Government 2302
2302
Professor Linda Webb
office hours: by appointment
FALL 2010
Government 2302 focuses on the institutions and policies of our state and national governments. It is one semester of a
two semester curriculum designed to help you understand how our political system works.
WELCOME to GOVT 2302!
The Blackboard Vista Learning Management System will be used in this class. Students are
required to log into Blackboard by September 9. ALL class email, test reviews, and outside reading
assignments will be handled through Blackboard. In addition, you will be able to monitor your grade
throughout the semester with an online grade book.
When you enrolled in this class, you were automatically registered in Blackboard. Go to
www.hccs.edu and click on Blackboard. Follow the directions to access this class.
Should you ever have problems with the Blackboard program, HCC provides a 24/7 toll-free
phone service (1-866-588-5281). If you are still unable to log into Blackboard, it could mean a problem
with your registration, so please speak with me as soon as possible to prevent losing credit in this class.
This is a web-enhanced class. There will be traditional interactive lectures AND several times
when you will do original political research. If you are absent when an assignment is handed out, you
may request a copy via Blackboard email. Your web-enhanced assignments will focus on selected
policy matters. You are ALWAYS expected to be able to discuss the results of your web-enhanced
research in class.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLASS
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Late projects, web-enhanced assignments, etc. will be accepted (with penalty) for
ONLY one week after the due date (or the last day of instruction), whichever comes
first. After the time extension, you will automatically receive a zero. At my discretion,
exceptions may be made if there are DOCUMENTED extenuating circumstances.
Put your name and the TIME of your class on all tests, projects, web-enhanced
assignments, extra credit, and any other paper turned in for a grade. I will deduct
one point when the class time is missing
All outside assignments, extra-credit, etc. must be typed double-spaced. (I only want
to read your handwriting on the essay section of tests!
Try not to miss any tests! Students always do best when they take tests while
course content is fresh. However, if you miss part of a test, it can be made up on
December 9 during the regularly scheduled class. No student can make up more
than one multiple choice or essay section of a test without approval of the
professor.
If you don’t miss any tests, you will have the option to take a bonus test on
December 9.
Attendance will be taken every day. If an earlier class is causing you to be late to
this class, I will be happy to try to resolve the problem for you.
Extra credit may be offered periodically throughout the semester.
Supplementary readings for each segment of the course are located in Blackboard
folders labeled by test topic. The readings will enhance class discussion and textbook
assignments. There will be open-note essay test questions on these readings. It is
IMPORTANT to read the articles prior to the test AND bring them to class for use during
the test.
You may need to print over 200 pages this semester, so please be prepared to buy a
print card for use in the student labs, if you cannot print at home or another location.
I do NOT drop any tests or assignments, so take all course requirements seriously.
You can earn 3 extra credit points by sending me an email which tells me a bit about
yourself, no later than 9 PM on Thursday, September 9
If for any reason you cannot finish this course, it is your responsibility to drop the class.
by the official drop date (November 18 at 4 PM). After November 18 you will not
receive a W. You can only receive the grade you earned (A to F).
1
ATTENDANCE:
Although I hope you will attend class every day, the reality is that there may be circumstances which will
require you to miss a class or test. Should you miss part of a test you will be allowed to make the missed
portion(s) up on December 9. HCCS attendance policy for this class is detailed in the HCCS 2010/11 catalog.
Briefly, you are expected to attend classes on a regular basis and attendance will be taken each class
period. HCC encourages you to miss no more than six hours of classroom instruction. I do not
normally drop students during the semester. Should you choose to withdraw from this class, it is your
responsibility to fill out the appropriate paperwork. HCC policy states that all students enrolled in a
class after the drop date of Thursday, November 18, 4:30 pm. will receive the grade that is earned. The
state of Texas has formulated policies that will penalize you for excessive W’s or multiple-repeats of courses
while enrolled in a public college or university, so please take all your college classes seriously!
Make every effort to arrive on time. It is disruptive to the entire class to have late arrivals, and it is my
experience that students who are perpetually late to class frequently miss material critical to understanding the
major themes of this course.
GRADING:
Your grade will be computed on the basis of four tests, four web-enhanced assignments, and a mini-project.
Tests will have a multiple choice and essay component. Essay questions are based on the online readings. You
will be able to refer to the articles when answering the essay questions. The multiple choice section is closed
book and based on assigned textbook chapters and lecture information. Good class notes will definitely help
you in studying for the test.
You will have an opportunity to earn 400 points in this class:
Tests:
Test One
100 points
Test Two
100 points
Test Three
100 points
Test Four
50 points
Research and discussion
50 points total for all assignments
+various opportunities for extra credit during the semester
Final grades in this course will be awarded as follows:
A
90% (minimum 360 points)
B
80% (minimum 320 ponints)
C
70% (minimum 280 points)
D
60% (minimum 240 points)
F
under 60%
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Neal Tannahill, American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 10th edition (New York
Longman, 2010)
ISBN 13: 978-0-205-74672-9
Additional readings as assigned by instructor----- may be downloaded from Blackboard
The textbook can be purchased from local college bookstores. There is also an e-book version available
from coursesmart.com……………….$52 for a 180 day period.
TEXTBOOK IS USED IN BOTH GOV 2301 AND GOV 2302
2
TESTS
TEXAS LAWMAKERS, EXECUTIVES & BUREAUACRACY  TEST ONE
100 points
Approximate date: week of September 27
Chapters 25 and 26 and 820-833
Additional readings: Blackboard folder labeled Texas Lawmakers, Executives and
Bureaucracy
U.S. CONGRESS & NATIONAL POLICY  TEST TWO 100 points
Approximate date: week of October 18
Chapters 10 and 15
Additional readings; Blackboard folder labeled Congress
U.S. PRESIDENT AND FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY  TEST THREE
100 points
Approximate date: week of November 15
Chapters 11 and 12
Additional readings: Blackboard folder labeled President and Bureaucracy
TEXAS & FEDERAL JUDGES ■ TEST FOUR given during final exam period
8:00 class (Thursday, December 16) and 11:00 class (Tuesday, December 14)
Chapters 13, 27, and 31
Official Drop Date
Thanksgiving-No Class
Last Day of Instruction
50 points
Thursday, November 18
4:30 PM
Thursday, November 26
Thursday, December 9 You do not need to attend class after this date
EXCEPT to take the final exam (4th test).
MINI-PROJECT OPTIONS
Due:
Tuesday, October 25 Two point penalty for late projects
10 points
Choose ONE of the following four options. Follow directions explicitly and be prepared to briefly
report your findings to the entire class. 10 points:
1
Coming to America Length: 2-3 typewritten pages
Interview at least two people from two different countries who have come to America, either as
teenagers or adults. Ask each of them to analyze; their reasons for coming to the U.S; the challenges and
requirements to get a visa; the good and bad points of living in the U.S; and their opinion of our system of
government in comparison to the country of their birth.
3
2
Voices from the past: Length: 2-3 typewritten pages
The African American civil rights movement is one of the most important political developments of the 20 th
century. Your project is to interview one or more older (over 62) African- American adults in your community
to ascertain their perspective on the impact of the civil rights movement on their lives and on the U.S.
1. What was it like for African Americans where you lived when you were growing up? What was good and
what was bad? What events do you remember?
2. What are the most important changes that have taken place? Which changes are most important? Have
all the changes been positive?
3. What still needs to be done? What do you see as the biggest remaining barriers to full equality for African
Americans?
4. Are you optimistic or pessimistic? Why or why not?
3
Interview with a Practicing Attorney
Length:
2-3 typewritten pages
Most practicing attorneys have a unique insight to the legal system. If you are able to
schedule an interview, use the following questions as a starting point. Add more questions as you deem
appropriate. Ask follow-up questions to get complete answers to all your questions.: Print out the Texas Bar
Association record of your attorney---information available on Bar Association web
site, and include it with your report.

How long have you been practicing law?

What is your legal specialty? How did you decide on this specialty?

Describe the typical kinds of cases that you handle.

What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas legal system? What changes would
you suggest?

Do you think Texas judges should continue to be elected on a partisan ballot? Why or why not?

Personal analysis of the role of money in judicial elections?

What if any changes would you propose to the law?

Describe two or three of your most interesting experiences as a lawyer?

Are there too many attorneys? (only ask this question if your subject has a sense of humor)
The interview should last at least 45 minutes in order to generate sufficient information to make a
comprehensive report. Please include your own thoughts and conclusions in the report.
Please send a thank you note to the person you interviewed. Include a copy of your note , along with the Bar Association printout,
when you turn in your typewritten report.
4
VISIT A COURTROOM Length: 2-3 typewritten pages
Please browse Chapter27 in the Texas Government book, if you choose this project.
Your assignment is to visit a local court and write a short first-person essay discussing your
experience. Telephone a courthouse in your community to learn when court is in session and when an
interesting activity will be occurring. A Small Claims Court conducted by a Justice of the Peace or a State
Criminal District Court located in downtown Houston or downtown Richmond might be your best option.
Visit the court for a minimum of 2 ½ hours. Municipal courts or the traffic responsibilities of J.P Court are
not acceptable for this project. Your essay should answer at least the following questions:












Which court did you visit? Specifics about location, type of court, etc.
Explanation of overall jurisdiction of the court you are visiting (information in text book).
When did you visit and how long did you stay?
Who was the presiding judge? Political party affiliation? Do not ask the judge!
Did you witness a civil or criminal case?
What took place in the courtroom during your visit?
Describe the procedures followed by the court.
If the case you observed was not completed, describe the result based on newspaper coverage, followup phone calls, or other sources.
How many people were in the courtroom, and who were they? (defendants, lawyers, etc.)
Did the court run smoothly? Why do you say so?
Do you think the court ran fairly? Why do you say so?
What is your overall evaluation of the experience?
4
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by college policy and the rules of
this class. Plagiarism involves using the ideas or words of another person (either in whole or in part) without
crediting the source. Cheating involves fraud and deception for the purpose of violating testing or research
project rules. Cheating will result in an immediate zero for the particular project or test.
HCCS CORE CURRICULUM
Government 2302 is one of the required classes to complete the Social and Behavioral Sciences portion of the
HCCS Core Curriculum. There are several basic intellectual competencies in all HCCS Core Curriculum
classes including:

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Listening

Critical Thinking

Computer Literacy
The objective of courses in the Social and Behavioral Sciences is to increase students knowledge of how
social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among
individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand
themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. For a more detailed explanation
of the basic intellectual competencies of the Core Curriculum and exemplary educational objectives of the
Social and Behavioral Sciences, please see in the 2010-11 HCCS Catalog.
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 Services Office at the respective
college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Southwest ADA Counselor Dr. Becky Hauri –
713.718.7910
STATE OF TEXAS POLICY ON REPEATING A COURSE
As of Fall 2006, students who take a course for the third time or more will 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.
HCC POLICY BANNING RECORDING DEVICES
"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 information regarding reasonable accommodations."
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE YOUR GRADE
1. Take advantage of extra credit opportunities offered throughout the semester.
2. At the end of the semester (Thursday, December 9) you may earn up to 8 extra credit points by
taking a bonus multiple choice test. Extra credit points will only be given to those who earn 70% or better on the
bonus-test.
3. It IS important that you attend class and take good notes. A large portion of your grade is based on
understanding the material presented in class. I will be happy to look over your notes at the
conclusion of each class period.
4. You are encouraged to use HCC’s online tutoring system for help with written assignments, when necessary.
Tutors are on duty 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Be specific when you ask questions. Registering for online tutoring is
easy. Go to www.hccs.askonline.net. Select a user name and password that you will remember. Use any e-mail address,
and add your student ID number (W number). It will probably take five minutes to set up your askonline account. After
that, you can submit questions in seconds. Tutor responses are not e-mailed to you. To see the answers, log back in to the
system and click the bright yellow NEW button. (There is also a link to the online tutoring system from Blackboard Vista).
5