GOVT 2302 Course Overview and Topic Outline Instructor: Wm. Feagin, Jr. Office: 111C Office Telephone and Voice Mail: 254/298-8361 e-mail address: wfeagin@templejc.edu Course Description This course surveys the policy-making institutions of American national and state government through the lens of contemporary public policy controversies. Textbook Edward S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page, The Struggle for Democracy, 5th edition, 2002 The Struggle for Democracy On-Line (Publisher’s Companion Web Site – http://www.ablongman.com/greenberg) Lyle C. Brown et al, Practicing Texas Politics, 11th edition, 2001 Attendance Policy Please be in class at the beginning of the class session and remain in class for the duration. Students who repeatedly arrive late and leave class sessions early disrupt the class and will be removed from the class roster according to the College's policy on disruptive behavior (see Temple College Student Handbook). Dropping the Course It is absolutely the responsibility of the student to drop this course if she/he should decide that she/he cannot continue for any reason. The instructor will not remove students from the class roster except when required by disruptive behavior and according to the College's policy on disruptive behavior (see Temple College Student Handbook). Course Requirements 4 exams -- 100 points each Grading Scale 450-500 = A 400-449 = B 350-399 = C 300-349 = D < 300 = F EXAMS Regular exams: Exams in this course will feature objective-format questions (multiple choice or variations thereof). Test items will be taken from both materials presented and discussed in class and in the reading materials. NOTE: The exams in this class are CRITICAL THINKING exercises!! As such, they are designed to test students’ recall of factual knowledge, ability to analyze and synthesize information, weigh alternatives and make decisions. The instructor will provide further information concerning the exams administered in this class, including sample questions, on a separate document. Final exam: The final exam will cover materials presented and discussed since the third exam (not comprehensive). The format of the final exam will be the same as that of the regular exams. The date for the final exam for this class is ____________________________. Make-up exams : Students who miss one of the three regular exams are entitled to take a make-up exam over the tested material. However, students should keep the following guidelines in mind: (1) to be eligible to take a make-up exam, you should inform the instructor AHEAD OF TIME that you will be unable to take the exam at the scheduled time [you may leave a message on voice-mail or e-mail]; (2) make-up exams are composed of different questions than the regular exams (make-up exams are written-format); (3) the student will have one week after the regular exam is administered in class to schedule and take the make-up exam; (4) make-up exams are administered in the Testing Center in One College Centre (students must make an appointment with the Testing Center for a specific date and time to take the make-up exam [not during class time]); (5) students who miss the final examination for a legitimate reason will be given a grade of incomplete (I) and allowed to make-up the final exam according to the policy of the College; and (6) NO exceptions to these guidelines will be made. REQUESTS FOR REVIEWING GRADED WORK Ultimately, your grade in this course reflects your ability to demonstrate understanding of the materials presented in class sessions and reading assignments. If you believe for some reason that the course requirements and grading system do not accurately reflect your performance, you should schedule a consultation and discuss the issue with the instructor as soon as possible. If you believe that an exam or a quiz has been graded incorrectly, please submit (in writing) an explanation of the disputed item(s). When graded material is submitted by a student for review, the instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire exam or assignment. Students must inform the instructor of errors within one week after the graded material is returned. For exams, the contention that "the grading machine incorrectly scored my answer sheet" will NOT be considered for re-grading when the student has erased an answer. When taking exams, students are responsible for making sure they make all erasures completely and clearly indicate their chosen response to multiple choice test items. On written assignments, the student must write answers legibly. The instructor will not grade illegible answers. Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism Cheating and dishonesty are unacceptable and will not be tolerated! Measures will be taken to detect cheating. Any infractions will be dealt with by seeking the maximum penalties available under current College policy. [Refer to the sections on Scholastic Integrity and Disciplinary Penalties in the Student Handbook.] Classroom Behavior "Obscene language and activities that are offensive to modesty or decency are prohibited on the College campus" (from Student Handbook). Do NOT bring beepers or cellular phones to class sessions. College policy prohibits use of these devices in class rooms, except in the case of medical or emergency personnel who are on call (Student Handbook). Any student who is covered by this exception is asked to inform the instructor at the first class meeting. DAILY preparation is essential for success in this course. Approach this course with a positive attitude!! Disregard what others have told you about the course, good or bad. You can learn more about American government and politics this semester than you ever imagined, if you let yourself. PRECONCEIVED ATTITUDES concerning college courses such as this one can do more to impede your education than anything else!! Do NOTexpect the material to simply "WASH OVER YOU!!"YOU must take the initiative to learn!!!!! Students may not use tape recorders to record lectures, discussions, or any other activity occurring during class sessions. The instructor will make special accommodations for any student who has a documented learning disability. More generally, any student with a documented learning disability must inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester so that the instructor take appropriate action to set up special testing procedures, study aids, or other accommodations. GOVT 2302 Spring 2002 Wm. Feagin, Jr. -- Instructor Topical Syllabus Topic Reading Assignment Politics & Government Greenberg, 1 and 2; Brown, 1 and 2 General Considerations Policy classification Mainstream versus radical politics Greenberg, 4 (pp. 106-114) Exam #1 The Policy-Makers Legislatures - The U.S. Congress and the Texas Legislature Chief Executives - The President and the Texas Governor Bureaucracies - National and State Agencies Courts - National and State Judiciaries Greenberg, 11; Brown, 6 Right to Privacy Abortion Gay Rights Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Pornography Hate Speech Greenberg, 15 Strickland* Ellis* Greenberg, 15; Jelen* Greenberg, Chp. 15 Daynes* Lawrence and Rauch* Criminal Due Process Exclusionary Rule Death Penalty Equal Protection of the Laws Affirmative Action Greenberg, 15 Greenberg, 12; Brown, 7 Greenberg, 13; Brown, 8 Greenberg, 14; Brown, 9 Exam #2 Moral Controversies 1 Exam #3 Moral Controversies 2 Retrospective and Conclusion Final Exam *Indicates articles that have been placed on reserve in the Library. NOTE: Topics and reading assignments are subject to revision. Steger and Steele* Greenberg, 16 Bryner*