FALL 2011

INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POS 1041 3 Credit Hours

This pure Internet course is a detailed study of the origin and development of Americas unique constitutional democracy and its political institutions, highlighting the federal level of government. It will include information about the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, branches of government, public policy, political ideologies, interest groups, political parties, elections, mass media and other critical components of the political process.

PROFESSORS CONTACT INFORMATION SHARI L. MACLACHLAN, Ph.D. PROFESSOR III OFFICE: SS 207 / Lake Worth Campus OFFICE HOURS: Mondays: 9:30 a.m. 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 9:30 a.m., 10:45 11 a.m., 12:15 12:30 p.m., 1:45 2 p.m. Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. PHONE: (561) 868-3337 E-MAIL: lyess@palmbeachstate.edu TEXTBOOK: Essentials of American Government: Roots and Reform. 2009 Edition (Ninth Edition) By Karen O'Connor, Larry J. Sabato & Ali Yanus New York: Pearson/Longman. ISBN: 0205662838 or ISBN-13: 9780205662838 If you are unable to find a used copy, buy the Custom Edition for Palm Beach State College at campus bookstores: ISBN: 0558916740 or ISBN-13: 9780558916749 DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE INFORMATION This course is taken completely online via the Internet without attending a classroom on campus. Your computer must be properly configured to use the Blackboard learning system. ACCESS THE COURSE WEBSITE at https://palmbeachstate.blackboard.com and click on the BROWSER CHECK on the top right side of the page before logging in. Once your computer is properly configured, log in to the course website:
User Name: Use your Student ID Number (no hyphens). Your Student ID, which begins with the first letter of your first name followed by eight digits, is found on the back of your student ID card. Password: Your Blackboard password is your PIN Number, the same one you use if you register online in PantherWeb. The course site is available in Blackboard on the day classes start for the term. Your password will not work until that time, and you must register and pay for the class first. When you click on the class name in your course list, you may receive a security warning asking whether you want to view only the secure content. You must click NO to proceed and to have full access to all the course materials and functions. To maintain your access to the class in Blackboard, you must log-in, carefully review all aspects of the course site and complete the mandatory orientation and its four related assignments before Friday, August 26 at 5 p.m.

Computer Requirements If you have preliminary and general questions about online classes before beginning, access the Blackboard Resources and FAQs Page. If you choose to take this course, you must have access to a computer that meets the basic computer requirements, and prior to enrolling in this class, you should have some basic computer skills. It is strongly recommended that the student taking this course not be a novice computer user, as it is your responsibility to learn how to and correctly use all functions within the Blackboard course site. SLC Computer Lab If you do not have access to a computer at home, the SLC Computer Lab may be used to complete course assignments. Visit the SLC Computer Lab WebPage for locations and hours. Course Requirements Online courses, like this one, require exceptional self-motivation, organization, discipline, planning and studying time. The meeting of deadlines and the ability to read and follow instructions carefully and accurately are extremely important. Be sure you clearly understand all course requirements and policies before deciding whether this class is right for you. Besides the online mandatory orientation and its four associated assignments, the course consists of four multiple choice (50-question, one-hour-long) exams, two optional 1000-word research projects and six discussion board postings, each a minimum of 150 words and consisting of a personal statement you make about the topic areas or chapters you're reading at the time the posting is due. All exams and assignments are completed online. Details about and comprehensive instructions for all requirements and assignments are available on the course website, along with reading supplements, study aids, practice quizzes and a study guide for each exam, and most (if not all) of your questions are answered by the additional information and guidesheets on the course site. Be sure to access and familiarize yourself with all the online components, instructions and policies as soon as possible. You are expected to read all of the designated textbook chapters and complete all requirements as assigned and on time. The course follows a precise timetable to which you must strictly adhere: All deadlines are clearly listed in this syllabus and throughout the course website. It is YOUR responsibility to meet the assignment requirements and deadlines, regardless of family and job obligations, illness, computer problems or other personal matters. Absolutely no individual exceptions are made to the policies contained in this syllabus. Late Assignment Policy Work in this online course is to be submitted on time according to the course calendar. To accommodate varying schedules, each exam will open two days before and will close on the date of the deadline at 11:55 p.m. Similarly, the discussion board will open for scheduled postings five days before and will close on the date of the deadline at 5 p.m. The research projects are optional and are done for extra credit. The first project covers a current (2011-12) case of the U.S. Supreme Court and the second covers a current (2011) event or story involving the U.S. federal government. Each project is due by 11:55 p.m. on its designated deadline but may be submitted early. No assignments -- including exams, discussion board postings or the optional research projects -- are accepted after the set deadlines, regardless of the reason. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy, so you should plan for the possibility of last-minute emergencies by completing your work early during each assignments open period. In addition, each assignment is to be completed in its designated area of the Blackboard course site, and no assignments are accepted via any other forum, including email. Academic Standards This is a college-level class, and we work in an academic environment. You are always expected to maintain proper decorum and academic standards in the virtual classroom. When you send information to the course site, you must always write in your own words and use complete sentences, proper language, grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Always proofread your work, and never use acronyms, abbreviations or other chat room shortcuts and symbols. On the course site, do not use i instead of I when referring to yourself and never send shouting information or messages written entirely in capital or bold letters.

COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR

DEADLINE ASSIGNMENTS Complete Mandatory Orientation Online in Blackboard You must complete the orientation and its four assignments on the course site in Blackboard before 5 p.m. on August 26 to maintain your class access: Posting 1: Student Introduction Orientation Paragraph Assignment Orientation Quiz Blackboard E-mail to Professor Begin Learning Module 1 in Blackboard Read Chapter 1: The Political Landscape

Friday, August 26

Monday, August 29

Wednesday, August 31

Read Chapter 2: The Constitution

Friday, September 2 through Wednesday, September 7 Friday, September 9

Posting 2 on the Constitution due before 5 p.m. on September 7

Read Chapter 10: Public Opinion and the News Media

Monday, September 12 through Wednesday, September 14

First EXAM on Chapters 1, 2 and 10 Exam will close September 14 at 11:55 p.m.

Thursday, September 15

Begin Learning Module 2 in Blackboard Read Chapter 3: Federalism

Friday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 21

Posting 3 on Federalism due before 5 p.m. on September 21

Thursday, September 22

Read Chapter 9: The Judiciary Begin work on optional Supreme Court research paper.

Monday, September 26

Read Chapter 4: Civil Liberties

Wednesday, September 28 through Monday, October 3 Wednesday, October 5

Posting 4 on Civil Liberties and/or the Role of the Courts in Constitutional Interpretation due before 5 p.m. on October 3 Read Chapter 5: Civil Rights

Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12

Second EXAM on Chapters 3, 9, 4 and 5 Exam will close October 12 at 11:55 p.m.

Thursday, October 13

OPTIONAL (Extra-Credit) U.S. SUPREME COURT RESEARCH PAPER DUE Papers may be submitted early but are not accepted after the deadline, which is October 13 at 11:55 p.m.

Friday, October 14

Begin Learning Module 3 in Blackboard Read Chapter 11: Political Parties and Interest Groups Begin work on optional Current Event essay.

Wednesday, October 19

Read Chapter 12: Voting, Elections, and Campaigns

Friday, October 21 through Wednesday, October 26

Posting 5 on Voting, Elections, and/or Campaigns and/or the Role of Political Parties and/or Interest Groups in these processes due before 5 p.m. on October 26

Thursday, October 27

Read Chapter 6: Congress

Monday, October 31 through Wednesday, November 2

Third EXAM on Chapters 11, 12 and 6 Exam will close November 2 at 11:55 p.m.

Thursday, November 3

Begin Learning Module 4 in Blackboard Read Chapter 7: The Presidency

Tuesday, November 8

Read Chapter 8: Executive Branch and Bureaucracy

Wednesday, November 9 through Monday, November 14

Posting 6 on the Presidency, Executive Branch and/or Bureaucracy due before 5 p.m. on November 14

Wednesday, November 16

Read Chapter 13: Social and Economic Policy

Tuesday, November 22

Read Chapter 14: Foreign and Defense Policy

Friday, November 25 through Wednesday, November 30

Posting 7 on Social, Economic, Foreign or Defense Policy due before 5 p.m. on November 30

Monday, December 5 through Wednesday, December 7

Fourth EXAM on Chapters 7, 8, 13 and 14 Exam will close December 7 at 11:55 p.m.

Thursday, December 8

OPTIONAL (Extra-Credit) CURRENT EVENT ESSAY DUE Papers may be submitted early but are not accepted after the deadline, which is December 8 at 11:55 p.m.

Class Procedures While it is expected that the basic course requirements will remain unchanged throughout the term, in some instances, data in the textbook may require updating with more current information available through the Internet or other sources. Most of these updates have been provided on each of the four study guides, but the professor will notify you via course announcements on the website of any additional updates for which you will be responsible. Thus, you should log in to the course as often as possible, but at least twice per week. In the event of an unforeseen emergency (such as a problem with the college's web server), due dates may be modified for all students accordingly. If it becomes necessary to change any assignments or due dates as listed, the professor will notify you as far in advance as possible. The study of American Government is much more interesting when it is understood within the context of what goes on in the "real world." Since the textbook alone may not provide you with enough of this practical context, you should read a daily newspaper or listen to radio or television news programs so that you stay aware of current events. You should apply your knowledge of current events to the optional research projects and to your discussion board postings. The ultimate goal of these writing assignments is to integrate current, real-life events with the information being learned in class, and your grade will be based largely on the connection that you are able to make. Faculty Contact and Response Time Contact the professor through the Blackboard email on the course site. The professor checks the course site daily, including weekends and holidays, and will respond to your inquiries quickly. If you have sent a message and have not received a reply within 24 hours, please resend your message. Computer Competency Component Each student will, to the satisfaction of the professor, demonstrate a fundamental understanding of basic computer operations through various exercises and/or assignments, included in this syllabus.

GRADES Each course requirement has a point value. Not counting extra credit, there is a maximum of 505 points possible, as follows: Four Orientation Assignments = 15 points Six Discussion Board Postings (15 points each) = 90 points Four Exams (100 points each) = 400 points TOTAL = 505 points If you complete an extra-credit research assignment, you can earn a maximum of 20 points on each one toward your overall total, depending on the quality of your work.

GRADING SCALE

Final course grades are determined by the total number of points earned out of 505: A = 100% - 90% B = 89% - 80% C = 79% - 70% D = 69% - 60% F = 59% and below A = 505 - 452 points B = 451 - 402 points C = 401 - 351 points D = 350 - 301 points F = 300 points and below

Exam grades are not available until after a test's open period has ended. Once an assignment or exam is graded, the results will automatically post to your personal gradebook, available on the course website under the MY GRADES icon.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to

Recognize the significance of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, their origins and historical context to the ongoing process of U.S. society; Define political culture and ideology, the political process and the role of political parties, interest groups, elections, public opinion and the media in the U.S. government system; Distinguish the way in which different individuals and groups behave and participate in American politics; Describe the importance of political and policy-making institutions, the American system of separated power and checks and balances, and the role of state and local government in a federal system; Analyze U.S. national interests and domestic and foreign policy making; Apply the practical elements of the course to the working operations of government; and Develop a greater awareness of the role of the citizen in the American system and become more politically aware and active in the local and global community

COLLEGE POLICIES
Academic Dishonesty Each registered student is required to complete his or her own work independently and without the assistance of others. Collaboration of any kind with anyone is unacceptable and is considered cheating. Any information obtained from an outside source, including the Internet, must be properly cited and referenced, even if it is paraphrased. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, (1) cheating on an exam, (2) collaborating with others on work to be presented, (3) submitting work previously submitted in another course, (4) plagiarism, and (5) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions, including assistance in which work, classroom performance, exam, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted. Academic dishonesty, including collaboration and plagiarism, will result in a zero for the assignment or exam in which cheating has occurred. Students who cheat jeopardize their ability to earn a passing grade in this class. Classroom Etiquette and Student Behavior Guidelines Students will demonstrate respect for the professor and fellow students both inside and outside the virtual classroom. Palm Beach State is an institution of higher education that promotes the free exchange of ideas; however, you must adhere to the rules set forth by the professor. While you are encouraged to express yourself and your opinions, any e-mail, discussion board message or assignment that you post to the course website must always be professional and academically sound. Sending or posting of any inappropriate or abusive message via any forum is reason for dismissal from the class, and failure to comply with course rules and/or recurring discipline problems may result in dismissal from the class and/or the college.

Disability Support Services If you have a have a physical or learning disability, you are advised, in compliance with federal and state laws, that accommodations and services are available through the colleges office of Disability Support Services (DSS). It is your responsibility to contact the DSS office on your home campus and to submit appropriate documentation prior to receiving services. It is recommended that you make initial contact with the DSS office within the first two weeks of the term so that you may have every opportunity for reasonable accommodation and success in this course. For further information, please visit the DSS Website.

Student Responsibility Policy When you attend Palm Beach State, you become subject to its jurisdiction. You are expected to conduct yourself in a responsible manner, in all areas of campus life. By enrolling, you pledge to obey the rules and regulations of the college and are responsible for observing all policies and procedures as published in the student handbook, the catalog and other college publications. You are responsible for preparing for class, participating in class, and completing assignments on time.

Withdrawal Policy The last day to withdraw from this course with a "W" grade is Wednesday, November 2. It is your responsibility to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle you to a grade of "W" in the course.

PROFESSORS DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

Social Science Department Associate Dean Susan Caldwell OFFICE: SS 101.1 PHONE: 868-3326 E-MAIL: caldwels@palmbeachstate.edu

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH BLACKBOARD OR COMPUTER PROBLEMS

Do not bookmark the Blackboard website or attempt to access it through a bookmark, as bookmarking sometimes leads to log-in errors. If you have trouble with one browser (such as Internet Explorer), try another (such as Firefox or Netscape). Using your browsers options or preferences, clear your browsing history, cookies, cache and temporary Internet files. Always answer NO to any security warnings you receive asking whether you want to view only the secure content. If you have carefully followed all instructions for accessing the course in Blackboard, and you have technical problems with your user name or password, e-mail the Blackboard Administrator at adminwebct@palmbeachstate.edu. You may also contact the Student Helpdesk at studenthelpdesk@palmbeachstate.edu or by phone at (561) 868-4000. Be ready to provide: your full name your Student ID number course and reference number details of the assistance needed and any error messages Review the Student Help Desk Hours of Operation. When the Help Desk is closed, you may leave a voice message or an e-mail, and your issue will be addressed the next business day.