syllabus+-+GOVT+2302+-+fall+2008

Instructor: Kevin Jefferies--Office: D-225 Office Phone: 281-756-3736 e-mail: ****kjefferies@alvincollege.edu**** Class Blog: **[|**http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com/**] GOVT 2302-01 MW 930-11am GOVT 2302-03 TTH 930-11am GOVT 2302-05 TTH 230-4pm
 * Government 2302--Alvin Community College


 * Course Description:** This is the second of two required courses designed to familiarize students with the nature of national, state, and local government. This class covers the institutions of government as designed in Constitution and modified over the course of American history.

As much as possible we will look at original documents. It is also my intention to use available technology to discuss the material in an online format. As you can see above I have both a blog and a wiki set up for this and all my other classes. Each has discussion features which I will use to foster exchanges about course content.


 * Readings:** The primary readings for this class are available online, free of charge. I will use an innovative online book called The Founder’s Constitution that not only provides brief succinct over views of the Constitution but provides the text of the original documents that inspired the writing of the document. I will also use other web based material including Supreme Court cases.

The links will be especially useful - [|The Founders’ Constitution] - [|The Avalon Project] - [|Findlaw - Constitution] - [|Dictionary.com]

Links to the appropriate readings can be found below. If you wish to use a traditional textbook, you may purchase the following. They can’t hurt.

//Lowi, Theodore, Benjamin Ginsberg and Kenneth Shepsle. American Government. 9th Edition. New York: W.W. Norton.// // Brown, Lyle et al. Practicing Texas Politics. 13th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. // They are optional, but may be useful to you if you are more comfortable with a standard textbook, they available at the campus bookstore. You will also be expected to augment your textbook reading by keeping abreast of current events with newspapers, magazines, and televised news shows. In order to ensure that we all stay abreast of the same items, you are also required to subscribe to the classblog: http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com/. Click on the link and look on the right hand side. You will notice a box that allows you to enter your email address. Enter it. By doing so you will receive updates whenever I submit an entry. I will do so, generally, on a daily basis. Read the items I post. We will discuss them in class and be prepared to answer test questions on them.


 * Student Behavior**: Since this is a web based class, you will be expected to be self motivated, and to follow the class material on your own. I will be free to answer any question you have, feel free to telephone or email me when necessary.

Here's a good read from cyberspace: [|How to be a college student]. You will be graded as follows:
 * Grading ** : A= 89.5-100; B=79.5-89.5; C=69.5-79.5; D=59.5-69.5; F 0-59.5

10% will come from a 1000 word outline of the 2008 election 70% will come from the average of each of the weekly tests 20% will come from a comprehensive final


 * Paper Assignment—Outline the Presidential Election of 2008.** You may have heard that we have an election coming up. These are great opportunities for us to determine the nature of the political conflict that exists in the country at a given moment in time. Looking through available news sources, determine (1) what the dominant issues seem to be this year and (2) the relative positions that Barack Obama and John McCain have taken on this issue—including any shifts each has made in order to stay electable. After you have done so you may offer you personal assessments of which candidate you believe would make the better president and why. Write at least 1000 words and email it to me the week of December 1st.
 * Weekly Tests: ** Every Monday we will begin with a test on the previous week’s material. The tests will be of various formats, but I will be a clear as necessary about the nature of the test and what you will be expected to know. I will assess your objective knowledge of the material as much as your ability to critically assess the material provided.


 * Regarding Individual Help** : I am available for help if you need it. But do so as soon as possible. I do not accept extra credit work after the final exam. If you have any disabilities or other special needs that will affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me of them. Appropriate steps will be taken to make reasonable accommodations and assist you with your needs.
 * Scholastic Dishonesty ** : If you are caught cheating in any way you will fail the course. You are expected to do your own work. Do not download written work from the internet and try to pass it off as your own. [|What is plagiarism you ask] ?
 * Calendar:** Below you will note the reading assignments for each week. All readings are available online and I have linked you to them. As the semester proceeds, additional links will be made. If for any reason the link does not work, email me and I will solve the problem.

//Please note that assignments will be posted as needed and that more links will be forthcoming.//

Readings - [|Fallacies] Assignment: I want you to read “Fallacies” and review current news about the current election. Find an example of a fallacious argument and suggest how the argument may be more properly framed. You may wish to focus on arguments made by the two current presidential candidates. //Due September 1st or 2nd.//
 * The week of August 25**

- Week Two - The week of September 1st - The Federalist Papers. - Week Three - The week of September 8th - Background of the Constitution. - Week Four - The week of September 15th - Overview of the Texas Constitution and Local Government. - Week Five - The week of September 22nd - The Legislature: Background. - Week Six - The week of September 29th - The Legislature: Constitutional Design. - Week Seven - The week of October 6th - The Legislature: The Bill Making Process. - Week Eight - The week of October 13th - The Executive: Background. - Week Nine - The week of October 20th: The Constitutional Design of the Executive Branch - Week Ten - The week of October 27th: The Rise of Presidential Powers and the Imperial Presidency. - Week Twelve - The week of November 10th: The Judiciary - Constitutional Design. - Week Thirteen - The week of November 17th: The Judiciary - Current Conflicts. - Week Fourteen - The week of November 24th: Religious Freedom. - Week Fifteen - The week of December 1st: Summary.
 * -** Week Eleven - The week of November 3rd: The Judiciary - History.

Political Autobiography Due December 1st or 2nd depending on class

Final Take home test (check web for dates)