Fall, 2008
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| PLS 135 Course Bulletin Board Fall, 2008 |
|
Chp. 1 -- Constitutional Democracy
|
Fall, 2008 Class Pictures:
Course of Study for PLS 135 Fall, 2008
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
his
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.
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.
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, internet use, research, testing, homework,
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 quizzes 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 during the semester, a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will cover material from the first half of the term and the final exam will cover material from 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 containing all the possible essay questions. The exams must be taken in a proctored environment.TESTS-- The remaining sixty percent (60%) of your course grade will be the average of your tests scores. There will be approximately 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 of 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 tests, you must communicate it to me before the test is scheduled unless it is manifestly impossible to do so. I might agree to schedule an early test for you or if I agree to excuse the test, you may take a special mid-term or final that will count as both an exam and a test grade, or some other assignment chosen by me to substitute for the missed test.
Two Test Grades will be entered for class participation (therefore, you will have approximately eight test grades). Class participation includes attendance (for the entire class period and participating in all course activities), 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.
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, as well as the services of the Achievement Center, 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;
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 654, ACC. A copy of my class schedule with office
hours marked is posted there and on my home and Blackboard pages. 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 the end of the eighth week of regular class, Thurday, October 30. 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.
Warning! VCCS policy prohibits enolling in a course more than twice unless mitigating circumstances exist. A W grade counts for an enrollment.
PLS 135 Course Calendar, Fall, 2008
First Class Meeting . . . . . . .
. . . . . . Monday, August 25
Labor Day Holiday, No Class . . . . . Monday, September 1
Tests (about six) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Be Announced
Mid-Term Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, October 17
Last Day to W/D with W . . . . . . . . . . Thursday, October 30
Thanksgiving Holiday, No Class . . . November 24 - 28
Last Class Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, December 15
Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Be Announced
December 16 - 22
Course Topics, PLS 135, Fall 2008
The required textbook for the course is Government by the
People, National, State, and Local Edition by Magleby, et al. Person,
Prentice Hall Publisher, 22nd edition. Some of you will be using older
editions of the same text, so make sure you read assignments based on Chapter
titles, rather than Chapter numbers.
A. Historical and Philosophical Background to United States Government
& Politics
Chp. 1 -- Constitutional Democracy
Chp. 2 -- The Living Constitution
B. The United States
Constitution and U.S. Political Environment
U.S. Constitution, p 47
Chp. 3 -- American Federalism
Chp. 4 -- Political Culture and
Ideology
Chp. 5 -- The American
Political Landscape
Chp. 8 -- Public Opinion,
Participation, and Voting
C. Civil Rights & Liberties
Chp. 15 -- First Amendment Freedoms
Chp. 16 -- Rights to Life, Liberty,
And Property
Chp. 17 -- Equal Rights Under the Law
D. Branches of the National Government
Chp. 14 -- The Judiciary
Chp. 26 -- Judges and Justice in the States
Chp. 11 -- Congress
Chp. 12 -- The Presidency
Chp. 13 -- The Federal Administrative
System