NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POS111 CLASS INFORMATION/SYLLABUS SPRING, 2014 8:10-8:50AM. Tuesday-Thursday 1. Instructor Daniel R.

. Conn a. Phone : 265-2022 (school) or 520-9084 (cell) b. E-mail connd@fre3.edu c. Office Hours Monday (4:00-6:00 PM), Tuesday-Friday (3:00-3:45) - Or by appointment 2. Text Government by the People a. 2009 National Edition; ISBN #: 978-0-13-6062222-6 b. Magleby & Light Supplementary reading major daily newspapers and periodicals 3. Course Description Includes the background of the U.S. Constitution: the philosophy of American government; general principles of the constitution, federalism, civil interest groups, and the electoral process; and the structure and functions of the national government. 4. Course Competencies - Students should be able to: a. Identify and evaluate competing theories of American democracy. b. Examine the Constitutional Convention and the relevant historical events of the era. c. Identify basic principles and philosophy of the Constitution and examine the impact of these principles on the political system. d. Examine the constitutional, historical, and legal basis of federalism and cover recent issues of controversy in the federal system. e. Identify major controversies and important Supreme Court rulings based on the constitution and its amendments which affect civil rights and civil liberties, including problems of women and minorities. f. Examine the nature of public opinion, political socialization, changes in American demography, methods of measuring public opinion, and the medias impact on public opinion. g. Analyze the roles and structures of the party system and evaluate the development of the American two party systems. h. Examine the purpose and process of the American electoral system. i. Describe and evaluate the structure, powers and functions of Congress, the President, the Judicial System, and the Federal Bureaucracy. j. Identify the interrelations among the three branches of government. k. Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays about topics related to American Government. l. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information in the study of American Government. 5. Exams 4 exams

a. Each exam will be 50-75 points b. Multiple choice, short answer/identification, true-false, essay c. Material from text, class notes and any other presentation will be covered 6. Paper 1 required paper a. 50 points b. 4-5 pages (word-processed, double spaced) c. 5 sources only 1 may be an encyclopedia - the 3 most frequently used sources are to be turned in with the paper (a copy of the page containing the information used will suffice) d. Topic must be approved by instructor e. Grading will be done on content as well as correct form (grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.) f. Must cite sources (foot, end, or context notes) g. Must include a bibliography h. TOPIC DUE FEBRUARY 21 10 POINTS (1/2 PAGE WORD-PROCESSED) i. 2 SOURCES AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION OF PAPER DUE MARCH 21 10 POINTS ( PAGE WORD PROCESSED) j. PAPER DUE APRIL 24 k. LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED UP TO 3 DAYS LATE ONLY, WITH A 10 POINT PENALTY FOR EACH DAY LATE. 7. Articles and opinions - 20 points each a. Each Tuesday a one page word processed opinion paper on an article from a current publication will be due. The article should deal with events in U.S. national or state government. Students will choose topics of their particular interest most weeks, but the instructor may assign specific topics on occasion. b. A copy of the article must be submitted with each paper. c. Grading will be done on content as well as correct grammar, spelling, etc. d. Students should be prepared to discuss their paper in class. e. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Papers may be handed in the Tuesday of the week the paper is due with instructors approval. f. The two (2) lowest scores will be dropped from your total points. 8. In-Class Assignments - 10-20 points each a. Thought/position papers may be assigned over class discussion. These assignments will be accepted only during the class period they are assigned. 9. Class attendance a. Attendance will be taken daily. You are expected to attend all class sessions. It is your responsibility to make excused absences known to me BEFORE they occur. b. If you are unable to be present on the day of an exam, arrangements must Be made with me PRIOR to exam day. 10. Extra Credit a. During the semester opportunities for extra credit may occur. Please do not count on these points to raise your grade as they may or may not be available. b. Grades may be raised no more than 1 letter grade by doing extra credit work. 11. Grading

90% - A 80% - B 70% - C 60% - D 12. LAST DAY TO DROP FEBRUARY 5 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW APRIL 21 13. Class etiquette a. Each student will be expected to follow certain basic rules of etiquette. Failure to do so may result in removal from the class. b. Class Standards include: - Arrive to class on time. - Leave class only in emergency. - Turn off cell phones and store them in backpacks, purses, etc. - Do not wear headphones. - Talk only as part of class discussion. - Respect others opinions. 14. Academic Integrity Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity while in this course and as a student at Northeastern Junior College. Unless specified otherwise, all work handed in by the student is to be the original creation of that student. Penalties for plagiarism, cheating, falsifying work or other acts of academic dishonesty may include but are not limited to verbal or written warning to the student, no credit or reduced credit for an assignment, administrative withdrawal from the course, F grade for the course, disciplinary probation, or expulsion from the college. 15. It is the policy of Northeastern Junior College to provide appropriate accommodations to any student with a documented disability. If you have a need for accommodation in this course, please make an appointment to see me by the second week of the semester of enrollment. 16. The instructor has the discretion to make changes to the syllabus as deemed appropriate and with the knowledge of class members.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE

DATE January 14-17 January 21-24 January 28-31 February 4-7 February 11-14 February 14 February 18-21 February 25- 28 March 4-7 March 7 March 11-14 March 18-21 March 21 April 1-4 April 8-11 April 15-18 April 22-25 April 29-May 2 May 6-9 May 16

TOPIC Introduction

TEXT

Constitutional Democracy Constitution Federalism EXAM 1 Civil Liberties Civil Rights Public Opinion EXAM 2 Media Politics Elections EXAM 3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 8

Chapter 10 Chapter 9

Presidency Congress

Chapter 12 Chapter 11

Judicial FINAL EXAM

Chapter 14