Syllabus [subject to change]
POLS101 American Government and Politics
Spring 2014
Instructor:
Office:
Milan Andrejevich
Ivy Tech – South Bend
Phone:
E-mail:
(574) 289-7001 Ext 5773
mandreje@ivytech.edu
Instructor’s
Supervisor:
Craig Parmley
cparmley@ivytech.edu
Office Hrs: M-F 9a-4p
Distance Learning
Contact:
Matt Pittman
mpittman2@ivytech.edu
(574) 289-7001 x 5424
MEETING DAY AND TIME:
Wed 10a – 12:50p Jan 15 – May 7, 2014
MEETING DATES:
January 15, 29, February 12, 26, March 19, April 2, 16, 30
PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a
grade of “C” or better in ENGL 025 Introduction to College Writing II or ENGL 093 Introduction to
College Writing and ENGL 032 Reading Strategies for College II or ENGL 083 Reading
Strategies for College.
DIVISION: School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
PROGRAM: Liberal Arts
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: Lecture: 3
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Spring 2014 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REVISION: Spring 2014
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Studies federalism, theories of the origins and purposes of
government and other aspects of the American government including interest groups, political
parties, and the electoral process. Emphasis is placed on constitutional backgrounds and the
organization and functions of the executive, legislative, and judicial segments of the national
government, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, media, bureaucracies, and domestic and
foreign policy.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the
student will be expected to:
1. Describe and discuss the foundations and bases of American government and
democracy including the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalism.
2. Describe the various aspects of political behavior of individuals and groups including
political parties, public opinion, interest groups, media, nominations, campaigns, and
elections.
3. Describe the operations of the various governmental institutions including executive,
legislative, judicial, and administrative functions.
4. Evaluate recent global developments and their impact on public policy in the areas of
domestic and foreign affairs.
5. Identify how the separate, but power-sharing institutions, including government agencies,
private sector and interest groups, attempt to govern modern society.
6. Explain how power is granted to the national government and the states with limitations
that safeguard civil liberties and civil rights.
7. Discuss the American political system and its effectiveness in meeting the major needs of
society.
8. Evaluate American politics and government in a global and historical context as
compared with other political systems and their various institutions, the ways their people
are governed, and how their decisions are made and implemented.
9. Demonstrate and express an understanding of the complex international interconnections
that give meaning to American politics and government.
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COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include:
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History and theories of government
Constitutional structure
Challenges of Federalism
o Civil rights
o Civil liberties
o Case law
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Rise of American democracy
Public Policy
o Globalism
o Media
o Current events
REQUIRED READING:
Barbara A. Bardes, Mack C. Shelley, and Steffen W. Schmidt, American Government and Politics
Today: The Essentials 2013-2014 ed. [Cengage] ISBN: 978-1-133-60437-2
Companion site: http://www.cengage.com/highered/ and fill in the search fields; go to Student
area.
Online source readings are listed on the Course Calendar and a file entitled “Online Readings
and Activities” located under the “Start Here” menu button.
Recommended: In addition, we will be following events as they unfold. In other words, for a
better understanding of American government many breaking news events will come to play an
integral part in achieving the objectives in this course. It is strongly recommended you bookmark
the following sites:
1. Dailies: New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/; Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com; Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/; Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com; Los Angeles
Times http://www.latimes.com
2. Weekly news magazine such as: National Review, National Journal, or The
Nation. Check the Library for these and other newsmagazines such as Time,
Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report. Also search Ivy Tech’s Virtual Library,
access through Campus Connect http://cc.ivytech.edu/cp/home/loginf
3. There are a variety of news services and news summaries on the Internet.
Yahoo Full Coverage is a good source [http://news.yahoo.com/topics] as is ABC
News "The Note" http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/TheNote/TheNote.html
4. Radio: http://www.npr.org and locally WVPE 88.1FM http://www.wvpe.org/
5. Occasional television viewing, such as The NewsHour on PBS [WNIT- Michiana]
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/ and C-SPAN [Congressional television channels]
o C-SPAN (U.S. House of Representatives, and public affairs)
o C-SPAN2 (U.S. Senate, and public affairs)
o C-SPAN3 (public affairs, congressional hearings, history programming)
o http://www.c-span.org/
METHOD OF DELIVERY:
Students will receive all instructions, assignments, projects, and examinations both in the virtual
classroom and via Blackboard [Bb]. The instructor can best be reached via e-mail, and the
student can inquire about assignments, readings, and other relevant material for this class via email. All assignments must be typed or processed on computer using MS Word or Works. No
handwritten material will be accepted. All assessments will be posted on Bb.
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METHOD OF EVALUATING/GRADING POLICY:
There are five units and fifteen chapters in the textbook, which will be utilized for this course. It is
expected that students read all the assigned chapters, and be expected to demonstrate learning
of the material through various methods of evaluation – tests, participation, and blogs.
GRADING SYSTEM - total 1000 core points
Exams
Quizzes
Final
Online Journal
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600 points
150 points
100 points
150 points
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points
900 – 1000
800 – 899
700 – 799
600 – 699
000 – 599
5 Exams [120 points each]: online multiple choice, true/false, and short essay. Material from
the readings [text and online], videos, and lectures. Students will access exams via
Blackboard, and will be given the opportunity for multiple attempts over the course of a week.
[600 points]
15 Quizzes [10 points each]: online multiple choice and true/false. Material from the readings,
videos, current events, and lectures. There is no make-up for any missed quiz. [150 points]
Blog: Each student is expected to maintain a reflective journal that notes thoughts and
understanding of principles of American government and politics and its relationship to world
politics/international relations. Newspaper, journal and magazine articles, blogs, political
cartoons, media events, and assigned readings will be part of keeping this online journal. The
blog will be turned in every week during the course of the semester [excluding Spring Break
and Week 16], and will be evaluated for depth and understanding. Late submissions will
receive no points. [150 points]
o Post entries to the Discussion Board area beginning Week 1 through 15 [excluding
Spring Break and Week 16]. All posts must be made by each Monday 11:55pm EST.
o There should be 15 entries for the course.
o Each entry should be no less than 200 words. [8 points]
o Respond to at least one other weekly student post; about 60 words. [2 points].
o Be prepared to orally present your findings during the course of the semester.
o Again, it is be reflective of your emotion/feelings, responses, thoughts, and understanding
of what you have read, heard or viewed in class or outside of class as it applies to
American government and its relationship to global affairs.
o Thoughts can be generated from any of the following:
 News reports
 Newspaper, journal articles, and books
 Viewing of movies, TV, or documentaries
 Assigned readings from class
 Class discussions
 Family, work, school or any life experiences related to government.
o Your writings should reflect how your observations fit into what has been taught. This is
meant to facilitate your learning and enjoyment of this class. Relax, observe, and write.
Final: The first part, worth 75 points, will be an essay assessment worth 75 points. A list of
questions will be provided in advance. Upload through Assignment link in the Week 16 folder.
Due by 11 AM May 7. The second part, worth 25 points, is a multiple choice test and will be
administered online from 11 to 11:45 AM, May 7. [100 points]
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OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES, EXPECTATIONS AND POLICY
Students are bound by all policies of the College and should familiarize themselves with these
through reading the catalog and student handbook.
Students are expected to be adequately prepared for each class session. It is reasonable to
expect at least two hours of outside study for every hour spent in the classroom.
Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to
learning. Therefore, free discussion, inquiry, and expression are encouraged. Behavior that
interferes with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of students to benefit from
that instruction is not acceptable. Specifically, arguing in a way that would be considered
disrespectful to the instructor or other students.
If a student changes his/her email address it is the student’s responsibility to inform me and to
also change it on Campus Connect under the student’s profile. In addition, the student is
responsible for his/her own computer equipment; should the computer system fail or network “go
down”, the student must still submit any assessment [or work] in a timely manner. Do not wait
until the last minute or day to complete journals, quizzes, and exams. It is strongly
encouraged that students take their quizzes and exams at least THREE days before the
expiration date.
Any grievances concerning grades, assignments, examination questions, or other graded projects
must be handled in a professional and non-threatening manner.
In all email communication, please use the proper etiquette. A short list of Web sites dedicated to
netiquette is posted under Resources in the Orientations folder.
Attendance
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Attendance is mandatory. Just as employers require punctuality and reliability in attendance,
your instructor expects students to be prompt and consistent in attending classes.
Missing a substantial number of classes will lower a student's grade. If you are going to miss
a class or assignment [exam, etc.], please contact me before class, not after.
In the rare occurrence when extenuating circumstances prevent the student from attending
class, taking an exam or meeting a deadline, the student is responsible for contacting the
instructor immediately.
Classroom Etiquette
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Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally as adults. The central premise
regarding classroom etiquette is to respect others by practicing simple manners.
Students are expected to be in class on time.
Policy Regarding Exams and Writing exercises
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Take exams and quizzes, and complete Journal assignments no later than the date for which
they are scheduled.
In the occurrence when extenuating circumstances prevent the student from taking an exam,
quiz or meeting a deadline, the student is responsible for contacting the instructor
immediately. Getting “kicked off” the Internet or computer crashes on the last day
and/or the final few hours of an approaching deadline [when an assignment or
assessment is due] does not constitute an extenuating situation.
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If you experience a technical issue that prevents you from either completing or submitting a
quiz or exam, immediately email your instructor to request the “one quiz or exam reset
option”. Keep in mind, the reset of a quiz or exam will only be granted ONE TIME
during the semester at the instructor’s discretion. This is a reset not a repost option.
If there is an outage of the Blackboard system that is verified by central system
administrators, your instructor will provide an extension for students to submit work at no
penalty.
If a student is going to miss any due date [of an exam or any other assignment], please
contact the instructor before and not after the due date. Requests to complete any
assignment or test will be handled on an individual basis, and extenuating situations which
prevent the completion of an assignment or test must be documented.
Failure to contact the instructor concerning missed assessments on or before the due date
will result in a grade of 0.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value intellectual
integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate academic integrity
undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement.
Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student
shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as
cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic
dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or
distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet
as well as those who attempt such behavior.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
“Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must insure
that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or other
proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at Ivy Tech Community
College contain nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous, and do not constitute any violation of any
right of privacy.”
ADA STATEMENT:
Ivy Tech Community College seeks to provide effective services and accommodations for
qualified individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a
documented disability, you are required to register with Disability Support Services at the
beginning of the semester. Contact Director Sandra Bens, (574) 289-7001, ext 1002. Her office
is in the Student Affairs Suite office1102. If you will require assistance during an emergency
evacuation, notify your instructor immediately. Look for evacuation procedures posted in your
classrooms.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY:
Ivy Tech Community College Virtual Library: for students on and off-campus, the Virtual Library
offers full-text journals, books, and other resources essential for completing course assignments.
Go to Ivy Tech’s Virtual Library; link via Campus Connect http://cc.ivytech.edu/cp/home/loginf
RIGHT TO CHANGE STATEMENT:
The instructor reserves the right to change class schedule, assignments, examination dates, or to
make any other changes deemed necessary. All changes will be at the discretion of the
instructor.
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CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR
Email: mandreje@ivytech.edu
Office: Room 2223
Phone: (574) 289-7001 Ext 5773
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Office hours: Mon
Wed
Fri
1 – 3 pm
1 – 4 pm
1 – 4 pm
Please allow up to 36 hours to respond to inquiries. Use Ivy Tech email, and include the
course number, POLS101 in the subject line, and identify yourself. The Bb Messages
function in the course is another method of communication. In all email communication,
please use the proper etiquette. Refer to the tip sheet in the Netiquette folder under both the
“Resources” and “Syllabus” menu buttons.