COURSE SYLLABUS

Department of Social Sciences

GOVERNMENT 2305 WEB

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Instructor: James M. Gaddy
Office: Deaderick Hall 205
Odessa College, 201 W. University
Odessa, Texas 79764

Phone: (O) 432-335-6536 (C) 432-853-3863 (F) 432-335-6667
Hours:TBA

REQUIRED TEXT:

Dye, Thomas R. Politics in America. Sixth Edition, Prentice Hall Publishing, 2005.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

This course is intended to survey and interpret the institutions of government including the presidency, Congress, the courts and bureaucracy of the U.S. government. It will include the study of domestic and foreign policy issues such as managing the economy, national defense, welfare, civil liberties and civil rights. THIS CLASS IS NOT SELF-PACED, ALL MATERIAL AND EXAMS ARE DATE SPECIFIC AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED ACCORDINGLY!

EXAMINATIONS and GRADING PROCEDURES:

Grades will be based on four (4) scheduled examinations composed of twenty-five (25) multiple choice questions that will be answered and submitted online and one (1) essay question answered/written and submitted at the end of the exam. Each exam will count 20% of the student's final grade. Grading will be in traditional form such as 90+=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, etc.

Exams are DATE SPECIFIC and will be posted in the ASSIGNMENTS link. Should a student miss an exam date, "make-up" exams are administered through consultation with the professor (see staff information) and mutual agreement only.

EACH EXAM WILL COUNT 20% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE!

WRITING/RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT:

Students will undertake a short writing assignment during the semester. The topic and format of the paper are detailed within this web site and may be accessed by clicking on the above link (writing and research assignment).

THE PAPER WILL COUNT 15% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE!

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READINGS IN THE CHAPTERS AND LINKS PROVIDED IN THE SYLLABUS ON THE EXAMS!!

REACTION PAPERS: (EXTRA CREDIT ON EXAMS)

At the end of each unit which has been studied, the students will have an opportunity to write a Reaction Paper. Reacting to whatever the student chooses, for example the instructors availability, presentation of material online, or the student might include a critique of the textbooks being used. The paper can also include concerns on the technology and navigation tools of the course itself. Anything the student wishes to convey is acceptable and encouraged. I do read, comprehend and consider the information offered in the Reaction Papers. Worth 10 extra credit points, on exams.

DISCUSSION GROUPS: A discussion group is designed to involve students in critical thinking/analysis, student collaboration on special topics, and develop class cohesion and participation in a manner which should be seamless. For instructions click on the Discussion Board link.

WEB ASSIGNMENTS and DISCUSSION GROUP PARTICIPATION WILL COUNT 5% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE FACTORED AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER. IF A STUDENT DOES NOT TURN IN A WEB ASSIGNMENT OR DOES NOT ENTER THE DISCUSSION FOR EACH UNIT, THE 5% WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE FINAL GRADE!

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COURSE OUTLINE and READING ASSIGNMENTS:

UNIT 1

The Executive Branch (Presidency)
Selection Process (Formal and Informal Criteria)
Constitutional Roles/Functions
Extra-Constitutional Functions
Foreign and Domestic Policy Development
Article II Constitution

Politics in America. Article II Constitution, Chapters 11, 18.

Discussion Group Topic Unit One: Does the President have a line-item veto? Should the President have an item veto?

Web Assignment Unit One: Go to the American Presidents web site at www.americanpresidents.org/ and write a political biography of a president of your choice. Include their challenges as president, their triumphs and defeats as president in domestic and foreign policy. Your paper should be about a page in length. Email your paper as an attachment in WORD or in the Digital Drop Box by the date posted in the ASSIGNMENTS link.

Reaction Paper No. 1-extra credit (10 pts.), due one week after exam.

EXAMINATION 1 DATE: Sept. 22, 2006 @ 8:00 p.m.

UNIT 2

The Legislative Branch (bi-cameral)
Roles and Functions of Congresspeople
Legislative Process and Procedures (How a Bill Becomes Law)
Conflicts Between the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch
Political Parties and Interest Groups

Politics in America: Article I Constitution, and Chapters 10,16.

Discussion Group Topic Unit Two: Describe some of the conflicts between the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch.

Web Assignment Unit Two: Go to the U.S. House web site at www.house.gov and choose a member from one of the Texas districts 11, 19, 21 or 23 and describe the district represented and then list the committee assignments of the member, legislation introduced by the member, and briefly summerize biographical data about the member.

Also go to the Senate web site at www.senate.gov and do the same for our two Texas senators.

Reaction Paper No. 2-extra credit (10 pts.), due one week after exam.

EXAMINATION 2 DATE: Oct. 20, 2006 @ 8:00 p.m.

UNIT 3

The Bureaucracy Models
Weberian Model (RATIONAL-LEGAL MODEL)
Acquisitive and Monopolistic Models
Bureaucratic Policy Making
Bureaucratic Pathologies (Problems w/ Bureaucracy vs. Democracy)

Politics in America: 12, 17.

Discussion Group Topic Unit Three: How or can the growth of the federal bureaucracy be controlled and by what branch of government?

Web Assignment Unit Three: Go to the following admistrative web site www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html and choose any department, agency or government corporation and briefly, again one page, describe the structure and responsibilities or regulations of the department or agency.

Reaction Paper No. 3-extra credit (10 pts.), due one week after exam.

EXAMINATION 3 DATE: Nov. 1, 2006 @ 8:00 p.m.

UNIT 4

The Court System (Federal)
The Supreme Court
Civil Liberties
Civil Rights
Article III Constitution

Politics in America: Article III Constitution and Chapters 13, 14, 15.

Discussion Group Topic Unit Four: What is the difference between Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and where specifically in the Constitution are they found?

Web Assignment Unit Four: Go to the Supreme Court's web site at www.supremecourtus.gov and briefly describe the Court's history, formal proceedings and when the Court meets and sits to hear cases.

Reaction Paper No. 4-extra credit (10 pts.), due immediately after the final exam.

EXAMINATION 4 (FINAL) DATE: Dec. 12, 2006 @ 8:00pm NO EXCEPTIONS!!

 

NOTE: If any student feels a need or thinks there is a concern to have a private conference with the instructor at any time during the semester, PLEASE feel free to let me know and we will schedule an appointment so we may talk. Additionally, you may email me or call me at home 432-368-4701. DO NOT PUT THINGS OFF until the end of the semester or it may be difficult to provide a possible remedy!!

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES GOVT 2305 WEB

Upon completion of Govt 2305 Web, the student should be able to:

Critically evaluate and interpret contemporary political issues and problems.

Demonstrate proficiency in writing on a contemporary political topic.

Demonstrate computer literacy, conduct internet-based research.

Describe the structure and formal/informal operations of the legislative branch at the national level.

Demonstrate an understanding of the bureaucracy at the national level.

Analyze the structure and operations of the judicial branch at the national level.

Analyze issues relating to foreign and domestic policy-making.

Discuss issues relating to civil liberties, civil rights, First Amendment freedoms and criminal justice.

Research Assignment. (Click link located in left menu for instructions.)