HONORS GOVT 2302 -- AMERICAN GOVERNMENT II 
 COURSE SYLLABUS
Dr. Glenn David Garrison, Professor of Political Science  
 Spring 2009
 Sections: S1H 01:00-02:15
 Classroom SCC B125 
   (This syllabus is subject to change.)
 (revised 1-119-09)

 

THE COURSE:
      The Honors Govt 2302 American Government II course examines the institutional structures of government at both national and state levels (emphasizing Texas), including the legislative process, the executive and bureaucratic structures and the judicial process.  Additional topics include civil rights and civil liberties, domestic policy, foreign relations and national defense. 

         This course and Govt2301 fulfill the State of Texas legislative requirement of 6 credit hours of American Government for Baccalaureate Degrees.  Lab required. 3 credit hours. Prerequisite:  Placement levels: Reading Assessment at College Level.  Writing Assessment: ENGL-1301.Placement in at least READ 0310.  Co-requisite:    None.

Course Repeat Policy:  A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W.”  Please also note that Texas law now restricts students from withdrawing from more than six classes during their college career from any Texas college or university.

       If you have taken an American or Texas Government course at another institution, check with Enrollment Management to assure that you have enrolled for the proper course to complete the legislative requirement. NOTE: Students transferring a government course from out-of-state must enroll in the GOVT 2301 course to complete the Texas legislative requirement.

    The professor may use a variety of methods including lectures, debates, group and individual projects, learning games, simulations, multimedia, experiential learning assignments, and computer-based work.
 

OFFICE & HOURS:
Dr. Glenn David Garrison, Professor of Political Science
 SCC G224 in Suite G221

Please make appointments for these or other mutually agreeable times:

Monday

11-1 p.m.

Tuesday

1-2 p.m.

Wednesday

 11-1 p.m.

Thursday

 1-2 p.m.

Friday

    

 

Telephone:  972.881.5815 (office)
972.881.5800 (Secretary)
972.881.5700 (Fax)

E-mail: dgarrison@ccccd.edu

Please include your name, course, and section in all email correspondence.

Website: http://iws.ccccd.edu/dgarrison

Classroom: B125 SCC
 

TEXTBOOKS, Etc.:
O'Connor, Sabato, Haag, & Keith, American Government:  Continuity and Change.  2008 Texas Edition, 4/ E.  Loose Leaf Edition.  NY:   Pearson Longman, 2008 (with access to the website version of MyPoliSciLab).


STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of American and Texas government and an understanding of the operation of the American political system. Including but not limited to the following:

Members of Congress/State Legislature and their constituencies
Legislative Campaigns
Organization and leadership in Congress
Growth of the Modern Presidency
Presidential/Gubernatorial Power
Roles of the Chief Executive
The Bureaucracy : nature, growth, functions
The Structure of the Judicial Systems
Judicial Selection Processes
The Judicial Decision-Making Process
Civil Rights and Liberties : First Amendment Freedoms, Rights of the Accused, Right to Privacy, Racial and Sex Discrimination
Public Policies: social welfare, economic, national security

2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the interactions between and among various participants at all
    levels of the American political system and rights of citizens under the American Constitution.                               3. Develop critical thinking skills, e.g., interpretation of graphs, mathematical skills, written and oral critiques, etc.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of the above material to contemporary politics.
5. Encourage students to read, think, write and speak at an appropriate intellectual level.
6. Equip students with the tools necessary to become informed citizens.

                                                                                                                           

COURSE REQUIREMENTS &  METHOD OF EVALUATION:
      The student is expected to attend class, read the assigned textbook and supplemental materials, take thorough
class notes, thoughtfully participate in class discussion and activities, become knowledgeable in current affairs
relevant to the course, complete the experiential learning assignments and the assigned exams. No exams are optional.
     The professor is available for help and advice. Free tutoring is available from the ACCESS program. Textbook
study guides in MyPoliSciLab are strongly recommended.  Study lists for each exam are available at the professor's
web site.  
      Exams occur approximately every four to five weeks. Exams consist of objective questions (multiple choice and
true-false) and a take home essay. The final exam is in part comprehensive.  All exams are mandatory.
     Experiential learning tasks below are also required.
                        

                                      Exam 1=                             200 points (20%)

                                      Exam 2=                             200 points (20%)

                                      Final =                                 300 points (30%)

                                      Portfolio/Class
                        participation  =                   150 points (15%)
                        Book Analysis/Class =   150 points (15%)
                        Presentation
                                                                   1000 total possible points

 

The grading scale is:

        900-1000 points =  A

          800-899 points  =  B

          700-799 points  =  C

          600-699 points  =  D

               0-599 points  =  F

                                                    

Bonus Opportunities are offered throughout the semester and on each exam.  See the Bonus Opportunities
page.

Class participation is expected and includes:

a.  writing a letter of  introduction,

b.  becoming knowledgeable in current affairs relevant to the course,

c.  joining in class discussion,

d.  reviewing test scores by appointment before the next exam,

e.  attempting all bonus point opportunities,

f.   attending class regularly,

g.  visiting the Writing Center for each writing assignment, and

h.  demonstrating a thoughtful and caring interest in the class and course.

 

 ATTENDANCE POLICY:
      Students are expected to attend class regularly, arrive on time, notify the professor of expected absences, and  make arrangements to complete any missed work.  Absences may adversely affect the student’s grade. Take tests at the assigned time.  Makeup exams will be given only under extraordinary circumstances if a legitimate excuse is presented.  No exams are optional. Religious Holy Days:  Please refer to current Collin Student Handbook.

    Papers are due in class on the assigned date. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Any exceptions to this policy must be negotiated with the professor in advance.   The grade of “I” (Incomplete)
is given only under extreme circumstances and is considered for a student who is passing the course and has completed at least 80 percent of the course material.

     Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from the course.  Students receive a course grade of "F"
if they stop attending but do not drop. The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” is  April 17, 2009.  You may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including W.  See also the Texas withdrawal limits.
 

ADA POLICY STATEMENT:
      It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable  accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. The College will adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the ACCESS Office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898, (V/TTD 972.881.5950) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

ACADEMIC  ETHICS:
      The College District may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,

collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.

     Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
    Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for the assignments as if it were one’s own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a

course.

    Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
 

CIVILITY & CLASSROOM DECORUM:           
      Please practice civility toward others. Follow George Washington’s admonition: “Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.”   Please take to heart the  life lessons of George Washington and A Student's Guide to Academic Etiquette.     

  

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION:
      Please write a letter of introduction to the professor. Click on the link for further instructions.

  

WRITING, DOCUMENTING & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING EXPLAINED:
         Govt 2302 experiential learning consists of several tasks involving research, analysis and writing.  Tasks are subject to change at the professor's discretion.  If you are unable to do any of the tasks for a legitimate, documented reason, an alternative assignment may be available.  Please notify the professor at the beginning of the course if you cannot meet any of the experiential learning requirements. Click on the heading above for writing and documenting details.  See the course page for the task assignments.    

COURSE CONTENT:
       Assignments, bonus opportunities, and other communications are located at the professor's web site: http://iws.ccccd.edu/dgarrison. Check the web site daily.  Course material is subject to changes announced on the web site and in class.  Reserve reading is available at the SCC Library EReserves  and often
online. 

For Reference: Texas Politics:  © 2005, Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services, University of Texas at Austin.

Recommended news sources: The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News, National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting -- all available free online.


FOR THE FIRST EXAMINATION:
(February ??, 2009)
 

The Federal Judicial System:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 10 & Selected Supreme Court Cases, pp. 972-978.
 In class video, “Marbury v. Madison” (available at Library Reserves)
Reference works:
 Patricia Cohen, "Professors’ Liberalism Contagious? Maybe Not," New York Times, November 3, 2008.
 Washington Post: The Supreme Court
U. S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
NY Times: Important Supreme Court Decisions, 2007-2008
 The Interactive Constitution

U.S. Constitution, Article III
 

 

The Texas Judicial System:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 25

Reference works:
 Texas Constitution of 1876, Texas Almanac
Texas Courts Online

In class video, “Justice for Sale,” LRC Reserves and web site

Ed Housewright, "Collin cuts court costs, but at what price?" Dallas Morning News, August 4, 2007 
 

Civil Liberties:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 5 & Selected Supreme Court Cases, pp. 972-978.
In class video: One Man Changes the Constitution-- Gideon v. Wainwright, www.AnnenbergClassroom.org, 2006.
In class video: Dissent, ACLU Freedom Files, LRC Reserves DVD
In class video: Religious Freedom, ACLU Freedom Files & LRC Reserves DVD
 Reference works:
 Adam Liptak, "American Exception:  Unlike Others, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech," New York Times, June 12, 2008.
Cass R. Sunstein & Justin Wolfers, "A Death Penalty Puzzle," Washington Post, June 30, 2008, A11.
 "Death No More: The Texas Death Penalty," Dallas Morning News series, April 15-forward.  EReserves
Adam Liptak, "At 60% of Total, Texas Is Bucking Execution Trend," New York Times, December 26, 2007.

The Interactive Constitution
 The National Constitution Center
 The Bill of Rights
 Fourteenth Amendment  

The Texas Bill of Rights

Baze v. Rees (2008)
Civil Rights:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 6 & Selected Supreme Court Cases, pp. 972-978.
 In class video: Racial Profiling, The ACLU Freedom Files & LRC Reserves DVD

Reference works:
Jonathan Kaufman, "Fair Enough?" Wall Street Journal, June 14, 2008, A1.  EReserves
Barbara Belejack, "A Lesson in Equal Protection," Texas Observer, July 13, 2007 EReserves
& Plyler v. Doe (1982) at Oyez
 Katherine Leal Unmuth, "Tyler case opened schools to illegal migrants," Dallas Morning News, June 11, 2007 & Video  EReserves
The Interactive Constitution

U.S. Constitution Amendments 13-15, 17, 19, 23-26 
 Declaration of Independence, Texas Declaration of Independence  
Declaration of the Causes Which Impel the State of Texas to Secede from the Federal Union (1861)

The Gettysburg Address
 The Emancipation Proclamation

The Fourteenth Amendment

Robert Frost, The Black Cottage  

Michael Oreskes,  “Texas in black and white," The New York Times Book Review, 16 December 1990, 23.   EReserves

Hernandez v. Texas (1954)  (Findlaw)
 Sweatt v. Painter (1950) (Findlaw)
 Smith v. Allwright (1944) (Findlaw)
 Ruiz v. Estelle (1980) (Findlaw)
Hopwood v. Texas (1992) (Findlaw)
Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)
FOR THE SECOND EXAMINATION:  
 (April ??, 2009)
The American Presidency:                                         

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 8
 Cullen Murphy & Todd Purdom, "Farewell to All That: An Oral History of the Bush White House," Vanity Fair, February 2009.
 David Broder, "Dumbing down the Presidency," Washington Post, June 29, 2008, B07.
Michiko Kakutani, "How First Mate Shifted the Ship of State’s Course," New York Times, September 16, 2008
In class video: "Tough Talk on Impeachment," Bill Moyers Journal, PBS, July 13, 2007 YouTube video
 In class video: "Buying the War," Bill Moyers Journal, PBS, April 25, 2007 in class video YouTube video
 In class video: Checks and Balances -- Youngstown v. Sawyer, www.AnnenbergClassroom.org, 2006.
 Reference works:
 The Interactive Constitution

U.S. Constitution, Article II
 The National Constitution Center
Foreign & Defense Policy:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 19
Reference works:
 Jonathan Mahler, "After the Imperial Presidency," New York Times Magazine, November 9, 2008.
The Neocon Quiz, Christian Science Monitor
Boumediene v. Bush (2008)
Boumediene v. Bush (2008)
Andrew Bacevich, "Illusions of Victory" and "Is Perpetual War Our Future?", TomDispatch.com, August 18, 2008; Video interview here.
 The Terrorism Index, Foreign Policy, July/August 2007.

David M. Kennedy, "The Best Army Money Can Buy," New York Times, July 25, 2005. EReserves
Thomas L. Friedman, "Foreign Affairs: The Real War,"  New York Times, November 27, 2001. EReserves
Confidence in U. S. Foreign Policy Index, Public Agenda/Foreign Affairs, Winter  2006.    
 

The Federal Bureaucracy

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 9

 

The Texas Governor & State Bureaucracy

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 24

 

FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION:
(See Final Exam schedule for the week of                )
 

Congress:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 7
Reference works:
 C-SPAN
110th Congress, C-SPAN
Congressional Links, C-SPAN
 The Interactive Constitution

U. S. Constitution, Article I & Amendments 17, 20, 27
 The National Constitution Center
 "I'm Just a Bill, "School House Rock at youtube

The Texas Legislature:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapter 23
In class videos, “The Best Little Statehouse in Texas,” (Library Reserves)
                        "Mexican Hat Dance," Vote for Me (Library Reserves)
                        "Born Politician," Vote for Me (Library Reserves)

Reference works:
 Brian D. Sweany, "Robin Hood's Worst Nightmare," D Magazine, January 4, 2005. EReserves
 

Domestic Policy: Federal and State:

O'Connor & Sabato text, chapters 17 & 18

Reference works:
 "Immigration and Welfare," Wall Street Journal, May 24, 2007 EReserves

Robin Toner, "Less, less, less! More, more, Moore!" New York Times, August 5, 2007. EReserves

Rod Davis, "The Mexican invasion," D Magazine, February 2007 EReserves
The Comprehensive Portion

Save your study lists from previous exams.


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