Humanities 2319

American Minorities:  Political Culture in A Global Environment

Syllabus

This is the syllabus that provides the general guidelines for the course.  You will need to read this first; THEN please read the Course Requirements page for more specificity.

Department

Political Science

Date Revised Syllabus

August 2007

Campus

San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro, San Antonio , Texas 78212

Course Number & Title

Humanities 2319

Credit Hours

3 Hours

Instructor

Christy Woodward Kaupert

Office

Chance Academic Center - CAC 217C

Office Phone

210.733.2544

Email

profkaupert@gmail.com

Day Office Hours

By appointment

I. Catalog Description 

This course explores both the common and distinct cultural values of ethnic, linguistic, and racial minorities in American culture with particular emphasis on American Political Culture. Students will examine the role of minority cultures in American society from historical, literary, and sociological, and political perspectives, thus learning to engage in interdisciplinary inquiry.  

Specifically, this course will explore how and what  American citizens think about their government and its institutions, political parties and interest groups and how what they think has shaped and continues to shape them.  How does our political culture define us as a nation and how it is viewed by others in an increasingly global environment?  How is our culture differentiated from other political cultures in the world, both democratic and not?  Where did it originate and how has it been sustained?  How has it changed over the last two hundred years? 

II. Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and Other Requirements

 English 1301 with a grade of "C" or better

III. Text and Other Required Materials

There is no required text for this class.  Reading materials will be referenced throughout the lectures with specific scholarly articles assigned as required reading.   

IV. Instruction

Internet assignments based upon assigned readings and internet research.

V. Course Content

The content of this course will span the formation and changes in American political culture  since its founding.  Lectures and readings will highlight how demographic changes, and social strife and movements effected the policies and practices that define American institutions and its political culture.  Specific attention is paid to minorities, in all forms, which have defined and shaped American democratic culture throughout its history.  Consideration will be given to the changed nature of America's role and what role we play in the global community as our culture shapes and is shaped by other political cultures.

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOME
The student will understand the origins and typologies of American political culture
     Performance Objective:

     The student will explore the philosophical grounding of values associated with American
     democratic values.
            Measure: Through written exams and discussion of original documents and treatises, the
                                    student will demonstrate mastery of the basis of thought that influenced
                                    America's founding

LEARNING OUTCOME
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the factors which influenced the diversity of American society.
    Performance Objective
   
The student will explore relationships and changes between the individuals and society and   
    individuals and government and their affects on  personal behavior, political and social
    development and quality of life.
        Measure: Through written exams and discussion of original documents and treatises, the
                                student will demonstrate mastery of the factors that influenced diversity and
                                the role diversity played in shaping American society and its institutions

LEARNING OUTCOME
The student will distinguish the social movements which affected  changes in American political cuture.
    Performance Objective
   
The student will explore relationships between the individual and society as it affects the
    personal behavior, political and social development and quality of life.
        Measure: Through written exams and discussion of original documents and treatises, the
                                student will demonstrate mastery of the basis of thought that influenced
                                America's founding

LEARNING OUTCOME
The student will engage in interdisciplinary inquiry.
    Performance Objective
    The student will identify various aspects of social structures, (patterns of social relationships)
    and recognize how those aspects influence the texture of our emotional life.
        Measure: In written exams, essays, research assignments, internet discussions, the
                               student will demonstrate their understanding of topics associated with
                               traditional political  science but will augment this knowledge by incorporating
                               the principles associated with the  disciplines of sociology, literature, history, 
                               economics and demography through internet  activities and research. These
                               activities will constitute  no less than thirty (30) percent of  the final grade.  The
                               student must also pass a comprehensive final examination demonstrating
                               seventy (70) percent accuracy.

VII: Course requirements and Grade Computation

A. College Requirements

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded "F." Postponed examinations result in a grade of "I." The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an "F." ( San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B. Department Requirements:
No additional requirements are recommended

C. Instructor's Requirements: 
Please see Course Requirements page

VII. College Policies

A. Affirmative Action

San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B. Minors

Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998.

C. ADA Statement

"As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team

A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty

Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the "Student Code of Conduct" in the San Antonio College Bulletin .

F. Electronic Devices

Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.

Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of "W" (withdraw). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted. 

H. Incomplete Grade Request Contract and Agreement Form

As stated in the San Antonio College Bulletin, “The grade of ‘I' is assigned only when the student has a passing average on all completed work, but for a justified reason (such as illness or death in the family) has failed to take the final examination or to complete other required work. This ‘I' becomes an ‘F' in 120 calendar days unless certain conditions are met. To resolve an ‘I,' the student must complete the work within those 120 days after the end of the term in which the ‘I' is issued. Re-enrollment in the course will not resolve the ‘I'.”

It is the responsibility of the student to request an incomplete grade from the Instructor. If the student meets all requirements, the faculty member will complete the “Incomplete Grade Request Contract and Agreement Form “, along with the student. An “I” can be administered after all forms have been completed.

I. San Antonio College is a smoke-free campus.

J. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

          ACCD DPS Emergency No: (210) 222-0911
         ACCD DPS General Phone: (210) 208-8099
         ACCD DPS Weather Phone: (210) 208-8189

K. Student Code of Conduct

Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the "Student Code of Conduct" and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin:  http://www.alamo.edu/sac/online/services/catalog.htm