Introduction to American Federal Government

Introduction to American Federal Government Tulsa Community College Fall 2014

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” -Thomas Jefferson

Course: POLS 1113 Section #: 321 Call #: 14228 Room: SE 1225 Day(s) and Time(s): TR 2:00pm– 3:20pm Start and end dates: August 18 – December 14 Course Delivery Method: Textbook, tests, individual assignments, and discussion Course format: Lecture Instructor: Kristin Snodgrass, MPA Email: [email protected] Office Phone: 595-7673

TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OFFICE: TO CONTACT ACADEMIC & CAMPUS SERVICES: Division: Liberal Arts Director: Susan Burlew Associate Dean: Cindy Shanks Office: Academic and Campus Services Office: 4107 Phone: 918-595-7673 Phone Number: 918-595-7780

Course Prerequisites: None, but American Federal Government is a prerequisite course for other Political Science courses. American Federal Government is designed to encourage students to become more informed about the various institutions of government and politics. This is a general education requirement.

Course Description: An introduction to the doctrine, organization, method, history, and functions of the United States Government. This course is designed to develop a strong foundation to familiarize the student with a number of key methods of how the U.S. Government developed, operates, the magnitude and importance of the U.S. Government as a new movement in history, and why all this should matter in daily life. This class should also help you analyze and understand current events. Lecture 3 hours. No Laboratory.

Textbooks, supplies, and other materials: Patterson, Thomas E. The American Democracy. 11th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2013. The physical copy or e-book will work. (The 10th edition of the book will also suffice) Bring any notetaking material you may need for class. All textbooks and supplies may be purchased at the Southeast campus bookstore. Additional materials will be distributed in class and posted to BlackBoard.

Course objectives: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:  Have a historical understanding of the development and workings of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Understand and identify the terminology, basic frame work, and authority for the differences in the U.S. Governmental systems with shared and split powers that creates and defines our checks and balances system of power.  Appreciate and understand the balance of the majority vs. the minority interests as they pertain to individual freedoms, a working Democracy, population diversity, economics, and political parties.  Have a working knowledge of the three branches of government, their powers, and their make up.  Critically analyze current trends in government and how the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Powers of the Federal and State Government, Powers of the People, Political Interest Groups, all come together to affect our daily lives within the United States.

“When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.” – Alexis de Tocqueville

Teaching methods: Lectures, class assignments, reading of the text and outside resources, in-class examinations, and class interaction with question and answer, and attendance will all be used to determine your final grade. PowerPoints along with other helpful items will be posted to BlackBoard and you are encouraged to print these for use in class. Assignments and other materials will also be available on BlackBoard in addition to distribution in class, so if you miss class or lose your copy, look online. Please make an effort to participate in class discussions; it makes things much more interesting and can ultimately boost your grade! This class will reward students who complete assigned readings prior to attending class.

Evaluation Techniques: Grades will be based on four (4) tests, several written assignments, and bonus opportunities (maximum of 20 points). No test is comprehensive.

Breakdown of class points: Exam One 100 points Exam Two 100 points 450 - 500 points = A Exam Three 100 points 400 - 449 points = B Exam Four 100 points 350 - 399 points = C Research project 100 points 300 - 349 points = D Short essay (PS) 30 points < 300 points will result in a failing grade Current Events Assignments(5) 70 points (Lowest exam score dropped) -100 points 500 points are possible for this class.

Please note: If you conveniently disappear after the third exam, you risk your final grade being calculated out of 600 points instead of the 500 points with the lowest exam score dropped. Your grade will suffer dearly for doing so. You must also take 3 out of 4 exams in order for your final grade to be calculated out of 500. If you take fewer than 3 exams, your final grade will be calculated out of 600 points. You are welcome to take all four exams in order to achieve the best final grade you possibly can.

Advice for tests: There will be a study guide posted to BlackBoard for each exam prior to beginning the material. You are responsible for printing and using them at your discretion, though they are optional to compelte. Students are encouraged to form study groups. We will not go over study guides in class as all of the answers can be found within the textbook and through class discussion. Utimately, you know exactly what to expect on each exam.

Useful study aids beyond the study guide: Quizlet.com and Studyblue.com allow you to make your own flashcards and quiz yourself in a number of different ways. The website for our textbook also provides several quizzes.

Miss a test?: If you are going to miss an exam either due to planned absence or emergency, YOU MUST CONTACT ME either before or after class or via email in a timely manner (For planned absences, communicate the week before the test. For emergency situations, communicate no later than the day of the test.). It is not difficult to pick up your phone and send me a timely email. I expect you to take this class and your grade as seriously as I do. I am usually more than happy to accommodate your needs. Word to the wise: “My car broke down” isn’t a valid excuse.

Assignments, late assignments, and “makeup work”:  All assignments/projects/extra credit will be submitted through BlackBoard with the exception of exams and the Bill of Rights extra credit opportunity.  All assignments are due by the time class starts on the designated due date. Thus, all assignments must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on their respective due date with exception of the research project.

 Assignments will be accepted late for 24 hours after the due date/time for half credit. No assignments will be accepted beyond this period of time absent the most serious situations for which documentation must be provided (and you will be asked). Excuses such as, “my computer crashed,” “I am working too many hours,” or “I didn’t understand the assignment” simply won’t work in this class. Another word to the wise: Most excuses won’t fly in this class.  There will be no “makeup work.”  You are permitted (and encouraged!) to submit your assignments early! However, I will not grade them early. This means that most excuses will not be granted grace, as you are encouraged to complete your work early and are provided ample time to do so.  EMAILED ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. You will receive a zero for emailed assignments – no exceptions.  Proofread your documents before you submit them. While this isn’t a composition class, you are expected to produce quality work. Significant points will be deducted for poor grammar or improper formatting. TCC’s writing labs are excellent resources! Take advantage!

Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. Attending lectures regularly and reading the assigned material prior to class are among the most important factors for success for this and any class. Participating in class with questions and answers contributes to the overall class, your education, your grade, your experience, and it sets the stage for discipline in all areas of your life.  Arriving late or leaving early that becomes or is seen as habitual will be viewed by the instructor as an absence.  Excessive cell phone use, unrelated tablet/computer use, and sleeping during class will be counted as an absence.  Attendance is part of your grade and will be taken at the beginning of every class period (that means if you miss the sign in sheet, you’ll be counted absent). IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN SIX (6) ABSENCES, YOU WILL DROP A LETTER GRADE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER!! ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS!!  If you are absent for more than eight (8) consecutive class periods at any point in the semester, you will be administratively withdrawn from the class by default.

One last word to the wise: Life is going to happen, but lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

Course Drop and withdrawal: The last day to drop a 16 week class with a full refund and no effect to your transcript is Friday, August 29 th . The last day to withdraw from a 16 week class to receive a grade of ‘W’ is Friday, November 7 th . The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for the deadline that applies to the course(s). Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

Communications:  Email will be the primary method of contact outside of class and is the best way to reach me. I will use your TCC emails by default if I am contacting you so, “I didn’t get your email” is not a valid excuse as you are expected to check your TCC email frequently or forward your TCC email to an address that you do check frequently.  You are welcome to email me from alternate email addresses as I will respond to the one you emailed me from.  If you email me during the week, expect a response within 24 hours. If you email me after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, do not expect a response until the following Monday. You need to avoid waiting until the last minute to ask questions about assignments, readings, and exams. I am very accessible despite not having an office on campus. My students are my priority.

 I also use BlackBoard frequently to communicate with our class. Become accustomed to checking announcements.

Inclement Weather: If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu). Be sure to enroll in TCC Alerts and check local TV and radio stations for updates on weather conditions. Check BlackBoard for course-specific updates and instructions.

General education goals: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.

Classroom etiquette:  Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Any disrespectful, rude, or harsh comments/discussion will not be tolerated. We will be discussing politics and current events and you are entitled to your opinions. However, everyone is entitled to respect. It is paramount to remain objective not only in politics, but in every aspect of life as well.  The use of laptops for taking notes during class is welcome. Please be courteous not only to the instructor but your classmates by turning your cell phones to silent or completely off.  Food and drink are permitted as long as it does not become a distraction. Always clean up after yourselves.

Syllabus changes: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.

Disability resources: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at [email protected] or call (918) 595- 7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.

Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:  Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or test;  Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class;  Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.

Institutional statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu

Tentative course calendar You are expected to read each assigned chapter prior to class. Material may spill over into the following class period.

Week of…

August 17 August 19 - Syllabus, what you can anticipate this semester, personal introductions August 21 – Intro (Chapter 1)

August 24 August 26 - Chapter Two – Constitutional Democracy August 28 - Chapter Two – Constitutional Democracy

August 31 September 2 - Chapter Three – Federalism September 4 - Chapter Three – Federalism Current events assignment #1 due

September 7 September 9 - Chapter Four – Civil Liberties September 11 – No class

September 14 September 16 – Chapter Four – Civil Liberties Bill of Rights extra credit (takes place in class only) September 18– Chapter Five - Equal Rights

September 21 September 23 - Exam #1 – Chapters 1 - 5 September 25 - Chapter Six – Public Opinion Current events assignment #2 due Political socialization essay due

September 28 September 30 - Chapter Six – Public Opinion October 2 - Chapter Seven – Political Participation

October 5 October 7 - Chapter Nine – Interest Groups October 9 – No class

October 12 October 14 - Chapter Ten – News Media October 16 - Chapter Ten – News Media Current events assignment #3 due

October 19 October 21 - Exam # 2 – Chapter 6 – 10 October 23 - Chapter Eleven – Congress

October 26 October 28 - Chapter Eleven – Congress October 30 - Chapter Twelve – Presidency

November 2 November 4 - Chapter Twelve – Presidency November 6 - Chapter Thirteen – Federal Bureaucracy Current events assignment #4 due

November 9 November 11 - Chapter Thirteen – Federal Bureaucracy November 13 - Chapter Fourteen – Federal Judicial System

November 16 November 18 - Exam #3 – Chapters 11 – 14 November 20 - Chapter Fifteen – Economic and Environmental Policy Research project due Sunday, November 23rd 11:59pm

November 23 November 25 - Chapter Fifteen – Economic and Environmental Policy November 27 - Thanksgiving

November 30 December 2 - Chapter Sixteen – Welfare and Economic Policy December 4 - Chapter Seventeen – Foreign and Defense Policy Current events assignment #5 due All remaining extra credit due

December 7 – FINALS WEEK December 9 - Exam #4 – Chapters 15 - 17 December 11 – No class