Syllabus
DATE: FALL SEMESTER 2006 (17 August to December 14, 2006 with the drop date on October 27th)
COURSE: Political Science 1101-08: "U. S. Government with Georgia State and Local Perspectives."
TT 12:15-13:30 p.m. POLS 1101-08
SECTION: 08 CSN: 80364 Dalton State College
TIME: TT 12:15-13:30 p.m.
PLACE: POLS 1101-08 meets in Room LIB 0113
PROFESSOR: Dr. Andrew J. "Jack" Waskey
I. OFFICE:
A. OFFICE LOCATION:
My office is located in room 258 of the Liberal Arts Building. Office hours for this class are also before and after class.
B. OFFICE HOURS:
FALL CLASS HOURS:
TT 10:50-12:05 p.m.
PHIL 1101-01
TT
12:15-13:30 p.m. POLS 1101-08
T
19:35-22:05 p.m. PHIL 1101-30
MW 12:15-13:30 p.m.
PHIL 1103
MW 16:45 -18:00 p.m.
POLS 1101-31
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM THE DALTON COLLEGE CATALOGUE:
"A survey of the American federal government, the state government of Georgia, and American local government".
III. COURSE LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
The successful completion of this course will satisfy the civic educational goal of that section of the GEORGIA CODE which requires that a minimum knowledge of government be obtained by all college students in state supported institutions of higher learning before they can be awarded a degree. The intent of the GEORGIA CODE is that students should be prepared to be actively participating citizens in the democratic/republican governments of the United States and Georgia. The relevant section of the code is in the text box below.
To satisfy the General Assembly’s requirement Dalton State College has adopted the goal stated below as part of its general educational goals -- a Dalton State College student:
3.6 demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for active citizenship.
To enable students to achieve this goal the instructor has developed a lengthy list of specific instructional
objectives which shall be achieved through activities which impart both governmental knowledge and political skills. These will be distributed at the beginning of each unit of the material covered in the classes. All educational activities in the class are designed to meet these objectives. Tests, exams or other activities are designed to assess what has been learned.
To satisfy Southern Regional Accrediting Association’s requirements (see the U. S. Constitution I.10 which allows states to create interstate compacts), the Dalton State College Social Science Division has adopted the following learning outcomes. Therefore Dalton State College students:
1. articulate understandings of course materials acquired through listening, reading, graphics, computations, experiments and electronic media;
2. articulate and analyze issues from different perspectives and be opened to viewpoints other than their own;
3. analyze social institutions and human behavior using appropriate disciplinary frameworks;
4. will organize and communicate knowledge and ideas in a logical and purposeful way.
5. will comprehend major forces and events, influences and ideas that shaped history and society.
6. At the conclusion of this course to satisfy the Georgia code students should be able to:
a. Demonstrate a basic understand of the constitutional foundation of American democracy; Utilize knowledge of the basic structure and operation of American Governmental process;
b. Articulate and analyze political issues from different perspectives; and
c. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for active citizenship.
Learning outcomes will be measured by assessment means listed below or by other appropriate means deemed appropriate by the instructor.
IV. PREREQUISITES:
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is an introductory survey intended for the student with little or no background in political science.
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1) Regular attendance at all classes and participation in all class meetings when required;
2) Successful performance upon 60% or more of the questions in the tests and final examination; and,
3) Acceptable performances upon the additional outside assignments yet to be made.
VI. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
POLS 1101-01 American Government --40 copies each item below.
Required (two books are required)
Hiatt, Mary Kate, People & Politics: An Introduction to American Government. 12th ed. Wheaton, Illinois: The Gregory Press, 2005. ISBN: 0-911541-76-4
Hiatt, Mary Kate. et al. Political Perspectives: A Reader. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Illinois: Gregory Press, 2003. ISBN: 0-911541-69-1 DO NOT BUY BACK
Recommended (one book is recommended) DO NOT BUY BACK
Hiatt, Mary Kate. People & Politics Study Guide. 12th ed. Wheaton, Illinois: The Gregory Press, 2002. ISBN: 0-911541-77-2
VII. GRADING/EVALUATION SYSTEM:
A. IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The policies set forth below, subject to any change announced by the instructor during the semester, shall govern this course. Students are responsible for knowing these policies and complying with them.
B. ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance at all classes and participation in all class meetings is expected. Absences should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student with excessive absences. Normally "excessive absences" means more than 25% absences from classes. There shall be no distinction made between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. Attendance will be taken, but not counted against a student's grade.
C. INCLEMENT WEATHER:
See the Dalton State College Webpage for Announcements about closings or listen to local radio or television stations for information.
D. MEDICAL EMERGENCY
1. To meet any possible medical emergency in class I would now like to know if anyone in this class is an EMT or trained in CPR.
2. In the event of a medical emergency during class meetings the following procedure will be followed.
a. Everyone should remain calm because noise will interfere with helping the person who is ill.
b. If there is anyone trained in First Aid, EMT or in CPR then I shall ask them to come forward and to administer whatever aid may be appropriate.
c. I also shall instruct a student to go to the nearest phone to call 911 and to describe the nature of the emergency.
3. Also any other appropriate measures will be applied at this time.
1. Duck and cover is about all I can offer since we are not allowed to have guns on campus.
2. Pray? Well this is forbidden too.
F. REGENTS TESTING PROGRAM (RTP):
1. RTP: Any student taking the RTP this quarter is automatically excused. The professor will gladly assist in any make up help needed.
DATE: The RTP will be given ???
2. PLACE: in the Auditorium of Memorial Hall
3. LETTERS: Students registered for the RTP will receive a letter of admission about two weeks after the semester begins. This letter MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE TEST to be admitted.
G. TESTS: There will be five tests:
1. four tests from Hiatt
a. T#1 covers lectures & chapters 1-4
b. T#2 covers lectures & chapters 5-9
c. T#3 covers lectures & chapters 10-12, 15
d. T#4 covers the Reader Assignments, et al
2. Tests will be multiple choice questions, for the most part. Each of the first four test shall count 1/5th of the final course grade will be calculated from reader assignments and additional outside assignments yet to be made. Together with the final exam these will count 1/5th of the course grade.
H. FINAL EXAM:
The Final Exam is scheduled by the College. The time for the final in this course has been scheduled by the Office of the Registrar to be from 12:15 p.m. – 14:15 p.m. (2 hours) on THURSDAY DECEMBER 14th. The student should expect that the final will take all of the two hours allotted. All students are expected to make prior arrangements to meet any obligations regarding family, work, physicians, court appearances, childcare, dog care, etc., they might have during this time.
I. GRADING ON TESTS:
A = 90 or better
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 or less
W = if prior to Mid-term drop (see DC Catalog, p. 43)
W = if after mid-term = "hardship" only (see DC Catalog, p. 43) MILITARY DUTY: If a student is called to active duty, then he or she can be given a W and a full tuition refund, upon presentation of orders.
I = incomplete; but, this must be requested, and will be granted by the instructor only in accordance with the DC Catalog.
J. CHEATING/PLAGIARISM
1. Cheating on any test or quiz will result in a zero for that grade.
2. Plagiarism (copying the written work of another person without acknowledgement, falsely citing sources not uses, and similar acts) will also result in zero credit. This includes material copied from the internet. Just give citations for sources and there will likely be no problems.
XI. SYLLABUS INFORMATION STATEMENTS
ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities are invited to contact the Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) Center of Dalton State College to request reasonable accommodations for academic programs and other activities of Dalton State College. Students are encouraged to contact the ACE Center as soon as possible and to make an appointment with Disability Support Services (DSS) staff to begin the process of qualifying for accommodations. Professional documentation must be provided that explains and verifies the disability and resulting limitations before DSS Services and accommodations can be utilized. Once documentation is provided, students must allow adequate time for assessment of documentation and implementation of approved accommodations. For additional information, please contact:
Mary Andrews
ACE Center - Disability Support Services
Lower Level, Pope Student Center
650 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720, 706-272-4429
Students who are unable to come to the ACE Center to request accommodations for
a disability, should call 706-272-4429.
Students who are unable to access the instructor’s office
should call the instructor at for assistance.
B. Workforce Development Statement
(modified fall 2006)
If a student receiving aid administered by the DSC Workforce Development Department drops this class or completely withdraws from the College, the Schedule Adjustment Form must be taken to the Workforce Development Office in Room 112 of the Technical Education Building. The Office is open on the following schedule:
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.
Contact the office at 706-272-2635.
C. Drop/Withdrawal Statement
The day to drop this class without penalty is October 27th. You will be assigned a grade of W if you drop by October 27th. After this date, withdrawal without penalty is permitted only in cases of extreme hardship as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs; otherwise a grade of WF will be issued. Students who wish to drop this class or withdraw from all classes should go to the Enrollment Services Office in Westcott Hall to complete the necessary form. Students who fail to complete the official drop/withdrawal procedures will receive a grade of F. Withdrawal from class is a student responsibility. Before dropping any class, the College strongly advices that students meet with their academic advisor and their instructor to discuss the impact of a withdrawal on their graduation plans. The College also strongly advises students who are receiving any type of financial aid to visits the Financial Aid Office in the Pope Student Center to discuss the impact a withdrawal may have on their financial aid status. The grade of W counts as hours attempted for the purposes of financial aid.
IX. LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTER (LRC):
The Dalton State College (LRC) library has a world of resources. It is open:
08:00 a. m. - 10:00 p. m. M-Th
08:00 a. m. - 05:00 p. m. F
CLOSED ON SATURDAY
02:00 p. m. - 05:00 p. m. Su.
X. COUNTY COURTHOUSE: (for Court House Exercise)
Bradley County: Meets 1st Monday at 7 p.m., 2nd Monday (work session), 3rd Monday at 10 a.m.
in the Courthouse.
Catoosa County: Meets 1st Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in The Courthouse Annex.
Dade County 1st Thursday at 7 p.m.
Fannin County Meets
Gilmer County: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Courthouse.
Gordon County: Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Main Courtroom of the Courthouse.
Murray County: Meets 1st Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Courthouse.
Pickens County Meets
Walker County: Meets 1st and last Tuesdays in the Courthouse Annex.
Whitfield County: Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p. m. and the 4th Tuesday at noon in the Whitfield County Courthouse.
XI. COURSE SCHEDULE:
See the calendar pages that follow. The assignments are for reading and tests. The schedule is essentially a reading plan and a test schedule. Unless otherwise informed by the instructor that schedule changes are necessary, due to unforeseen circumstances, then all reading assignments should be completed on the date assigned, regardless of whether the lectures are behind, current with, or ahead of the reading.
“You’ll get more accurate readings about what’s going on in the world today by reading about what happened in ancient Greece than by the newspaper.”-–Mel Gibson (Lucinda Moore. “Capturing America’s Fight for Freedom: Smithsonian Experts Help the Makers of Mel Gibson’s New Movie, The Patriot,…” Smithsonian. July 2000, p. 50.)
TO BE ARRANGED AFTER I RETURN