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Austin Community College |
Fall
2009
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Dr. Edward J.
Mullen |
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Section 44070 |
Pinnacle 304 |
M 1:25 – 2:40 PM |
Required
reading: No text required. Readings from current events will be
assigned by the instructor.
Optional
reading: Brown, Langenegger, et
al. Practicing Texas Politics. Thirteenth
edition. Houghton-Mifflin, 2008
Grading
criteria: Grading will be based on
student performance in the internship, a written essay on the experience,
participation, attendance, evaluations, and oral presentations.
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First presentation 10%
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Second presentation 20%
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Final Essay 20%
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Agency evaluation 20%
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Attendance/reporting 10%
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Discussion Boards 20%
Goals and Objectives This course consists of
experiential learning as an intern in a government agency. The goal of the course is to provide
the student with first-hand experience in the daily workings of
government. Through self-study,
seminars, actual work experience, and online discussion, the course introduces
a framework for an in-depth understanding of Texas government and politics, its
constitutional basis, and its processes, institutions, and policies. The objective is to compare the intent
of the original Constitution with the realities of modern economic and
political life. The student will
analyze the effects of government structure and regulation on our society,
compare those effects with the original intent, and determine why differences
exist and how they affect the studentÕs world.
The course will be conducted as a volunteer work project at a
government agency. During the
course, you will be required to attend scheduled classes and work up to 20
hours per week in a legislative office or state agency. You will be paid a stipend to work
these hours. You will coordinate
the exact schedule with your agency supervisor. Students may receive stipends for working in the internship. There are three choices:
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6
hours per week at the internship position – no stipend.
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20
hours per week - $15.00/hr for 4 months.
You will be graded on two oral presentations, one written
essay, the evaluation of your legislative or agency head for whom you work,
discussion board participation on Blackboard, and attendance /reporting throughout the semester. You must enter ACCÕs classroom management website, Blackboard, Instructions for
students are located at: http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.htm
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Office
hours |
Virtual Office: |
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PINNACLE OFFICE: |
Pinnacle 415; |
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MW: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM MW: 1:15 PM - 2:50 PM MW:
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM M:
8:40 PM – 10:00 PM Th & F by appointment |
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Home telephone: (254) 698 2304 |
Attendance
Policy Failure to work the
required hours will result in one percentage point deduction from your final
grade for each day of absence.
Withdrawal
Policy The instructor will not
withdraw you. If you wish to drop
the course, you must take action. The last day to withdraw from this
course is 21 April. Incompletes
will be approved only for the most dire reasons. See Dr. Mullen before the withdrawal date.
ÒEach
student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any
classroom situation that includes discussion and critical writing, particularly
about political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.
Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and
instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and
volatile topics. It is my hope
that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere
where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn.
Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any
beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all
respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.Ó
Scholastic
Dishonesty: As described in
the ACC Student Handbook, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of
college rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures
outlined in the Handbook. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited
to, cheating on an exam (either providing answers to or stealing answers from
another student), plagiarism, and collusion. Plagiarism includes use of another authorÕs words or
arguments without attribution.
Collusion is defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another
person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. If
a student commits any of the above actions, the instructor may seek
disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty, which may include a
course grade of ÔFÕ. Such disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the
instructor.Ó
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My Sympathy Policy: |
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(We are all solely responsible for our own
results.) |
ÒIt seems a shame,Õ the Walrus said |
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ÔTo play them such a trick. |
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After weÕve brought them out so far, |
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And made them trot so quick!Ó |
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ÒI weep for you,Õ the Walrus said: |
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ÔI deeply sympathize.Õ |
Lewis
Carroll
Internship requirements:
1. Select an agency from our list or which
you wish to volunteer.
2. Contact that agencyÕs staff and obtain
a volunteer position.
3. Turn in a short written plan of your internship.
4. Work as an intern for the required
number of hours.
5. Keep a journal of your activities.
6. Obtain an evaluation of your work from
a staff administrator.
7. Give
informal oral class reports of your experience during class meeting dates (to
be determined). During these class
meetings, we will exchange experiences and encouragement and report mid-session
experiences.
8. Write
a formal report of your internship experience.
9. Give a formal presentation based on the
report.
formal presentation:
The presentation should last five to ten
minutes. You will be evaluated on
organization of the presentation, speaking style, use of visual aids, and the
wild applause of your fellow students.
All papers done at home must be typed,
double-spaced, and correct in grammar and spelling. Any statements of fact must be properly credited.
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DATE |
DAY |
TOPIC |
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24 Aug |
Monday |
Introduction How
to Write |
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31 AUG |
Monday |
Orientation
Continued |
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21 Sep |
Monday |
¥ Internship
Plan Due ¥ |
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28 Sep |
Monday |
Internship |
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05 Oct |
Monday |
Internship |
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12 Oct |
Monday |
Internship |
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19 Oct |
Monday |
First
Presentation |
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26 Oct |
Monday |
Internship |
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02 Nov |
Monday |
Internship |
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09 Nov |
Monday |
Internship |
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16 Nov |
Monday |
Internship |
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23 Nov |
Monday |
Internship |
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30 Nov |
Monday |
Internship |
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07 Dec |
Monday |
Second
Presentation. All
Papers and Evaluations due |
Discussion
Board Schedule
Weekly, open
on Sunday, close on Saturday.
Texas Government Internship
Section 2389
Fall 2009 Semester
To the Staff Administrator:
Thank
you for taking the time to coach and train the A.C.C student who is interning
with you. Please take a few
minutes to complete this form.
Your evaluation will be part of the studentÕs grade.
Dr. Edward J. Mullen, Instructor
Name of student:
_______________________
Dates of participation: __________________
What were the studentÕs duties?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Were you satisfied with the studentÕs preparation and
effort?
________________________________
Please add any other comments that you wish.
____________________________________________________________________________________
What is your position on the staff?
__________________________________________
Your name _____________________
Number at which you can be reach