SYLLABUS
Framework for Democracy
Political Science 1 - Telecourse
Spring 2009
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
CHARLOTTE JOSEPH
M230
Monday/Wednesday, 8:30-9:30a.m., Tuesday, 12:00-2:00p.m.
Friday, 5:00-6:00p.m. (only on dates when the course meets on campus)
OFFICE PHONE: 562-938-4347.
E-MAIL – polsc1tv@lbcc.edu
(Subject line: Student Needs Help)
REQUIED TEXTBOOKS
Thomas E. Patterson We the People: A Concise Introduction to American
Politics, 8th ed.
Carelton, Vile, & Eaton, Framework for Democracy Study Guide, 4th ed.
Larry Gerston and Terry Christensen, California Politics and Government: A Practical
Approach, 10th ed. 2009.
WEBSITES – Great online study aids
http://www.mhhe.com/pattersonwtp8e
http://policentral.mcgraw-hill.com/policentral/html/home.html
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to be an introduction to the principles and problems of
government and the political process, with emphasis on the national government in the United States and
state and local government in California.
1.
To provide the student with basic information about the structure and functions of
the governments of the United States and the State of California.
2.
To enable the student to critically analyze many aspects of contemporary U.S.
society, politics, and government, in light of the democratic ideals established in
our constitutions.
3.
To develop an understanding of the scope and purpose of the political
techniques used to influence the decisions of voters and public officials.
4.
To develop an understanding of politics as a series of power relationships and
influences. Who has the power? How do they choose to exercise their power?
To stimulate an interest in public affairs and to develop an individual who will be
better able to understand and participate in the political process.
5.
6.
To develop the student's capacity to respond to new knowledge, to make
personal use of it, and to cope with the changes that occur around us.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A.
Examinations:
There will be2 written exams. They will be given on the 3rd and 6th class meetings. Each exam
will include written questions provided by the instructor. Blue Book for each exam. Each exam
will be worth 150 points each. Remember the Bookstore closes at 2:00p.m. on Fridays, so buy
your test materials early.
THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.
Examinations will cover the materials presented primarily in the TEXTBOOKS, as well as the
lectures, class discussions, and television lessons. Even if the programs have not aired prior to
the exam, the student is responsible for the readings.
Most of the questions on the exam will be based on both textbooks. Questions from the
Patterson book will relate to textbook and video objectives printed in the Study Guide.
Gerston questions will relate to the handout the instructor will provide.
Care should be given to take accurate notes from your readings, telelessons and lectures. If the
program or teacher introduces an idea or concept that is not clear, then ASK her to clarify the
information. This helps you to get more from the class and also helps those who are afraid to
raise their hands.
B.
Reading Chapter Quizzes
Students will take the chapter reading quizzes online at https://www.eztestonline.com/221694/index1.tpx.
The top fifteen scores (15) scores will be added together, two exams will be dropped. The student will have multiple
attempts at each exam, but the scores will be averaged. Each quiz has a cut off date to complete the quiz.
Go to the website provided and click on register. Create your entry into the class.
Your first assignment is:
Take Chapter Quiz for 1 and 2 Quiz by February 20th.
Take Chapter Quiz for 3 and 4 by February 27th
Take Chapter Quiz for 5 by March 6th.
At each class meeting you will be provided with a new quiz assignment .
You are expected to stay ahead of the instructor in your readings. Class lectures are designed to
enhance and answer questions about the reading assignments and the in class exams.
C.
Reading and Exam Schedule:
Read the book Patterson’s We the People according to the schedule in the Telecourse Study
Guide and read Gerston’s California Government and Politics according to the schedule listed
below.
Lesson Number and Title
1234–
5–
678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 –
23 24 25 26 -
Patterson Book
Gerston Book
(See reading schedule found in
Carelton Study Guide)
(See reading schedule
listed below)
American Heritage
The American Experiment
The Living Constitution
Federalism: A Question of Sovereignty
The Most Basic Rights
Rights of the Accused
The Struggle for Equality
Frames of Reference
Voices of the People
Party Politics
Campaign Trail
Pressure Politics
The Fourth Estate
The First Branch
Government by Committee
The Glorious Burden
Leader of a Nation
The Federal Workplace
The Power Imperative
The Rule of Nine
Legal Precedent
Balancing Act
The Nation’s Welfare
Health of the Nation/Planet
Global Politics
Preserve Protect and Defend
Chapter 1
Chapters 1, 2
Chapters 1, 2
Chapter 9, 10
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
C.
Attendance and Participation:
Class attendance and participation are an important part of the course and are MANDATORY.
Class attendance will be worth up to 30 bonus points. You will receive 5 points for each
class session that you attend for the entire period, beginning to end. Roll will be taken at the
beginning of class and at the end. You must sign both sheets to be considered present.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL CLASS MEETINGS. A SECOND ABSENCE WILL RESULT
IN THE STUDNT BEING DROPPED FROM THE CLASS OR RECEIVING A LETTER GRADE OF “F”.
Orientation/Lecture:
Lecture/Review
Midterm/Exam One
Lecture/Projects due
Lecture/Review
Final/Exam 2
Friday, February 7th
Friday, March 6th
Friday, March 27th
Friday, April 24th
Friday, May 8th
Friday, May 22nd
6:00-9:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m.
C101
C101
C101
C101
C101
C101
HOW TO STUDY
When studying these lessons, the Study Guide should be followed carefully for success in this course.
The Overview provides a general focus for the whole lesson and the Textbook and Video Objectives
act as the major direction your study should take. It would be helpful to read over the Textbook and
Video Objectives before you read the assignment and then afterwards, write out the answers to those
questions to reinforce your knowledge. These answers can be helpful for review before the exams.
Before viewing the television programs, read over the Video Objectives and, again, write out the
answers to reinforce learning for the exam. However, DO NOT just memorize the answers to these
objectives or the Key Terms found in your readings. You must try to understand the connection between
the objectives and the learning materials of each lesson. The key terms are the vocabulary that will help
you to understand the lessons better. You should be familiar with the key terms before viewing the
programs and reading the textbook.
One or two questions will be taken from each Textbook and Video Objective in each lesson, just as they
are for the Practice Test for each telecourse guide lesson. Therefore, it is important to keep those
Textbook and Video Objectives in mind when studying.
Write out answers for the Gerston study term handout.
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be given on a point basis. The final grade will be based on the following scale:
A = (90%); B = (80%); C = (70%); D = (60%); and F= 59% or below.
A grade of "W" will only be given in accordance with the college's policy. Watch the deadlines! Bring a
self-addressed, stamped postcard if you want to learn your final class grade prior to the issuance of grade
reports by the college. I do not give out grades in my office.
PROGRAM VIEWING SCHEDULE
LBCC (Channel 15 - Long Beach, Channel 29 – Lakewood)
Broadcast Start Date: Start Date: February 2 •
Final episodes air the week of May 4
LBCC Cable Schedule:
Daily Mon-Sun 12-1pm
Review Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat 9-10pm
Viewing options for LBCC televised course
1.
2.
3.
4.
LBCC Cable (Long Beach: Channel 15, Lakewood: Channel 29) - see schedule above
On-campus viewing at the Center for Learning Assistance Services at both campuses
 Liberal Arts Campus: Downstairs in building E, Room E07L
Check Learning Center for hours - (562)938-4474
 Pacific Coast Campus: Rm. GG-113
Check Learning Center for hours - (562)938-4474
Public Broadcast Stations (PBS -- if available)
*Please note that there will be no scheduled broadcasts on KCET for the current semester.
Check the schedule for other PBS stations at: http://www.intelecom.org/memberservices/broadcast_schedule.asp
If you have a question about the viewing time for a particular episode on a PBS station contact:
Esperanza "Espy" Martinez
Coordinator, Member Services
INTELECOM
Phone: (626) 796-7300 X-117
emartinez@intelecom.org
Intelecom Student Store http://www.intelecom.org/ Purchase Video CDs, DVDs, or access to streaming video
(Pay service)
CONDUCT FOR A HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Classroom Expectations:
It is expected that students in this class will:
1. Be on time to class
2. Be attentive to, and participate in all instructional activities
3. Be courteous and respectful to people with different
perspectives and values
4. Be ready with pen and paper before class begins
5. Have the necessary testing materials the day of the exam.
6. Not leave early or come late without the permission of the instructor
7. Not disrupt the class with inappropriate behavior
8. Not cheat or plagiarize on assignments or exams
9. Not eat or drink in class
10. Turn off all cell phones, pagers and PDFs.
11. Handle problems early, not after they occur.
12. Make use of the professor’s time outside of class.
A breach of classroom etiquette will result in the removal of a student from the class.
Please see the college catalog about the policies related to creating a conductive learning
environment. It describes your responsibilities and those of the teacher.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Copying material from another source (book, journal, another student, etc) without proper
acknowledgement is cheating. So is the use of crib sheets during exams. These and other forms of
cheating will result in an automatic grade of F for the course and other appropriate disciplinary action as
provided in the college policy. If you have questions ask me!