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
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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
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
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"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.
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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*