Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Professor: Gary D. McElhany, Ph.D. Term: Fall 2003
Course Description:
An analysis of national, state, and local government in the United States. Study is made of the Articles of Confederation, the Federal Constitution, the national party system, the departments of government, as well as other area pertaining to national government. History of state governments and constitutions are examined, with special emphasis upon the Constitution of the State of Texas. The state legislature, the governor and state administration, the state court system, local government, local government problems, as well as other state and local government issues are analyzed.
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
1. Trace the historical roots of American democracy, the steps leading to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, the growth of various political parties in the United States, the path of a typical federal law from the introduction of the bill to final approval, and the steps in the legal process from arrest to conviction and appeal.
2. Describe the major provisions of the United States Constitution, civil rights and civil liberties of American citizens, the political party structure, the election process, the nomination process, Congress and its functions, the Judiciary and its functions, federalism as a system of government, state government bodies and officials, and important types of local governments.
3. Identify selected terms and concepts important to an understanding of American government.
4. Perform the following, from the Texas Social Studies Standards (Grades 8-12): 1.5k, 3.4s, 4.14k, 4.21k, 7.1k-7.10k, 7.12k-7.18k, 7.20k-7.28k, 8.2k-8.13k, 8.15k-8.18k, 8.21k, 9.32k, 9.34k, 10.12k;
Lowi, Theodore J. and Benjamin Ginsberg. American Government: Freedom and Power 7th Brief ed. New
York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002.
1. Study by means of lectures
2. Study by means of textbook reading preparation for course content evaluations
3. Study by means of internet sites
4. Article Summaries in light of course content
5. Objective evaluations of course content
6. Contact with the professor by e-mail or phone and bulletin board
1. Careful reading of the text and study of the lecture notes and study guides are Required
2. Students will complete five article summaries according to guidelines.
3. Successfully complete three exams covering material in the textbook, lectures, study guides and internet assignments.
4. Complete all supplemental assignments.
5. Signed reading statement
Three exams equally weighted 60%
Weekly Quizzes 15%
Article Summaries 15%
Supplemental Assignments 05%
Statement of Reading/Audio 05%
Unit 1 The History of American Government 2/11/03
Unit 2 National Government 3/10/03
Unit 3 Applied State and Local Government Finals week
Topic
Course Introduction - Opening Session
INS Citizenship Test
The Historical Background of Government
Freedom and Power (3-14)
Constructing a Government (15-39)
The Constitutional Framework: Federalism and the Separation of Powers (42-62)
The Constitution and the Individual: The Bill of Rights, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights (66-88)
Exam 1
Congress the First Branch (92-119)
The President (123-148)
The Executive Branch (153-179)
The Federal Courts (183-208)
Exam 2
Public Opinion and the Media (215-242)
Elections (246-273)
Political Parties (277-302)
Groups and Interests (306-331)
Public Policy (335-357)
Foreign Policy and Democracy (362-388)
Submit Article Summaries (3-24-04)
State and Local Government
Exam 3
Article Summaries
· Choose five articles from major publications (newspaper or magazine) that relate to topics discussed in this course.
· Write a summary of each article and explain how it relates to National or State Government.
· The summaries should be typed, double-spaced, and in size 12 Times New roman or Courier font.
· The summaries should be no more that two pages in length.
· Proof-read your document for spelling and grammatical errors.
· Use the on-line sample as the model for you papers.
Logon to the sagu.edu website
Select academics from the drop-down menu
Select departments
Select Social Studies
Select government
Select syllabi from the menu
Click on gov2213 mcelhany
Cursor through the syllabus to the section discussing article summaries
Click on the red link for sample papers
Write your articles in similar fashion and comparable quality
· Submit all the article summaries at the same time.
E-mail is the best means of contact gmcelhany@sagu.edu Student may call 972-937-4010 Ex 3231.
Office Hours:
M 1:30-2:30, TTH 12:10-5:00 or by appointment.
Class Policies
Attendance:
UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES:
Southwestern's on-campus academic program is
designed as an in-class learning experience. In this type of instructional
setting, the ability to pass examinations and complete outside projects is only
a partial measure of the student's knowledge, skills, understanding, and
appreciation of the subject matter. Therefore, students are required to
maintain regular and punctual class attendance.
Absences which exceed twenty percent (20%) of the number of times that a class meets per semester (8 absences for classes meeting 3 times per week; 6 absences for classes meeting 2 times per week; and 3 absences for classes meeting I time per week), regardless of the nature or reason for the absences, will result in the student being administratively dropped automatically from the course, receiving a grade of "W". The student will be assessed the established course withdrawal fee.
A student who is absent from a class is
totally responsible to make the appropriate advanced arrangements with the
faculty member for possible make up work. The faculty member will have the
prerogative to determine if a student may make up any examinations o_ outside
assignments based upon the reason for the student's absences and when the make
up work must be completed. However, no point reduction will be assessed to a
student's final grade for absenteeism.
Tardy
Student's missing fifteen minutes of a class will be counted absent for that session. Every three tardies acquired in classes that meet three times a week and every two tardies acquired in classes that meet twice a week will be considered as an absence. The student is responsible, at the end of class, to identify his/her tardiness to the professor.
NOTE: the assessment of a tardy also applies to students who leave class early.
Assignments
All class assignments should be completed with due consideration for the professional work expected of students of this university. Work should be neat, organized, typewritten (when appropriate) with double line spacing, pages properly joined and numbered, and an appropriate title page. Students should as a matter of course proofread their work prior to turning it in to the instructor so that typographical, grammatical, and syntactical errors may be corrected. It is also advisable that students make a photocopy of work being turned in to provide for coverage of potential error in processing.
Late Work
Late work will be accepted, but the grade will be lowered by ten percent for each class day the assignment is late.
Academic Dishonesty
and Cheating
Students are expected to be honest in fulfilling all academic requirements and assignments. This pertains to examinations, themes, book critiques, reading reports, etc. A student will not be allowed to withdraw from a course if he/she is under investigation for academic dishonesty. In the event that the students is determined guilty of academic dishonesty, then the student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course and will receive the grade determined by the faculty member, either "F" for the assignment and/or and "F" for the course. Dishonesty could possibly result in further disciplinary action. Refer to Major infractions in the Student Handbook.
Plagiarism, the use of another's uncited material, as one's own, is not permissible. Reproducing material from other students by photocopy, computer media transfer or by rewriting or cheating.
Miscellaneous
Students must wait 15 minutes for a faculty member before leaving class unless they have been notified otherwise.
Study Tips
Take careful notes in class. Set aside uninterrupted time to regularly review your notes. Type your lecture notes while they are fresh. Note area that are incomplete and use your textbook to fill in the gaps. If you are unable to find the answer, ask the professor. Complete all reading assignments and study helps as scheduled. The process of reading, applying, and review will enhance your ability to retain the material. Do not wait until test time to prepare. This adds pressure and seldom results in long-term memory. Be prepared for matching, multiple choice, and completion.
Final Exams
During the final exam week, a final exam will be administered in class at the time that the university has established as printed in the class schedule. No final exam will be given prior to Final Exam Week. Students with scheduling problems may arrange with the professor (subject to the professor's approval) to take an exam at an alternate time. The arrangement must be done the week prior to exam week. The alternate exam time is scheduled on Monday and Tuesday nights from 6:00- 7:20 p.m. of the Final Exam Week.
Graduating seniors with a grade of B or higher my be exempted from the final if all assignments have been completed with a passing grade AND no more that two absences have occurred after the second exam.
Additional information:
Article Summaries
Guidelines for article summaries and a sample of an "A" paper are available on the SAGU government web page. http://www.sagu.edu/acad-depts/socialsciences/professors/mcelhany/index.shtm#courses
All five summaries should be submitted at the same time.