXTRA CREDIT Writing Assignment = 25 POINTS
There is 1 written EXTRA CREDIT assignments assigned by the instructor. The written assignment is a short 10 paper on the following topic: Discuss at least 3 cases leading up to the
Supreme Courts land mark decision in Citizens United V. FEC. You must also include a discussion of at least 2 cases that led to the creation of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (YOUR PAPER
MUST INCLUDE A COVER PAGE BUT CANNOT INCLUDE ANY CHARTS AND/OR
GRAPHS). Your citations must be either MLA or APA. (You may go to the school library to obtain examples of both styles) You will need at least 2 outside sources, not including your text book. DUE
DATE 11/12/2012
PAPERS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTAION (FOOTNOTES, REFERENCES ETC.) WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED AND NEVER HAND WRITTEN.

Attendance =as per school policy attendance will be noted at the end of each class period.
NO PAPER WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE OR WITHOUT PROPER CITATIONS AND PROPER
REFERENCES. (APA OR MLA)
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. A MISSED EXAM WILL RESULT IN A (0) ZERO
FOR THAT EXAM ; therefore, plan to attend class each session.
The instructor reserves the rights to change, alter, add or eliminate any or all sections of the syllabus by given a one-week notice to the class.
DISABILITIES: 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 beginning of each semester.
ATTENDANCE
You and/or your family are paying us for our services. If you choose not to avail yourself of those services, that is certainly your prerogative. HOWEVER , regular class attendance is strongly encouraged, as most students will find it essential in order to succeed in this course. Be assured that your presence (or absence!) in class will be duly noted, and you will be appropriately rewarded for your efforts . If for some reason, you are unable to successfully complete the course objectives and you desire to withdraw from this class, it is your responsibility to discuss your situation with the instructor and to file the proper drop form with the Registrar’s Office no later than the official drop date.
The instructor will not automatically remove any student from his rolls due to non-attendance, except in the case of those on benefits. Due to strict federal, state and college regulations, attendance records are maintained faithfully and reviewed regularly by the Registrar’s Office.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE: Adult behavior is expected.
Disruptive behavior/ activities, which interfere with teaching and /or learning will not be tolerated, and may result in an administrative withdrawal without refund.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
All cell phones must to turn to vibrate. You may not use any computer to surf the web during class hours.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: If you are caught committing scholastic dishonesty in any way, you will receive an F for the course; I do not negotiate “second chances.” Please seek me out for help if you are having problems, rather than resort to something that will tarnish your record. :
“Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes copying from another student's test paper; using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test; collaborating with another student during a test without authority; knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an unadministered test; or bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
‘Plagiarism’
means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one's own written work for credit. ‘Collusion’ means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit."
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; and (5) the unauthorized use of electronic devices during in-class writing or testing. Keep in mind also that whether you are cheating or not, not following testing or writing rules properly, such as communicating with your neighbor or using a cell phone during a test will be construed as cheating. This is not an exhaustive list of the forms of scholastic dishonesty. If you are in doubt, consult your instructor.

ANY STUDENT HAVING MORE THAN 4 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL HAVE
THE FINAL GRADE DROPPED TO THE NEXT LETTER GRADE.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
All students are expected to develop and exhibit an informed awareness of current events. In order that you may contribute to classroom discussion, you are encouraged to regularly read a daily newspaper of your choice and to occasionally glance through one of the weekly news magazines (available in the library.)
Additionally, students may at times be required to read material placed on reserve in the library, and/or attend events scheduled outside of class.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
The study of government is an activity that is best shared between the teacher and the students. If we all contribute to this end, we can have an interesting and creative class experience. Make sure you have read each chapter as instructed before you come to class. Be prepared to ask questions. Be familiar with the terminology and concepts prior to class. Study the objectives, key concepts found at the beginning and end of each chapter. You are responsible for all material covered during the class whether you attended or not.
If you are absent from class, you alone are responsible for finding out what was covered. You will not be allowed to tape the record any of the classes unless you have specific approval from the instructor.
****PLEASE DO NOT TALK OR ENGAGE IN PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS DURING THE
LECTURE.
IF YOU LEAVE BEFORE THE CLASS IS DISMISSED AND FAIL TO SIGN THE CLASS ROLL
YOU WILL BE COUNTED AS ABSENT. PLEASE REVIEW HCC ATTENDANCE POLICY.
HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
IMPORTANT DATES
NOVEMBER 2 2012-----Last day to withdraw
NOVEMBER 21-25-----Thanksgiving Holiday
DECEMBER 10-16 -----Final Examinations (Mon-Sun)