POS 2041 - Faculty Website Index Valencia College

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Spring 2012
Course Syllabus-Outline
American National Government-POS 2041
Phone: TBA
Mon & Wed 1:00 – 2:15 PM
Location: TBA
Instructor, Tyler A. Branz
Office: TBA
E-Mail: TBA
Section: XXXXX
Spring Session
POS 2041: Course Description
Analysis of the organization, structure and operational dynamics of the U.S.
national government, both past and present, and an examination of the U.S.
Constitution, including principles and theories supporting it. This course
includes learning activity designed to ensure competence in the basic use of
computers, media sites and presentations.
Texts and Materials
Welch, Susan. Et al., Understanding American Government. (13 th Edition.
Thompson Wadsworth, 2009) ISBN – 978-1-133-06872-3
(Loose Leaf – so bring a BINDER!)
Evaluation, Testing and Grading
There will be three (3) examinations of equal value this session. Each exam
will cover only the units specified. This may include class discussion,
materials, online assignments and media during that unit.
Exams (3): Worth 20% Each (60% Total)
Quizzes and Homework: Total 10%
Written Assignments: Total 25%
Attendance: Total 5%
Grade Scale
A= 90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=below 60%
Branz
2010

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for reading and taking notes on the textbook chapters
before each class. This is so the students and the instructor may have a fuller
and more involved discussion during the lecture period. If you are having
trouble understanding any material, please come see the instructor before or
after class, or feel free to make an appointment for another time (see Contact
Info at the top).
Also, any and all work you may complete in this class may be used for research
and development here at Valencia College.
Course Objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of the core values supporting the democratic
tradition of the United States.
- Develop an understanding of the effects of government (at all levels in the
United States) on citizens’ lives and the effects of citizens on government in
pursuit of social, political and economic goals.
- Utilize critical thinking in analyzing political, social and economic issues.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policy
Attendance is required for the course, as discussions can be quite useless if
there is no one to attend them. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of
each class, and is worth 5 percent of your final grade. Those who are
consistently absent will still be responsible for the work they miss (notes, exams
and assignments). Any work which is not completed by the appropriate
deadline will receive a zero. I will not withdraw you.
Arriving late and leaving early can disturb the class immensely. Therefore, if
noticed coming in late or leaving early consistently, you may be marked absent.
However, should a class be missed, students are responsible for obtaining any
information, notes or materials that were missed. In the event an emergency
causes an examination to be missed, make-up exams can be arranged with
the instructor’s consent within three (3) days of the missed exam and with
a documented excuse. This means you MUST communicate with the
instructor within those 3 days following the missed exam. No
communication…no make-up!
Branz
2010

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades,
and Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal
deadline of (March 23, 2012) will receive a grade of “W.” A student is not
permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. Students who stay in the
class after this deadline are responsible to complete all work required for the
course; for example, homework, projects, tests, etc. If you choose to stop
coming to the class after the Withdrawal deadline, you will be held responsible
for all work missed, including the final. Any work which is not completed by
the appropriate deadline will receive a zero.
Hence, the final grade for the course will be determined by taking into
consideration the percentages obtained by work which was turned in and the
zeros given to work which was not turned in on time. Students can still be
withdrawn by the college for violations of the college’s code of conduct
policies. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a
third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”
For a complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please
go to:
(http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/)
( http://valenciacollege.edu/calendar/importantdates_withdraw.cfm )
(http://valenciacollege.edu/calendar/documents/2011-2012ImportantDatesCalendar_000.pdf)
Quizzes and Homework
There will be quizzes starting in Week 3 and will occur every other week
throughout the semester. Quizzes will only cover material discussed and
lectured on in class. Homework will be assignments related to the readings.
Quizzes and homework are not meant to harm your grade, but to help with more
points and to assist in your digestion of the information.
Written Assignments
Each student will be required to write a term paper on an issue of political
science and/or American national government. This may concern something
discussed in class or a topic outside the scope of POS 2041 (i.e. international
relations with the U.S.). All topics must be approved by the instructor before
undertaking the research. See Course Calendar for Term Paper due date. Proper
citation of sources will be discussed. Further information on the details of the
paper will be provided. There may also be a secondary written assignment
(TBD).
Branz
2010

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Exams
There will be three course exams (one FINAL) throughout the semester (see
Course Calendar and Schedule) and will be worth 60% of your total grade.
Exams will only cover material found in the textbook, in the lecture and other
media presented in class. Topics of discussion usually will not be covered in
the exams.
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to write, test, discuss and perform in this class admirably
and honestly. Please refer to the Valencia Student Handbook or
(http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=193) if
you need information on academic honesty.
Classroom Conduct
The student’s full attention is expected during the lecture. The instructor will
provide their full attention when students speak, and students are expected to
treat each other with that same respect. Each student has something interesting
to say, and therefore each student deserves their time to say it. ALL CELL
PHONES SHOULD BE ON SILENT AND PUT AWAY. No text messaging.
Laptops are allowed for academic purposes (i.e. bringing up information for
discussion, talking points or taking notes.)
Class Website
There is a website specifically intended to store the syllabi and class
PowerPoints. If you ever need the lecture or have lost your copy of the
syllabus, head to this class’ Frontdoor Faculty Website:
URL: http://frontdoor.valenciacollege.edu/?tbranz
Branz
2010

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Course Calendar and Schedule (subject to revision)
During the class term, this syllabus may be altered or modified at the instructor’s discretion.
You will have adequate notice to any changes, but it is the responsibility of the student to
make any adjustments as announced.
Week 1: “The American Political Scene”
• Introduction of course and all things political science
• Chapter 1: The American People
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
Week 2: “We the People…”
• Chapter 2: The Constitution
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
Week 3: “Systems of Government and How They Work”
• Chapter 3: Federalism
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• Quiz
Week 4: “The Legislative Branch Makes the Laws”
• Chapter 10: Congress
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
Week 5: “The Executive Branch Executes the Laws”
• Chapter 11: The Presidency
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• Quiz
• MUST HAVE TERM PAPER TOPIC APPROVED
Week 6
• Exam I Review
• Exam I
Week 7: “The Bureaucracy Administers the Laws”
• Chapter 12: The Bureaucracy
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
Week 8: “The Judiciary Makes Sure the Laws are Constitutional”
• Chapter 13: The Judiciary
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• Quiz
Branz
2010

NOTE: May be different for certain sections.
Week 9: “Know Your Rights!”
• Chapter 14: Civil Liberties
• Chapter 15: Civil Rights
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
Week 10: “Everyone’s Got an Opinion”
• Chapter 4: Public Opinion
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• Quiz
Week 11
• Exam II Review
• Exam II
Week 12: “Interests of the Media”
• Chapter 5: News Media
• Chapter 6: Interest Groups
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• TERM PAPERS DUE
Week 14: “Parties Aren’t What They Used to Be”
• Chapter 7: Political Parties
• Complete KEY TERMS homework
• Quiz
Week 15: “Campaign Hurdles”
• Chapter 8: Elections
• FINAL EXAM REVIEW
Final Exam Week (TBD)
FINAL EXAM: To Be Determined
Branz
2010