COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
DR. U. LYNN JONES
Spring Semester, 2016
GOVT 2305 COURSE NUMBER:
COURSE TITLE: Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Origin and Development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.
COURSE CREDIT HOURS: 3 Lecture Hours: 3
PREREQUISITE: Placement in ENGL 1301; College-Level Reading
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
2.
3.
4.
State Mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United
States.
Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the
5.
6. federal government.
Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
Analyze the election process.
7.
8.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Analyze issues and policies in the U.S. politics.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” for the Spring,
2016 semester is March 18. A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W”. Note also that Texas law now limits a student to a maximum of six withdrawals during a four-year college career. If a student chooses to drop a course by the census date
(February 1), it is not recorded as an official withdrawal. Students are responsible for officially withdrawing themselves from the course, should it be necessary. Faculty are not allowed to initiate withdrawals on your behalf.

COLLIN COLLEGE ACADEMIC POLICIES: Under the current Collin College Student
Handbook the policies concerning academic dishonesty are as follows:
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the submission as one's own work material that is not one's own. It may also involve cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else's work for assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to providing a paper or project to another student, providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
A determination by the Dean of Student Development that a student has committed one or more of these acts may result in a disciplinary penalty, such as academic probation, suspension or expulsion from the college. You will also receive a grade of zero on the assignment.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or (972) 881-5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION:
Name: Dr. U. Lynn Jones
Office: Springcreek, L208
Office Hours: 7:30-9:00 AM MWF, 10:00-11:00 AM MW, 7:30-8:30 AM TR, 6:00-7:00
PM Tues. or by appointment
Office Phone: (972) 881-5841
Email: ljones@collin.edu
CLASS INFORMATION:
Section S02
Section S06
Section S16
9:00 MWF
11:00 MWF
8:30 TR
L201A
L254
L250
L201A Section S17 10:00 TR
TEXTBOOK: O'Connor, Sabato and Yanus, American Government : Roots and
Reform, 2014 Election Edition, 12 th Edition, Boston: Pearson, 2014

SUPPLIES: None
ATTENDANCE POLICY: It is expected that you will attend all classes and exams are based upon that assumption. You are responsible for acquiring class notes if you have to miss. Ultimately you will find that regular attendance is essential to a satisfactory grade performance. In addition, borderline grades are adjusted based on class attendance and performance.
Class will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
If you have a special need to utilize a computer, you will need to obtain supportive documentation from the Access Office.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The grade in this class will be based upon four examinations and the required semester project. Exams and the project are worth 100 points each. Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale:
(Grades will not be "curved".)
90-100..........A
80-89............B
70-79............C
60-69............D
Below 60......F
Exams will be based upon both class notes and the text. I will provide you with a list of terms and questions to help you prepare for the exams. I do not offer extra credit assignments in my classes.
COURSE CALENDAR
Introduction: Politics and Government I.
II. Constitutionalism and the Constitution of the United States
Text: Ch. 2
FIRST EXAM
III. Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
Text: Ch. 3
IV. Political Parties, Campaigns and Federal Elections
Text: Ch. 11 pp. 329-342, Ch. 12 pp. 359-371
SECOND EXAM

V. The Legislative Process: Congress
Text: Ch. 6
VI. The Chief Executive: The Presidency
Text: Ch. 7
THIRD EXAM
VII. The Judicial Process: Law and Federal Courts
Text: Ch. 9
VIII. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Text: Ch. 4, 5
IX. Public Policy
Text: Ch. 17
FINAL EXAM

COURSE PROJECT: COURT OBSERVATION
You will spend a minimum of two hours observing in a County Court-At-Law,
State District Court, or Federal District Court. Do not observe a Municipal Court or Justice
of the Peace Court. After the observation write a minimum three page essay describing your
experience. From school, movies, television etc. you all have some preconceived notions
about courts and the way various participants behave. You must identify the specific court(s) you observed and the presiding judge. What type of legal action was taking place? Did the
courtroom, judge, jury, bailiffs, court reporters, witnesses etc. meet your expectations?
Did the conduct of the court reflect your notion of the administration of justice?
You may attend state courts in any county seat that is convenient for you. In this area that would include McKinney, Rockwall, Denton and Dallas. If you are in Collin County, the
County Courthouse in McKinney is your best choice. There are 11 State District Courts, 6
County Courts-At-Law, and a Probate Court located there, so you have multiple options, and should be able to conclude your observation in one visit.
This assignment should be in essay format and a minimum of three pages, typewritten, double-spaced. It will be graded on content, organization and grammar. It is worth a maximum of 100 points and is due no later than 5:00 Friday, April 8. Late papers will receive a maximum of ½ credit. Please include your class section number on your assignment.
PAPERS MAY BE TURNED IN AS FOLLOWS: a) b) c) d)
In class
At the Social Science Office, B240
As a Microsoft Word Attachment to an email. Be sure to put your name and section number on the paper, not just the email.
Do not slide papers under my office door