Mr. ER Valenzuela, Email: Valenzuela_Enrique@sac.edu Instructor of Political Science Office Hours by Appointment Cell: 323-440-2658 SYLLABUS POLITICAL SCIENCE 1O1 Ticket Number: # 87044 16 wks Spring 2014 LECTURE (3-Units) Tues/Thurs 9:45 am 11:10am, Room G-106 (Access instructions to Pearson MyLab & Mastering (mypoliscilab) on back page) This course is a web-enhanced study of the Federal & State government. This course satisfies graduation requirement for American government institutions and for California state government. We will examine political ideology, political parties, interest groups, voting, campaigns and elections, civil liberties & rights, public opinion, and the media. Political Science 101 is designed to achieve the following Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Civic Participation - Students will demonstrate a general understanding of the American political system as well as the theoretical and operational design of American government institutions at the federal and state level. 2. Critical Thinking - Students will evaluate the democratic nature of American governmental institutions using standards of popular sovereignty, political equality, and liberty. 3. Diversity - Students will identify and explain contrasting views on the role of government, the virtues and vices of democratic decision-making, and the balance of executive, legislative, and judicial power ********************************************************************************** Notice: Students with Disabilities, your success in this course is important to me. Santa Ana College and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Also, please contact Disabled Student Programs & Services so that we can all collaborate on your classroom accommodations in a timely manner. DSP&S is located in U-103 and their phone number is 714-564-6264. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation, they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals. Page 1
Required Texts and Readings Greenberg and Page, Struggle for Democracy (New York: Pearson Longman), Santa Ana College Edition MyPoliSciLab (MPSL) via SAC Blackboard, which includes practice tests, multimedia activities, and more to reinforce your understanding of the textbook subject content Assigned Chapters, the United States Constitution (Articles and Bill of Rights), News Articles/Current Events, Library Items for Congressional Research Project Readings: Ch 1-9 from Fiber-Ostrow, California, Longman State Political Series, 8 th Edition Course Requirements: 4 (four) In-class Quizzes @ 25 pts each = 100 pts 10 (ten) MPSL Weekly News Quizzes Online = 100 pts 13 Chapter Exams (84% or better = 5points) Online = 65 pts Congressional Research Project = 120 pts (Created on PowerPoint and submitted as a hard-paper copy ) Mid-term Exam In-class = 100 pts Final Exam: Part One-Take-home essay = 100 pts Part Two In-class exam = 150 pts Participation/Attendance = 45 pts Home work / MPSL supplemental assignments = 90 pts Total semester points for grade: 870 points Grading Scale: (no grade curving in this course) A = at least 90% of total points B = at least 80% of total points C = at least 70% of total points D = at least 60% of total points F = less than 60% of total points Other Course Requirements & Materials: Students are required to have access to a computer with an Internet connection and multimedia capabilities. Also, establishing an account & joining the class on My Lab & Mastering You may use the campus computers available to students in various computing labs (e.g., Computer Assisted Instruction Lab) or any other computer (work computer, home computer, etc.). Students must also have an email account to complete this course successfully and to communicate with the instructor via Santa Ana College s Blackboard online program or via regular email. If you do not already have an email account, you can get a free email account through online services such as Hotmail and Yahoo (see www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com). In addition, Students must maintain current email address on Blackboard account and Web Advisor. Electronic Devices (cell/smart phones, personal data accumulators (PDAs), recording devices, laptops or other such devices) are not allowed during exams and must be off the writing area. During class, cell phones must be off or in silent mode and off your writing area. In-class texting, checking Page 2
emails, web surfing, or other such usage of the electronic devices that is not explicitly authorized by the professor IS PROHIBITED. NO RECORDING (audio or visual): Extreme care should be taken in keeping the best possible WRITTEN NOTES on lectures and class discussions. To protect the privacy of participants and to encourage development of your writing and note-taking skills, AUDIO OR VISUAL RECORDING OF CLASS DISCUSSIONS AND LECTURES IS PROHIBITED without special permission of the instructor and all other class members. The instructor will not grant such permission except in the most extenuating circumstances, e.g., physical disability making written note taking impossible or impractical and with written statement of need from Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSP&S) office. Students should provide their own Advantage 100 AS form(s) for multiple-choice quizzes and Blue/Green Books for midterm and final exam essay question(s). The Student Store sells both items. Late Assignments Policy: Certain assignments will not be accepted late, late assignments are assessed (10) points per day that assignment is late. Make-up Tests Not offered and strongly discouraged, make-up exams only with a doctor s excuse note or note from employer, one time only, at the instructor s discretion -- Attendance is crucial to understanding course content. Academic Honesty: Please note carefully the college s policy regarding Academic Dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) listed in the student handbook. Students must do their own work and/or provide appropriate citations for works of others used to complete assignments. Cheating or plagiarism of any sort will not be tolerated. Any student cheating on an exam or engaging in plagiarism will receive zero points on that exam or paper. Withdrawal and Attendance policy: Regular attendance is considered an important condition for receiving credit for this course. Non-attendance or leaving early and not staying for the entire class will result in loss of participation points. Students compiling four (4) absences or missing two weeks of class instruction with no compelling reason or medical excuse or communication with the instructor (me) may be dropped from this course for lack of participation or interest. However, a student should not rely on this to avoid responsibility; ultimately, it is the student s responsibility to drop from a class no longer participating in. In addition, it is the student s (your) responsibility to process an official withdrawal on or before the last day permitted for withdrawals. Failure to do so will normally result in an F grade. Under State and/or College regulations, the instructor CANNOT grant a W after that date. Instructor reserves the right to modify or adjust course outline and schedule due to extenuating circumstances. COURSE OUTLINE & SCHEDULE Fall 2014 Class Week, Homework, Reading Assignments and Due Dates Page 3
All homework is due at midnight Saturday, unless stated otherwise Week 1 Introduction: Main Themes Tues, Aug 26 & Thurs Aug 28 Introductions Introduction to MyPoliSciLab online program & Ch 1, Democracy and American Politics Week 2 Tues, Sept 2 Ch 2 Constitution Thurs, Sept 3 Chap 15 Civil Liberties: The Struggle for Freedom Written practice (see Blackboard) Bill of Rights (bring draft to class) Due Sat, midnight, 9/6 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 1 & 2 exams online and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the o You are a candidate for Congress & Quiz o You are a Founder & Quiz o Full Citizenship Test (90% or better = 10pts) Hard Copy with score due by midterm exam MPSL Weekly News Quiz 1 Week 3 Tues, Sept 9 & Thurs, Sept 11 Ch 3 Federalism: States and Nation Due Sat, midnight, 9/13 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 15 exams online and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o You are a Police Officer MPSL Weekly News Quiz 2 Week 4 Tues, Sept 16 Chap 3 Federalism Thurs, Sept 18 Wed, 9/18: In class Quiz #1 (Chaps 1, 2, & 15) Advantage 100 AS w/ #2 pencils needed Page 4
Week 5 Sac Political Science 101 - # 87038 Tues/Thurs Due Sat, midnight, 9/20 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 3 online exam & submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o Thinking like a Political Scientist & Quiz o You Are a Federal Judge & Quiz o Which states win or lose in the Federal Aid Game & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 3 Tues, Sept 23 & Thurs, Sept 25 Chap 11 Congress How a bill becomes law Review requirements for Research Project (posted on Blackboard) Due Sat, midnight, 9/27 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 11 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o Thinking like a Political Scientist & Quiz o Can Congress get anything done? & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 4 Week 6 Tues, Sept 30 & Thurs, Oct 2 Chap 12 the Presidency Due Sat, midnight, 10/4 Chapter Exam: complete Chap12 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o In the real World & Quiz o You are a First-Term President & Quiz o What influences a President s Public Approval? & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 5 Week 7 Tues, Oct 7 Tues 10/7: In Class Quiz #2 (Chaps 3, 11, & 12) Advantage 100 AS w/ #2 pencils needed Thurs, Oct 9 Chap 14, the Courts Page 5
Due Sat, midnight, 10/11 Chapter Exam: complete Ch 14 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o You area Supreme Court Clerk & Quiz o In the Real World & Quiz o Thinking like a Political Scientist & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 6 Week 8 Tues, Oct 14 Mid-Term Exam: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 Multiple Choice Exam (Need AS100 Scantron (with #2-pencil) Thurs, Oct 16 Midterm Blue Book Essay Exam Questions on Bill of Rights & How a bill becomes law Blue/Green Book (with blue or black ink pen) Due Sat, midnight, 10/18 Chapter Exam: No Chapter Exam due MPSL Weekly News Quiz 7 Week 9 Tues, Oct 21 Chap 16, Civil Rights Thurs, Oct 23 Chap 16, Civil Rights cont d Mendez v. Westminster DVD Due Sat, midnight, 9/25 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 16 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the o You are a Mayor & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 8 Week 10 Tues, Oct 28 Chap 5 Public Opinion (online EBook) Thurs, Oct 230 Ch 6, the News Media Page 6
Due Sat, midnight, 11/01 Chapter Exam: complete Chaps 6 exams and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the o You Are the News Editor & Quiz o You Are a Polling Consultant & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 9 Week 11 Tues, Nov 4 Tues 11/4 In Class,Quiz #3 (Chaps 14, 16, & 5) Advantage 100 AS and #2 pencils needed Ch 7, Interest Groups & Business Corporations Thurs, Nov 6 Ch 7, Interest Groups & Business Corporations (cont d) Due Sat, midnight, 11/8 Chapter Exam: complete Chaps 7 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the o You Are a Lobbyist & Quiz o Video In Context on Interest Groups & Quiz MPSL Weekly News Quiz 10 (last Weekly News quiz) Week 12 Tues, Nov 11 Veteran s Day College Holiday No Classes Thurs, Nov 13 Research Project Due 11/13: printed hard copies only, (email, disc or flash-drive copies not accepted) Ch 8, Social Movement Due Sat, midnight, 11/15 Chapter Exam: complete Chaps 8 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the o You are the leader of a Social Movement & Quiz o In the Real World Video & Quiz o How are people involved in Politics & Quiz Week 13 Tues, Nov 18 Page 7
Chap 9, Political Parties Thurs, Nov 20 Wed 11/20: In Class Quiz #4 (Chaps 6, 7, 8 & 9) Advantage 100 AS and #2 pencils needed Chap 10, Voting, Campaigns and Elections Due Sat, midnight, 11/22 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 9 exam and submit for grading Simulations: Complete and submit quiz answers to the review questions for the o The Basics: why do we have political parties & Quiz o You are a Voter & Quiz Week 14 Mon, Nov 25 Chap 10, Voting, Campaigns, and Elections (cont d) Wed, Nov 26 College Holiday Thanksgiving Day No Classes Due Sat, midnight, 11/29 Chapter Exam: complete Chap 10 exam and submit for grading Timeline & Simulations: Complete and submit answers to the review questions for the Who Votes and who doesn t & Quiz In the real worlds & Quiz Week 15 Tues, Dec 2 & Thurs Dec 4 California Government: its institution and political processes will be presented throughout the course as compared to the federal government, please refer to Fiber- Ostrow, California text Week 16 Tues, Dec 9 Due 6/2: Final Exam I Take-home essay (late papers will not be accepted) Thurs, Dec 11 Final Exam II In class exam on Greenberg Chaps 16, 7, 8, 9, & 10 & California Text s Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 &9 (Advantage 100 AS ) ************************************************************************ Must Read next page Page 8
MyLab & Mastering (MyPoliSciLab) link Get Started With Pearson s MyLab & Mastering and Blackboard Learn Get Access Bookstore An Access Code is included in a package available for purchase at the bookstore. You will redeem the code during the registration process. OR Online Purchase Use a Credit Card or PayPal account to purchase instant access online during the registration process. What You Need: 1 Access to your Blackboard Course Page 2 Access to your MyLab & Mastering product (see section above) Get Registered 1 From your Blackboard Course Home Page, go to the Content area of your course and click on the appropriate MyLab & Mastering link in the Content Menu. This will initiate registration. 2 Next, Accept the End-User License Agreement and Privacy Policy. 3 After this, either Create a new Pearson username/password (If this is your first time registering with Pearson we suggest you use your Blackboard username and password) or, if you ve previously registered for a Pearson product (i.e. MyMathLab), Sign In with that username/password. (NOTE: You CANNOT connect your Blackboard username/password to more than one Pearson username/password. You MUST retrieve your old Pearson login credentials. 4 On the next page, click the Access Code button if you purchased a package with an access code from the bookstore, OR purchase instant access now by clicking on the purchase options under the Use a Credit Card or PayPal section. 5 You have now registered! Now, it s time to go to your course. To do this, go to back to your Blackboard course, and click on any of the MyLab & Mastering links in your Content area to be brought to those courses. This whole process only needs to be completed once. Page 9
6 Trouble? In your Blackboard course go to Tools>Pearson s MyLab/Mastering>Diagnostics. Please copy and paste this information (or use the Export option if available) in your email to Technical Support: http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com/app/ask Get Your Computer Ready Visit the MyLab & Mastering Support page, and select your product to see system requirements: http://bit.ly/13jbmnv Get Help Contact Pearson 24/7 Support: http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com/ Tips for a Great Learning Experience 1 Watch this Video for help getting started with MyLab & Mastering and Blackboard Learn: http://bit.ly/176rgim 2 Review the MyLab & Mastering and Blackboard Learn Student User Guide: http://bit.ly/1dz90tb 3 Stay in touch with us! Bookmark the Pearson Students Website: http://pearsonstudents.com/ Page 10