syllabus+-+GOVT+2301+-+fall+2008

This syllabus is being revised to compensate for the days lost to Ike. The revision is still underway and will be discussed in class.

Government 2301--Alvin Community College Instructor: Kevin Jefferies--Office: D-225 Office Phone: 281-756-3736 e-mail: **kjefferies@alvincollege.edu** Class Blog: [|**http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com/**] GOVT 2301-01 MW 8-930am GOVT 2301-03 MW 11-1230pm GOVT 2301-05 TTH 1-230pm Course Description: This is the first of two required courses designed to familiarize students with the nature of national, state, and local government. I focus principally on the factors which led to the development of the Constitution (both U.S. and Texas), and the nature of the institutions which have evolved in the Constitution’s wake. This will involve an analysis of the basic terminology of government and politics, readings of the founding documents (The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, The U.S. and Texas Constitutions, and the Federalist Papers), civil liberties and civil rights, an outline the election system and the evolution and design of political parties, and the impact of public opinion, interest groups and the media on politics.

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.

These links will be especially useful - [|The Founders’ Constitution] - [|The Avalon Project] - [|Findlaw - Constitution] - [|Dictionary.com] - [|The First Amendment Center] 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]. Grading : A= 89.5-100; B=79.5-89.5; C=69.5-79.5; D=59.5-69.5; F 0-59.5 You will be graded as follows: 10% will come from a 1000 word political autobiography 70% will come from the average of each of the weekly assignment 20% will come from a comprehensive final Simple enough. Paper Assignment--Political Autobiography: We all have opinions, but we may not be sure exactly why we have them. In this assignment I’d like you to outline the nature of your political beliefs and determine what factors have led you to adopt those positions. What have been the dominant influences in your life so far and why? Your family? Your peers? Do you consider yourself independent? Unique? As fully as you can, outline your belief system and how you got to where you are. Write at least 1000 words and email it to me the week of December 1st. I will make background reading on this available soon. 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. Occasionally I will forgo a test and instead assign written work for you to turn in on Monday. 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. If for any reason the link does not work, email me and I will solve the problem. You will note that you will be required to email me written work by the end of the day (midnight) every Friday—unless otherwise noted.

Weekly Assignments

- Week One: The week of August 25 - Fallacies 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// - Week Two: The week of September 1 - Terminology. - Week Three: The week of September 8 - Philosophical Underpinnings of American Government - Week Four: The week of September 15 - The U.S and Texas Declarations of Independence. - Week Five: The week of September 22 - The Constitutional Convention - Week Six: The week of September 29 - The U.S. and Texas Constitutions - Week Seven: The week of October 6 - Constitutional Principles - Week Eight: The week of October 13 - Ratification - Week Nine: The week of October 20 - Elections - Week Ten: The week of October 27 - Political Parties - Week Eleven- The week of November 3 - Civil Liberties - Week Twelve: The week of November 10 - Freedom of Speech - Week Thirteen: The week of November 17 - Civil Rights and Affirmative Action - Week Fourteen: The week of November 24 - Religious Liberty //Thanksgiving (26-30)// - Week Fifteen: The Week of December 1st

Political Autobiography Due December 1st
Final Take home test (check the web for dates)