Wharton County Junior College (WCJC)
Syllabus for GOVERNMENT 2302
CRNs 11944, 11930, 11928
Fall Session 2010
Division of Social and Behavioral Science
Department of History, Geography and Government
Academic WCJC Core Course 070
Professor Elizabeth McLane, M.A., M.S.
Purpose: This syllabus serves as the course outline for all of my Government (GOVT) 2302 classes. It is
the syllabus that covers: 1) my face-to-face (F2F) classes; and 2) my WWW class this semester.
All of my GOVT classes have a Blackboard Distance Education component. I will orient you to its use
early this semester. If you have any additional technical questions or concerns about Blackboard which
will be used as a supplemental support in the class, please contact the Distance Education staff at 1800-561-9252, x.6336.
For course content questions, please contact me (contact information below).
Please read and, as necessary, re-read this syllabus. It will answer many of your questions during the
semester.
Contact Information: Office Phone Number: 281-243-8559/Office Fax Number: 281-243-8583.
E-mail addresses: elizabethm@wcjc.edu, preferable; for backup address: mclane_e@yahoo.com.
For all student email, I will respond within 24 hours during the work week and within 72 hours over the
weekend; please do not wait until the last minute to contact me using this medium.
Mailbox: Give written messages to the college receptionist on the first floor, who will place them in my
mailbox; otherwise, contact me in person, by phone or by email.
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 12-1, Sugar Land Commons across from the Bookstore.
Tuesday-Thursday: 12-2: SUG UH Office #227.
Virtual Hours for WWW class: 7-10 p.m., Monday nights.
Instructor Biography
Curriculum Vitae
Course Goal and Objectives: The main goal of the course is to broaden and deepen the student’s basic
understanding of American government and politics. This goal has at least three objectives:
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1. The first objective is for the student to develop a body of shared knowledge about American
politics.
2. The second objective is for the student to become acquainted with and understand a number of
important concepts and theories with which to make sense of American politics.
3. The third objective is for the student to develop some of the skills necessary to the understanding
and practice of American politics.
To achieve the goals and objectives, the course will focus particular attention on the five primary areas
listed below:
Topical Outline: This class is divided into five primary areas:
Area One: Legislative Branch - This area introduces students to the Constitutional backgrounds for
Congress and Texas and how Congress and the Texas legislature are organized, their functions and their
relationships with the other branches of government.
Area Two: Executive Branch - This area provides an overview of presidential and gubernatorial
governance and histories of the offices, the constitutional powers of these offices, the bureaucracies that
support the presidency and Texas governor, executive policy making and leadership.
Area Three: Judicial Branch - This area introduces students to the constitutional and historical
development of the federal and state court systems, the American legal system including key law
concepts, the organization of federal and state court systems, the process of judicial selection , the
current U.S. Supreme Court and both the criminal and civil justice process in Texas.
Area Four: Public Policy - This area examines the historical development, organization, workings and
accountability of the federal and state government bureaucracies as well as the intricate nature of social
welfare, economic, budget and foreign/defense public policy processes and procedures.
Area Five: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights - This area introduces the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment
guarantees, the additional amendments, the rights of criminal defendants, the right to privacy concept, the
historical struggle regarding slavery, abolition and the right to vote, African American and women’s civil
rights movements, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the civil rights movements of numerous groups and other
continuing controversies in civil rights.
Required Textbook to be supplied by the student: ISBN 0558217672, Politics in America, Texas
Edition, 8/E. Authors Names: Thomas R. Dye, Bartholomew H. Sparrow, Tucker Gibson Jr. and Clay
Robison. Edition: Number 1. Publication Year: 2009.
You can go to the Online Bookstore here:
http://www.wcjc.edu/admin_offices_n/Student_Services/bookstore_disclaimer.asp.
Required Textbook for CRN 11928: ISBN 978-0-07-337897-8, American Democracy Now, Texas
Edition. Authors Names: Brigid C. Harrison, Jean W. Harris, Susan J. Tolchin and Gary M. Halter.
Publication Year: 2009.
Make sure you have the WCJC edition of the textbook.
Under the fair use provisions of the Copyright Act, you can also copy, for your own use, chapters of the
Dye textbook. The Sugar Land library has an edition on reserve and you can check with the Wharton
library as well.
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Spatial or Physical requirements beyond typical classroom: Students who are taking the course online are advised to have access to a computer and Internet access adequate to complete this course in a
timely fashion. You are always welcome to videotape and/or audiotape my lectures.
Student Conduct: Per the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog, pages 12 and 13:
“All WCJC students are expected to obey the law, to show respect for properly constituted authority, and
to observe correct standards of conduct. In addition, they are expected to refrain from other types of
improper and socially unacceptable behavior that is specified in the Student Handbook. Students who
violate these rules of appropriate conduct as defined by the college are subject to disciplinary action.”
Seventeen misconduct behaviors are listed on page 13 of the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog. Any of
these behaviors may result in a student being placed on disciplinary probation or suspension (dismissal).
On the same page of the catalog are listed six behaviors that will result in immediate dismissal from the
college.
Additionally, on pages 13 and 14 of the catalog, the student can read the WCJC Sexual Harassment
Policy (Regulation 879) that can result in disciplinary action if the student violates the policy.
Mature, appropriate behavior is expected of students and it is the student’s responsibility to maintain
proper conduct. This is a college course, not a high school course. Learning cannot happen when
distractions occur.
I also would discourage you from arriving or leaving my class early unless you have a legitimate excuse.
Please do not use your cell phones and or engage in texting while in my class. I find the use of them by
students during class RUDE and DISTRACTING to both me and the other members of the class.
I will ask you to leave the classroom if you cannot maintain the appropriate conduct. If the distraction(s) is
not ended by the student, then I will follow the standards addressed by the code of conduct.
Class Requirements: Classroom interaction between students and the instructor is encouraged for the
purpose of developing in students the ability to speak and read about government with authority.
Class discussions should be stimulated by the readings assigned, current events and from points of
interest and interpretations of issues that emerge in class.
The instructor may frequently use the narrative/lecture format of instruction often appropriate for an
introductory class. After the basic facts have been presented the instructor may contrast the U.S./Texas
system with other systems or may invite a critical analysis of the current practices.
Students will be required to complete written work or to prepare oral presentation in order to further
elaborate or explain what has been presented discussed by the instructor. These requirements are
designed to challenge the student to analyze and critique the material presented.
The written work may be in the form of papers on partisan affiliation, analysis of members of Congress,
essay test topics, book reviews, reports on articles in scholarly journals, examination of current political
issues and other written assignments as designated by the instructor. Oral presentations may be
designed as debates, informative overviews of important political issues or persuasive monologues.
Minimum requirements include the following:
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Attend class in accordance with college policy and as stipulated by the instructor.
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Complete appropriate reading assignments IN ADVANCE in order to adequately discuss
materials in a timely fashion.
Complete appropriate writing assignments, discussions or oral presentations as assigned by the
instructor.
Complete appropriate tests (quizzes, major exams and/or the departmental post test) as
designated by the instructor.
Grading Scale, Testing and Measurement Policy: Grades are based on an accumulation of four scores
during the semester. Exams I, II and the writing assignment are each worth 30% of your grade for a total
of 90% your grade.
The final exam is the Post-Test for this department and it is the departmental standard exam; the PostTest is ten percent (10%) of your grade. The Post-Test will have 50 questions on it from the five topical
areas listed on pages three and four (ten questions from each area).
Exam I and II testing may be provided in a wide variety of styles. Objective questions may include
question styles such as multiple-choice, fill in the blank, matching or true/false. Exams may include
current events; keep up with political/government news, be in Internet, TV, radio or print media. You are
welcome to videotape and/or audiotape my lectures to help better prepare you for tests/assignments.
This is the grading scale for the course:
· 90-100% = A or 360-400+ points
· 80-89% =
B or 320-359 points
· 70-79% =
C or 280-319 points
· 60-69% =
D or 240-279 points (Ds do not transfer to four-year institutions)
I RARELY GIVE Ds.
· 59% and below = F Below 240 points (Fs do not transfer to four-year institutions)
Total points available: 400. .
FOR CRN 11928: Your assignment will be evaluated a bit differently. You will have five assignment areas
and here is the value for each: Exam 1-25%, Exam 2-25%, Written Assignment-25%, Quizzes-15% and
Post Test/Final-10%.
The total number of points in the class will be 500. Thus, the grading scale for the course will be as
follows:
· 90-100% = A or 450-500+ points
· 80-89% =
B or 400-449 points
· 70-79% =
C or 350-399 points
· 60-69% =
D or 300-349 points (Ds do not transfer to four-year institutions)
I RARELY GIVE Ds.
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· 59% and below = F Below 300 points (Fs do not transfer to four-year institutions)
I use the standard rounding method of 89.5 +, 79.5+ to move the student from the lower grade to the
higher grade, regardless of which book you are using.
Please alert me if your name changes during the semester, so I will not lose you on my official roll. Not
alerting me may delay your grade being released in a timely fashion
My Extra Credit Policy: Yes, I have an extra credit policy. For five extra points on any test, write a 500
word opinion piece on some current event. Please use the op-ed pieces you see in major newspapers as
your model. Make it good, I will not accept just anything. Anything that is poorly written or argued will not
be accepted. This paper must be turned into me no later than one week after the exam is taken. No late
papers will be accepted.
Incomplete grades: These grades are given only if the student meets WCJC guidelines for incomplete
grades, e.g., misses the final examination with a legitimate excuse such as sickness or other emergency,
either of which must be documented in writing from an official source (employer, doctor, for examples).
Make-Up Exams/Test Exemptions: All make-up exam tests will be given at the discretion of the
instructor and the student must have a legitimate excuse. Make-up exams are written and will consist
of several essay topics. A legitimate excuse is one that is written and comes from an official source
(employer, doctor, for examples) rather than the student.
Exemptions from final exams are not given in this course. Finals are given in accordance with the WCJC
official schedule; there are no exceptions or deviations. Plan your absences around your tests.
Analytical/Writing Component: Topics - Choose one of two essays to write:
I. Why has the American Congress been called "the broken branch"? How well is Congress doing under
the current Democratic leadership? Did it do any better under Republican leadership between 20002006?
What are the recent controversies about partisanship, bipartisanship, rescission, the filibuster, etc. that
have emerged with recent Congressional action about health care reform, consumer protection, and
financial regulation?
What are the constitutional reforms of Congress that are suggested in recent books and articles?
Critically analyze these reforms. Do you agree with these proposed changes to the Constitution? Show
your knowledge of the interaction of the three branches of government in your answer.
II. Discuss the current immigration policy reform debate, the Dream Act and other proposed reforms of U.
S. immigration policy. Point out the major problems with the current immigration system and suggested
reforms to solve or ameliorate these problems.
Did recent decisions impacting Arizona affect the immigration debate adversely? Why or why not?
In answering these questions demonstrate your knowledge of the legislative process and the
controversies about the process. And speak to Texas as well as federal immigration issues and reform.
Show your knowledge of the interaction of the three branches of government in your answer.
A proposed outline of your paper will be due to me on Monday, September 20, 2010 for MWF classes
and at noon that day for WWW classes. The outline will be due Tuesday, September 21, 2010 for the
TR class at the start of class. Your final paper will be due on Monday, November 1, 2010 at the start of
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class for MWF classes and by noon that day for WWW classes. The final paper will be due November
2, 2010 at the start of class for TR classes.
I will review outlines and give you comments to help you with any issues I see. Students will lose ten
points daily for every day the final paper is late to me.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS REGARDING THE RESEARCH PAPER
1. Use academic resources above and beyond the assigned text, and follow rigorous documentation.
2. Your research paper must be in MLA format. The paper should be at least five (5.0) pages of text
(Works Cited page(s) ARE additional). Remember: MLA papers have no cover sheet.
MLA style rules are found here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/search.php and here:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/Citation.asp
3. I am requiring that the paper comprised of the following: Times Roman font, 12 point, double spaced
and one inch margins.
4. You must number your pages.
5. Your paper must be a minimum of 1,000 words. Yes, I am counting.
6. Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable academic source; neither is your textbook. Do not use either of them
in your Works Cited page.
7. You will need at least five sources for your paper. I have no maximum. The paper must use both print
and web-based sources. You will lose points if you have fewer than five sources or use irrelevant
sources. You will also lose points if you only use web-based sources or only use print based sources.
8. Your paper must include an introduction with a strong thesis statement, a body and a conclusion. I
deduct for spelling, grammatical and style issues as well as inaccuracies in discipline content.
9. Use SMARTHINKING and/or our Learning Assistance Centers (mentioned in the syllabus) for writing
issues. Go to this site to log in to SMARTINKING:
https://fannin3.wcjc.edu/pls/prod_dad/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin and/or
http://www.wcjc.edu/ed_programs_n/Tutoring.asp
10. Contact the WCJC Library for an orientation and/or to address resource problems:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/orientation/Library/index.html
and http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/default.asp
11. Do not plagiarize. If you are still unclear what that means, read this:
http://www.wcjc.edu/library_n/Plagiarism.asp
12. Bay City High School: Your paper must be in either Word.doc or Word.docx format. I cannot read any
other type of software on my computers
Academic Dishonesty Statement: According to the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog, page 13:
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“Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline includes the following categories: Dishonesty,
such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college.”
I do not tolerate any form of academic misconduct and will follow WCJC guidelines to address any
incident. To this instructor, the two major categories of academic misconduct activities include:
1. Cheating:
Academic dishonesty may take the form of cheating when a student presents, as his/her own, the work of
another. Some examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Copying an examination, assignment or other work to be evaluated.
Engaging in inappropriate· collaboration on work to be evaluated by the instructor. (This is also
known as collusion).
The use of "cheat sheets,"· text messages, and the like.
Buying/selling· examinations, term papers, and the like.
Use of "ringers" which is· having another student take an exam or having another student write a
term paper or assignment for which the student will receive credit (more collusion).
Submitting work for which· credit has already been received in another course without the
express consent of this instructor. I have received numerous recycled history and economics term
papers over the years. Those papers have received “Fs.”
2. Plagiarism:
This activity refers to the practice of borrowing from the work of another without indicating by a reference
or attribution, and by quotation marks where exact phrases are borrowed, when the ideas expressed are
not one's own. Examples include:
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Utilizing a direct· quotation without citing the source.
Paraphrasing the ideas, interpretation, and expressions of another without giving credit.
Failing to acknowledge or· document sources, a student is guilty of representing the thought of
others as the student's own.
Please refer to this web site for in-depth information.
Learning Assistance Centers (LACs): WCJC employs reading and writing tutors who are available to
assist you – for free --with this course. Students who have used our LAC tutors have earned higher GPAs
than those students who do not. The Sugar Land campus’ LAC is located in Room 376. A LAC
representative will announce hours for the center in class.
SMARTHINKING: SMARTHINKING is an on-line mentoring system available for a number of
classes/skills including writing. These mentors will provide constructive comments to written drafts
provided to them by students.
To access the system, go to the bottom of your Blackboard dashboard. Look under “Campus Bookmarks”
and click on the SMARTHINKING tutorial tab.
If you do not have Blackboard access, simply go to the WCJC web site (www.wcjc.edu) and click on
WCJC Online Services on the right side on the menu. Log in. You will see a reference to
SMARTHINKING once you have logged on.
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Attendance Policy: This instructor follows the attendance policy of the college which is found on page 6
of the WCJC 2010-2011 College Catalog. Roll is taken at the beginning of all classes.
Withdrawal Information: The last day to drop for your course with the grade of “W” is Friday, November
19, 2010. Texas is attempting to stop the abuse (and diminish the costs it imposes on colleges and the
state) while still allowing flexibility, with a law that went into effect in fall, 2007.
For first-time freshmen, the brief course “shopping period” at the start of a semester will be more
important than ever. These students will be limited to six courses dropped after the shopping period.
Once the student reaches the magic number of six “W’s”, they will have to receive a letter grade of A
through F.
Important Fall 2010 Semester Dates:
Classes Begin – August 30, 2010
Labor Day Holiday – September 6, 2010
Last Day to Drop Class with the Grade of “W” – November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving Holiday -. November 24, 2010 at 4 p.m. – November 29, 2010 at 8 a.m.
Reading, Testing and Project Calendar:
Syllabus Overview, Introductions, Course Acknowledgement Sent Back to Instructor, Base Test Taken –
Week of August 30, 2010
Module 1 – Read all before the Week of October 18, 2010:
Chapter 14/4 – Politics and Personal Liberty – Week of September 6/ Civil Liberties Quiz-TR class
Chapter 15/5 – Politics and Civil Rights – Week of September 13
Chapter 10/11 – Congress: Politics on Capitol Hill – Week of September 20/Congressional Quiz-TR class
Outlines Due September 20, 2010 for MWF/WWW and September 21, 2010 for TR classes!
Chapter 22/22 – The Texas Legislature – Week of September 27
Chapter 11/12 – The President: White House Politics – Week of October 4/Presidential Quiz-TR quiz
Chapter 12/13 – The Federal Bureaucracy: Bureaucratic Politics – Week of October 11
Exam 1 over Module 1 (chapters 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 22) – 30 % of the course grade – Week of
October 18, 2010.
Module 2 – Read all of the below materials except for Chapter 18 by the Week of November 29,
2010:
Chapter 23/23 – The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy – Week of October 18
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Chapter 13/14 – Federal Courts: Judicial Politics – Week of October 25/Judicial Quiz-TR quiz
Chapter 24/24 – The Texas Judiciary – Week of November 1
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IS DUE (30 % of course grade) on Monday, November 1, 2010 when class
begins for MWF classes and at noon that day for WWW classes. The paper is due Tuesday,
November 2 for TR classes at the beginning of class.
Chapter 16/15 – Politics and the Economy – Week of November 8
Texas State Budget Lecture/Discussion/Chapter 25 – Week of November 15
Chapter 17/16– Politics and Social Welfare – Week of November 22
Exam 2 over Module 2 (chapters 13, 16, 23, 24 and State Budget) – 30 % of the course grade Week
of November 29, 2010.
Chapter 18/17 – Politics and National Security-Week of November 29
Final Discussion, any other wrap up –Week of December 6
Post Test/Final:
CRN 11922-Saturday, December 11, 2010 on line.
CRN 11930-Monday, December 13, 2010 from 10:15 -12:15 p.m.
CRN 11928-Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 10:15 -12:15 p.m.
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How to calculate your grade in class (WWW and MWF):
1. On your first exam, you make a 78 and on the second exam, a 79, while on your paper you make an
82. Add the three together = 239, then divide by three (79.66) and multiply by .90 (90%) = 71.7 points.
That’s your Exam/Paper Grade points.
2. On the Post-Test/Final, you make a 76. Multiply 76 by .10 (10%) and you have your PT/Final points =
7.6 points.
3. Add 71.7 (#1) +7.6 (#2) = 79.3 or a C + for the course
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How to calculate your grade in class (T/R):
1. On your first exam, you make a 78 and on the second exam, a 79, while on your paper you make an
82. Add the three together = 239, then divide by three (79.66) and multiply by .75 (75%) = 59.75 points.
That’s your Exam/Paper Grade points.
2. Your accumulated total for quizzes is 84. Multiply that by .15 (15%) = 12.6 points for discussions.
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3. On the Post-Test/Final, you make a 76. Multiply 76 by .10 (10%) and you have your PT/Final points =
7.6 points.
3. Add 59.75 (#1) + 12. 6 (#2) +7.6 (#3) = 79.95 = B – for the course.
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*Note/Disclaimer: This instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus if appropriate. Students will be
advised in a timely fashion. Students may review their grades on-line generally AFTER the course is over;
this instructor does not provide the grades on-line or by phone call. The college and the instructor will not
mail grades.
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