RANGER COLLEGE
WELCOME RANGER COLLEGE STUDENTS!
____________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR: KATHY KENNEDY
EMAIL: [email protected]
DIVISION: SOCIAL SCIENCE
ADDENDUM I: Basic Course Information
GOVT 2305 is designed to introduce students to the organization, the
principles and the various functions of the federal government. Together
we will analyze the history, structure, changes, and continued evolution of
politics in the United States. In addition, we will explore a variety of
contemporary political issues as they relate to the course material. This
course does cover some historical information, but is primarily a study of
modern politics not history.
This is one of the rare collegiate courses where watching television (the
news) will greatly benefit you. In addition, I highly encourage you to stay
informed about current events issues that are related to the course via
print, televised and electronic media. These additional resources will be of
great assistance in your efforts to understand the content covered in this
course.
The larger effort in this course is to understand how and why the United
States of America has created a vast, dynamic and complex governmental
system on the national, state and local levels. Upon completion of this
course, you will have the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to
better understand the philosophy, structure and logical processes which
govern the world we live in. More importantly, this course will provide you
with the resources necessary to participate in politics and make informed
decisions in the future.
THE INSTRUCTOR
My name is Kathy Kennedy. I greatly enjoy teaching. I have over a decade
of teaching experience. I am excited about this semester. I want to be
available for you in this course. My academic career started at a
community college as well.
I enjoy reading, traveling to other countries (as well as travel in the
U.S.), cooking different kinds of foods from different cultures,
entertaining, skiing, hiking in the mountains, paddle boarding, volunteering,
and relaxing with friends and family.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
Wilson, James Q. American Government. Brief Version, twelfth edition. Boston,
Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN #978-1-305-10900-1
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Internet access (free access available in campus computer labs)

USB flash drive for back-up storage of electronic files

Active E-mail account (check at least three times per week)

Basic use of a personal computer (word processing and internet browsing).

Access to the Ranger College Blackboard system
COURSE DESCRIPTION
GOVT 2305 – Federal Government is an introduction to the theory and
practice of government and politics in America at the national level. Topics
include democratic political theory, political culture, the United States
Constitution, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, media, political
participation and elections, the institutions of government, domestic and
foreign policies. This class is three lecture hours per week. Credit: 3
semester hours.
GOVERNMENT 2305 Objectives

Know why and how power within the U.S. political system is widely
dispersed

Be able to distinguish among democratic and authoritarian forms of
government.

Comprehend the consequences of the structure of the political system on
the creation and implantation of public policy.

Be able to categorize democratic political systems in terms of elitism and
pluralism

Know the influence of organized political participation on the creation and
implementation of public policy

Know the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic political process

Know the effects of federalism on civil liberties and civil rights

Comprehend the influence of the development of a media culture on a
democratic political system

Be able to research government and politics using the World Wide Web
COURSE ETIQUETTE

E-mail – Please allow 48 hours for a reply via e-mail. There may be
periods where it may take longer to get a reply (such as weekends and
holidays). Again, be patient and allow me time to get back to you.

Communication Dialogue – Personal attacks, racial or ethnic slurs,
outbursts or other inappropriate forms of communication will result in
immediate removal from the class and possibly from the college (see
academic freedom statement). Think about what you are saying, before
you hit the send or submit button.

Personal Requests – I am happy to assist you with any questions you may
have about the course, about the news, or even college life in general.
However, personal requests for exemptions to course policies will not be
granted unless there is a legitimate reason. It is a form of discrimination
by the instructor to grant exceptions without basis. Any exceptions made
may require documentation and will only be considered in advance of a
deadline. Please refrain from asking the instructor to engage in
unprofessional or unethical behavior, such requests will be ignored.
LATE WORK POLICY
Ample time has been allotted to complete each Unit activity. All assignments are
expected on or before the deadline indicated in the syllabus. I am certainly willing
to work with you through extenuating personal circumstances should the need
arise to submit a late essay. Any student that needs to submit a late paper
must contact me in advance of the deadline for approval and to make alternative
arrangements. You may be required to provide some form of written
documentation in order to substantiate a request to submit a late assignment.
ONLINE COURSE ATTENDANCE
As a minimum expectation, you should login to the course and check your e-mail
at least once per week. You are free to work ahead at your own pace. However,
be sure to avoid falling behind. Each unit deadline will serve as a benchmark for
your overall progress in the course. Remember, the distance education
environment requires a high degree of self-discipline and intrinsic motivation. Time
management is something many students struggle with, so make a schedule for
this course and stick to it. Trying to work on all the assignments just ahead of a
deadline is the recipe for disaster. The early alert system is used in this course.
Reports will be sent to the administration for those who fall behind.
COURSE EMAIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS
There are frequent updates posted in the course announcements. This is the
primary avenue of communication for this course. Each student is expected to
read the information and keep current with the course. Many frequently asked
questions are addressed via announcements and some may contain vital course
information. These are official course communications, so bear in mind that you
will be held accountable for the information provided.
COURSE HONOR CODE
Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Ranger Student Code of Student
Conduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion. Students are expected to complete all course work by
their own efforts and in their own words.
When you cite or paraphrase another author, you are required to properly
acknowledge all sources with a parenthetical citation in the body text and provide
a bibliographic listing on a works cited page. If you have any questions about
citations, contact me immediately. Any attempt to submit work that is not a
product of your own efforts will result in an automatic “F” for the assignment
and the course. In addition, you may face disciplinary action by the college
administration leading up to expulsion from the college.
STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM
The collegiate environment is one that promotes tolerance, understanding,
communication and equality. Use the guidelines below in your interactions with
the instructor and your peers:
Students are provided with the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension
of political issues and express their understanding of key points in this course.
The discussion format in particular is an opportunity for students to enjoy their
constitutional right to free speech and expression. This is not intended to serve
as a platform for one to express their political ideology or personal feelings about
a given issue. It is a forum for an intellectual dialogue and an exchange of ideas.
Again, the expectation is that you will conduct yourself to the standards
befitting a college student engaged in an intellectual dialogue (both inside and
outside the classroom).
Academic freedom will be protected and respected by all students and the
instructor. However, there are some limitations on free speech. Hateful, sexist,
racist, hurtful, or otherwise obscene comments that are intended, as a personal
attack will not be tolerated. Additionally, any dialogue that does not specifically
pertain to the topic at hand will not receive an audience. At the instructor's
discretion, a student that violates these guidelines may be removed from the
course and possibly from the college.
Addendum II – Course Activities: Orientation Quiz, Essays,
Exams, Discussion Forums, and Film Project
Course Grading System
Grading Scale (point system)
A =
900 – 1000
B =
800 – 899
C =
700 – 799
D =
600 – 699
F =
0 – 599
Assignment Grade Values
Orientation
(1 x 50)= 50 points
Unit Essays (1 per unit)
(3 x 150 each)= 450 points
Unit Exams
(3 x 50 each)= 150 points
Discussion Postings
(3 x 50 each)= 150 points
Film Evaluation Project
(1 X 200)= 200 points
________________________________________________________________
Totals:
(11 Activities)= 1000 points
Schedule/Course Calendar
Unit I Deadline: 9/292015
Readings: Chapters 1-5
Deadline Activities:
o
Unit I Test Due
o
Unit I Essay Due
o
Forum #1 Due
Unit II Deadline: 11/03/2015
Readings: Chapters 6-10
Deadline Activities:
o
Unit II Test Due (mid-term)
o
Unit II Essay Due
o
Forum #2 Due
Unit III Deadline: 12/09/2015
Readings: Chapters 11-15
Deadline Activities:
o
Film Evaluation Due
o
Unit III Test Due (Final)
o
Unit III Essay Due
o
Forum #3 Due
o
Instructor Evaluation Due (online)
All work must be turned in by December 9, 2015.
LET’S GET STARTED: ORIENTATION QUIZ
The Orientation Quiz must be completed within the first few days of the course.
The final orientation deadline is 11:55 pm 08/28/2015. If you do not complete
the Orientation Quiz, you will not be certified as participating in the course.
Unit Essays
The unit essay is the primary assessment of your learning in an online course.
Reading the material and taking an open book exam does not fully demonstrate
your command of the information. For this reason, the majority of your grade
will be based on your written work. The deadline for each essay is the end of the
unit for which it was assigned (see calendar for details). Late work will only be
considered if the student contacts the professor prior to the deadline. Once the
deadline passes, the grade will be recorded as a zero. It is suggested that you
identify which essay you want to work on at the start of each unit and
consistently progress toward a final draft.
The essays are to be in your own words with less than 20% of the essay copied
(with the exception of the works cited). When a source has been cited, you are
expected to acknowledge the source in the body of your text and on a works cited
page using formal MLA or APA citation format.
The minimum writing requirement is 1200 words. All essays should display a word
count at the top of the essay. Anything less than the minimum writing
expectations will be considered incomplete. You will choose only one essay out of
the different options.
Rubric (Point Deduction for Essays)
PROBLEM
No citations within essay
Will not be
graded
Less than 1200 words
Will not be
graded
No works cited
Will not
be graded
Wikipedia
-50
Copied work (more than 20% except for works cited) Will not be graded
No word-count (at the top)
-30
Unit Exams
There are three exams in this course, one for each unit. The exam window is
from the first day of the unit until the deadline (see the course calendar for
details). Each course exam consists of 25 randomly generated multiple-choice
questions. The exams are automated; they are generated from a pool of
questions. The grade will post immediately after submission. Each student will
have two attempts per unit exam. The higher grade will be recorded. If you do
not finish an attempt, it will count as a zero. You will have 60 minutes (1
hour) to complete each exam. If you are susceptible to procrastination, please
give yourself time to complete the exam. I suggest starting no later than 10:00
pm the day of the deadline. See the course schedule for specific deadlines for
each exam.
The tests are not comprehensive. Each test covers detailed material from the
chapters assigned for a given unit. Each exam has a time limit. It is the
unsecured nature of the distance education environment that mandates that you
are highly prepared before each test. These restrictions provide a measure of
integrity for the course exams and help secure your identity.
Once an exam has started, you will not be able to leave, back out or close the
test screen. Unforeseen glitches during an exam attempt can occur from time
to time. The final exam will be proctored.
DISCUSSION FORUMS
General guidelines:
Postings must be made by the deadline for each unit for the discussion
assignment to be considered complete. Please post your word count at the end
of each and every posting made in the discussion forum. The expectation is that
students have completed the assigned readings prior to engaging the forum topic.
This allows the discussions to remain relevant to the assigned topics. You may
not go back and address discussion topics once the Unit has been completed. The
deadline for the forum postings will be the end of each Unit as noted in the
syllabus.
Posting Guidelines:
During each unit, you are expected to post an answer (in your own words) to
the primary set of questions posed for the discussion forum. Please do not wait
until the deadline to make your submission. Each activity involves an element of
independent research and critical analysis. The questions address your
understanding of central themes in the textbook and your ability to think
critically about the course material.
Your responses are to be in essay format. Be sure to fully explain your position,
citing a high quality source as evidence if needed. The course textbook, Wikipedia,
an online blog and similar items are examples of unacceptable sources on the
collegiate level. Each student is expected to utilize high quality sources (academic
journals, scholarly articles, current laws/policy, court cases, etc.). The grade for
the posting will be determined by the quality, depth and originality of your
writing. The minimum writing requirement is 400 words for the posting, be sure
to add your word count at the end of the posting.
Rubric for Discussion Forums
Wikipedia
-20
No citations
Will not be graded
No works cited
Will not be graded
Lack of clarity
-30
No word-count
-20
Less than 400 words
Will not be graded
Political Film Evaluation Project
Introduction:
The major project for this course is to view one film that is of personal interest from
the list provided below. The films have been screened by the instructor and have been
found to be of considerable value as it pertains to the content of a GOVT 2305 course.
The final work product is to be a high quality report using the specific guidelines provided
for the project. The main goal of this project is to compare the film to the aspects of
government that you have learned from this course.
The films listed can be obtained at your local video store or in some cases at your local
library. I suggest that you carefully examine the requirements for this activity prior to
selecting a film. Then as you watch the film, create a detailed set of notes that you can
refer to as you prepare your paper. Again, examine your notes and carefully consider the
project guidelines. Spend some time developing you ideas before typing up a report. In
general, plan to spend about 10 hours on this project. That includes the time needed to
view the film (possibly twice), write the report, and edit the final copy. IF YOU HAVE
PRODUCED A FILM PROJECT FOR ME IN A PREVIOUS COURSE, YOU MAY NOT
RESUBMIT THE SAME WORK.
The final work product is to have a minimum of 1200 words single-spaced. The abstract
is about the film. The comparison should compare the film to something in this course.
The opinion must tell whether the film is biased or slanted. Was this film an attempt to
persuade you to think a certain way? Did it merely report an incident or did it go
further?
GRADE VALUE: The grading scale is based on a maximum value of 200 points.
LIST OF APPROVED FILMS

Recount (R): A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential
election and the subsequent recounts in Florida . HBO Films, 2008.

Swing Vote (PG-13): Bud Johnson, an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser, is
coasting through a life that has passed him by. A chain of events culminate in
the election coming down to his one vote. Touchstone Pictures, 2008.

Frost/Nixon (R): A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television
interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president
Richard Nixon. Universal Pictures, 2008.

Lions for Lambs (R): Three parallel storylines, from around the world, share a
common bond and a powerful message. One takes place in Afghanistan , one at
a California
University , and the other in the US Congress. One of the
central questions posed asks if politics is relevant. United Artists, 2007.

V for Vendetta (R): A shadowy figure known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics
to fight for freedoms against a totalitarian government. Warner Home Video,
2005.

Good Night and Good Luck (PG): Broadcast journalist 'Edward R. Murrow (I)'
looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy during the "Red Scare" of the
1950's. Warner Independent Pictures, 2005.

Bowling for Columbine (R): Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of
America 's predilection for gun violence and seeks meaning for the right to
bear arms. Alliance Atlantis Communications, 2002.

The Insider (R): A research chemist comes under personal and professional
attack when he decides to appear in a "60 Minutes" expose on Big Tobacco.
Blue Lion Entertainment, 1999.

The Siege (R): A look at how various government entities respond to a series
of terrorist attack in New York City and several Constitutional issues. 20th
Century Fox, 1998.

Enemy of the State (R): A lawyer becomes a target by a corrupt politician
and the National Security Agency when he accidentally receives key evidence to
a serious politically motivated crime. Touchstone Pictures, 1998.

All the Kings Men (PG): One of the earliest tales about how power corrupts,
this classic focuses on an honest man who succumbs to ambition and populist
pandering, 1949.

Advise and Consent (PG): The story of a Senate battle over the appointment
and confirmation of a Secretary of State. Columbia, 1962.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (NR): Classic Jimmy Stewart movie shows a
naive businessman who takes a courageous stand as a Senator. Columbia,
1939.

The Birdman of Alcatraz

The Help

Zero Dark Thirty

Lincoln

Argo

Selma
Rubric for Film Evaluation
Lacking a comparison to at least two things learned in this course
Will not be graded
Lacking an opinion page/or a film evaluation that does not tell whether the film
was biased
Different forma
-40
Under 1200 words
-30
Will not be graded
FILM PROJECT EXAMPLE
Film Evaluation Project- All The President’s Men
ABSTRACT
The film, All The President’s Men, is a true account of investigative
journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and their unveiling of a
conspiracy that reached proportions never before seen in American history.
The story begins approximately two years before the infamous scandal
with President Richard Nixon speaking to an enthusiastic House,
broadcasted before approving American citizens. Through a series of
investigative tactics and interviews, the two journalists begin making their
way through a web of lies, finding a money trail that leads all the way to
the presidency and that encompasses the entire U.S. intelligence agency.
The film emphasizes the public’s right to know about deceit and
fraudulence in government through the rights guaranteed the press in the
first amendment. The film ends with the corruption being uncovered, and
the sweeping allegations taking down a president and those who conspired
with him.
SUMMARY/COMPARISON
The film makes reference to the importance of freedom of the press in
the first amendment. It not only makes reference, but the film’s plot
revolves around these rights. As Bernstein and Woodward begin to
investigate the Watergate scandal, they uncover truths that not only
disparage the president, but link him directly to overseeing the corruption
in question. The film leaves the audience with an appreciation for the
public’s right to know and the press’ right to tell. The film takes place in
the 1970s when the public’s major source of information was chiefly
television, radio, and newspapers, and before all that the Internet has
made possible today—social media, websites, videos, and blogging. It also
takes place during a time when the public generally held politicians in
higher esteem and with a higher degree of trust. Even though information
did not reach the public as quickly as it does today, the media had a
certain amount of control over politician’s image and public opinion. The
movie depicts this fairly well by showing approving crowds and an esteemed
House through live footage of Nixon’s inaugural address, and re-election.
Through the course of the film, Bernstein and Woodward’s stories of
deceit and corruption show the importance of the relationship of the
media, public opinion, and political action. When small allegations of lies
and deceit were first aroused, not many people gave the accusations much
attention, but as the investigations got bigger, the chain of corruption
grew. Bernstein and Woodward’s stories began demanding greater attention
from the public inciting the general public’s disapproval of government. As
the public’s disfavor towards those in government grew, the disfavor
culminated in President Nixon’s resignation. The film touches on campaign
funding, re-election committees, and the corruption that sometimes takes
place to ensure the re-election of the president. The film depicts the
journalists uncovering a massive illegal intelligence ring that included all of
the U.S. intelligence agencies. Many people were afraid to talk to the
journalists, but realized it was their civic duty to thwart the illegal
activities they had witnessed. Again, in this way, the film underscores the
importance of a free press and the power a free press holds.
With freedom comes responsibility, and the film carefully depicts the
press’ concerns of reporting with credibility and accuracy while respecting
the privacy and safety of their sources. The newspaper that Bernstein and
Woodward reported for, The Washington Post, was accused of slander,
shoddy journalism, and playing political favorites when one of the
journalist’s sources appeared to have been lying. Undeterred by the
criticism, Bernstein and Woodward continued to pursue their leads, and
eventually, piece-by-piece, they uncovered the truth underlying the
massive ring of corruption. Had their investigation gone wrong, and
without the guarantees the first amendment brings, Bernstein, Woodward,
and The Washington Post, along with The Post’s editor, Ben Bradley,
could have found themselves in the midst of a libel suit. Because the
scandal focused on President Nixon’s re-election, in a roundabout way the
film shows the importance of public opinion and the lengths politicians will
go to in order to ensure re-election. The Nixon’s committee to re-elect
established a huge “slush fund”. This fund was used to spy on the
National Democratic Headquarters, to dig up personal information on
democrats, and to pay off those who knew about the spying, not to
mention this fund broke numerous campaign finance laws, namely the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, all in the name of trashing the
names of political enemies before the eyes of the general public. The
Watergate scandal prompted further legislation regarding campaign finance
that restricted individual campaign finance, but did not restrict activity by
interest groups, though this was not touched on in the film. After
President Nixon resigned, Gerald Ford, Nixon’s vice president took the
oath of office. This was also a minor detail in the film, but is a major
factor to consider when looking at the office of the president and how
the nation reacts when the president is no longer able to govern.
OPINION:
As a journalist, I enjoyed the film, and found it very interesting to see
how computers and the Internet has changed investigating, finding sources,
and reporting. While I usually sympathize with the democrat side, I did
notice a few disparaging glances between characters when someone
mentioned republicans or the Republican Party. I did however appreciate
the fact that the film did not blame the overall republican political stance
for the actions of a relative select few. I did not find this film to be
especially for or especially against either party. I did feel that the film
only served to reveal the dark side of politics in general, and was not
balanced in this way. The plot was, however, a true story, and balance
was not conducive to the storyline.
Addendum III – Ranger College Institutional Policies
DROP DATE
If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw
formally. Do not simply stop attending the course. The withdrawal request must
be received in the Registrar’s Office by. Failure to do so will result in your
receiving a performance grade, usually an “F.” If you drop a class or withdraw
from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a
“W” (Withdraw) in each class dropped
INSTRUCTOR’S RIGHTS
The instructor reserves the right to modify any course requirements and calendar
due dates as necessary to manage and conduct this course. Students are
responsible for contacting the instructor and seeking clarification of any
requirement that is not understood.
ADA INFORMATION
If you are a student with a disability and/or special needs who requires
accommodations, please contact the College’s Special Services.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Scholastic
dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion. As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult.
TITLE IX
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights
offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to
offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone
you know has been harassed or assaulted, you have somewhere on campus to go. Please contact
Elizabeth Price at [email protected].