American Government & Texas Politics 2301

Instructor: Suzanne Martinez

214 CAC /733-2548 email: smartinez@mail.accd.edu

Office Hours: M, W & F 8:30- 10:00am & M&W 2:15 – 3:30 Tues. 1:00-4:00.

Welcome to American Government & Texas Politics. This class will be a study of government institutions. We will begin with the question of defining politics, then consider the process and philosophy of the creation of the Constitution, and make our way to identifying our countries democratic institutions in terms we can understand and apply to our everyday lives. You will need to attend, listen, take lecture notes, and read the book to be successful in this class. Below is the formula by which your work in this class will be evaluated.

60% = chapter tests. These tests are all essay and short answer. There will be no make-up tests given; your lowest test grade will be dropped at the end of the term. All tests will be announced at least two class periods before they are given. Test questions will come from your readings, my lectures, and class discussion.

30%= 10 essays written about political issues and events, based upon current class material. Your only source for these papers will be the New York Times newspaper. I will accept one paper per week and only on Thurs.(for T,Th. classes)/ Fridays ( for MWF classes) by class time. They must be typed, and stapled for acceptance. These essays must include a simple citation of your articles title, author, and page location. Please do not attach a copy of the article to your essay. You will not be awarded a numeric grade for these, but will receive credit for each one accepted, which is applied to your total essay count. If I ask you to re-submit an essay, it must be turned in by the next class period, or it will not be accepted. Each essay counts 3 points towards your final grade.

10% of your grade will be based on the final exam.

The textbook required is:

We the People, Thomas Patterson/ Chapters: 1, 2,3,11,12,13,14, begin your reading with Chapter 1.

 I will assign readings on Texas politics.

K eep all graded and required work until you have been given a final grade for this class.

 I adhere to academic regulations listed in the college handbook.

You as the student are completely responsible for administratively dropping this class. If you stop coming to class, and do not drop yourself, you will receive an F for this course.