Government 2302
Professor Linda Webb
office hours: by appointment
Spring 2009
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.
Note to GOV 2302 students:
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The Blackboard Vista Learning Management System will be used for ALL class email,
all test reviews, all outside reading assignments, and distribution of most of the webenhanced assignments. You will also be able to monitor your grade throughout the
semester.
When you enrolled in this class, you were automatically enrolled in Blackboard. Go
to hccs.blackboard.com and 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)
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This is a web-enhanced class. There will be traditional interactive lectures AND
several times when students will do original political research. If you are absent
when an assignment is handed out, you may request a copy via Blackboard email,
however points will be automatically deducted for any web-enhanced assignments
turned in late.
A major segment of this course is devoted to U.S. and Texas policy. Most of your
web-enhanced assignments will involve selected policy matters. You are ALWAYS
expected to be able to discuss the results of web-enhanced research in class.
Suggestions for success in the class:
a.
Put your name and the TIME of your class on all tests, projects, webenhanced assignments, extra credit, and any other paper turned in for a
grade. You AUTOMATICALLY lose one point if your name and/or class time
are missing.
b.
You will also automatically lose one point if you turn in any projects, extra
credit, etc. which are not typed unless, I give approval for them to be
handwritten
c.
Attendance will be taken every day. If you are tardy you must sign the
designated sign-in sheet. If an earlier class is causing you to be late to this
class, I will be happy to try to resolve that problem for you.
d.
Extra credit may be offered periodically throughout the semester. Take
advantage of these opportunities, whenever possible.
e.
Outside readings for each segment of the course are located in Blackboard
folders labeled by test topics. The readings will enhance class discussion and
textbook assignments. There will be open-note essay 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.
f.
You will need to print almost 200 pages this semester, so you might consider
buying a print card for the computer lab, if you hesitate to do this much
printing at home.
g.
There are computer labs for students in this building and the Scarcella
Building next door.
h.
I DO NOT drop any tests or assignments, so please take every portion of the
course seriously.
i.
You can earn 3 extra credit points by sending me an e-mail which tells me a
bit about yourself, no later than 9 pm on January 30.
Thank you for enrolling in my class. It will be a learning experience for all of us.
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 a test you will be allowed to make up ONE test at the end
of the semester. A zero will be given for any other missed work. HCCS attendance policy for this class is
detailed in the HCCS 2008/09 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, April 9 4:30 pm. will receive
the grade that is earned The state of Texas is formulating 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 five tests, four web-enhanced assignments, and a project. Most
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
335 points total
Research and discussion
65 points total
+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, 9th edition (New York
Longman, 2008)
ISBN 13: 978-0-205-57307-3
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……………….$40 for a 180 day period.
TEXTBOOK IS USED IN BOTH GOV 2301 AND GOV 2302
TESTS
TEXAS LAWMAKERS, EXECUTIVES & BUREAUACRACY  TEST ONE
100 points
Approximate date: week of February 24
Chapters 26 and 27, and pp.886-901
Additional readings: Blackboard folder labeled Texas Lawmakers, Executives and
Bureaucracy
U.S. CONGRESS  TEST TWO
50 points
Approximate date: week of March 24
Chapter 10
Additional readings; Blackboard folder labeled Congress
PUBLIC POLICY ■ ECONOMIC AND CIVIL LIBERTIES ■ TEST THREE
35 points
Approximate date: week of April 7
Chapter 14 (pp. 392-400 and pp. 404-415) and Chapter 16 (pp.452-477)
U.S. PRESIDENT AND FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY  TEST FOUR
100 points
Approximate date: week of April 21
Chapters 11 and 12
Additional readings: Blackboard folder labeled President and Bureaucracy
TEXAS & FEDERAL JUDGES ■ TEST FIVE
50 points
May 12 and May 14
8:00 Thursday, May 14
8:00
9:30 Tuesday, May 12
9:00
11:00 Tuesday, May 12
11:00
Chapters 13 and 28
Additional readings: Blackboard folder labeled Judges
Last Day of Instruction
Spring Break
May 7 You do not need to attend class after this date EXCEPT to take the
final exam (5th test).
March 16-20
Campus closed
PROJECT OPTIONS
Due: Tuesday, April 14
Two point penalty for late projects
Choose ONE of the following options. Follow directions explicitly and be prepared to briefly report
your findings to the entire class. Twenty points:
1
2
Understanding other countries: Length: 3-4 typewritten pages
This option is open only to students who were born in another country and have
moved to the U.S. within the last 8 years (or so). A small portion of your report
should address the strengths and weaknesses of your country of birth but most of the
report should analyze; your reasons for coming to the U.S; any difficulties in getting
a visa; and good and bad points of living in the U.S and your opinion of our system
of government.
Voices from the past: Length: 3-4 typewritten pages
The African American civil rights movement is one of the most important political
developments of the 20th century. Your project is to interview one or more older (over 60)
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? continued on next page……
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:
3-4 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.
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How long have you been practicing law?
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What is your legal specialty? How did you decide on this specialty?
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Describe the typical kinds of cases that you handle.
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What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas legal system? What
changes would you suggest?
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Do you think Texas judges should continue to be elected on a partisan ballot? Why or why
not?
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Personal analysis of the role of money in judicial elections?
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What if any changes would you propose to the law?
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Describe two or three of your most interesting experiences as a lawyer?
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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: 3-4 typewritten pages
Please browse Chapter28 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:
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Which court did you visit? Specifics about location, type of court, etc.
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Explanation of overall jurisdiction of the court you are visiting (information in text book).
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When did you visit and how long did you stay?
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Who was the presiding judge? Political party affiliation? Do not ask the judge!
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Did you witness a civil or criminal case?
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What took place in the courtroom during your visit?
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Describe the procedures followed by the court.
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If the case you observed was not completed, describe the result based on newspaper coverage,
follow-up phone calls, or other sources.
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How many people were in the courtroom, and who were they? (defendants, lawyers, etc.)
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Did the court run smoothly? Why do you say so?
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Do you think the court ran fairly? Why do you say so?
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What is your overall evaluation of the experience?
5
Interview a licensed peace officer working for a unit of government (city, county, state)
Police officers are on the front lines of the criminal justice system. Spend at least 45 minutes interviewing
a police professional about their job, issues of concern to them, impact of the Miranda decision, their view
of the court system, and suggestions for change in their own job and the criminal justice system in general.
Write a 3 to 4 typewritten report and include your own thoughts and conclusions.
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:
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Reading
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Writing
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Speaking
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Listening
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Critical Thinking
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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 2008-09 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 Service Offices 713/718-7910 at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office.
STATE OF TEXAS POLICY ON REPEATING A COURSE
NOTICE: Students who repeat a course three or more times will face significant tuition/fee increases at
HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor/counselor about
opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal, or if you are not
receiving passing grades.
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, May 7), you may earn up to 8 extra credit points by taking a
mini-multiple choice test on topics discussed throughout the semester UNLESS you need to make-up
an earlier 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).