Political Science 1 ITV Course {#32068}

Introduction to American Government and Politics

Assistant Professor David J Uranga, M.A. UCLA
Orientation on 1-13-2015 in Classroom C333 from 6:50-9:50pm
Class meets on 1/13, 2/5, 2/26, 3/11, 4/9 and 4/30
Office C352C, Office Hours: Thursday 4-6pm
Email: djuranga@pasadena.edu
Facebook: david.uranga@facebook.com
Twitter: @djuranga
I Introduction
Welcome to the Canvas based Study of American Government and Politics (Pol Sc1)
taught by yours truly: David J Uranga! During this semester, we will study
Principles and problems of government with emphasis on national government in the
UnitedStates. The trick here, however, is that each student in political science one will
study, learn about politics, take ten online chapter tests, {they prep you for in class Exams 15} and five in class exams {mixed format} on your text (mc) and participate in a semester
long forum on our text and video content.
For the next sixteen weeks, we will examine the Greenberg-Page thesis on how the
structure of the American Politics determines the nature of public policies that come out
and are implemented. To evaluate the Greenberg Page thesis requires each ITV student to
watch 26 video lessons on the course content in addition to discussing the content on
discussion forums, and taking in class exams. Its a great deal of work! I hope you have
enjoyed the holidays; its time to get bizzy! DJU

II Texts
Greenberg-Page. The Struggle for Democracy, 12th edition. Loose Leaf and E book version. Pearson: NY, 2012
Framework for Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, Intelecom, 2003.www.intelecom.org

III Grading

Your grade will be based upon the successful completion of 10 online tests, 5 in class exams
and 2 online discussion forums. More info on the schedule below
10 Chapter Tests
20 points
5 In Class Exams {low score dropped} 60 points
16 Discussion posts and 32 responses 20 points
Extra Credit Opportunities
1-3 points
Your course grade
100 possible points.
Letter Grades will then be assigned on the following basis:
90%-100% (90-100) A
80% - 89% (80-89) B
63% - 79% (63-79) C
55% - 62% (55-62) D
Below 55% (0-54) F Love me Two Times!

IV. ONLINE CHAPTER TESTS {WORTH 20%}

Each student will complete 10 CHAPTER TESTS. Every 2-3 weeks each student shall
prepare for an open book fully online quiz that takes you no more than 15 minutes
to complete. Each student has 2 chances to get a 2/2 on each online test. These tests
should help you with the in class exam given starting on 2/5/2015.
V. THE LEARNING COMMUNITIES/DISCUSSION FORUMS {20%} AND IN CLASS
EXAMS {60% grade}
Each student shall participate into a learning community of 10 students that are
randomly. Each student shall comment on the extensive connections between the
structure of American government and politics and the linkages of American
government and politics. Each and every week, all students shall post once a week
and respond to 2 others in your Randomly chosen Group.
There will be two sets of forums to participate within during the 16 weeks of class.
Each one of you will participate in 2 separate communities and work together to
understand the connections between structure and linkages and after week 8, the
connections between structure, linkages, officials and policy. A rubric shall be
provided at canvas.
All students will take Five Exams that are 50% objective and 50% essay. The
multiple choice based questions are based upon the Greenberg-Page textbook, while
the essay portion of the exam is based upon the Framework for Democracy video
lessons watched.
The essay rubric below sets up basic guidelines to getting the best possible grades
on discussion forum posts and on each essay.
Fail
Introduction Intro is not
present and
does
not set up
the
argument
Proper Voice Lack of
appropriate
voice

Poor
Intro unclearly
makes a point

Course/

Minimal

Lack of text

Voice is weakly
Or unrelated to
the topic

Average Mastery Total Points

Intro
Intro is
sufficiently invigorating
sets up a
&sets a
main point main thesis
____/2
pts
Voice is
Central
relevant to Voice
thesis.
clearly
_____/2
makes a
pts
strong and
cogent
claim.
Adequate
Thesis is

Video
Content

or video
data.

Cohesion

Total lack of
organization
or coherent
development

Conclusion

Complete
absence
of a point.

support of
thesis by text or
video content.

support
of thesis
by
textbook
or video
content.

fully
supported
with
relevant
facts from
our
textbook or
videos
Structure is
The essay Ideas are
flawed & ideas
framework well
underdeveloped is logical & organized
orderly
and are
clearly
introduced,
developed
and
concluded
Conclusion
Conclusion Conclusion
unclear but
clear and
invigorates
partially
evident
and
evident
reflective of
material

____/2
pts

_____/2
pts

_____/2
pts

As you log onto canvas, notice the home page and the course schedule of readings
and videos to watch plus chapter tests to take. After printing out the syllabus and
reviewing the course expectations, please read chapter one of Greenberg-Page! On
2/5/2015, for example, each student will bring a 886-e scantron(green colored) and
a pencil; in class, each student shall complete both the objective and essay. The
online tests shall help you prepare for the objective part of the In Class Exam, while
the video lessons shall help you with the in class essay. Each student will know the
possible essays that are on each exam; I shall place the essay choices at Canvas and
select 1 of these per exam. Each student should prepare to write on any of the
choices given. Below is the reading schedule for ITV Spring 2015 as seen on canvas:
VI. SCHEDULE OF READINGS, TESTS, EXAMS & ASSIGNMENTS FOR SPRING 2015
UNIT STARTS
1/15/2015
2/5/2015
2/26/2015
3/19/2015
4/9/2015

READINGS
GP chapters 1-4
GP chapters 5-10
GP chapters 11-13
GP chapters 14-16
GP 17-18

DISCUSSION POST
3 posts,6responses
3 posts,6responses
3posts,6 responses
2posts,4 responses
2 posts.4responses

TESTS & EXAMS

Due by 2/5/2015
Due by 2/26/2015
Due by 3/19/2015
Due by 4/9/2015
Due by 4/30/2015

VII MISCELLANEOUS
There are no make-ups for the midterms unless you are ill or have a medical reason
for missing a test. If you miss a test, its your dropped score. Cheating on any exam
means an F at first and progressively worse till your grade equals a zero score
and possible disciplinary action if warranted. Please avoid using WIKIPEDIA for
anything. Excessive missing of tests and attendance (for example, 2 missing exams)
= drop time! Please come to class prepared to succeed! 4
VIII Information on the Professor.
Professor David Uranga received his BA California State University, Northridge in
1987, and his MA from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1989. He began
teaching in 1987 at Cal State Northridge. He has taught at Glendale Community
College, College of the Canyons, and here at Pasadena City College since 1990. You
can reach Professor Uranga at djuranga@pasadena.edu
IX - Political Science One Student Learning Outcomes
The Outlines for ITV Political Science 1 are as follows, according to the Pasadena City College Course Outline:
Course Description: Principles and problems of government with emphasis on national government in the Untied States.
Political Science 1 and Political Science 2 are usually required for advanced political Science.
Course Credit: Satisfies part of the IGETC curriculum. Satisfies the CSU American Government requirement.
NO CREDIT if taken after American Institutions 5.
Prerequisites: None. Corequisities: None.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to

Five Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Evaluate whether the colonial experience determined the outcome of the constitutional convention and federalism.
2. Test the electoral connection between candidates and public policy.
3. Test the theory of divided government and its efficacy in making policy.
4. Test the claim that the U.S. federal judiciary determined the civil liberty and civil rights agendas of the nation.
5. Examine structural argument on How Public policy is crafted, implemented, and sustained.