Syllabus+-+Summer+2+2010+5+week+GOVT+2301+IND


 * Note: This is still under construction, but it will be finished by the first day of class **


 * Government 2301**
 * Kevin Jefferies**
 * Office: D-225**
 * Office Phone: 281-756-3736**
 * email:** kjefferies@alvincollege.edu.
 * class blog:** [|http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com]


 * GOVT 2301 - IND**


 * Introduction: 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 governmental are quite low. 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 and democratic government therefore go hand in hand. This class is not only offered, but required, in order to ensure that you become a knowledgable participant in the American governing system.


 * 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 an 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 sectiosn 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 infomration which exist online. Your understanding of the assigned material will be assessed in two ways. The first is based on your ability to answer short answer questions while the second will be based on answering multiple choice and other similar 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.


 * Readings:** Although all of the readings in this class are available online in the pages you are linked to 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 tems, usually on a daily basis, that pertain to the subject matter of the class. Everyday 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.


 * Here some online resources that should be useful:**

- [|The Founders' Constitution] - [|U.S. Constitution: FindLaw]. - [|From Revolution to Reconstruction and Afterwards]. - [|The Avalon Project]. - [|Joseph Story: Commentaries on the Constitution]


 * 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:**


 * Short Answer Assignments (50% of your grade):** Each of the sections listed below contain a handful of short answer questions. you will find the questions on the "assignment" link on Blackboard. Some can be answered directly from the material written out in the wiki pages presented to you, some require that you do a little research on your own. Answer each of the assigned questions in at least 150 words, you mau go over. I want you to answer directly in Blackboard. You may put your answer directly on the page or attach a word document. I grade based on length, breadth and comprehensiveness, as well as accuracy, so don't be skimpy. These are designed to get you to think critically about the subject matter. Due dates for the assignments can be found on Blackboard, as well as on the calendar below. I will accept late work, but will deduct 15 points from your grade.


 * Discussions (10% of your grade):** Each week you will note that I've posted a comment on some aspect of that week's topics. They'll tend to be provocative. I want you to respond, substantively, with a comment. I will try to determine whether you are able to discuss, with fluency, that week's subject matter.


 * Multiple Choice Tests (5 @ 5% each):** There will be five online objective tests. These will be in a variety of formats including mutlipe choice, fill in the blank, and whatever else seems appropriate. As with the written assignments, these can be found on Blackboard. The dates for each test are found both below and on Blackboard.


 * Final (15%):** At the end of the semester you will be given a comprehensive cumulative final which covers the various topics covered over the semester.


 * Regarding Student Behavior:** You are adults and will be expected to act accordingly. For onlines 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. 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 hat grade will be final. If you do it a second time, you risk failing the course, or receiving a sanction for you actions.


 * Calendar:**

- Natural Rights and the Declaration of Independence. - multiple choice assessment July 23 - written assignments due July 18
 * Week One (July 14 - 18)**
 * -** Introduction

- multiple choice assessment July 30 - written assignments due July 25
 * Week Two (July 19 - 25)**
 * -** The United States and Texas Constitutions.
 * -** Federalist 10 and the Violence of Faction;
 * -** Federalist 51 and the Separation of Powers.

- multiple choice assessment August 6 - written assignments due August 1
 * Week Three (July 26 - August 1)**
 * -** Federalism
 * -** Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights.
 * -** Civil Rights and The Equal Protection Clause.

- multiple choice assessment August 13 - written assignments due August 8
 * Week Four (August 2 - 8)**
 * -** Elections.
 * -** Political Parties.

- The Freedom of Speech and Public Opinion. - The Press -- a link will be added later on 8/9/10 - Interest Groups -- a link will be added later on 8/9/10 - multiple choice assessment August 13 - written assignments due August 15
 * Week Five (August 9 - 15)**

- Conclusion Cumulative Final: August 18
 * Week Six (August 16 - 18)**


 * Let me know what questions you have and what suggestions you have to make this information clearer.**