CASPER COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number and Title: POLS 1000, section 6-U. S. & Wyoming Government
Semester/Year: Fall 2017
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Class Time: 11:00-11:50pm
Credit Hours: 3
Days: M/W/F
Room: LH 185
Instructor’s Name: Daniel Gallegos
Instructor’s Office #: (307) 261-6415
Phone #: (307) 797-2481
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Office Hours: Mon./Wes./Fri Following class.
Course Description: This course examines the organization and nature of the American national
government and Wyoming state government and their constitutional development. This course
meets the statutory requirement for instruction in the Constitutions of the United States and
Wyoming. Credit earned for POLS 1000 will replace and delete credit earned for POLS 1010.
Statement of Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course, but it is presumed that you
possess college level reading and writing abilities. In addition, you are expected to maintain a
commitment towards personal excellence and improvement during the course of this semester.
General Objectives (Goals): This course is designed to provide you with information on the bases
of government in the United States, the relationship of the federal government to other political
actors, the institutions and processes of this government, and the roles of other political actors and
the results of politics in the United States. Our analysis of Wyoming’s government will serve to
illustrate how such political systems work on the state level in the United States. Much of what you
learn in this course is dependent upon you. Your full participation through completing the readings
and assignments, taking part (and attending) in class discussion and work, and keeping informed of
current political events will make this course a fruitful endeavor for everyone involved. The people
and governments of the United States are confronted with numerous challenges--domestic, foreign,
and of confidence--that this course hopefully will help you to understand better.
Specific Objectives (Outcomes): It is expected that completion of this course will assist each
student in becoming:
1. More knowledgeable of the historic and constitutional bases, organization, functions, and
policies of the American and Wyoming political systems;
2. Better able to understand political affairs and their implications;
3. Better able to understand the bases and issues associated with current events, especially
political, in the local, state, national, and international realms,
4. Better able to meet the reading, writing, researching, and speaking demands essential for a
college experience (this corresponds with the college’s outcomes #1 “Demonstrate effective
oral and written communication” and #6 “Use appropriate technology and information to
conduct research”);
5. Better able to identify the differences between major political philosophies and points of view,
6. More knowledgeable of what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democratic system (this
corresponds with the college’s outcome #7 “Describe the value of personal, civic, and social
responsibilities”).
Methodology: (Lecture, lab, demonstration, coop, online, video, tele course, hybrid instructions
learning community, class discussions, etc.) Your feedback is valuable as the instructor uses course
evaluations in determining course methodology.
Evaluation Criteria:
Examinations (150 points) - There will be two, three-part exams. Part one will contain a set of
multiple choice questions derived from important points and key terms from the lectures, course
readings, and current events. Part two will contain a set of matching questions of important
individuals discussed in class and/or in the readings. Part three will require an identification and
description of key terms, concepts, and events from class and the readings in the form of short
essays (one paragraph answers generally addressing four or more components). In part three, you
will have a choice of questions. Although the exams are equal in their number of points, individual
improvement will be factored into the final grade. Each exam will be preceded by a review session
during which you are encouraged to raise questions about the material that will be on the exam.
Quizzes (200 points) - There will be a weekly quiz. They may be multiple-choice, take-home or
oral. The purpose of the quizzes is to challenge your ability to communicate ideas through rapid
responses, careful insight and it is important to be comfortable answering impromptu questions.
Events Journal (100 points) - For this course, it will be important for you to keep up with political
events in the United States, Wyoming, and the world; which will be integrated into the lectures,
class discussion, and exams/quizzes. Please keep yourself informed by reading newspapers such as
The Casper Star-Tribune, magazines like Time, and television and radio programs like "60
Minutes," or utilizing the many news sites on the Internet. Also, you must hand in an Events
Journal is due Midterm week. Your journal will include 10 political events (your choice of local,
state, national, international happenings). Two of which must come from a history from the 1770’s
to the 1980’s. The Historical event will require you to read from the historical document and think
contextually and ask if America making the same mistakes of the past and do you foresee this issue
happening again? You will need to explain what part culture played? You will need to explain
how that historical moment is important. The remaining seven can be on current events. The
journal should include a title page, a copy of the article and each event write-up should be 1 to 2
pages (double spaced) with your description of the event, and your thoughts and opinions. For this
assignment, you may utilize magazines, newspapers, the internet, radio, and television as sources.
Apply what you have learned in your assessment of the article. You may cover events discussed in
class as long as you have outside sources.
Research Presentation (300 points) - Every student must present his or her research to the class.
There will be written assignments for this course. Your main research project will be researching,
“How the degree or career field you are seeking can influence government and how government
can affect your field.” You must demonstrate your findings by power point or some form of media
to the class for discussion. Presentation times are first come first serve or chosen by lottery.
Presentations will be delivered the week before the Final Exam. You will submit a 1 to 2-page
proposal on the 1st day of class following the Midterm Exam (50 points). 5 points will be deducted
for every day it is late. I may require an electric copy from all students. You will submit your final
draft of your Presentation outline with cover page and works cited (100 points). You are required
to meet with the College Writing Center (75 points) and the Oral Communications Lab (OCL) (75
points) A will give you a template in class. Your presentation will be no less than 5 and no more
than 10 minutes remember the incorporation of media. PowerPoint, video, song and dance. You are
only limited by your imagination.
Writing Center is located at the Strausner Hall, Room 215. Appointments are not required but
highly encouraged! Please call the center at 307-268-2610 to make an appointment.
Oral Communication Lab is housed in the Gertrude Krampert Center in Room 155. To access their
services, simply call me at 307-268-2390 or 800-442-2963, ext. 2390 or email me
[email protected] to set up an appointment.
Attendance and Participation (100 points) - Please attend this class on time and on a regular basis.
You will be encouraged to participate in class discussion and ask questions of the instructor and
your classmates. If you miss an exam or paper deadline, you must arrange for a make-up, which
will only be given in extraordinary circumstances. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get
the lecture notes for that class session. Since the due dates are known in advance computer and
related problems are not acceptable excuses for late work.
Extra credit is highly rewarded.
Grade DistributionExam 1
Exam 2
Quizzes (10)
C.E. Journal
Presentation
Attendance &participation points
150 points
150 points
200 points total
100 points
300 points
100 points
Total of 1000 points*
*90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D. Also, there may be opportunities for extra credit
during the course of the semester
Casper College may collect samples of student work demonstrating achievement of the above
outcomes. Any personally identifying information will be removed from student work.
Required Texts, Readings and Materials: You will need the following materials for this class.
Additional readings and hand-outs may also be utilized.
O’Connor, Sabato, Yanus. 2013. Essentials Of American Government: Roots And Reform.
Election Edition. New Jersey: Pearson.
How Our Laws Are Made.
I will provide a copy to each student.
Class Policies: Last Date to Change to Audit Status or to Withdraw a W Grade: Last date to
change to audit status or to withdraw with a "W" grade is April 16. Please feel free to contact me
by email or phone. You can catch me before or after class. I do not have set office hours but I will
make arrangements to meet with you if you have any questions or concerns at any time during this
course. I will do my upmost to assist you in making this course a valuable learning experience and
I hope that you do the same.
Student Rights & Responsibilities: If you have any questions regarding your rights and
responsibilities, please refer to the Casper College Student Handbook.
Chain of Command: If you have any problems with this class, you should first contact the
instructor to attempt to solve the problem. If you are not satisfied with the solution offered by the
instructor, you should then take the matter through the appropriate chain of command starting with
the Department Head/Program Director, the Dean, and lastly the Vice President for Academic
Affairs.
Academic Dishonesty (Cheating & Plagiarism) Casper College demands intellectual honesty.
Proven plagiarism or any form of dishonesty associated with the academic process can result in the
offender failing the course in which the offense was committed or expulsion from school. See the
Casper College Student Code of Conduct for more information on this topic.
Official Means of Communication: Casper College faculty and staff will employ the student’s
assigned Casper College e-mail account as a primary method of communication. Students are
responsible to check their account regularly.
ADA Accommodations Policy: If you need academic accommodations because of a disability,
please inform the instructor as soon as possible privately after class or during office hours. To
request academic accommodations, students must first consult with the college’s Disability
Services Counselor located in the Gateway Building, Room 344, 307-268-2557,
[email protected]. The Disability Services Counselor is responsible for reviewing
documentation provided by students requesting accommodations, determining eligibility for
accommodations, and helping students request and use appropriate accommodations.
Calendar:
Mon
Wes
Fri
January
No Class
Ancient
Ancient
Mon
Wes
Fri
March
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
Mon
Wes
Fri
Ancient
Ancient
Library
Mon
Wes
Fri
Civil Rights
BOR
BOR
Mon
Wes
Fri
Christendom
Christendom
Christendom
Mon
Wes
Fri
BOR
BOR
BOR
Mon
Their Modern
February
Their Modern
Their Modern
Mon
Wes
Fri
April
Executive / Gov
Governor
No Class
Mon
Wes
Fri
Revolution
Revolution
Mon
Wes
Fri
No Class
Legislative
State Legislature
Mon
Wes
Fri
Documents
Documents
Documents
Mon
Wes
Fri
Judicial
State Judicial
The Political Machine
Mon
Wes
Fri
No Class
Federalism
Federalism
Mon
Wes
Fri
Bill becomes a law
Elections
Constituency
Mon
Federalism
Wes
Fri
March
Federalism
Federalism
Wes
Fri
Mon
Wes
Fri
Review
Mid-term
Help/ Journal due
May
Mon
Wes
Presentation
Presentation
Fri
Presentation
Finals
*This outline may be modified due to time constraints or other unforeseen factors.
General Paper Guidelines
These guidelines must be followed for the above written assignments. Also, please proofread your
papers as presentation, appearance, content, and following directions do matter in the calculation of
each paper grade. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please see me.
1. Title page: this should include a descriptive title, your name, the class, and the date. The
title page should not be numbered, but it serves as your first or cover page (this page does
not count towards the assignment page requirements).
2. Format: the body of your paper should be typed, double spaced (except for your
bibliographic sources and use of long quotes), have one inch margins on all sides, use
regular-sized font (10 to 12 point), and be consecutively numbered. Also, your paper
should be stapled so binders and folders are not necessary.
3. Citing: you must cite the source of any specific material or opinion that is not yours. Use
quotation marks for direct cites, but try and paraphrase when possible (put material into
your own words, but still list the source). You must use the following in-text citation
format:
"Quoted material (Jillson 2012, 10)." Where Jillson is the author's last name, 2011 is the
year of publication, and "10" is the page number for your quoted material (you do not need
to say “quoted material”).
Paraphrased material (Jillson 2012, 12). Same format for paraphrased material.
4. Structure: your papers should include a strong introductory paragraph with a clear thesis as
well as a thoughtful conclusion. The body of each paper should provide a thoughtful and
complete essay.
5. Bibliography: for your current events journal you must include the information for each of
your ten sources. A reminder that your bibliographic information should precede each
event write-up and that this information should be single spaced within a source of more
than one line. Your actual write-ups for the events will be double spaced. If there is no
clear author, you may use Anonymous or the periodical's title as the author. Both the
course materials and outside sources must be included on a separate bibliographic page at
the end of the paper. These sources should come from the Casper College Library’s
databases (journals, magazines, newspapers, books).
6. Sources Example:
For journals, magazines, and newspapers:
Johnson, Melissa. 2013. "The Dilemmas Facing Women in Politics." National Digest
March 10, pp.12-15.
For electronically retrieved sources:
LaPlant, James. 2013. “The Political Dilemmas Facing Youth Today.” Political Times April
15, pp.2-9. Retrieved from EBSCO.
For internet sources:
Nostrum, Robert. 2014. "The Influence of Money on American Politics." January 10,
www.votesmart.org.
For Stinebrickner selections:
Pastor, Robert A. [2005] 2013. “America Observed.” In Annual Editions: American
Government 13/14. Bruce Stinebrickner, ed. New York: Mcgraw-Hill.
7. Miscellaneous: Typically, in academic papers you do not use contractions. Words such as
won’t, weren’t, it’s, etc. Be sure to develop your paragraphs and use transitions between
them. Moving from paragraph to paragraph, from idea to idea, you will want to use
transitions that are very clear--you should leave no doubt in your reader's mind how you
are getting from one idea to another. Finally, please pay attention to the comments on your
papers as they will be beneficial for your presentation.