NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
Section Number: 2305
Lecture Hours: 3
Semester:
Lab Hours: N/A
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. 48 lecture hours.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required Materials:
We the People (ebook with Connect Plus Access Card) by Thomas E. Patterson, McGraw Hill,
11th edition, ISBN: 9781259563614
** Students can order a full color loose leaf book for an additional $15 directly from McGraw
Hill when registering Connect Access
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor:
Terri Houchin
Campus/Office
Gainesville Campus
Location:
Telephone Number:
317-626-2235
E-mail Address:
thouchin@nctc.edu
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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 federal
government.
Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties.
Analyze the election process.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and
basic computer skills.
GRADING CRITERIA
# of Graded
Course
Elements
4
6
Graded Course Elements
Exams (50 pts each)
Class Assignments (20 pts each)
Percentage or
Point Values
200 pts
120 pts
80
17
2
1
Connect Activities (10 pts each)
Chapter Post Tests (10 pts each)
Current Events (20 pts each)
Research Paper
TOTAL
POINTS
655-589.5
589-524
523-458.5
458-393
392 & below
LETTER GRADE EQUIVALENT
A
B
C
D
F
Grading Policy &
Procedures






Tentative Course
Schedule
80 pts
170 pts
40 pts
45 pts
655 PTS
Late work is not accepted.
Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Extra credit will be available. The top student having the highest
averages on the Learn Smart Activities will earn five (5) points that can
be added to any exam final grade. There will also be opportunities for
students to earn tickets for answering U.S. Government trivia questions
correctly. The tickets will be worth five (5) additional points on any
exam.
Post tests- Students will complete a post test for each chapter. Post tests
will not be reopened for any reasons.
Exams-There will be three unit exams and one comprehensive final
exam. There are NO make-up exams. Scantrons are required for all
tests.
Canvas Access- All students must have complete access to Canvas for
the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to
the internet at all times.

Chapter 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a
Responsible Citizen
 Citizen Questionnaire (Due Thursday, August 27th)

Chapter 2: Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and SelfGovernment
 Research Paper-Founding Father Analysis (Due October
8th)

Chapter 3: Federalism: Forging a Nation

Chapter 4: Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Unit 1 Exam- September 22nd

Chapter 5: Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the
People’s Voice

Chapter 7: Political Participation: Activating the Population Will

Chapter 8: Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the
Voter’s Choice
 2016 Presidential Debate Analysis (Due November 5th)
 Political Party Analysis (Due October 22nd)

Unit 2 Exam- October 20th

Chapter 9: Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

Chapter 10: The News Media: Communicating Political Images
 Media Use in the 2012 Presidential Election (Due
October 29th)

Chapter 11: Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests
 Letter to Senator (Due November 12th)

Chapter 12: The Presidency: Leading the Nation

Chapter 13: The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

Unit 3 Exam- November 19th

Chapter 14: The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law
 Supreme Court Justices Brochure (Due December 1st)

Chapter 15: Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to
Prosperity

Chapter 16: Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal
Security and Need

Chapter 17: Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way
 Current Event Summary (2 per student) (Due
November 19th)
Other Pertinent
Information
 Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. You are not
to give any person (which includes parents, spouses, friends, etc) access
to your Canvas account at any time during the semester. If you do, you
are putting the integrity of the course work completed in question. Any
student who cheats on any course material (exams, assignment, post
tests) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers
will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.
 Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 5, 2015.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have
registered. Absence does not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required
work. Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive
absence. See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.
DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have
a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the
Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham,
Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of
federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93112). http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

Communication

American History

Mathematics

Government/Political Science

Life and Physical Science

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Language, Philosophy & Culture

Component Area Option

Creative Arts
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

Critical Thinking

Communication

Empirical and Quantitative



Teamwork
Personal Responsibility
Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE

Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

WECM Course
Disability Services
(OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for
students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can
interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge,
physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests,
tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.
On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville
Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-6684209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses
should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.
Support Services
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit
and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).
http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student
handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/NorthCentral-Texas-College-Student-Handbook
Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and
prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising
and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time
Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style
Strategies, Career Exploration), and much
more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx
Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center,
a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new
students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective
students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers
specialized support services.
http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx
Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the
financial aid offices for more
information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx
EEOC Statement
North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the
provision of services.
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Donna Hooper
Corinth 209
940-498-6266
dhooper@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:
Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Dr. Larry Gilbert
Corinth 305
940-498-6216
lgilbert@nctc.edu