Spring, 2010
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jbarnes@dslcc.edu
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PLS 136 Bulletin Board |
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Check the Course Bb page under Course Information for the Study Sheet.
The Voice Board Mid-Term Study Session is also posted there. Virginia State Legislature Web Site Richmond Sunlight Legislature Web Site
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Class Pictures Spring, 2010:
| PLS 136
Spring, 2010 |
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MWF Noon -12:50, Room 649 &
Elluminate
John's Contact Info: Email: jbarnes@dslcc.edu
Cell: 540-691-7763 Office:
540-863-2886 Home: 540-862-1271
Office: Room 650
This
course is taught as a hybrid course which includes meetings at the same time and
same place just like a conventional class for the people who choose to meet live
with me in Room 649, but with additional course components. Hybrid
courses use the world wide web, Blackboard
course management system, video and audio pod casts, and Elluminate web conferencing software to provide
lectures, group discussion, interactive links, email communication, testing,
homework assignments, study sessions, virtual office hours, and discussion board
as well as assignments and other course information. Class attendance
(in person or virtually for those who attend some or all class sessions
somewhere other than Room 649) is required because much of the course content is
still provided in classroom activities and some of the Bb and
computer activities occur in a monitored classroom setting.
To take this class you will need:
1.) a college
email address to receive course communications and
access Bb and other features (This detail will be taken care of the first day of class if
you don't already have one.);
2.) access to the internet (Not necessarily from your personal home
computer--you may use computers available at the college) so you can use
Bb, Elluminate, Podcasts, and web pages;
3.) the textbook;
4.) a set of
headphones with microphone attached;
5.) Lockdown
Browser installed on any computer used for taking tests and exams.
To take advantage of the distance or e-Learning components of this class you must have reliable equipment and internet connection. You should have a plan B in place in case of equipment problems. Often, you will have the option of participating class, using college equipment, in Room 649. Non-proctored tests require that you use Lockdown Browser. Mid-Term and Final Exams must be taken in a proctored location.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
PLS 135 American National Politics (3cr) Teaches political institutions and processes of the national government of the United States. Focuses on Congress, Presidency and the Courts, and on their interrelationships. Gives attention to public opinion, suffrage, elections, policy, political parties, interest groups, civil rights, domestic policy, and foreign relations.
PLS 136 Teaches structure, power and functions of state and local government in the United States. It also covers politics and elections and government policy-making at all levels of government.
Prerequisites: ENG 01 & 04 Corequisities: ENG 03 & 05
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:
The U.S. Government courses provide an introduction to American politics at the national, state and local levels. PLS 135 concentrates on Constitutional Structure and American National government . PLS 136 concentrates on the political process and state and local governments. Many students take the two courses as a sequence, but each course is also designed to stand alone. They outline the structure and policies of United States governments. They introduce you to the social scientists’ approach to individual and group behavior. They include reviews of case studies, both historical and contemporary, of government decision-making. The goal is to help you gain an understanding of the operation of the governmental process at each level and to provide your with insights into many contemporary social issues with which government deals. It will cover these issues within the context of the American political and social systems including the major institutions of the Constitutional system.
A major objective of the course is to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for the analysis of current political events which affect you and your society. We will study the interaction of political interests, ideas, institutions, and individuals to see how it results in public policy. Ideally, you will become more aware of your role in the political process and develop a better understanding of how the U.S. system of government and politics operates, and increase your ability for critical evaluation and expression.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES:
The course instructional procedures include reading, writing, discussion, lecture, audio-visual presentations, research, testing, homework, group projects and individual conferences with me. To a great extent, classroom activities will be independent of the text and other readings. I will not attempt to "cover" or duplicate reading assignments in class. You are expected to complete all reading and related homework assignments before we cover a topic in class so you can better understand classroom activities and participate meaningfully in them. It is important that you take good notes of classroom activities to use as you prepare for tests and exams. You should make arrangements for someone to tape class and/or provide you a copy of their notes for any classes you must miss since you will be responsible for all material covered.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
EXAMINATIONS
--There will be two examinations, a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will cover material for the first half of the term and the final will cover material for the second half of the term. Each of these exams will count for twenty percent (20%) of your course grade. The exams will consist of questions taken from the tests for each half of the course plus essay questions which will be provided in advance on a study sheet, which will contain all the possible essay questions. The short answer portion of the exam will count for one-third and the essay portion for two-thirds of the exam grade. The exams will be taken in a proctored environment.TESTS-- The remaining sixty percent (60%) of your course grade will be the average of your test scores. There will be about six tests during the term. Each test will consist of multiple choice, true-false, and short answer questions. They will be based on the reading assignments plus notes from classroom material. After the tests are graded, a score for the test will be entered in the Bb grade book. We will go over each test in class and it is important that you take good notes on this review because some of the test questions will also be on the exams.
No make-up tests are permitted. If you have a compelling reason for missing a test, you must communicate it to me before the test is scheduled, unless that is manifestly impossible to do. If I agree to excuse the test, you will take a special mid-term or final exam that will count as both an exam grade and for the missed test, or some other assignment that I determine will substitute.
ATTENDANCE & CLASS PROJECT GRADES--Two Test Grades will be entered for class participation (therefore, you will have approximately eight test grades). Class participation includes attendance (must attend whole session and respond to all requested interactions), and all other assignments and projects. I assume you registered for this course intending to master the content and earn credit for the class. To accomplish this will require a significant investment of time and effort on your part. If your personal circumstances won’t allow this level of effort, perhaps you should reconsider your decision to enroll at this time.
If you miss no classes, your attendance grade will be 100%. Missed class are not excused and will negatively affect your attendance grade. A week of absences results in a grade of 90%, more than a week is 80%, two weeks is 70%, more than two weeks is 60%, three weeks is 50% and so on.
The key to success is to attend every class session (much of the information you will need for quizzes, homework and examinations will come only from classroom activities), take good notes, study all assigned readings, thoroughly prepare for each test and examination, and successfully complete all writing assignments, projects, and homework on time. Take advantage of my office hours and study sessions to get all the individual help you need.
Classroom Conduct
--Students must assume a great deal of the responsibility for maintaining a good teaching/learning environment in the classroom. Your contribution needs to include:1. Arrive on time and don’t leave until class ends, pay attention and engage in all interactivity, whether you are participating live or virtually;
2. Remain awake, alert, participate, and arrive prepared;
3. Don’t carry on side conversations, pass notes, or induce other distractions including beepers, cell phones, irrelevant computer activities, and text messaging;
4. Don’t bring children to class.
The grading scale is: Below 60%=F; 60-69%=D; 70-79%=C; 80-89%=B; 90%+=A.
OFFICE HOURS:
My office is located in Room 650, ACC. A copy of my class schedule with office hours marked is posted there and one my Social Sciences Home Page. Please feel free to call or email me if that’s more convenient.WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Withdrawal from the class with no penalty may be made up to Monday, March 29. You will be allowed to withdraw from the course with a grade of W after this date only if you have a documented mitigating circumstance. Initiating a withdrawal is your responsibility. I will not initiate the Administrative Withdrawal procedure.
Course Calendar, Spring, 2010
Spring, 2010 Course Calendar MWF Classes
First Day of Class . . . . . . . . Monday, Jan. 11
Last Day to Add . . . . . . . . . Friday, Jan. 15
Last Drop w/Refund . . . . . Thursday, Jan 28
Tests 1 – 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . TBA
Mid-Term Exam . . . . . . . . Friday, March 5
Spring Break No Class . . . March 8 – 12
Last Day for W . . . . . . . . . Monday, Mar 29
Last Day of Class . . . . . . . . Friday, April 30*
Reading/Make-up Days . . May 3 & 4*
Final Exams . . . . . . . . . . . May 5-7 & 10-11*
Graduation . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, May 14
*Days may vary due to Inclement Weather
Closings
during the semester.
Course Content / Text Reading Assignments:
The required textbook for the course is Magleby, et al, Government By The People: National, State, and Local Edition, 22nd ed., Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishers, 2008. Additional reading assignments and activities will be made available on Blackboard.
Following are the chapters we will cover this semester in their approximate order.
Introduction To American Federalism
Chp. 3 -- American Federalism
Chp. 4 -- Political Culture & Ideology
The Virginia General Assembly
Chp 24 -- State Legislatures
The Political Process
Chp. 6 -- Interest Groups
Chp. 7 -- Political Parties
Chp. 9 -- Campaigns and Elections
Chp. 23 -- Parties and Elections in the States
Chp. 10 -- The Media and American Politics
The Politics of Policy-Making:
National, State & Local
Chp. 21 -- State and Local Politics
Chp. 22 -- State Constitutions
Chp. 25 -- State Governors
Chp. 18 -- Making Economic and Regulatory Policy
Chp. 19 -- Making Social Policy
Chp. 20 -- Making Foreign and Defense Policy
Local Governments
Chp. 27 -- Local Governments and Metropolitics
Chp. 29 -- Staffing and Financing State and Local
Governments