Course Syllabus
American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics I
(Government 2301)
Spring 2011
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
Neal Tannahill, American and Texas Government : Policy and Politics,
10th edition (New York: Longman, 2010). ISBN 978-0-205-74672-9
Testing/Grading Policy:
Grades for this course will be based on the following point system:
*
*
*
*
10pts - Class Participation & Public Policy Discussions
30pts - Chapter Outlines & Discussions
30pts - Midterm
30pts - Final Exam
Attendance/Drop
Policy:
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 April 14, 2011 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, January 19, 2011
* Introduction
Week II, January 26th
* Chapters 2 and 19, Constitutional Foundations of American and Texas Politics
Week III, February 2nd
* Chapters 2 and 19 (cont.)
Week IV, Feb. 9th
* Chapter 3 and 20, Federalism
Week V, Feb. 16th
* Chapter 4 and 6, Public Opinion and Media
*
Week VI, Feb 23rd
Chapter 4 and 6 (cont.)
Week VII, March 2nd
* Chapters 7, 5, 21 & 22, Political Participation and Interest Groups
Week VIII, March 9,
* Chapters 7, 5, 21, 22 (cont.)
Week IX, March 16, 2011
* Chapters 7, 5, 21, 22 (cont.)
Week X, March 23rd
* Chapters 8 and 23, Political Parties
Week XI, March 30th
* Chapters 8 and 23(cont.)
Week XII, April 6th
* Chapters 9 and 24, Elections
Week XIII April 13th
* Chapters 9 and 24 (cont.)
Week XIV, April 20th
* Chapters 28 and 29, City Government and County Government
Week XV, April 27th
* Chapters 28 and 29, (cont.)
Week XVI, May 4th
* Review for Final
Week XVII, May 11th
* FINAL EXAM
Please Note: **Some chapters are subject to change
*** Midterm Exam will be announced
Grading Scale
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
Below 60 = F