Sabrina Hammel Federal
and State Government 2301-02
The text required for this
course is AMGOV & Politics Today, The
Essentials, Bardes, Shelley, Schmidt (2009-2010).
There will be 4 examinations
including the final with the approximate dates of exams being 6/12, 7/3, 7/17and the final on 8/7 (ALL
EXAM DATES, EXCLUDING THE FINAL, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE) NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ON TIME. Please
note that make-up exams must be scheduled by making an appointment (Call
826-7595 and they can only be taken on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday). Additionally you MUST notify me if you will
be missing an exam. Exams are never
given early.
All regular exams can
include essay questions that for the most part, will be taken from classroom
discussions’, videos, handouts and readings from the assigned text, fill in the
blank and/or true and false questions, in other words, anything! (All regular exams are 50% of grade)
Attendance is very important. You are
allowed 2.5 absences (not test days)
after this you might want to consider dropping the class. If you do not drop the class you will be
assigned a grade of “F”. Wayland Baptist
policy: No more than 25% of classroom time can be missed otherwise a grade of
“F” will be assigned.
Classroom participation is
worth a significant portion of your grade.
(25% of grade) In addition,
current events will consume a great deal of the discussion time during this
course!
An oral presentation will be
expected. Topics and dates will be selected during the second week of
class. The presentation must be
approximately fifteen minutes in length and accompanied with a three-page
essay, which will be due 7/24. The date of assigned presentations will begin
on approximately 6/19 (15% of
grade). NO LATE WORK WILL BE TAKEN
YOU HAVE A CHOICE:
You can choose between one of the following:
A journal of not less than
five newspaper articles should be submitted with a half a page summary on
each. Please, make sure your name is on
the folders and all papers are neatly typed.
In order to receive credit, please make sure to include the
articles. (10% of grade) Due 7/24
NO LATE WORK WILL BE TAKEN
OR
You can complete a service learning project that consists of a volunteer activity. A minimum of three hours of activity is
required. A two page reflection paper
will be required and is due on 7/24. As with the journal no late work will be
accepted.
Anyone using Laptops in the class must sit up front.
EXTRA CREDIT: At least 30 minutes of each class will be
dedicated to individuals bringing in news articles of current events pertaining
to government activity and/or of constitutional significance. Plan on in class discussion regarding the
articles. You are allowed up to ten
articles with each one being worth 10 extra points. You can use the 5 articles you have selected
for your journal.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE
REQUIRED COURSE WORK ANY EXTRA CREDIT EARNED THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER WILL BE
DEDUCTED.
If you chose to drop this course,
it is your responsibility to do so. I
will not drop you....if you stop attending and/or exceed the number of absences
(see above), a grade of F will be assigned (THESE GRADES ARE ON YOUR TRANSCRIPT
FOREVER).
Out of consideration for
the class, cell phones & pagers are to be kept on mute. If this is an issue please see me. Please
avoid private conversations because it disturbs the class and me.
In addition, please avoid doing other course work in
the class. I may ask you to leave the class if I feel
that your actions are distracting others, which includes me. If you are late to class please be courteous
and do not slam the door or displace those that have arrived on time. If roll has been taken you
will want to get with me during break or after class to make sure that I mark
you present. Each tardy (15
minutes late) counts as one-half an absence.
NO LATE PRESENTATION PAPERS OR JOURNALS WILL BE
ACCEPTED!!
THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL LECTURE COURSE! This
class will be taught utilizing the Socratic method and
your involvement is not only necessary but is a part of your grade. We will not
be covering the book in class. It is
your responsibility to keep up with your chapter readings. The semesters go by very fast so it is
important to come to class prepared.
Government has an effect on every aspect of your life. I hope to
convince you of the importance of active participation in our government. Political Ideology is of no importance to me PARTICIPATION AND/OR THE LACK OF IT, IS OF
GREAT CONCERN. Tolerance for
different points of view is expected so please be open minded and above all
respectful. We live in the greatest
nation in the world.... and we are allowed to have differing views. I look foreword to working with each and
every one of you.
PLAGIARISM will result in a failing grade.
Grading: A 90 average earns an A, an 80 earns a B, a
70 earns a C, a 60 earns a D, and below 60 an F.
CHAPTER
EXAM II
14, 15 (if it comes in)
ALL chapters and
Comprehensive Essay and short response questions
Last day to drop with a “W”
is July 10th
Last day to drop with a
“WP/WF” is July 24th
There are no scheduled
holidays during this session.
A break will be provided at
an appropriate time during the class.