ASSLAN KHALIGH
OFFICE PHONE: (210) 733-2571
Email: asslankhaligh@hotmail.com
1300 San Pedro
SYLLABUS
Department Political Science
Course number and title 2301; American Government: National, State and Local
Credit Hours 3 Hrs/wk lec. 3 Hrs/wk lab 0 Lec/Lab comb. 0
I. Catalog
description
Comparison
of the
The
study of American and Texas Government by students attending
"There shall be given in all colleges and
universities supported by public funds a course in American Government with
special emphasis upon the constitutions of the United States and Texas . . .No
student shall be graduated from any such college or university who has not
passed a satisfactory examination in such college or university which he may
have attended previously." (
"Resolved...that
the State-supported colleges and universities in Texas require that any student
certified for graduation shall have completed theretofore in a standard college
or university at least six (6) hours for credit in the governments of the State
of Texas or of the United States of America, or the equivalent of both." (Acts of the Fifty-Third Legislature, First
Called Session) (1954)
II.
The
mission of the Department of Political Science is to help our students
understand how our national, state and local governments work and to equip our
students with knowledge conducive to responsible citizenship. The importance of individual rights, individual
responsibility and group dynamics within a multicultural, ideologically diverse
political system is emphasized.
We
construct and implement thought provoking academic exercises and develop
critical thinking skills whereby the student becomes more literate and
articulate as well as more knowledgeable.
Toward this end we offer students academic experiences varying from
traditional lecture and discussion to individual group interaction.
III.
Materials
and Texts
a.
Required Texts:
The American Democracy – Texas Edition, 8th edition, Thomas E.
Patterson, Gary M. Halter, McGraw-Hill Publishing 2006.
b.
Suggested helpful information include:
1.
The Political Dictionary by
2.
San Antonio Express News, New York Times, national
news magazines, national Public Radio 89.1 FM
3.
Jim Lehrer News Hour on PBS and other national and
local news
IV. Course Grade
These are
methods that may be utilized by the professor to assess student progress: major exams composed of objective and/or essay questions, attendance and a
comprehensive final exam.
Examinations
and Grade: There will be three
examinations and the final exam in this course.
The examination will be a combination of objective with some essays. Each examination will have an equal
value. Final exam will count 25% of the
overall grade. I urge you not to miss
any exam. However, if you are unable to
take a test on time, with sufficient reason an alternate make-up (all essays)
will be given on the week of finals. For
each exam you will need a Scantron Mini Blue Book (form 886E).
Grading
System: 90 and up A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C,
60-69 D, 50 and below F. T he basic
grade of the student will be determined by examinations, attendance, and class
participation.
V. Course Content
OBJECTIVE
1.
Constitutional
Principles and the Institutions of American Government
American
Political
Constitutional
Democracy,
Federalism,
U.S. Ch. 3
The Federal
Bureaucracy,
ESSAYS
Legislative
Branches
OBJECTIVE
2.
Political
Foundations, history and political process in
Introduction
to
The
Voting and
Elections, TX,
ESSAY
Executive
Branches
U.S.
President: Presidential Office,
Election, Policy
Texas
Governor, TX,
OBJECTIVE
3.
Governmental
Institutions (state and local)
State Agencies
in
Local
Governments in
ESSAY
Judicial Branches
The Federal
Judicial
The Court
System in
4. FINAL-Comprehensive,
covers all above chapters both objective and essays, with more emphasis on
VI. Objectives and Outcomes
Course
content listed above (V) is a topical outline of American Government -
National, State and Local. Student mastering of this subject matter will
be assessed through his or her performance on the exams mentioned above and any
additional work assigned by the instructor.
Upon
completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Comprehend
the origins and evolution of the
cultures.
Understand
the growth of democratic institutions.
Know
the key principles of the
Have
an awareness of the basic concepts of federalism.
Recognize
the various means of citizen participation in a democratic and multicultural
society.
Understand the operations of
the three branches of
Understand
current public policy questions and analyze possible solutions.
Understand
the structure and processes of the
Recognize
the various means of citizen participation in our democracy.
Be
familiar with the basic policy issue facing American society in general and
Understand
the concepts of civil liberties and civil rights in a multicultural
society.
VIII. Absence Policy
Regular
and punctual attendance at all classes, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is
responsible for all work missed.
Absences
of each student are recorded without exception from the official date of
his/her enrollment. The counting of
absences begins on the first day of a student’s enrollment in the course after
classes begin. A student absent the
equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a regular 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. Because
lectures are an important part of the exams, students will be well advised to
attend every class. Three tardies equal
one absentee. Both tardiness and early
departure from class are forms of absenteeism.
Do not leave class before being dismissed;
switch off all pager and cell phone sound; do not eat in class or bring food to
class.
IX.
Academic
Dishonesty Policy
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.
X. Children on Campus Policy
Students
are urged not to bring children to
either a class or a lab. Minors under
the age of 12 must not be left unattended on campus.
XI.
As per
Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if accommodation is needed, students must make
the request through the Office of Disabled Student Services, CAC 124C, Phone:
733-2347.
XII.
Extra Points,
Drops, Office Hours
Extra
points-In order to reward my students for attending every class and
participating in class discussions, I will give (1) extra point for class
participation and (1) extra point for not missing class throughout the
semester. These points will be added to
the student’s overall grade at the end of the semester. If you miss an exam, you are not qualified
for any extra points.
Drops- Students wishing to drop should be aware of
the early drop date and officially process their withdrawals. Students who stop attending after the
deadline will receive a grade of F.
Office
Hours-
MWF T-TH
All others
by appointment.