SYLLABUS
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 2301
SPRING SEMESTER-2008
DEL MAR COLLEGE
SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
COURSE NAME & NUMBER -3777 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 2301
INSTRUCTOR : RENATO RAMIREZ OFFICE : HH 226 PHONE : 698-1631 (VOICE MAIL)
OFFICE HOURS : 12:30 -2pm MW, 11-12:30 TT, 10-11am Fridays 698-1228 (DEPT SECY)
E-Mail Address rramirez@delmar.edu
Del Mar College Website is http://www.delmar.edu
Spring 2008 Semester Schedule
Jan. 14- First Class Day
14 -Late Registration & Schedule Changes (Web & Registrar's Office)
Jan. 21- Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance (School Closed-No Classes)
Feb. 29- Deadline to apply for Spring Graduation
March 17-21- Spring Break
April 14-May 20- Advising and Registration for Summer I & II and Fall 2008
April 21- Last Day to Drop a Course for Spring Semester 2008
April 30- Last Day of Classes
May 1-7- Final Exams (A Final Exam Schedule is posted on the College Website)
May 9- Spring Commencement 2008
May 13- Grades available online
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Schmidt, Steffen W., Shelley, Mack C., Bardes, Barbara A., American Government and Politics Today: Texas Edition 2007-2008 Edition, Wadsworth Publishing Co. USA . ( www.wadsworth.com)- Please note that this is a looseleaf volume that requires a three ring binder to hold together. This volume was adopted with the idea of reducing the cost of the text to the student. Hopefully the need for a binder for the volume will not present a problem to students.
Also please note this textbook is used for both government survey courses (Govt. 2301 & and Govt. 2302) so it is to your benefit to keep the book in usable condition and be able to save some money.
Course Objectives
The realization of the following objectives will be a fundamental goal of the course:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is the first part of a two-course introductory study of American and Texas government and politics. The areas of study concern a summary examination of basic political terms, concepts and ideas necessary for a fundamental understanding of government and politics in the US and in Texas . Course material will also focus on the historical development of the US political system including the creation of the US Constitution, the grants of power established therein and limitations on governmental power as well. The various facets of federal-state relations that encompass fiscal,
legislative, bureaucratic and judicial relationships will also be examined. The fight for freedom and equal protection of the law by various groups in society throughout history will also be subject to review. Also attention will be given to the growth and influence of interest groups, political parties and the media in electoral politics. For each facet of national politics that is examined in class there will be a corresponding review of similar aspects of government as they affect the Texas political system.
GOVT 2301will complete the Texas Teachers Certification requirement in government for those who already have three semester hours in US Government and three additional semester hours that include the government, history and constitution of Texas .
(Assessment Levels: R3, E3, M2)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Testing and Grading Requirements
Students will be required to take three major exams during the course of the semester and a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester. The exams will be composed of multiple choice questions based on definitions of terms and concepts, true-false questions concerning material covered, and a related essay question. Students will be required to complete the objective portion of each exam on a Scantron form in class on the scheduled test date. The essay question for each exam will be assigned prior to each test with sufficient time provided for its completion and submission on each scheduled test date. Chapter outlines and lists of terms will be provided for students to help meet the needs of the course. I will drop the lowest exam grade (excluding the final exam) at the end of the semester. Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor.
Students will also be required to research assigned topics as part of the course requirements. Students will be required to complete three research essays during the course of the semester. Each research essay topic will be identified in class and reviewed extensively so that students will be prepared to complete the essays. Each research essay will be due on the dates that coincide with the three regularly scheduled exams. The due dates are listed below. Each the essays will be graded on a 100 point scale and an average of your three grades on the essays will represent your final research grade. Papers submitted late will be penalized.
The comprehensive final exam will include a concepts exam composed of thirty questions that will represent the comprehensive portion of the final exam. The remainder of the final exam will pertain to current topics and issues discussed in class.
Exam Schedule for MW Classes Grading Scheme
Test One-Feb. 13 (MW) Exams (100 pts. each-Drop low grade) ..200 pts.
Test Two-Mar. 12 (MW) Research Essays . .100 pts.
Test Three-Apr. 23 (MW) Final Exam (Comprehensive). .100 pts.
Final Exam-TBA 400 pts.
A=400-360 points
B=360-320 points
C=320-280 points
D=280-240 points
F=less than 240 points
Please bear in mind that this is an ideal schedule that does not account for any unforeseen disruption or circumstance that may require alteration to the stated schedule. If that occurs, alteration to the schedule will be made with the best interests of the students in mind and with enough time for all students to adjust.
If a student wishes to question or complain about a grade received during the semester please bring it to the attention of the instructor before taking any other action. Most, if not all, of these situations can be resolved by dialogue and accommodation between the two parties.
ATTENDANCE -ABSENTEE POLICY
Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged. Regular class attendance and class participation, such as answering questions in class, participating in class discussions, or showing improvement on test scores can have a positive effect on your overall semester grade. On the other hand, frequent absences, tardiness, or inattentiveness in class can have a detrimental effect on your final grade. Students with excessive absences will be dropped from the course. If you feel you must drop the course for whatever reason, speak with the instructor first, then if no other recourse is available, take the appropriate steps to drop the course. Do not assume that the instructor will drop you from the
course if you simply stop attending class.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
All students should complete a degree plan in the major of their choice to help guide and realize their educational goals in a clear and direct fashion. Refer to the current school bulletin and catalog for dates and procedures related to degree planning or inquire at the department office that corresponds to your major to begin the process.
Del Mar College offers students with special educational needs the services of the Office of Special Services. The Office offers programs and support services to assist students in overcoming obstacles to education. Populations served include students with special needs, re-entry women and men, and senior citizens. The office is located on the first floor of the Harvin Center . The phone number is 698-1298. Please refer to the school catalog or the school website for additional information.
Del Mar College offers extensive library service to assist students in research and in general educational interests. The Student Technology Center , located in the East Campus library, offers students access to high quality computer technology for educational enrichment. The College provides students with a variety of counseling services that include tutors and mentors, a Skills Enrichment Center , and an Office of Special Services. The English Department offers the services of The Writing Center to assist students in the preparation of compositions required by various courses. The College offers a variety of clubs and activities to help broaden a student's social and civic interactions. Online courses are now offered in many disciplines for students to gain college credit for courses completed.
It is essential to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning in the classroom. To that end, I expect students to be in class when the class is scheduled to begin and I expect students to have the proper materials (textbooks and writing materials) for each class. Please refrain from getting up and walking out of class during lecture or discussions unless it is absolutely necessary and please refrain from answering cell phones while in class. If you arrive late, please do not hesitate to enter the classroom, just do so quietly.
Please feel free to ask questions in class. Vigorous discussion of current events related to the course is vital to understanding the working of our political system. Also, feel free to visit me in my office during scheduled office hours or at any other time I am available. Thanks and Good Luck!
**! Please note-Students wishing or needing to take both government survey courses (Govt. 2301 & Govt. 2302) are strongly encouraged to take both survey government courses at the same educational institution, whether it is at Del Mar College or not. This will ensure that students will not have to repeat a course already taken and completed. As sometimes is the case, some students take one course of government in one institution and then the other course elsewhere and often are told to repeat a course to meet the degree requirements of the school. Some schools use different course numbering systems and may structure their courses differently, so please heed this recommendation to avoid potential problems later.