Tulsacommunity College, Northeast Campus

Fall 2014 POLS1113-621-17809-201510

SYLLABUS

TulsaCommunity College, Northeast Campus

Fall 2014

Course: Political Science 1113, American Federal Government, Section 621, CRN.17809

Day(s) and Time(s): WF 8:15-9:35A.M.

Location: TPS-Will Rogers College High

Instructor: Earl W. Wolfe, B.A., J.D., M.A.

Office Hrs: By appointment

TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OFFICE:

Evening Operations-Northeast CampusDivision Name: EXCELerate Concurrent Enrolment

Director: Michael J. Limas

Office: A-151Dean of High School Relations: Rick Roach

Phone: 918-595-7473Division Office Number: NE2425

Instructor’s Home Phone: 918-497-7944Division Phone Number: 918-595-7811

E-Mail:

Instructor’s Cell Phone: 918-557-1097Emergency Number: 918-595-8888 (TCC

E-Mail: Campus Police Department)

PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE: None

Course Description: A study of the principles, structure, processes, and functions of the

United States federal government. Lecture – 3 hours. No laboratory.

NEXT COURSE(S) IN SEQUENCE: POLS 2013, Introduction to Comparative Governments

Textbooks & supplemental Material:

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Thomas E. Patterson, The American Democracy, Eleventh Edition,

Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2013.

Four examination books (8 ½” x 11”) that may be purchased from the TCC Campus bookstore.

Four Scantrons for quizzes.

Ink pens (preferably black or blue ink) for examinations and No. 2 pencils for Scantrons.

Other Resources:

1. Documents and materials to be distributed in class or located on the internet by assignment.

2. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers OR handout materials summarizing

these requirements which may be obtained from the LRC, the TCC writing tutors, or online at

3.Pay attention to current events because they are extremely relevant to this class.

4.From time-to-time, I may suggest interviews, events, speeches, biographies, and other programs on television or the internet for you to review in connection with our class discussions.

5.There are many web sites on the internet that give students the opportunity to read and/or download full text copies or summaries of documents that are relevant to the study of American Federal Government. While it is essential to your learning experience that you utilize these web sites on a regular basis, you should understand that there is a lot of unreliable information on the internet. If you decide to use an internet source, you should carefully determine its accuracy, integrity, and veracity. A web sites that I find useful is the Avalon Project at Yale Law School

6.Blackboard will be used for communications, announcements, supplemental assignments, access to grades, and other purposes. Your default TCC e-mail address will be used for all purposes by the instructor to communicate with you directly.

GENERAL EDUCATION GOAL STATEMENT:

The General Education Goals are designed to ensure that graduates of Tulsa Community College

have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to carry them successfully through their work and their

personal lives. General Education Goals relevant to this course include, Critical Thinking;

Effective Communication; Civic Responsibility; Global Awareness; and Computer Proficiency.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1.Explain the origins of the American system of governance, and discuss the ideas underlying the founding of the nation.

1. Define the concept of federalism and its various interpretations, and discuss the relationship between the national and state governments.
2. Describe each of the three branches of the federal government and their respective responsibilities, as well as the relationships to the other two branches.
3. Describe the processes that facilitate and sustain representative government (campaigns, elections, lawmaking, policy making), as well as the entities that participate in this process (parties, interest groups, the bureaucracy, etc.).
4. Discuss the range of political beliefs and ideologies active in American politics, anddescribe how these measured and recorded public opinion.
5. Assess the ways in which politics influences our daily lives and the course of current events.
6. Speak, think, and write critically and analytically about all of these subjects

Teaching Methods:

This course is designed to be challenging and to encourage critical thinking. It will be taught in

a lecture/discussion format. Lectures will interpret and discuss some of the ideas in the text, but

will not entirely duplicate that material. Reading assignments are noted in this syllabus and will

be mentioned in class as we proceed. Wherever possible, full text documents to be read on the

internet will be assigned rather that distributing photocopies in class. Most full text documents

on the internet can be printed out if you want a hard copy. Reading assignments, whether text or

otherwise, should be read before class. There may be media presentations during some

classroom periods. You will be responsible for these extra materials and, therefore, attendance is

very important. Following are additional class requirements:

1.Complete all reading assignments. Current events will be discussed wherever appropriate in connection with the assigned material. You should get in the habit of reading newspapers, news magazines, academic journals, and other similar materials.

2.Take lecture notes and notes on the media presentations and discussions as appropriate. After class, rewrite and reorganize your notes. Review your notes as necessary to achieve an understanding of the material.

3.Take quizzes on the date scheduled.

4.Take all examinations on the date scheduled.

5.Complete the writing assignment not later than the deadline imposed by this syllabus.

6.Participate in the classroom discussions of the lecture materials and reading assignments.

Evaluation Techniques:

1. There will be three mid-term exams and a final exam during the semester. Dates are noted on the Tentative Schedule of Activities. Each of theexams will test only the material covered since the previous exam, or in the case of the first exam, since the beginning of the course. Each exam will be worth a possible 100 points. Exams will include only identification, short answer, and essay questions. At least one week prior to any scheduled exam, a review sheet will be posted on Blackboard that will describe topics to be included on the exam.
2. There will be four quizzes that will consist only of multiple choice questions. The material covered by the quizzes and the dates of the quizzes are listed on the tentative schedule included in this syllabus. Each quiz has a possible value of twenty-five points.
3. Each student is being given two packets of materials. The first is a power point slide presentation that we will go over in class dealing with critical thinking. The second packet is a selection of ten readings that you will read and use to prepare a Critical Thinking Report to be turned in on the due date shown on the tentative schedule. Each of these ten CTRs has a possible value of ten points.
4. The writing assignment for this semester is to prepare a position paper. Each student should assume that he/she is an aide to a federal government political figure: president, vice-president, senator, representative, or cabinet secretary. In your capacity as an aide to that official, you are being asked to prepare a position paper on the topic that is stated below. Your position paper should: (1) State the problem succinctly; (2) Identify and state the arguments on both sides of the problem; (3) Provide authorities for those arguments: constitutional provision., statute, court case, regulation, speech, book, article, letter, etc.; (4) Take a position on one side or the other of the problem—do not be wishy-washy—I want a precise position supported by relevant evidence; (5) Include at least five reasons, supported by evidence, to support the position you take. There are actually three steps you will take in the research, preparation, and submission of your paper: (a) Prepare a precis to be submitted on the date show on the tentative schedule. A precis is an abstract, proposal, or summary of what you intend to write about in your paper. It should not exceed one typewritten page. It should be preceded by enough research so that you have some idea of what you will write about. It is not necessarily binding—it is tentative. The precis will have a possible value of twenty-five points. (b) Prepare a detailed outline of your paper including a thesis statement. This outline should be submitted on the date shown on the tentative schedule and, by this time, your research should be complete and you should be ready to write your paper. The outline has a possible value of twenty-five points. (c) Submit your paper through Safe Assign on Blackboard by the date shown on the tentative schedule. Your position paper should be typewritten, on letter size paper, double-spaced, utilizing Times New Roman 12 font. Quotations over four lines in length must be set in five spaces on either side and single spaced. Pages must be numbered. There should be a cover sheet identifying the title of the paper, your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date. The paper is to be 8-10 pages in length, excluding the cover sheet and works cited pages. Your instructor should be able to find citations within the paper to all resources listed on the works cited page. The issue upon which you are being asked to prepare a position paper is: With thousands of miles of porous borders, the United States has experienced significant increases in illegal or undocumented immigration since the immigration laws were last revised in 1986 during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. This is a particularly significant problem in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, all of which border Mexico, and to a lesser extent, a problem in other states, as well. A law was enacted in 2008 designed to protect female refugees from Mexico from sexual harassment or enslavement. After he was sworn into office, President Obama sought and failed to get Congress to pass a Dream Act that would permit undocumented children in the United States to stay here. After this Act failed to pass, the president issued an Executive Order purporting to create this right. Overthe last three years, the numbers of unaccompanied minor refugees has soared creating a crisis on the border, particularly in Texas. Many of these children come from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Adult undocumented persons have also increased with a recent Border Patrol report indicating that the undocumented persons come from as many as 144 different countries. Issues raised include national security, health care, education, welfare, civil rights, and other issues. Attempts have been made by both political parties to address this issue, but Congress is so polarized that nothing has been accomplished. Your assignment is to prepare a position paper meeting the criteria set forth above in which you make recommendations to your boss as to the position that he/she should take on this question as a federal official.
5. Grading: Students will earn their grade in this course by accumulating points from the following sources:

Three mid-term exams – possible 300 points

Final exam – possible 100 points

Writing assignment -- possible 150 points

Four quizzes--possible 100 points

Critical Thinking Reports—possible 100 points

Total possible points for the semester (exclusive of extra credit) 750 points

GRADING SCALE:

89.5% - 100% = A

79.5% - 89.4%= B

69.5% - 79.4%= C

59.5% - 69.4%= D

Below 59.5% = F

late assignments POLICY:

The possible grade for late assignments will be reduced by ten points forthe first 24 hours and

five points for each day thereafter up to the end of a week. After that, late assignments will not

be accepted or graded.

MAKE-UP QUIZ/EXAM POLICY:

Students who miss a mid-term exam will have one week to make up the exam. The instructor

reserves the right to give a different set of questions on the make-up exam than the one given

to students in the regularly scheduled mid-term exam. There are NO make-up exams on the

final exam. Quizzes may only be made up during the next class period after the quiz is missed.

Attendance POLICY:

Regular attendance is not only important from the standpoint of learning, but also is required in

order to be successful in this course. Students are responsible for all materials covered during

their absence and for any changes made in the agenda. Students who are excessively absent may

be administratively withdrawn at the discretion of the instructor.

If a student has serious extenuating circumstances during the semester that affects his/her ability

to attend class, the student should make special arrangements with the professor as soon as the

problem is identified.

Inclement Weather and class cancellation policy:

When inclement weather hits, you may assume that TCC will be open for classes unless it is

announced otherwise on television and radio stations. If your instructor decides individually to cancel class because of inclement weather or other unexpected reasons, your instructor will contact you. If time permits, the announcement will be placed on Blackboard in the “Announcements” section. If the time is too short, then an e-mail will be sent to students or they will be called on the telephone. If the high school closes and TCC does not, this class will not meet. In that event, there may be an additional homework assignment in lieu of that class meeting. Check on Blackboard for any schedule changes or announcements resulting from the closure.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

Other classes meet in our classroom. As you leave, please dispose of any trash you may have

created while in class (scraps of paper, cups, soft drink containers, etc.). If you bring a cell

phone to class, be sure that it is turned off by the time class begins.

Tardiness, leaving duringclass, leaving class early, reading newspapers during class, extraneous

conversations while lecture or class discussion is in progress, use of offensive language,

sleeping, and working on assignments in other courses are all unacceptable practices that will not

be tolerated. If these occur, you may be asked by the instructor to leave the classroom.

Electronic devices for recording lectures or laptop computers for taking notes may, with the

permission of the instructor, be used in class. However, notice is hereby given that such devices

are subject to inspection at anytime by the instructor without further notice. Misuse of the

devices will result in the student being banned from the use of those devices in class. Under no

circumstances may cameras, including, but not limited to, those in cell phones, be used in the

classroom, without specific approval, in advance, from the instructor. During examinations, no

electronic devices will be permitted to be operable by the students.

DISABILITY RESOURCES:

It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning

environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans With

Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request

accommodations, contact the Education Access Office (EAC) at or call (918)

595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.

PLAGIARISM POLICY:

Plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of another

writer are your own; it includes having another writer do work claimed to be your own, copying

the work of another and presenting it as your own, or following the work of another as a guide to

ideas and expression that are then presented as your own. The student should review the relevant

sections of the TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook.

At the instructor’s discretion, a student guilty of plagiarism may receive a zero for the

assignment and/or an “F” in the course.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL

The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed three-fourths (3/4) the duration of any

class. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for the deadline that applies to the course(s). Begin

the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned to the course. Contact the

Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course (“W” grade) or to

change from credit to audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after the

drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students

may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC.

Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of

“F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:

The instructor may change the Schedule of Activities AT ANY TIME by verbal or written

notification in class and/or by updating on Blackboard.

DATEREADING ASSIGNMENTACTIVITY

August 20/22 Patterson, Chapter 1 Review Syllabus andlecture

August 27/29Patterson, Chapter 2Lecture

The Declaration of Independence[1]

The Constitution (incl. amendments)[2]

Articles of Confederation[3]

Sep. 3/5Patterson, Chapter 3Lecture

Federalist No. 10[4]CTR 1 due 9/3

Federalist No. 51[5]

Sep. 10/12Patterson, Chapter 4Lecture/CTR 2 due 9/10

Precis due 9/12

Sep. 17/19Patterson, Chapter 5Lecture/Quiz 1[6] 9/17

Sep. 24/26Patterson, Chapter 11Exam 1 9/24 and lecture

Oct. 1/3Patterson, Chapter 12Lecture/CTR 3 due 10/1

Oct. 8/10Patterson, Chapter 13Lecture/Submit outline for writing assignment 10/8

Oct. 15Patterson, Chapter14Quiz 2[7]/Lecture

Oct. 17NO CLASS – PROFESSIONAL DAY

Oct.24/26Patterson, Chapter 6Exam 2 on 10/24 – CTR 4 due 10/26 - Lecture

Oct. 31/Nov.2Patterson, Chapters7-8Lecture/CTR 5 due Nov. 2

Nov. 5/7Patterson, Chapters9-10Quiz 3[8] on 11/5, CTR 6 due 11/7. Lecture

Nov. 12/14Patterson, Chapter 15Exam 3 on 11/12, CTR 7 due 11/14

Nov. 19/21Patterson, Chapter16CTR 8 due 11/19. Film on both dates (Commanding Heights: The Battle of Ideas)-Extra Credit TBA

Nov. 26/28NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec. 3/5Patterson, Chapter 17Quiz 4[9] on 12/3, CTR 9 due 12/5, Lecture

Dec. 5 – Position paper to be submitted through Safe Assign by 11:59pm

Dec,10/12 CTR10 due 12/10