AMERICAN GOVERNEMT: NATION, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Spring 2011
(Govt. 2301: CRN 63182-Rm STF 3221 SYLLABUS)-05:30 PM 07:00 PM
INSTRUCTOR
Professor Anthony Norman
Office Hours
By appointment only
Email address: norm_ant@yahoo.com
7134404895
FOR TEXT MESSAGES ONLY-7134170999
SCOPE OF THE COURSE
This course represents the First Half of the introductory American Government sequence at HCC. As such,
your readings and lectures will focus on the attitudes and values that shape our democratic government. We
will the political cultures that shape U.S. and Texas politics. We will further examine in detail the impact of
immigration (legal and otherwise), migration and the role they play in the making both local and national
public policies. 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 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 political parties in the public policy 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, etc.
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:
** Neal Tannahill, American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 10th edition (New York: Addison
Wesley Longman, Inc.2000
Additional reading assignments will be given according to the current pace of the class.
Page 2 HCC- a.norman
EXAMINATIONS = 50% of Total Grade
There will be 2 major examinations worth 100 points each, a Mid-Term and Final exam. 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
Mid-Term American Govt. Chapters 1-9,
(EXAM DATE) 03/09/2011
Final Exam Texas Govt. 18-24 & 29 (EXAM DATE) MAY 9-15 (EXACT DATE PENDING)
Required Writing Assignment = 25% of Grade
ABSTRACT AND FIRST DRAFT DUE 3/21/11
There is 1 written assignments required for each student on a topic assigned by the instructor. The
written assignment is a mandatory term paper on the following topic: Trace the events that led up to
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, discuss the military and political strategies employed by President
Bush and his cabinet to win the wars. How did the two major political parties view the wars when
they began and what effect, if any, did it have on their electoral success or failure in the last election?
In your opinion what could the political leaders, media and average citizens have done better to
ensure broad international support for the wars? The term paper must be no less than 10 pages
(NOT INCLUDING COVER PAGE, ABSTRACT, CHARTS AND OR GRAPHS) and include no
less than 2 outside sources (books, newspapers or magazines). No more than 1 Internet sites may be
used but, can not be a substitute for required reference. The text book may not be substituted for one
of the required sources. DUE 5/2/11
PAPERS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTAION (FOOTNOTES, REFERENCES ETC.) WILL
NOT BE ACCEPTED
Journal = 15% of Grade-----CHAPTERS 1-9 DUE 3/9/11****CHAPTERS 18-24&29 DUE 5/4/11
You must keep an ongoing journal of each chapter. Your journal should be a brief summary
(minimum 2 pages) of the chapter and a listing and definitions of all vocabulary works per chapter.
Attendance = 5% of your grade
Pop Quizzes = 5% of you grade
IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY 21-MONDAY NO CLASS/PRESIDENTS DAY
MARCH 14-20 NO CLASS/SPRING BREAK
APRIL 14/LAST DAY FOR STUDENT WITHDRAWALS 4:30 PM
APRIL 22-24 EASTER HOLIDAY
MAY 9-15 FINAL EXAMINATIONS
WEEKS 1-8 I will make an effort to cover at least one chapter per week with the Mid-Term after
chapter 9.
WEEKS 9-16 I will make an effort to cover at least one chapter per week with the Final Exam after
chapter 29.
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 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.
**** THE USE OF COMPUTER FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN NOTE TAKING WILL
RESULT IN YOUR REMOVAL FROM CLASS.
****PLEASE TURN ALL PHONES ON VIBRATE AND DO NOT TEXT DURING CLASS.
STUDENTS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE OF VIOLATION OF THIS CLASS POLICY.
HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
370-400 points = A
340-369 points = B
310-339 points = C
280-309 points = D
208 & Below = F