Syllabus+-+GOVT+2301+-+fall+-+2011

Kevin Jefferies Office: D-257 Office Phone: 281-756-3736 email: kjefferies@alvincollege.edu class blog: [] class wiki: http://theweakerparty.wikispaces.com/
 * Government 2301**

GOVT 2301 - 01 MW 8 - 9:20am GOVT 2301 - 03 MW 11 - 12:20pm GOVT 2301 - 05 TTH 1 - 2:20pm GOVT 2301 - IN2


 * This is the official information about the class from the ACC catalogue**: American National & State Governments I (3 credits): This course surveys the origin and development of the federal system and includes an analysis of the federal constitution and various state constitutions, particularly the Texas constitution. The course focuses on federal, state and interstate relations, Texas state government, and citizenship in a modern democratic society. (3 lecture hours per week). Prerequisites: READ 0310 and ENGL 0310.

Please note the prerequisites. By taking this class it is asumed that you have the basic ability to read and write at the college level. You will be expected to perform at that level in all written assignments and communications.


 * Some general information about the class:**


 * Why is This Course Offered?** We live in a democratic republic. In such a system the people are sovereign, meaning that ultimate political authority rests with the people. This isn't necessarily good news. Overall levels of knowledge about government are quite low. This has been true historically. The founding generation recognized this and created a governing system that placed a significant number of barriers between the people and the law. This was to ensure that the "instability, injustice, and confusion" common in democracies would not lead the new country to an early demise. Nevertheless it was understood that participation would expand and an educated population would be required to ensure that the country would survive. Public education was seen as essential to ensure the republic could survive. Education and democratic government therefore go hand in hand. This class is not only offered, but required, in order to ensure that you become a knowledgeable participant in the American governing system. I might be prejudiced, but I happen to think that this is the most important class you will take in college, and I treat it as such.


 * Learning Objectives: What Do I Plan to Accomplish?** The purpose of GOVT 2301 is to become familiar the basic terminology of government and politics, the Constitutions of Texas and the United States, and the political institutions that help determine what policies are enacted into law. We begin with a simple overview of the terms "government" and "politics" and all the additional terms related to them. We then proceed to the evolution of the concept of natural rights and how it is embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Then we have a series of sections devoted to, first, an overview of the constitutions of the United States and Texas, and then the various principles embedded within it (republicanism, separated powers, federalism, individual liberty). This allows us to dig into the Federalist Papers and various pertinent sections of the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights. We then shift to a discussion of Civil Rights and the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. Being a democracy, elections are central to our political and governing process, as are political parties, which are the principal institutions that contest in elections and structure governing institutions once elected. We conclude with an overview of public opinion, the media, and interest groups. Together these three factors reflect our collective right to participate politically.


 * Methods for Accomplishing Course Objectives:**Below (under "Calendars") you will see a series of links which take you to pages I have put together on class subject matter. You will be expected to read not only the material I have assembled for you, but additional material pulled from various sources online. You'll see a lot of links, but you aren't expected to know everything I link you to. The class is designed to introduce you to the large number of additional sources of information which exist online. Your understanding of the assigned material will be assessed in two ways - by answering written question and multiple choice questions. The first is subjective and is meant to force you to think critically about the subject matter while the latter tests your factual understanding of the material.


 * My Teaching Style:** Over the course of two decades of teaching government, I've come to the conclusion that the Constitution simply establishes a process for making public decisions non-violently. It attempts to allow for the reconciliation of the different points of view -- or interests -- that exist in society. James Madison says as much in Federalist #10: //The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.// Conflict is part of the process. I see my job as helping you understand how the constitutional system structures that conflict. While it is common for people to consider the political and governing process as hopelessly complex and confusing, it isn't really. Think of it as a sport. Until you understand the rules of the sport, everything looks hopelessly confusing. Once you properly understand the overall framework, while you still might get lost in the specifics, the general process should make sense. It helps if you disabuse yourself of the idea that there is someone with a magic wand who can make everything the way you want it to be. There ain't.


 * BlackBoard:** All assessments and written assignments for this class will given through BlackBoard. If you do not have an account, please obtain one immediately. You can link to blackboard through the ACC website. Contact Dena Faust for assistance: dfaust@alvincollege.edu.


 * Readings:** All of the readings in this class are available online in the pages you are linked to below, and are either contained in this website, or linked to it here. You will notice powerpoints at the top of each of page. I want you to use them as the primary source of information for the assessments and the comprehensive final. I;m also compiling text to go along with the power points but consider them to be secondary. I want you to use your own sources - based on your own online research - for the weekly assignments and written report described below.

You may wish to use a traditional textbook. If so, the following two are available in the bookstore: - Lowi, Theodore, Benjamin Ginsberg and Kenneth Shepsle. American Government. 11th Edition. New York: W.W. Norton.Brown, Lyle et al. - Practicing Texas Politics. 13th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

You will notice that I also maintain a blog -- [|http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com] -- where I post items, usually on a daily basis, that pertain to the subject matter of the class. Every class - for lecture students - we will spend time discussing how current events illustrate the principles we cover in class. The blog features a large number of links to the various institutions we will come to understand in this class. In order to better communicate, I want you to go to the page and subscribe to it, you will notice a subscription widget on the right of the page. By subscribing, you will receive daily information regarding not only what we will cover in the class, but also various other notices such as whether class will be cancelled.

Regarding Wikipedia: You will also notice that I often link to Wikipedia pages, the open-sourced web based encyclopedia. Wikipedia is often criticized as being unreliable and subject to manipulation. In some cases entries are edited by people who wish to bias the information contained in the article for self interested reasons, but the site has become increasingly reliable, especially with relatively non-controversial or historical topics. I have found the range of articles available to be impressive. There is easily accessible information available there, that simply cannot be found elsewhere. I have found it to be very useful for my purposes. Perhaps its best feature is that it records all edits and allows for discussions of controveries associated with how subjects are discussed, this way you can follow controversies about how different topics ought to be covered.

Regardless, since this is an introductory class and we will not be doing high level in-depth research, the pages suit our purposes well. Here are some links that touch on controversies associated with Wikipedia: - [|Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica]. - [|Reliability of Wikipedia], from Wikipedia itself. - Carleton College: [|Using Wikipedia].


 * Grading**: A = 89.5 - 100; B = 79.5 - 89.5; C = 69.5 - 79.5; D = 59.5 - 69.5; F 59.5 - 0

Your grade will be based on how well you perform in the following:

1 - Weekly Quizzes (25%): You will be expected to take assessments each week for each of the sections covered that week. I want you to take them all, but will drop the lowest two - again provided you took them. The purpose is to ensure that you have familiarity with the subject matter we cover in class. These assessments will be given through BlackBoard, so once again, please get an account immediately. The assessments are intended to reinforce the principle points made in each section and assess - objectively - your retention of those points. You can use the power points available on each wiki page while answering the questions, so yes they are open note. Check below for the days and times each assessment will be opened. You are required to take each of these assignments, but I will drop two low grades at the end of the semester.

2 - Weekly Written Assignments (25%): Each week I will also post a question designed to encourage you to think critically about that week's material. They will generally ask you about a current event that illustrates some aspect of that week;s readings. These will also be presented to you in BlackBoard and you are to send your responses through BlackBoard as well. I'd prefer you to use the submissions box, but note that you will be timed out if you take too long to compose it there. I'd recommend writting answers out in a word processor then pasting them into the box. The assignments will be posted at the beginning of each week and you will have a full week to write at least 150 words (you should consider this to be a bare minimum) and be analytical in nature, based on the specific facts related to the subject. If you plagiarize your answer you will receive a 0, and this grade will not be replaced. I will accept late work, but all work is to be turned in by noon December 6th. You are required to turn all of these in, and I will not drop any of these grades.

3 - A Written Report (25%): Over the course of the semester I want you to write a 1000 word report on what promises to be a fun event, the competition among Republican candidates to be the party's nominee for next year's general election for the presidency. Though some liberals are upset with Obama's apparent willingness to compromise with Republicans on various issues and murmur about running a candidate against him in the Democratic primaries, none have emerged, but who knows what is likely to happen? Still, the interesting story will be between the Republican candidates as they start to ramp up their rhetoric against each other. Things will get nasty, and entertaining, soon. I want you to cover some aspect of the race over the course of the semester and prepare a 1000 word report - think of it as a magazine article - by December 6th, noon. Send it to me through BlackBoard. You will find a place to do so under "assignments." If you plagiarize, you will receive a 0 for this assignment.

4 - A Cumulative Final (25%): Lecture students will be given an in-class comprehensive final at the appoinbted time between December 7 and 13. The final will be opened for online students at noon December 12th and closed noon December 13th. It will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions.


 * Regarding Student Behavior**: You are adults and will be expected to act accordingly. For online students this means that I expect you to do your own work. You will not ask anyone else to write papers for you, or you will not simply copy text from various sources and tell me you did it. Turnitin, and other techniques will be used to determine if you have plagiarized. Among the Founders, proper behavior was considered to be a necessary mark of a civilized person and a requirement for political participation. Read through Washington's Rules for Civility and Decent Behavior. It is a great example. Consider adopting a few.

//**Please Note:** If you have any disabilities or other special needs that will affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me. Appropriate steps will be taken to make reasonable accommodations and assistance with your needs.//


 * Scholastic Dishonesty**: If you cheat in any way in this class and are caught, you will fail the course. Do not download items from the internet and pass them off as your own. If you do so, you will receive a zero for that paper or assignment and that grade will be final. If you do it a second time, you risk failing the course, or receiving a sanction for your actions.

In case you need a refreshers: [|What is Plagiarism?]


 * Calendar and Readings**: The links below will take you to the readings for each class. I also want you to regularly read the material on the blog.

Please note that the quizzes (assessments) for each section will be opened on noon of each Thursday and will stay open until 8am the following Monday. The written assignments will be made available at least by the Wednesday of each week and will also be also due the followign Monday. I understand that technical glitches and other things happen from time to time, so I can reopen assessments when necessary.

8/24/2011 - 12/12/2011

August 24: Classes Begin

August 24 - 28 - Welcome to Class; Review of the Syllabus In order for you to get used to the assessment and assignment process, I want you to take an online assessment over the content of the syllabus (It will be opened 8am August 24th and kept open until the end of the semester (December 6th at noon) - you can take it multiple times until you get a 100 on it) and a brief written assignment where I simply want you to say hello to me and perhaps introduce yourself (it will also be opened 8am August 24th - once I receive the message, you will receive a 100 for it). The purpose is to introduce you to the assessment and assignment features in Blackboard.

August 29 - September 4 - Introduction to GOVT 2301 Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday September 1st and will close 8am September 5th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday August 31st and will be due 8am September 5th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

September 5 - 11 (September 5 - Labor Day - no class) - Natural Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday September 8th and will close 8am September 12th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday September 7th and will be due 8am September 12th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

September 12 - 18 - The United States and Texas Constitutions. Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday September 15th and will close 8am September 19th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday September 14th and will be due 8am September 19th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

September 19 - 25 - Federalist 10 and the Violence of Faction. Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday September 22nd and will close 8am September 26th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday September 21st and will be due 8am September 26th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

September 26 - October 2 - Federalist 51 and the Separation of Powers Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday September 29th and will close 8am October 3rd. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday September 28th and will be due 8am October 3rd. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

October 3 - 9 - Federalism. Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday October 6th and will close 8am October 10th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday October 5th and will be due 8am October 10th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

October 10 - 16 - Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday October 13th and will close 8am October 17th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday October 12th and will be due 8am October 17th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

October 17 - 23 - Civil Rights and The Equal Protection Clause Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday October 20th and will close 8am October 24th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday October 19th and will be due 8am October 24th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

October 24 - 30 - Elections Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday October 27th and will close 8am October 31st. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday October 26th and will be due 8am October 31st. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

October 31 - November 6 - Political Parties Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday November 3rd and will close 8am November 7th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday November 2nd and will be due 8am November 7th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

November 7 - 13 - The Freedom of Speech and Public Opinion Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday November 10th and will close 8am November 14th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday November 9th and will be due 8am November 14th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

November 14 - 20 (November 14 - last day to withdraw) - The Freedom of the Press and the Media Assessments for each will be opened by noon Thursday November 17th and will close 8am November 21st. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday November 16th and will be due 8am November 21st. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

November 21 - 27 (November 23 to 25 - no classes - Thanksgiving) - The Freedom to Peacefully Assemble and to Petition Government for a Redress of Grievances and Interests Groups. Assessments for each will be opened by noon Wednesday November 23rd and will close 8am November 28th. The written assignment will be opened by noon Wednesday November 23rd and will be due 8am November 28th. It will be accepted with a late penalty until noon Tuesday December 6th.

November 28 - December 4 - Review There will be no written assignment or assessment this week

December 5 - 6 (December 6 - last day of class) I want all written assignments, including the report, by noon today.

December 7 - 13 - Finals Week

December 14 - 9am - grades turned in