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Austin Community College |
Spring 2010
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Dr. Edward J.
Mullen |
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Section 03425 |
Pinnacle 409 |
MW 11:00 AM – 12:40 PM |
U.S. GOVERNMENT
GOVT 2305
Required reading: Patterson. We the People: A Concise Introduction to American Politics. Eighth Edition. McGraw-Hill , 2009.
Grading criteria: There will be four essay examinations and one oral presentation. A research paper may be substituted for the final exam. There will also be frequent topical quizzes.
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á Each examination (4) |
22.5% |
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á Presentation |
10% |
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á Quizzes & assignments |
Extra Credit |
Testing: There are no Make-Up exams. You must take each exam on schedule.
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Office hours |
Virtual
Office |
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Fax: (254) 698 3204 |
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PINNACLE OFFICE: |
Pinnacle 415; |
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Virtual anytime. |
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Th-F by appointment |
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Home telephone: (254) 698 2304 |
Attendance Policy Beginning with your THIRD absence, one percentage point will be deducted from your final grade for each 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 26 April incompletes will be approved only
for the most dire reasons. See Dr.
Mullen before the withdrawal date.
"Each 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."
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 author's 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 'F'. Such disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the instructor."
Goals and Objectives: This course is an introduction to U.S. government. It consists of learning through discussion and readings. The course includes an introduction to a framework for analyzing government and politics, and the constitutional basis, the processes, and the institutions of government and politics. It studies procedural aspects of government with particular attention to current issues and problems. It emphasizes methods by which citizens can affect processes on all levels of government. 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 studentŐs world.
Office for Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus
offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or
psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations
through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they
expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do
this three weeks before the start
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My Sympathy Policy: |
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(We are all solely
responsible for our own results.) |
"It seems a shame,'
the Walrus said |
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'To play them such a trick. |
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After we've brought them
out so far, |
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And made them trot so
quick!" |
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"I weep for you,' the
Walrus said: |
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'I deeply sympathize.' |
Lewis Carroll
COURSE SCHEDULE
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DATE |
DAY |
CLASS # |
CHAPTER |
TOPIC |
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15 Feb |
Monday |
1 |
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Introduction How to Write |
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17 Feb |
Wednesday |
2 |
1 |
The American Heritage |
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22 Feb |
Monday |
3 |
1 |
The American Heritage |
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24 Feb |
Wednesday |
4 |
2 |
Constitutional Democracy |
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01 Mar |
Monday |
5 |
3 |
Federalism |
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03 Mar |
Wednesday |
6 |
1-3 |
First Exam |
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08 Mar |
Monday |
7 |
4 |
Civil Liberties |
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10 Mar |
Wednesday |
8 |
4 |
Civil Liberties |
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Spring
Break 14 - 21 March |
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22 Mar |
Monday |
9 |
5 |
Equal Rights |
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24 Mar |
Wednesday |
10 |
5 |
Equal Rights |
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29 Mar |
Monday |
11 |
4-5 |
SECOND Exam |
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31 Mar |
Wednesday |
12 |
7 |
Voting and Participation |
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05 Apr |
Monday |
13 |
8 |
Political Parties |
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07 Apr |
Wednesday |
14 |
9 |
Interest Groups |
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12 Apr |
Monday |
15 |
11 |
The Congress |
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14 Apr |
Wednesday |
16 |
11 |
The Congress |
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19 Apr |
Monday |
17 |
7-9, 11 |
THIRD EXAM |
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21 Apr |
Wednesday |
18 |
12 |
The Presidency |
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26 Apr |
Monday |
19 |
12 |
The Presidency |
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28 Apr |
Wednesday |
20 |
14 |
The Judiciary |
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03 May |
Wednesday |
21 |
15 |
Economic Policy |
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05 May |
Monday |
22 |
17 |
Foreign and Defense Policy |
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10 May |
Wednesday |
23 |
12,14,15,17 |
FOURTH EXAM |