|
|
Dana Morales |
|
|
|
|
Dana
Morales
936-273-7391 |
|
|
|
|
As part of NHMCCD's distance
education, my online courses are designed to minimize campus attendance while
still providing interaction between student and instructor (me!). These
courses are NOT independent study courses! We will be covering weekly topics
with group discussions and periodic class assignments. These course ARE set
up to give students considerable flexibility in tackling their course
assignments and participating in class discussion. You will NEVER be required to come to campus for
this course. All assignments,
orientations, etc., can (and must) be completed online. There is an on-line orientation
session for Vista on the ecampus website. If you have never taken an online class at NHMCCD before,
please complete this tutorial before the first day of class. There is no quiz associated with the
orientation, but you must complete it in order to learn how to complete the
class in the Required Text for GOVT 2301 and
2302 is: American Government,
Continuity and Change, 2008 Texas Edition. Authors--O'Connor and Sabato. When you enter the Below is a copy of the GOVT 2301
syllabus for the Winter mini-mester, beginning Dec. 17th _____________________________ MONTGOMERY COLLEGE A North Harris Montgomery Community College COURSE SYLLABUS for Government
2301 Winter Mini 2007 Distance Learning American
Government: National, State
and Local I Office
Hours, Contact Information & Class Schedule Contact Information: Name: Dana Morales Work Ph: 936-273-7391 eMail: dana.m.morales@nhmccd.edu WWW address:
http://faculty.nhmccd.edu/dmorales Office: Bldg. A, Suite A220 K Office Hours: by appointment eCampus Help Desk: (936)
273-7600 or (281) 765-7765 eCampus email:
distance.learning@nhmccd.edu NHMCCD eCampus Website:
http://ecampus.nhmccd.edu Academic Division Info: Business
& Social Sciences Division Academic Dean: Becky
Gustamante Catalog Description A survey of national, state, and local government
including such topics as the US and Texas Constitutions; democratic theory;
federalism; political culture, political socialization and public opinion;
political participation and electoral behavior; political parties and
interest groups; press; and local government. These phenomena are examined at
the national, state and local levels with an emphasis placed on linkages with
the formulation of public policy. THIS COURSE SATISFIES STATE REQUIREMENTS
FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN TEXAS. Credit--3 Hours Prerequisites ENGL 0305 or 0316 and ENGL 0307 or 0326, or higher level course (ENGL
1301), or placement by testing. ADA Statement NHMCCD is dedicated to
providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students.
The college district promotes equity in academic access through the
implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities
to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational programs
and activities. Purpose This course, one of two introductory courses in US,
state, and local government, has two objectives. The first is to teach you
the nuts and bolts of U.S., state, and local government. Second, and more
important, it seeks to develop the analytical skills needed to help make
better sense of government and the subsequent impact government has in our
daily lives. Learning Outcomes In completing this course, you will ·
á Understand the meaning of power, politics, and
political culture, and evaluate the role of government. ·
á Identify the elements of democratic theory. ·
á Identify the characteristics and development of the
U.S. and Texas Constitutions. ·
á Analyze the concept of federalism and its operation
in the U.S. ·
á Define public opinion, how it is measured, and its
impact on public policy. ·
á Explain the role, activities, and major types of
interest groups and describe various techniques used by groups to promote
their interests. ·
á Trace the evolution of political parties and
evaluate their role in the American political system. ·
á Analyze the dynamics of the electoral process. ·
á Assess the major functions of the media and its role
in politics. Course Requirements As part of
NHMCCD’s E-Classroom curriculum, this course is designed to maximize
flexibility while providing interaction between students and the instructor.
This course IS NOT an independent studies course! We will be covering topics
with group discussions to supplement the reading assignments, and there are
regularly scheduled exam dates listed in the course schedule. This course IS
set up to give students considerable flexibility over when you tackle your
course assignments, take exams, participate in class discussion and, through
the use of the Internet and eCampus Vista provides a convenient medium for
completing the course requirements. Class
Discussions While you won’t
be physically attending class, you ARE required to keep up with assigned
readings, class assignments (25%
of final grade) and participate in class discussions via eCampus Vista (15%
of final grade). I
will be posting a new discussion topic each weekday morning, and students
will need to respond to each topic by the following morning in order to
receive credit. Each posting should be roughly one to two paragraphs in
length. I think you will enjoy (as well as
learn from) the class dialogue! Class Exams During the
semester there are three scheduled class exams (every Friday/Saturday). All
exams will be administered online within our eCampus Vista course
environment. The exam dates are listed in the course calendar. Students
who miss a scheduled exam due to extraordinary circumstances must contact me
and provide a valid excuse within 24 hours (or as soon as physically able)
following the scheduled exam. There is no makeup for the final
exam. Academic
Dishonesty & Plagiarism: I have ZERO
tolerance for academic dishonesty and/or plagiarism. Any student found engaging in
cheating or in plagiarism on any test or assignment WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE
GIVEN A GRADE OF "0".
Please ask if there are any questions on this important topic. Required Materials O’Connor, Karen, et. al. American Government: Continuity and Change, 2008 Texas edition. This book is available through the
Montgomery College bookstore. Exams and Grading: Exam 1 20% Exam 2 20% Final Exam 20% Class activities/assignments 25% Class participation 15%
Grading Scale: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 59 & below Course Withdrawals: Occasionally, students may find it necessary to
drop a course during the semester.
If you are having trouble completing the requirements for this course,
please come talk to me before you decide to drop. There is always the possibility that special arrangements
can be made to accommodate any temporary problems you may be facing. If you ultimately find it necessary
to drop the course, please be advised that the last day to drop with a W is _____________. Remember that you must notify the Admissions Office if
you wish to drop the class Students who stop attending class without officially withdrawing
will receive an F. Topics and Course Readings: **Note that the instructor reserves the right to
make changes to the following schedule as necessary. Any changes will be announced in
class in a timely manner. Day One Democracy
and American Politics Ch.
1 Day Two The
US Constitution Ch.
2 Day Three The
Texas Constitution Ch.
21 Day Four Federalism
from the national perspective Ch.
3 Test
1: December 21-22 Day Five Local
Government Ch.
22 Day Six Public
Opinion Ch.
11 Day Seven The
Media Ch.
15 Day Eight Interest
Groups Ch.
16 Day Nine Interest Groups in Texas Ch.
26 (excerpts) Test
2: December 28-29 Day 10 Political
Parties at the National Level Ch.
12 Day 11 Political
Parties at the State/Local Level Ch.
26 (excerpts) Day 12 Voting
and Elections Ch.
13 Day 13 Campaigns Ch.
14 Day 14 Political
Participation outside
readings Final
Exam: January 4th
|
|
||