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NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY

Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice

POLS 1101                                                                                                                                                                                                   Mr. Derek Sutton

American Government                                                                                                                                                                             West Main Hall #314

Fall Semester 2008                                                                                                                                                                                 jdsutton@ngcsu.edu
Office Hours: M, W: 11:30-1:00                                                                                                                                                                          (706)-864-1782

T, TR: 9:30-11:00

course objectives

            Recent events have illustrated the necessity and importance of developing an understanding of American government including its founding, growth and development over the last 200 years. Throughout our history, and as these events have shown, we have lived in a society and under a system of government that has remained stable and even prospered in any situation. In this course, we will find out why this has occurred and what it means for the future. Further, we will:

1. Develop an understanding of democracy;
2. Understand the impact of the Founding and Constitution on the present U.S. government;
3. Develop a knowledge and understanding of the organization of the U.S. government and its branches;
4. Explore the impact of elections, political parties, interest groups and media in the U.S. political system;
5. Develop a knowledge of state and local government;
6. Explore the policy making process and explain how public policy comes about in the United States.
7. Develop and understand the role of civic engagement and political activism in today’s society.

course requirements

1. Textbooks

The required textbook is available at the NGCSU bookstore. It is:

Lasser, William. Perspectives on American Politics. 5^th Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

The optional textbook is available at the NGCSU bookstore. It is:

Wilson. James Q. American Government: Brief Version. 8^th Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

2. Grading Policy

A.      Grading Scale:

In this class I grade on the point (not percentage) scale. By doing this you are able to determine your own grade by totaling the number of points you have achieved up to that point. The scale is as follows:

                        A: 600 – 540 Points

                        B: 539 – 480 Points

                        C: 479 – 420 Points

                        D: 419 – 360 Points

                        F: 359 – 000 Points

                        Total Possible Points: 600

B.      Grade Breakdown:

C. Mid-Term Examinations (100 Points/Each)

                        Your first mid-term examination is tentatively scheduled for September 25-26 (depending on the day your class meets) and will cover chapters 1-5. Your second mid-term examination is tentatively scheduled for October 27-28 (depending on the day your class meets) and will cover chapters 6-8. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice, essay and/or charts/diagrams. Each test will be worth 100 points or 20% of your final grade.

D. Research Assignment #1 (100 Points)

             For the purposes of this assignment, you will research a variety of political ideologies and will take an online “test” to determine your ideology. You will receive a handout later this semester that explains this assignment in more detail.

E. Research Assignment #2 (100 Points)

             For the purposes of this assignment, you must attend a public meeting. After attending the meeting, you will write a paper (3-4 pages, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 point Times New Roman) discussing the meeting’s purpose, occurrences, and how the meeting related to concepts discussed in class. Late papers will be deducted 10 points per calendar day late. Short papers will be deducted 10 points per page short. E-mailed papers will NOT be accepted. NOTE: YOU MUST ATTEND A MEETING TO GET CREDIT! SIMPLY, NO MEETING, NO CREDIT.

             The following are examples of acceptable public meetings: U.S. Senate or House of Representatives; Georgia State Senate or House of Representatives; major political party meeting at the county, state or national level; meeting of a regulatory body (Public Service Commission); meeting of a diplomatic organization (United Nations); official governmental judicial proceeding; local government meeting; school board meeting.

             Meetings of NGCSU organizations such as SGA, Commuter Council, College Republicans or Democrats, sororities/fraternities do not count for purposes of this assignment. If you are unsure if the meeting you plan to attend will be acceptable, please ask me.

             Papers should address the following:  Which governmental body was meeting?  What was the purpose of the meeting?  What were the major topics covered?  How did concepts learned in class relate to topics/concepts addressed or covered at the meeting?  Was the meeting worthwhile?  What did it accomplish? Were citizens given a chance to participate? What were their concerns?

             You will receive a handout later this semester that explains this assignment in more detail. This assignment is due prior to Thanksgiving Break on November 24^th (MWF classes) or November 25^th (TR classes). This assignment addresses NGCSU Learning Outcomes #3, #4, and #5 (see below).

F. Final Exam (100 Points)

                        The final exam consists of questions (multiple choice, true/false, charts/diagrams) from the third section of the course (chapters 9-12) and one essay question taken from the last section of the class on public policy.

3. Attendance (100 Points)

I have a strict attendance policy for this class. Attendance is necessary for you to do well in this class. When you accumulate five (5) absences in a two day a week class or seven (7) absences in a three day a week class, I reserve the right to drop you from this course with a “W” or a “WF”. After mid-term, it is school policy that I can only give you a WF.

4. Participation

Class participation will constitute a significant portion of this class. I define class participation as taking an active role in class in the form of asking questions or making comments pertinent to the class discussion.

5. Make-up Assignments

            I do not give make-up tests without prior 24 hour notice and approval via e-mail or by directly speaking to me. Notice includes an explanation from you to me and my response to you. If you miss a test without approval, you will take a zero on that test. All make-up tests will be made up on Academic Review Day at a set time.

6. Other Requirements

            a. Incorporation of Other Controlling Authority. All of the rules, regulations, and standards published in the undergraduate bulletin of North Georgia College & State University are hereby incorporated by reference in this document.

b. Cheating and Plagiarism. NGCSU’s integrity code - “On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, or tolerate those who do” - reflects the commitment to academic integrity. If you do cheat or plagiarize, I will report the incident to the University’s Academic Integrity Council and will decide to either: a) lower your grade for this course; or b) give you a failing grade for this course. Simply, do not plagiarize. If you have any questions about the definition of plagiarism, please speak with me.

            c. Disabilities and Accommodations. North Georgia College & State University is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources. In this case, please contact Student Disability Resources in Barnes Hall, Room 221 (867-2782).

            d. Course Grades. Final grades are available on BANNER usually within 2 days after all finals have ended. Please do not contact me for your grade during that time. Further, I CANNOT communicate with you about your grades via e-mail or phone. If you have a question about your grades, please come by my office during my office hours.

            e. Cell Phone Policy. The use of cell phones is not permitted during this class. This includes having them out before, during or after class. Conduct your cell phone business prior to entering the classroom or after you leave the classroom.  On test days, if I see you with a cell phone at your desk after I pass out the tests, you will take a zero on the test. If on any other day, you require your phone to be on for an important reason (work, family issue, etc…), please let me know at the beginning of class.

f. Final Day to Drop/Add - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 (5:00pm)

g. Last Day to Drop with a “W” - Tuesday, October 7, 2008 (5:00pm)

            h. On-Line Class Evaluations:  Class evaluations at NGCSU are now conducted on-line through Banner.  Evaluation of the class is considered a component of the course and students will not be permitted to access their course grade until the evaluation has been completed.  The evaluations will be accessible beginning one week prior to Final Exam week.

i. Early Alert Participation I am committed to your success in this course and at this university.  I may, therefore, refer you to other persons and/or services available to help you achieve academic success.  In turn, if you are referred, you will be expected to comply with the referrals.  Please understand that such referrals are not a form of punishment, rather, they are intended to help you.

7. Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and Information Literacy

            Summary:

                        Information literacy is the ability to know when information is needed and to access, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically.

             Learning Outcomes:

1. The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed.
2. The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
3. The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
4. The information literate student, individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.
5. The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.

8. Changes to the Syllabus: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as necessary, especially with regard to the week-to-week lecture schedule.

schedule of reading assignments

final exam schedule

Last Updated 21 August 2008 by Derek Sutton