Course Syllabus
American Government Roots and Reform
(Government 2301)
CRN 83772 - Spring 2012
Alief Campus - Room B110 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm | Mon/Wed
3 hour lecture course / 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor:
John Shanu, MPA
Contact Information:
(281)782-3633
Course Objectives:
The course objectives/topics include: a study of 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, and
political parties and elections. The course is the first of a two-part core
requirement for Texas state colleges and universities.
Because this is a introductory course, the subject matter includes basic
information about the structures and functions of government and politics. The
more important goal of the course centers on equipping students with the
language and skills for effectively analyzing, discussing, and participating in the
political arena.
ADA Statement:
Three-Peater
Statement:
HCCS is compliant with the ADA and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. "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 respective college at the beginning of each semester.
Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested
by the Disability Support Services Office." The Disability Services
Office number for Southwest College is (713) 718-7910.
Notice: Students who take a course for the third time or more may soon
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.
Reading Materials:
Textbook
Karen O’Connor, Larry J. Sabato, American Government Roots and Reform,
2011 Texas Edition (New York: Longman, 2008). ISBN 10-1-256-28850-0;
ISBN 13-978-1-256-28850-3
Testing/Grading Policy:
Grades for this course will be based on the following point system:
*
*
*
*
Attendance/Drop
Policy:
10pts - Class Participation & Public Policy Discussions
30pts - Chapter Outlines & Discussions
30pts - Midterm
30pts - Final Exam
A record of attendance is carefully maintained. Students who miss frequently
rarely perform as well as those who attend regularly. If a student wishes
to drop the course, it is his or her responsibility to fill out the appropriate form
in the college office on campus. Students should also inform the instructor
of the course being dropped as well. A student may drop the course for any
reason up to and including March 29, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.. After that date a student
will receive the grade that he or she has earned.
Class Behavior
Disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated during class. Students who exhibit
such behavior will be asked to leave the class. Students who will be more than
20 minutes late to class should not attend unless the professor has been notified
in advance and approves of the tardy. If a student does enter the class late
he/she should enter quietly and join the lecture in progress. Student’s who leave
class 45 minutes or more before class dismissal will be counted as having not
attended. If a student knows that he/she will be late or needs to leave early,
notify the professor in advance of class starting.
Participation
Students should be able to adequately discuss and articulate the subject matter
when called upon. Inadequate student preparation for class will not be tolerated.
Assignments
The instructor will inform students when assignments are due.
Academic
Dishonesty:
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity
in fulfilling course requirements. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Please refer to your
student handbook for definitions of these terms. Academic dishonesty may
result in a zero for the assignment or failure of the course, depending on
the severity of the offense.
Course
Schedule:
Week I, Jan. 16, 2012
* Introduction
Week II, Jan. 23rd
* Chapter 2, The Constitution
* Chapter 21, The Texas Constitution
Week III, Jan. 30th
* Chapters 2 and 21 (cont.)
Week IV, Feb. 6, 2012
* Chapter 3, Federalism
* Chapter 4, State and Local Government
Week V, Feb. 13th
* Chapter 11, Public Opinion and Political Socialization
* Chapter 22, Local Government and Politics in Texas
*
Week VI, Feb. 20th
Chapter 11 and 22 (cont.)
Week VII, Feb. 27th
* Chapter 12, Political Parties
* Chapter 13, Election and Voting
* Chapter 14, The Campaign Process
Week VIII, March 5th
* Chapters 12, 13, 14 (cont.)
Week IX, March 12th
* Chapters 12, 13, 14 (cont.)
Week X, March 19th
* Chapter 15, The News Media
* Chapter 16, Interest Groups
Week XI, March 26th
* Chapters 15and 16 (cont.)
Week XII, April 2nd
* Chapter 20, The Contest for Texas Politics and Government
* Chapter 26, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections and Campaigns…….
Week XIII April 9th
* Chapters 20, 26 (cont.)
Week XIV, April 16th
* Class Discussions/ Uncovered Topics
Week XV, April 23rd
* Class Discussions/ Uncovered Topics
Week XVI, April 30th
* Review for Final
Week XVI, May 7th
* FINAL EXAM
Please Note: **Some chapters are subject to change
*** Midterm Exam will be announced