The best way to get in touch with me is via email either through our ANGEL course web site (1^st) or at the address listed above (2^nd)

Course Objectives:

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the American political system. Through active learning and critical thinking students will become familiar with the philosophical foundations of American government; the structure and functions of the three branches of government and various federal agencies; and the many roles individuals, groups and the news media play in American politics and policy making.

Course Requirements:

A large volume of material is covered in this course. Students are expected to keep up with the reading and the corresponding assignments. This includes completing the assigned reading, reviewing the chapter notes and completing any additional online tasks. In addition, it is vital that students stay up on current events in order to facilitate online discussions and enhance your overall learning experience.

The online portion of this course is your primary source of interaction with the material covered, the instructor and your fellow classmates. Students are required to maintain frequent online course activity throughout the semester.

Your online activities will include, but not be limited to: retrieving scheduled assignments, accessing instructor notes, participating in online chats with the instructor and fellow students, utilizing self assessment tools, and downloading exams for independent completion. Your online contacts for this course will be monitored and included as part of your participation grade. A student’s frequency of online activity is vital to success in this course.

Major Learning Outcomes & Course Objectives Stated in Performance Terms:

Below is a link to SPC’s Curriculum Standards for POS 2041. When viewing the list, please scroll down to #42 and select your course, POS 2401, to view the complete document.

http://www.spcollege.edu/central/curriculum/?path=CURRICULUM+PLA-PSY/

Orientation

We will not be holding an official orientation meeting for this course. However, students should retrieve the material found under the "orientation summary" icon. If there are any questions or concerns as to what is expected of you in this course they should be brought to the instructor's attention early and addressed immediately.

Exams

There will be four (4) exams. Exams will total 100 points each, consisting of three multiple choice and short essay exams as well as one detailed essay exam. Please refer to the course web site for the dates.

The detailed essay exam consists of four critical analysis questions covering chapters 4 and 5. You will have one week to complete this intense essay exam. Again, please refer to the course schedule for the weeks we will cover these chapters and the due date for the exam.

Writing Requirements

POS 2041 is a Gordon Rule course. As part of the class, each student is required to write at least 2,000 words. This will be fulfilled two ways:

By completing a “detailed” essay exam. Your essay exam is expected to be a minimum of 1500 words and must include critical analysis of the subject matter that it covers. Instructions for the exam are included with the exam questions on the day that the exam is posted.

AND… completing an “Opinion Paper” – which will be a minimum of 500 words. Details explaining this assignment and the due date will be included our course website prior to the end of the semester due date.

Participation

Class participation is essential to success in this course. Students are expected to view read the assigned pages and complete the lessons EACH WEEK. It is vital for students to keep current with readings and class activities in order to avoid getting behind in this course. Your online activity will be monitored and included as part of your participation grade. Completion of web exploration assignments and participation on our class discussion board make up your overall participation grade. In order to maintain active participation in the course, students must complete web assignments, discussion questions, exams and the opinion paper project as we progress through the semester.

Web Assignments: There are 9 web assignments scheduled with corresponding chapters throughout the semester. Web assignments are worth 10 points each for a total of 90 points.

Discussion Boards: You are expected to participate in the discussion board - at your convenience AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK the entire semester. You can choose a topic, respond with your views or pose another thought provoking subject for others to read. You should attempt to post at least twenty discussion board items in order to receive the full 10 points for this activity.

Your participation grade will be based on frequency of on line activity, frequency of participation on the discussion board and successful completion of the web assignments. Adding together the 90 points for the web assignments and the 10 points for the discussion board will equal 100 points and an “A” in participation.

If a student ceases to complete the scheduled assignments and / or essays in a timely manner, he or she will be considered non-participating and therefore eligible for a “WF” at the 60% point in the semester. If a student’s status changes to non-participating after the 60% drop date, the student will be awarded a failing grade for the course. You may withdraw yourself with a “W” on or before the drop date designated each semester. Students will receive a “WF” for withdrawals after the voluntary withdrawal deadline.

Overall Grade Breakdown:

Exams 60% Opinion Paper 20% Participation 20% = 100%

Grading Scale: 100 – 90 A

89 – 80 B

79 – 70 C

69 – 60 D 59 and below - F

Please note that in order for this class to count towards satisfying the Gordon

Rule requirement, you must earn a grade of “C” or higher.

Student Responsibilities and Conduct Policies:

Students are responsible for all assignments due and material covered during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to remain in contact with the instructor if any problem of concern arises.

If you are having trouble completing the obligations of this course, it is up to you to contact the instructor immediately. If a student neglects to contact the instructor and online activity by the student has ceased, the instructor may drop a student at any time without notice. Students are encouraged to remain in contact with me via email, phone or by setting up an on campus appointment.

Since this course touches on various political subjects and the sometimes-controversial dynamics of American Government, it is essential for us to maintain a civil online environment. Whether on the course discussion board, exchanging emails or during online chats students are expected to show the utmost respect and courtesy for peers with similar AND differing viewpoints.

If you experience a problem with another student regarding discussion board postings – please contact me immediately. Each student is expected to respect the views of others without attacking the individual. You are expected to be diplomatic in every on line exchange. Please proof read each of your messages before you decide to post them, making sure that you are saying what you would like to say in the manner in which you would like it read.

In addition, it is important to remember that on line discussion is quite different from face to face interaction. There are only the written words and the imagination of the reader as to what was “meant” by certain phrasings – so please be considerate of others to make sure that your messages seek to discuss why you have a certain opinion rather than personal attacks. Again, this is a course about politics, so there will be many viewpoints that will spark lively discussion in which academic exchange can take place. Remember to have fun J

Assignment/ Exam Completion:

Due to the nature of the testing in this course, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS are permitted. Again, make-up exams are NOT permitted.

ALL assignments/exams completed through ANGEL must be submitted or completed within the assignment or exam folder. Emailed assignments will NOT be graded. Again, assignments or other files that are emailed will not be accepted and the student will receive a zero for the task. If you experience a technical problem and it impedes your ability to submit the assignment/exam properly, it must be documented and verified by the SPC technology helpdesk (727) 341-HELP. In addition, you must contact me before the due date/time to let me know your technical problem. Remember, your phone works well if your internet is out. You will know all due dates and deadlines well in advance, so you should make sure to plan ample time, well in advance of the due dates, to be online via your computer or the college’s computers in order to complete coursework for this class. Only one technical difficulty “mulligan” is permitted only if you contact me by the due/closing date/time AND with proper documentation and verification of the problem.

Cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with according to SPC policies!

SPC Syllabus addendum: Please read through the SPC policies and deadlines.

http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

Tutoring/Study Skills Information: http://www.spcollege.edu/tsc/info_commons.htm

Technical Support Help Desk: 727-341-4357 http://www.spcollege.edu/helpdesk/

Automated System Check Tool for ANGEL: http://www.spcollege.edu/Central/utilities/systemCheck/

Accident and Health Insurance information is available in the Business Office

Counseling: 727-712-5761

International Students: See Mirva Cuevas, International Student Advisor, 727-712-5761

Career Development Center: 727-712-5438 http://www.spcollege.edu/webcentral/catalog/current/career_dev_center.htm

Guide to Online Learning: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/help/tips.htm

The best way to get in touch with me is via email either through our ANGEL course web site (1st) or at the address listed above (2nd)

Writing Requirements

POS 2041 is a Gordon Rule course. As part of the class, each student is required to write at least 2,000 words. This will be fulfilled two ways:

The best way to get in touch with me is via email either through our ANGEL course web site (1^st) or at the address listed above (2^nd)