Course Syllabus
POLS 101, INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to American Government and Politics
COURSE NUMBER: POLS 101
COURSE SECTION: L0G CRN 22059
MEETING DAYS AND TIMES:T/R 2-3:15
CLASSROOM/LOCATION:
Password: 1111
SEMESTER: Fall YEAR: 2021
PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in (ENGL 093 Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 083 Reading Strategies for College) or ENGL 095 Integrated Reading and Writing, or ENGL 075 Co-Requisite Integrated Reading and Writing.
SCHOOL: Arts, Sciences & Education
PROGRAM: Social Sciences
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: Lecture: 3
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Spring, 2019
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REVISION: Fall, 2019
Instructor
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INSTRUCTOR NAME: Scott Michael Powell, Ph.D (Dr. Powell) INSTRUCTOR PHONE NUMBER: 812-298-2224 INSTRUCTOR E-MAIL: spowell14@ivytech.edu Welcome to the class, I am Dr. Powell, the instructor for this section. I have undergraduate degrees in History and Social Science, a Masters in Sociology with significant graduate coursework in History, and a PhD in Cultural Studies from Ohio University. I'm our region's sociology and global studies coordinator. Please become familiar with this syllabus. My preferred method of contact is by e-mail at spowell14@ivytech.edu and by phone at 812-298-2224. Let me know if you have any questions. I am here to help.
INSTRUCTOR OFFICE LOCATION: H116 or Virtual at (Links to an external site.) https://ivytech.zoom.us/j/96445481570?pwd=VGg3WlpqeEJMT04yT0ZBR3hYVFlGQT09 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
Required Password: 1111 Mondays Campus Hours 4-5:30 Tuesday Campus Hours 3:15-4:15 Wednesday Campus Hours 12-1/Virtual Hours 3:45-4:45 Thursday Campus Hours 3:15-3:45/Virtual Hours 3:45-4:45 Friday Virtual Hours 2:50-4:50 |
WELCOME TO POLITICAL SCIENCE 101!!!
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Studies federalism, theories of the origins and purposes of government and other aspects of the American government including interest groups, political parties, and the electoral process. Emphasis is placed on constitutional backgrounds and the organization and functions of the executive, legislative, and judicial segments of the national government, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, media, bureaucracies, and domestic and foreign policy.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:
- Describe and discuss the foundations and bases of American government and democracy including the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalism.
- Describe the various aspects of political behavior of individuals and groups including political parties, public opinion, media, nominations, campaigns, and elections.
- Describe the operations of the various governmental institutions including executive, legislative, judicial, and administrative functions.
- Evaluate recent global developments and their impact on public policy in the areas of domestic and foreign affairs.
- Identify how the separate, but power-sharing institutions, including government agencies, private sector and interest groups, attempt to influence modern society.
- Explain how power is granted to the national government and the states with limitations that safeguard civil liberties and civil rights.
- Analyze and discuss the American political system and its effectiveness in meeting the major needs of society.
- Evaluate American politics and government in a global and historical context as compared with other political systems and their various institutions, the ways their people are governed, and how their decisions are made and implemented.
- Demonstrate and express an understanding of the complex international interconnections that give meaning to American politics and government.
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include –
History and theories of government
Rise of American democracy
Constitutional structure
Challenges of Federalism
- civil rights
- civil liberties
- case law
Public Policy
- media
- globalism
- current events
Course Text: POLS 101-H0G using Revel for Living Democracy, 2018 Elect, Pearson 97801235466544
Some who purchased the online textbook may need this course invite link: https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/eblnxe
Educational Technology Support
Name: Patrick Boggs
Phone Number: 812-298-2234
Email (Ivy Tech Email): pboggs@ivytech.edu
Office/Campus Location: Suite H138
Office Hours: 8:00am-4:45pm
Zoom Room: https://ivytech.zoom.us/j/912685227 (Links to an external site.)
IVY TECH TECHNICAL SUPPORT: HELP DESK
Phone: 1-88-IVY-LINE (1-888-489-5463), select option 4
Student Help Center: http://ivytech.edusupportcenter.com (Links to an external site.) (links to an external site)
Submit a Help Ticket: https://helpdesk.ivytech.edu/SelfService/Create.html
HOW TO ACCESS THE IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIBRARY:
The Ivy Tech Library is available to students’ on- and off-campus, offering full text journals and books and other resources essential for course assignments. Go to http://www.ivytech.edu/library/ and choose the link for your campus.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value intellectual integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate academic integrity undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement. Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT:
Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must insure that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or other proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at Ivy Tech Community College contain nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous and do not constitute any violation of any right of privacy.
SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION NOTICE:
It is imperative that if you see or hear a threat that you report it immediately. Comments such as a statement to “get even,” a threat to kill or injure someone, or to blow up the building are examples of threatening or intimidating language. The comment does not need to be made directly to the potential victim. Security should be notified first to address individuals who express violent words or behaviors. After Security is notified, the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and/or Human Resources should be notified.
To notify security: dial “2245” from school phone or call 812-298-2245 from cell phone. If security does not answer dial “0” from school phone or call 812-299-1121 from cell phone to reach the Welcome Desk.
It is also important to note that in the event of any medical emergency situation, you should dial 911 immediately. This includes medical problems with students or employees. Dialing 911 is the quickest and most effective way to ensure that the person receives appropriate medical attention.
Any student who believes he/she may need assistance with evacuation in the event of an emergency situation should notify Jaime Frey at 298-2282 or jfrey@ivytech.edu
ADA STATEMENT:
Ivy Tech Community College seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services. If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor immediately. Look for evacuation procedures posted in your classroom.
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend and participate regularly in class meetings, online learning activities and other activities assigned as a part of a course of instruction. Faculty are required to report student participation in compliance with institutional policies and federal financial aid guidelines. Faculty and staff shall be sensitive to students’ religious beliefs and observances, including an expectation that instructors make reasonable arrangements when a student must miss an exam or other academic exercise due to their religious observance. When notified in advance, and when possible, faculty will make allowances for students to make up missed work.
TITLE IX:
Ivy Tech Community College is committed to providing all members of the College community with a learning and work environment free from sexual harassment and assault. Ivy Tech students have options for getting help if they have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment or stalking. This information can be found at https://www.ivytech.edu/prevent-sexual-violence/index.html.
If students write or speak about having survived sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, federal law and Ivy Tech policies require that instructors share this information with the Campus Title IX Coordinator. The Campus Title IX Coordinator will contact students to let them know about accommodations and support services at the College and in the community as well as options for holding accountable the person who harmed them. When contacted, students are not required to speak with the Campus Title IX Coordinator.
If students do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing this information to their instructor, students can speak confidentially with certain individuals at the College or in the community. A list of these individuals can be found at https://www.ivytech.edu/prevent-sexual-violence/index.html under Confidential Employees and/or Community Resources.
RIGHT OF REVISION:
The college reserves the right to change any statements, policies or scheduling as necessary. Students will be informed promptly of any and all changes.
EMERGENCY ALERTS, CAMPUS CLOSINGS/DELAYS:
While rare, there are instances in which a campus or site may be unexpectedly closed, have a delayed opening or an emergency. A few examples are extreme weather, power outages, lockdowns and evacuations.
Be sure you have signed up to receive emails and/or text messages (best way) of these unexpected interruptions in campus operations. Messages are sent through the alert system before the media is notified for announcements.
Go to https://www.ivytech.edu/alert/ to sign up, or ensure you are signed up to receive these emergency alerts.
CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:
This class is not required for certification or licensure.
IvyLearn
Even courses that meet face-to-face utilize the IvyLearn course management system. For this course, IvyLearn will be utilized in the following manner:
o All grades will be entered into the IvyLearn gradebook.
o IvyLearn will be utilized the gradebook, course announcements, assignments, assignment submissions, return of graded assignments, quizzes, exams, etc.
K.E.Y. Learning Center Campus Site Information & Hours
The physical location for the K.E.Y. is in Room C-108 in the Library Hallway.
Face-to-face tutoring will be limited at the campus site due to Fall 2020 social distancing restrictions, but students are still welcome to come to the K.E.Y. for assistance.
In addition to tutoring in math, science, writing, and research, the K.E.Y. has computers and printers available for student use, and tutors can also help students navigate Zoom and other online learning platforms.
Hours for the K.E.Y. campus location in Room C-108 are as follows:
Mon.-Thurs. - 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
K.E.Y. Learning Center Zoom Virtual Tutoring Information & Hours
First 8 Weeks | Fall 2020:
Virtual tutoring in Zoom is offered across the disciplines through the K.E.Y. Learning Center, including assistance with math, science, writing, and research.
The K.E.Y. Learning Center main Zoom Meeting ID is 675-578-657 and the direct link is https://ivytech.zoom.us/j/675578657..
Tutors will be happy to assist you in Zoom, not only with classes but with using Zoom as a learning tool.
Students are also invited to join our K.E.Y. Virtual Tutoring Community by either accepting the invitation in their email inboxes or by sending a request to join the community to Darla Crist at dcrist5@ivytech.edu.
The K.E.Y. Virtual Tutoring Community puts tutoring assistance at your fingertips in your IvyLearn dashboard and provides resource pages and access to discussions, collaborations, and announcements regarding K.E.Y. sponsored study or review sessions.
Zoom tutoring hours are as follows:
Mon.-Thurs. - 9:00 a,m. to 8:00 p.m.*
*Zoom math tutoring in the evenings is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-8:00*
Students are also invited to browse the K.E.Y. Learning Center LibGuide for class resources, handouts, tutorials, and tips for classes across the curriculum: https://library.ivytech.edu/c.php?g=996037
Keep Empowering Yourself!
College Policies & Support Services (click on this link to review)
Students are strongly encourage to click the link above to review standard College policies and information on academic support services.
Course Policies & Procedures
Instructional Method
This is a face-to-face course.
Grades
All grades will be maintained in IvyLearn’s online grade book. Students are responsible for tracking their progress by referring to the online grade book. Students can generally expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the assignment due date. If exceptions occur, the instructor may notify students of changes to this expectation.
Grading Scale:
90 - 100% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79% C
60 - 69% D
59% and below F
The last day to withdraw from this course is: Nov. 30, 2021
The last day to drop from the course with a refund is: October 25, 2021
Course Communication
Online Communication Etiquette
Students are expected to uphold their responsibilities in terms of appropriate and professional communication with faculty and peers. Please review the ‘Students Rights and Responsibilities’ section of the student handbook (located within Campus Connect) and review common netiquette (Internet etiquette) practices, like those found at: https://www.ivytech.edu/online/11570.html
Instructor Commitment
Ivy Tech Community College instructors are committed to responding to students’ written inquiries sent via the conversations tool in IvyLearn (instructions below), within 24 hours, including weekends. Students can contact their local Online Technologies Support with questions (http://ivytech.edu/online/contacts.html).
Conversations
All students must use the conversations feature of IvyLearn for course-related communications. Using conversations, students can send and receive messages from within IvyLearn. Conversations can only be sent and received from within IvyLearn. Please check Conversations frequently.
For information on how to access Conversations (send and receive) click this link to open the Canvas Guides (https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2666) (Links to an external site.). The Canvas Guides will provide you with the necessary information to get started with conversations within IvyLearn.
Notifications
IvyLearn has a robust notification system that students can opt to use to receive course notifications for many course activities and events such as new announcements, due dates, and grade updates. Students can receive those notifications via many different channels including text messages and are highly encouraged to customize their notifications. To learn more about notifications and how to setup and customize notifications, please review the guide here: https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/73162-how-do-i-set-my-notification-preferences (Links to an external site.).
METHOD(S) OF EVALUATION: Grading will be done on a point system. Points are assigned for each criterion previously established for the purpose of evaluating each assignment. Each graded assignment, paper, quiz, and exam is assigned a point value, which is reflective of the quality of the student’s work.
Exams--
There will be two exams in the class, based upon material in the text and in lecture. Exam format will include multiple choice, true/false, and short answer essay questions. Each exam will count for 100 points of the student's final course grade.
Reflective Essays--
In addition to the study questions, students will complete a series of brief reflective essays on various topics as assigned by instructor. Essays should be typed and should be 1 1/2 to 2 pages in length. It is expected that essays will be well written and proofread. The purpose of the essays is to help students gain writing experience, and also to stimulate critical thinking and writing on a variety of issues. The reflective essays will each count for 30 points toward student's final course grade. Criteria for grading the essays are:
- The essay should be typed, double spaced, with 1 1/2 margins all the way around, in no larger than 12 point font.
- The essay should be responsive to the topic, and reflect student's thinking process relative to the subject.
- Students' opinions and views on the topic should be backed up by examples whenever possible.
- The essay should be handed in on time.
Grading Policy--
Final course grades will be determined as follows:
Two exams @ 150 points each = 300 points
Five essays @ 30 points each = 150 points
Constitution Exercise = 60 points
Questions on film = 20 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINT 530 points
Grading Scale:
90% of available points = A
80% of available points = B
70% of available points = C
60% of available points = D
Below 60% = F
COVID-19
Ivy Tech Community College has adapted our course deliveries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All activities that take place during. In-person course sessions fall into three categories:
1) instruction that can take place with all participants (students, faculty, lab assistants, etc.) socially distanced with a minimum of 6 feet between all involved.
2) courses with a hands-on component requiring participants to be within 6 feet of each other but for less than 15 minutes during any given day.
3) courses having a hands-on component requiring participants to be within 6 feet of others for greater than 15 minutes.
In addition to the College's face covering policy, additional personal protective equipment is required for anyone who must violate social distancing in order to meet learning objectives. Your faculty member will notify you of which category this course is in and any additional safety requirements in place.
All students, faculty, and staff are expected to comply with the face covering policy, social distancing, hand hygiene, and the use of any other personal protective equipment.
This course does not require the violation of social distancing.
Course Agenda & Assignments
Week 1 Beginning October 20th
Readings:
Chapter 1 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Political Socialization Essay
Week 2
Readings:
Chapter 2 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Constitution Exercise
Week 3
Readings:
Chapter 3 & 4 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Slavery Essay
Week 4
Readings:
Chapter 5 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Exam 1
Week 5
Readings:
Chapter 5 & 6 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Video questions: Without Due Process
Week 6
Readings:
Chapter 7 Living Democracy
Assignments:
U.S. Supreme Court Essay
Week 7
Readings:
Chapter 8 Living Democracy
Assignments:
American System of Government Essay
Week 8
Readings:
Chapter 9 Living Democracy
Assignments:
Exam 2
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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