SAMPLE ONLY

Austin Community College Syllabus

American Government 2305

 

Professor:                               Veronica Vega Rodriguez

Office Location:                    Riverside Campus, Building A #2270

Contact Information:            512-223-6390 vrodrigu@austincc.edu 

Office Hours:                         APPOINTMENTS VARY EACH SEMESTER

 

***This is a sample syllabus.  Each semester there may be changes to course requirements, the textbook, etc.  When students sign up for the course they will receive their current syllabus in class or via blackboard on the first day of class.***

 

Course Description – This course is an introduction to United States national government.  The course includes an introduction to a framework for understanding United States government and politics, the constitutional basis for U.S. government and politics, the processes of U.S. government and politics, the institutions of U.S. government and politics, and the politics of U.S. government and politics. 

We will consider issues that are the focus of contemporary political debate in the United States, surrounding issues of crime & punishment, elections, party politics, etc.  Politics is not just something we watch on TV or read about, it is something we do or don’t do. You don't purchase this course and "consume" it. The Professors don't deliver a product to you. Instead, the students and the professors engage together in a semester of learning. 

Class discussions often move freely from assigned readings to the latest news. Because our subject matter includes issues and events that are unfolding as we discuss them the lecture may become modified.

If you would prefer not to engage in respectful & spirited discussions about issues that can (and probably will) arouse strong feelings, and, most of all, if you are not willing to give it a try, then this is not the course for you.  You should consider dropping the course.

 

Student Prerequisites: curiosity, initiative, adaptiveness, and a willingness to examine ideas and facts critically and through class discussion as well as in written assignments.  You must have respect for your classmates & the Professor.

 

Course Goals -

1.         To understand the nature of the American political systems as it relates to its

            citizens, interest groups, and political institutions.

2.         To understand the principles in which the American political system is based

            upon, how these principles are expressed in the Constitution, and how they guide

            the functioning of our institutions.

3.         To understand the political process as it relates to governmental institutions with a             basic understanding of the role of these institutions in the political process and

            how these institutions influence the process.  It is important that students have an

            appreciation for political parties, interest groups, as well as, the importance of

            political participation in the political process.

 

 

 

 

Course Elements - Students are required to buy one textbook. The required book is:

 

Losco & Baker. “AM GOV.” 2008 edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008.

 

ISBN # 978-0-07-296547-6

 

Essay accounts for 20% of your total grade.

 

Essay- Students are required to write a 5 page (min.) essay, typed, 12-point font and double spaced. As in any research paper a bibliography is required, if you do NOT include a bibliography 10 points will automatically be deducted. You are required to have at least 4 credible sources. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A CREDIBLE SOURCE.

I prefer MLA style for bibliography.  See websites below for assistance. You can also go to the ACC library for handouts on bibliographies & citations.

 

STAPLE ALL WORK  & include a coversheet or points will be deducted.  Your coversheet and your bibliography are not counted towards your 5 pages.

THE PAPER IS DUE IN CLASS, ANY THING TURNED IN AFTER THIS CLASS TIME HAS FINISHED WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE!  Students will not be allowed to leave class to finish or work on their paper.  There will be 5 points off if you turn in your paper after class or later in the day on the due date up till 4pm.  After 4pm of the due date you might as well turn it in the following day because you will receive 10 points off.  And students will be deducted 10 points off for every day that it is late (weekends count, each day as 10 points off).  So, you will be allowed to turn in your essay late, but each day is 10 points & you will not be allowed to go past 5 days (50 points). 

 

NEVER put papers under Professor’s door.  Late work is to be turned into room #2209 in building A (where faculty boxes are located).  Make sure you give it to a staff member so that they will have it stamped the date/time.  If you turn in late work without a stamped date/time then whatever day I pick it up will be the day….and there are times I pick mail up days later. And no stamped date/time is minus 5 points off.

 

**I do not count your last page as a 5th page if the page is not complete, meaning that if your last page is only half a page then your paper is 4.5 pages long, not 5.

**YOU MUST follow the above instructions or points will be deducted

 

This is an important year because we will be deciding on a new President.  I want to make sure that all my students in my American Government classes are prepared to cast an informative vote.  You will be writing a paper over the Presidential race.  You must write about Barack Obama (Democratic candidate) & John McCain (Republican candidate.  Then you must pick a 3rd party or independent candidate --- Green Party, Libertarian Party, or an independent candidate. 

 

The idea of the paper is to compare these candidates – their backgrounds, family life, policies, political experience, etc.  Then after you have taken a good look at these candidates you are going to decide at the end of the paper which one you would most likely vote for & why.

 

You should look at each candidate’s background growing up (anything that peeks your interest as a voter), their current family background & life.  Where did they go to get their education?  Most importantly, where do they stand on the issues?  You should include where the candidates stand on: immigration, war in Iraq, terrorism, & abortion.  You can speak to other issues, but at a MINIMUM make sure to cover the 4 listed above. Also, try to show how the candidate really sticks out from the other on policy solutions, & if they don’t have a major difference in policy solutions then talk about why that is important. 

 

So, generally speaking you tell me as a voter what you believe is relevant as you are becoming informed on the presidential candidates.  At the end of your paper & research I want you to tell me who you would most likely vote for & tell me why, using your research that you gathered. 

 

Do not give me a bare bones paper.  This is a research paper & will be critiqued as such.  This means that I am interested in your research information, & as per the instructions, at the end you can give your own feelings & opinions.  GIVE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION!

 

DO NOT PLAGARIZE! I have the ability to scan your paper to check for copied & pasted work.  If you plagiarize any part of your paper then you will be given a zero for the assignment & reported to the College.

 

Here is a website you can use to help avoid plagiarism:

http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/

http://mercersburg.edu/academics/academic_support/research_guidelines/proper_citing/MLA_Style.asp

 

 

DEBATE: Debates are worth 20% of final grade

 

Debate - In order to facilitate discussion and encourage engagement all students will participate in a debate.  These discussions are for the class to debate and discuss current issues in World and/or American politics.  The debate will deal with issues from my “Talking Sides” textbook.   The textbook is on “Reserve” in the library.  You may check it out & make notes or copies of your argument/issue.  You are REQUIRED TO HAVE at least 3 additional sources of information for your debate, i.e. newspaper articles or books on the subject.  This is an oral/group grade.  The only thing you MUST turn in is a bibliography.

 

You will have to turn in a BIBLIOGRAPHY where you will list the “Taking Sides” text as one of your sources used & then you will provide three additional sources. WIKIPEDIA is not a credible source.

 

Students will be broken up into groups of 4-5 students to analyze and discuss specific debate topics.  Topics include controversial political topics of abortion, gun control, capital punishment, etc.  The group will decide what topic they want to debate & then will have an assigned date to present.  (FURTHER INFO GIVEN LATER IN CLASS ON DATES)

 

The debate is not a Lincoln-Douglass debate, it is more informal.  These discussions are for the class to debate and discuss current issues in World and/or American politics.  I will explain further in class.

 

EVERYONE must be present or the group grade may be affected, unless I receive notice in advance (at least 24 hours).  You can not change date of the debate or your issue.  All students are required to verbally participate in the debates.  So, you can not have one person who did the research & the others debate. ALL students in the group are to equally participate or points will be deducted.

 

A group bibliography is REQUIRED in class on the day of the debate.  The bibliography should have everyone’s name (first & last) on it from the group, the issue (ex: “Is Capital Punishment Justified?”), & the date.  If these instructions are not followed then you will be deducted points.  If you do not have your biblio the day of the debate (must be turned in during class time, not one minute less) then  5 points will be deducted for the after class through 4pm.  After 4pm students will have 10 points deducted per day.

 

FINAL: Final is worth 25% of final grade.

 

Final-  The final exam will cover the chapters discussed in class. Students will be advised to review study guides & past exams for the final.  Questions in the final come from notes & the text. NO MAKE-UP ALLOWED! NO EXCEPTIONS!!

 

TESTS: Tests are worth 20%

 

Tests: You will have 4 tests which will be scheduled ahead of time (see course schedule), along with which chapters you will be tested over.  These tests will have True/False, matching terms to definitions & multiple choice questions.  You will have at least 1 test that will have an essay component.  Again, these tests will be over only the chapters we have covered, notes on blackboard & taken in class, & any handouts given for the unit.  Tests may include questions we may have not directly discussed, so it is of the most importance that you read the chapters.  You may also be tested on items not covered in the text, but were covered in the lecture, so it is very important to attend class. Bring a scantron (green) for each test & a pencil.

 

                        Participation/Roundtables are worth 15%

 

Roundtables- In order to facilitate discussion and encourage engagement all students will participate in roundtables.  Students will sign up for a date to present an article & discuss it with the class.  The entire presentation should last no more than 5 minutes.  After the student has presented their news article we will open up to the class for any questions or comments.  You will receive a handout a bit later that explains what I am looking for.

SEE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON BLACKBOARD FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

Participation:  There may be in-class assignments.  These grades will go towards your participation/roundtable grade --- worth 15% of your entire grade.  It is imperative to come to all classes, if you miss an in-class assignment then you MUST have documentation (dr’s note, court report, accident report) in order to make up the assignment.  And some assignments may not be possible to make up due to the nature of the assignment. 

Lastly, you will receive a grade for your overall participation in the class.  This means asking questions, getting involved in conversations, & attendance.

 

Make Up Policy:  You will be allowed to make-up ONE test, and only ONE test.  You must give me at least 24 hours notice that you will need to make up a test.  You will need to leave me a voicemail explaining why you need to make up a test or send me an email.  Make sure that you leave that information 24 hours in advance or you will not be able to make up your exam.  If you do not provide a 24 hour notice then you will need documentation --doctor’s note, court letter, hospital note, etc. to show you could not provide a 24 hr notice.  Also, without documentation there is a penalty for a taking the test late, you will be deducted 5 points --- no exceptions.  Make up exams will be taken at the end of the semester, the week before finals.  I will have tests available in the testing center or you can come to my office to take it.

 

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UPS ALLOWED on Debates, Roundtables, Final or Exams (you are allowed one makeup test with a possible penalty).  THERE IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE, YOU KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHEN YOUR DEBATE & FINAL IS DUE, SO DO NOT COME QUESTION ME ON THIS.  NO EXCEPTIONS!!!  You will be allowed to turn in your essay late, but each day is 10 points & you will not be allowed to go past 5 days (50 points).

 

Incompletes:  Incompletes are rarely given & only for extreme circumstances.  If you are in need of an incomplete I will need documented evidence that you have an extreme situation that would qualify for an “incomplete”.  It will be hard for me to consider an incomplete without documentation.  If you qualify you will have a strict deadline to complete your work.  I will look at these on a case by case basis

 

 

 

 

A=90-100        B=80-89          C=70-79          D=60-69          F=59 & below

I= Incomplete, these are rarely given & only used in extreme cases.

 

                        Assignment                                        Percentage of Grade

                        Final Exam                                                      25%

                        Essay                                                               20%

                        Debates                                                           20%

                        4 Tests                                                             20%

                        Roundtables/Participation                               15%

 

                        Total                                                                100%

 

 

Scholastic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty.  Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarism (using another author’s words or arguments without attribution), and collusion (the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement).

 

Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions.  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, 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 Professor may also find that they have contrasting views on sensitive and volatile topics.

It is the Professor’s hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and Professor alike will be encouraged to think and learn from each other.  Therefore, be assured that students’ grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments.  Rather, we will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

 

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 three weeks before the start of the semester.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR MY CLASS: Attending lectures is just as important as any assignments.  Your tests come from the text & lecture notes.  You should not miss more than 4 days (which is equal to 2 weeks of class), as this will affect your grade.  You are graded on your participation & attendance on a daily basis, & of course if you are not in attendance it affects your grade.  If you miss class & we have a group project you will not be allowed to make this up --- UNLESS YOU HAVE DOCUMENTATION. 

 

For each day that you are absent after 4 days you MAY be deducted ½ a point from your overall final grade.  The only exceptions will be documented proof – doctor’s note, court record, funeral program, etc.  If you have problems you need to come see me, email me, or call me immediately.  If I don’t hear from you or have any documentation then the above will be applied.

 

Over 6 absences is seen as excessive --- you should speak with me immediately.  I reserve the right to drop a students for excessive absences (that is someone who has no documentation or hasn’t spoken to me about their attendance problem).

 

TARDINESS

When students are tardy it is a distraction to both professor & the class.  Sometimes I am in the middle of a lecture & become thrown off by students entering the class late.

If you accrue more than 3 tardies this will constitute an absence.  Attendance, as per the syllabus, may play a part in your overall final grade.  It is imperative to be on time, attend class, & avoid whenever possible leaving early.

 

LEAVING CLASS EARLY:

If a student is leaving early then they must notify the professor before class begins. If a student only attends 45 minutes of class or less than a student will be counted as absent for that day.

 

As already stipulated in your syllabus attendance is as important as any of your other work.  I do reserve the right to drop students for excessive absences, as defined in the syllabus.  When students leave the class early it often times can be a distraction to both professor & the class.  It is not fair to all if a student leaves early & is allowed to be counted present for the class, while the other students are attending the entire class lecture. 

 

EMAILING ASSIGNMENTS/TYPED WORK

I will not accept any work through email.  All assignments, as per the syllabus, are due during class time & any thing else is late & may not be accepted.  If the syllabus says that you may turn in late items you must turn them into my faculty box in room #2209, building A.  All late work must be time/date stamped by a staff member in room #2209.

 

All work that you turn in, all of it, MUST BE TYPED, double spaced, with 12 pt. font.  In college all your work should be typed unless told otherwise by professor.

           

Additional Information:

Ÿ IMPORTANT NOTE: Absences can affect your grade either by lowering it with excessive absences or it could be raised a few points if you have 0-1 absence.

 

Ÿ  You may refer to me as Professor Rodriguez or Ms. Rodriguez.  Please DO NOT refer to me by my first name.

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Ÿ  Students are expected to have respect for their fellow classmates, as well as their Professor.  I will not tolerate sleeping in class or reading other course material. If improper behavior occurs I will be forced to ask you to remove yourself from the class and count you as absent for that class.

 

Ÿ  It is the student’s responsibility to drop the class. Do not count on me to drop you from class.  Do not expect me to remember that you were no longer in the course, if your name is on the roster at the end of the semester I will give you an “F”.

 

Ÿ    All work, no matter how big or small, should always be typed.  College is your job & it is unprofessional to turn in work that is handwritten & not typed. All college work should be typed unless you are told otherwise

 

·                     There will be no accommodations made for students for vacations or time off.  Dates are set & I can not make individual accommodations for students. 

 

·                     The syllabus & course schedule are tentative.  Items may change, but only when it is in the best interest of the students.  Students will be told immediately when a change does occur.

 

·                     All students who are signed up for this course have access to blackboard.  I will have all the course lecture notes that I use in class available for you on blackboard.  You will be able to review & print these notes for your use in class & to study. See information below.

 

BLACKBOARD

We will be using Blackboard, http://www.acconline.austincc.edu/, for this course.  You should look at this website as soon as possible to become comfortable & familiar with it.  I would encourage you to first look at the Student Guide.  The Student Guide will be listed when you go to the above website.  There it will tell you how to log on.  The course can be found listed on Blackboard once the semester begins.

 

You must first log in at http://acconline.austincc.edu.  To log in you are to use your user name which is your ACC Online Services ID.  You can find this out by reviewing the “Student Guide” & clicking on “What’s My User ID?” Your password is your birthdate (mmddyy).  I will have your lecture notes and much more on blackboard.  I may post Announcements on blackboard which will tell you about extra credit opportunities or notify you that class will be cancelled.  It would be great if you make it a regular part of your work to check blackboard. 

 

When you first log on you must enter an up-to-date email address.  This is very important because this allows me to send emails to all students based on the email address provided in blackboard, & if you send me an email from the blackboard page I can not reply to it.  To add your email address go to the main Blackboard page for this class & click on “Tools” then click “Personal Information” and then “Edit Personal Information.”  Please make sure to do this because if you email me your email address it will do no good.  I can not keep track of all 125 + student’s email addresses, but if you put it on blackboard than all I need to do is click on your name & I can email you fast & easy.