UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
POLS 1101
American Government
3 Credit Hours
GENERAL INFORMATION I.
POLS 1101 American Government Instructor: Ed Standera
SPRING 2014 (Full Session) Office: UC400-285
7:25-8:25 M & F; 7:25-7:55 W, CRN 7983, UC400-103 Phone: (470) 239-3117
7:35-8:50 TR, CRN 8002, UC400-103 e-mail: ed.standera@ngc
.edu
Website: https://web.gsc.edu/fs/estandera
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Office hours: MONDAY 8:30-9:30AM, TUESDAY 9-10AM, WEDNESDAY 7:45-8:45AM, THURSDAY 9-
10AM, FRIDAY 8:30-9:30AM, UC400-285 or by appointment.
You are encouraged to e-mail, call or stop in during office hours to talk about any problems/suggestions you may have concerning the course, about a major in political science; or about politics in general.
II. TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS
Essentials of American Government, Roots and Reform, 2012 Edition, Karen O’Connor,
Larry J. Sabato, and Alixandra B. Yanus, ISBN 10: 0-205-88399-0
Georgia Government by the League of Women Voters
During each class period we will try to look at current political events, placing them in the context of what we are studying in the course. You will find the course more interesting and you will be more successful in the course if you make a habit of paying attention to current events. You may find the following helpful: national and international television news, radio news (especially National Public Radio), news magazines (Times, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek) and regional or national circulation newspapers (including Atlanta Journal-Constitution). There is a newspaper stand inside the main entrance where the NEW YORK TIMES provides free papers.
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION
An intensive examination of the Constitution and the three governmental divisions. The course includes a study of the national government in its relation to the states. Examples from the government of Georgia are included.
This course can be used in Area E in the core curriculum.
This course fulfills the Georgia and U.S. Constitution and History requirement.
This course fulfills the U.S. Perspectives Learning Outcome
IV.COURSE OBJECTIVES (EXPECTED OUTCOMES)
By the time students have finished this course, they should be able to:
1.
Analyze the interaction of political actors and institutions in the United States and their interactions with global actors and forces.

2.
Analyze the historical and philosophical roots of America’s system of government and the Constitution.
3.
Show understanding of Georgia’s history and government, including current issues in Georgia politics.
4.
Formulate and defend logical arguments in discussing a variety of contemporary political issues.
5.
Examine the effects of cultural differences and economic interests of political actors within the United States and between the United States and other global actors.
6.
Assess the accuracy, completeness and potential bias of sources of information pertaining to politics and government in the U.S. and world.
V. COURSE CALENDAR
SCHEDULE FOR MWF CLASS
Foundations of American Government
Dates Topic Readings
1/8 Syllabus/course overview
1/8-1/17 Principles of American Government
None
Ch 1, (Ch. 1 Quiz due 1/15)
1/20 MLK JR. DAY (No Class)
1/17-1/29 Constitution Ch 2, (Ch. 2 Quiz due 1/27)
1/31-2/7 Federalism Ch 3, (Ch. 3 Quiz due 2/5)
2/10 Monday EXAM #1 Ch 1, Ch 2 & Ch 3
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Dates Topic
2/12-2/19 Civil liberties
Readings
Ch 4, (Ch. 4 Quiz due 2/17)
2/19-2/28 Civil Rights Ch 5, (Ch. 5 Quiz due 2/26)
3/3 Monday EXAM #2 Ch 4 & Ch 5
3/3 Monday MIDPOINT LAST DAY TO DROP W/O ACADEMIC PENALTY
3/5 GEORGIA LECTURE (For Outcome Essay #1) Essay due 3/14
Government Institutions
Dates Topic Readings
Ch 6, (Ch. 6 Quiz due 3/12) 3/7-3/14 Congress/Congressional districts
3/17-3/22 SPRING BREAK No Classes
3/24-3/28 Presidency Ch 7, (Ch. 7 Quiz due 3/26)
3/30-4/4 Federal Judicial System Ch 9, (Ch. 9 Quiz due 4/2)
4/7 Monday EXAM #3 Ch 6, Ch 7 & Ch 9
Politics (influences on government)
Dates Topic Readings
4/9-4/14 Public Opinion and the Media Ch 10, (Ch. 10 Quiz due 4/11)
4/16-4/21 Political Parties and Interest Groups Ch 11, (Ch. 11 Quiz (1) due 4/18)
4/21-4/25 Interest Groups, Campaigns, Elections, and Voting Ch 12, (No other Quizzes due)
4/25 LAST CLASS
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE MWF CLASS
Monday, 4/28, 8-10AM, Classroom UC400-103

SCHEDULE “E” FOR TR CLASS
Foundations of American Government
Dates Topic
1/7 Syllabus/course overview
1/7-1/16 Principles of American Government
Readings
None
Ch 1, (Ch. 1 Quiz due 1/14)
1/16-1/28 Constitution Ch 2, (Ch. 2 Quiz due 1/23)
1/28-2/6 Federalism Ch 3, (Ch. 3 Quiz due 1/30)
2/6 Thursday EXAM #1 Ch 1, Ch 2 & Ch 3
Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
Dates Topic
2/11-2/18 Civil liberties
2/18-2/25 Civil Rights
Readings
Ch 4, (Ch. 4 Quiz due 2/13)
Ch 5, (Ch. 5 Quiz due 2/20)
2/27 Thursday EXAM #2 Ch 4 & Ch 5
3/3 Monday MIDPOINT LAST DAY TO DROP W/O ACADEMIC PENALTY
3/4 GEORGIA LECTURE (For Outcome Essay #1) Essay due 3/13
Government Institutions
Dates Topic
3/6-3/13 Congress/Congressional districts
3/13-3/27 Presidency
3/17-3/22 SPRING BREAK No Classes
Readings
Ch 6, (Ch. 6 Quiz due 3/11)
Ch 7, (Ch. 7 Quiz due 3/25)
3/27-4/3 Federal Judicial System Ch 9, (Ch. 9 Quiz due 4/1)
4/8 Tuesday EXAM #3 Ch 6, Ch 7 & Ch 9
Politics (influences on government)
Dates Topic Readings
4/3-4/15 Public Opinion and the Media Ch 10, (Ch. 10 Quiz due 4/10)
4/15-4/22 Political Parties and Interest Groups Ch 11, (Ch. 11 Quiz (1) due 4/17)
4/22-4/24 Interest Groups, Campaigns, Elections, and Voting Ch 12, (No other Quizzes due)
4/24 LAST CLASS
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE TR CLASS
Thursday, 5/1, 8-10AM, UC400-103
VI. COURSE POLICIES
ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS/PARTICIPATION POLICY
Attendance will be noted at the beginning of each class. If you come in late it is your responsibility to inform me of your attendance after class has been dismissed.
You assume responsibility for learning the material you miss during an absence and you cannot make up in-class work you miss during an absence.
I encourage you to participate in class discussions, ask questions, challenge, disagree, comment; in other words, DON'T BE A SLUG. Attendance, persistent tardiness and participation are taken into consideration when grades are tallied at the end of the term.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY : It is your responsibility to initiate the withdrawal procedure if you desire to drop the course. Please note that MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2014 is midpoint of the term and last day to withdraw with a W.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS : Since you are paying tuition to take this class, I believe you should know at the outset my view of the course and my expectations of you.

a. You will read the assigned text and other assignments before you come to class. The reading assignments serve as a resource and you may have to read the material more than once. You will find that I refer to material in the assignments, but that I do not base my lectures strictly on the readings.
Material may be covered in class that is not in the text. Exam questions come from the required readings and lectures so it is imperative that you read assignments and attend class. b. Academic Exchange: The values of an intellectual community are trust, honesty, free inquiry, open debate, tolerance of difference and respect for others convictions. Further, the intellectual community always seeks to foster the virtues and characteristics of intelligence, curiosity, discipline, creativity, integrity, clear expression and the desire to learn from others. It is these that must guide our work and exchanges in this class.
Anyone perceived by the instructor to conduct him/herself in such a manner as to obstruct or disrupt, or attempt to obstruct or disrupt, the class or its learning activities will be given a verbal warning and may be asked to excuse her/himself from the class period in which the conduct occurred. Further disruptive conduct may be reported to the Vice President for Student Development and may be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the University of North Georgia catalog.
CELL PHONES & PAGERS: TURN THEM OFF.
STUDENT ETHICS : All students are expected to do their own work in this course; to do otherwise is cheating. Please see the Student Handbook section on "Student Conduct Code" for further discussion and possible penalties.
EXAMINATIONS : Three mid-session exams and a final exam will be given. Exam questions are essays, true/false, and multiple choice. Exam questions are taken from the readings, lectures, class discussions, and films. You will receive a study guide well in advance of each exam. The final exam is NOT comprehensive--just another exam.
NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN! I will substitute the grade you receive on the final exam for one missing exam grade. If you miss a second and third exam, you will receive a zero (0) for those exams
(unless there are extenuating circumstances). You must obtain the permission of the instructor to miss an exam and count the final exam score for the missed exam.
CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENTS : In addition to the regular exams, you will have an opportunity to accrue points from Assignments handed out during the semester. It is your responsibility to get these assignments from me if you are absent on the day they are handed out.
GEORGIA CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT ASSIGNMENT:
Each University System of Georgia institution is mandated to introduce students to both the U.S. and Georgia constitutions and governments. As part of AREA E at GSC students must take POLS
1101 American Government which is designed to meet this legislative requirement. This course specifically addresses the
U.S. constitution and government. However, coverage of Georgia’s constitution and government is more problematic due to the nature and normal content of this course. As such, the following requirement has been established for this course.
The League of Women Voters “Georgia Government” (LWV) is a required supplemental text for this course and is automatically ordered by the GSC Bookstore. Course instructors must include coverage of this work within the first half of the semester.

On the date specified under Item 13, Course
Schedule/Reading Assignments, a lecture will be given, using LWV information as a basis for ten topics concerning Georgia Government. An assignment directive emailed to you will outline these ten topics. It is important for you to be present for this lecture. If you are not present you will have to rely completely on the
LWV text for your source of information.
EXTRA-CREDIT WORK : a. Individual: None. It would not be fair to allow some students to complete extra-credit work while others do not. b. All students: Each year the college sponsors a Colloquium Series featuring prominent and interesting individuals who speak on campus. To enhance attendance at these events, I will give up to 3 extra credit points added to your overall grade point average for any student who attends a colloquium presentation and writes a double-spaced 3 page paper summarizing the speaker's presentation. If you can creatively tie the presentation to the class material, you increase your prospect of getting the full 3 points. Brochures are available announcing dates and speakers.
Previous speakers have covered topics that we are studying. These speakers have been videotaped and their presentations are available at the Library and on the library web-site. Please see the instructor for alternative assignments. In addition, the Politically Incorrect Club will be scheduling speakers. Attendance at these events is also entered on Student Co-curricular Transcripts.
EVALUATION : The course grade will be computed as follows: Grades
Exam 1
Exam 2-4 (100 ea)
Group/critical thinking assignments (Average)
Two Outcome Essays (The average of the two)
75 (12.5%)
25 (4.17%)
100 (16.67%)
300 (50%)
A 537-600
B 477-536
C 417-476
D 357-416
Practice Quizzes (10 PTS each)* 100 (16.67%) F 0-356
Total possible points: 600
* Up to 10 Points will be given to those who turn in a practice quiz from Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
9, 10, & 11(1) on the due date. Up to 5 points for those turned in late. Zero points for those not turned in. Due dates are under Schedule E. Quizzes will be returned as study material before
Quiz review. Turn in these Quizzes, they count as much as an exam. http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/studenthandbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
VII. COURSE GRADING
EVALUATION
Exam 1
: The course grade will be computed as follows:
75 (12.5%)
Grades
A 537-600
Exam 2-4 (100 ea)
Group/critical thinking assignments (Average)
300 (50%)
25 (4.17%)
B 477-536
C 417-476
Two Outcome Essays (The average of the two) 100 (16.67%) D 357-416
Practice Quizzes (10 PTS each)* 100 (16.67%) F 0-356
Total possible points: 600
* Up to 10 Points will be given to those who turn in a practice quiz from Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
9, 10, & 11(1) on the due date. Up to 5 points for those turned in late. Zero points for those not turned in. Due dates are under Schedule E. Quizzes will be returned as study material before
Quiz review. Turn in these Quizzes, they count as much as an exam.

VIII. SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE INFORMATION
Student Disability Services
Please see the following link for information: http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/policies-andguidelines/supplemental-syllabus.php
Academic Integrity Policy:
University of North Georgia’s honor policy is below:
“On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, conspire to deceive, or tolerate those who do.”
See the link below to the student handbook, beginning on page 33, for information and policies regarding plagiarism. http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/studenthandbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
This link also outlines student code of conduct violations’ procedures and is found on the Dean of Students website: http://ung.edu/dean-of-students/student-code-of-conduct/index.php
Early Alert/Early Intervention Program:
“I am committed to your success in this course and at this university. I may, therefore, refer you to other persons and/or services available to help you achieve academic success. In turn, if you are referred, you will be expected to comply with the referrals. Please understand that such referrals are not a form of punishment, rather, they are intended to help you.
NGCSU has implemented an Early Alert/Early Intervention program. I am a participating faculty member in the program. I may, then, refer you to other persons and/or services at the university designed to help you achieve your academic goals. You, in turn, will be expected to take advantage of the help offered to you.
As your teacher I am committed to your academic success, not only in this class, but at this university. If I feel you would benefit from some of the special services available to students, I will make the appropriate referral. I will, further, expect you to comply with the referral and take advantage of the services offered.”
Statement Composed by the Recruit Back, Early/Alert Intervention Team, 2006

* (Specific details of this syllabus may be subject to change.)