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POL 201 (ONLINE COURSE)
Fall Semester 2009
Introduction to Political Science and American
Government
[Go Back to Reece's Main
Page]
1.0 Overview
There is no on-campus or online orientation associated with this
course. There is a general online orientation offered through
Cerritos College that you may want to take if this is your first
online course. You will find the general online orientation at
www.cerritos.edu/de/. If you are already familiar with online
education courses at Cerritos College, then you are ready to get
started in this course by thoroughly reading the syllabus.
Everything you need to know about getting started and what to expect
throughout the term can be found in the syllabus (see below).
2.0
Contact Information
-
Dr. Bryan
Reece, Interim Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences
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Office: SS12
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Phone: (562)
860-2451 x2750
-
E-mail:
breece@cerritos.edu
3.0 Course Description
In the course of this
semester we will contrast democratic ideals with American politics,
discussing the extent to which the U.S. is realizing or not realizing these
ideals. In carrying out this task, we will analyze the American
public, five major American political institutions (the mass media,
political parties, interest groups, elections, and public opinion polling),
the three American governing institutions (the executive, legislative and
judicial branches).
I have
structured this course with some specific instructional goals in mind.
Through this course, it is my hope that students gain:
5.0
Required Course
Materials
The text you will be using for this course is
American Government Roots and Reform, 2009 Edition, by Karen
O'Connor and Larry J. Sabato. The book is available through the Cerritos
College Bookstore and is required for the course.
You are also required
to purchase access to Mypoliscilab (details can be found at
http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/cerritos_political_science/).
Mypoliscilab (MPSL) is the online supplement associated with the text and holds additional
content that is required throughout the term.
You may purchase used copies of the text; however,
you must purchase a unique (new) Mypoliscilab booklet for the course. I
recommend that you look for a shrink-wrapped package in the bookstore. A
shrink-wrapped package includes the book and the Mypoliscilab booklet in one
unit.
Make sure you purchase a new Mypoliscilab booklet. A used one that has
already been registered will not work again. To save some money, the
Government in America text including all Mypoliscilab content can be
purchased as an e-book at almost half the price of the traditional hard copy
book. This can be purchased online at
http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/cerritos_political_science/.
Note: you will need the Class ID number (cm623285)
and you will NOT be purchasing a physical copy of the book. With the e-book,
you will need to read the text online or print it out on your own printer.
All written materials submitted in digital format
(e.g., emailed attachments) must be submitted in Microsoft Office Word OR
Rich Text format.
Students are required to have access to a
computer with an Internet connection and multimedia capabilities. You must
be able to go online with the computer and watch or listen to streaming
media files. A significant amount of work in this class will be done online.
You may use the campus computers available to students in various computing
labs (e.g., Computer Assisted Instruction Lab) or any other computer (work
computer, home computer, etc.). If you plan to use campus computers, you
will need to purchase headphones in order to hear audio and video files.
Students must also have
an email account to complete this course. If you do not already have an
account, you can get a free email account through online services such as
Hotmail and Yahoo (see www.hotmail.com
or
www.yahoo.com).
6.0
Assignments and Grading
Your final grade in this course will be based on
the following:
Chapter
Readings
Each week you will be required to read from the text and take a
corresponding chapter exams online. Once you have purchased the required
text and corresponding Mypoliscilab booklet, you will have all the materials
you need to complete this course.
Multimedia Activities
Each module you will be required to complete at least two multimedia
activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.). All of these can be found
under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at Mypoliscilab. After you have completed
the activity, you need to take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz
as many times as you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first"
score as part of your grade. At the end of the semester, I will use your
highest 30 quiz scores to calculate your multimedia quiz grade.
Research Paper Assignment
You will be required to write one research paper
(7 pages) for
the course. See the research paper assignment in TalonNet for details.
Reflection Papers and First Draft of Research Paper
To help prepare you for the research paper, you
will be required to write four reflection papers of approximately one
substantial paragraph each and submit a first draft of the research paper.
See the assignments area in TalonNet for details, due dates, etc.
Discussion Forum
You are required to post at least two comments in
each course discussion forum. I will be posting discussion questions on a
regular basis. You can reply to my discussion questions directly or reply to
other student comments. You will be graded on the frequency and quality of
your submissions. For full credit, you must post two comments per forum
that are thoughtful and grammatically correct. For full credit, each post
should be 3-4 sentences.
Extra Credit
There is an ongoing extra credit assignment you can do in this
class. In several of the modules you will find an extra credit assignment
related to the iFalcon Habits of Mind.
Weighting
of Exams and Assignments
-
Online Chapter
Exams
= 100 points (20% of final grade)
-
Multimedia Quizzes
= 100 points (20% of final grade)
-
Research Assignment = 100 points (20% of final grade)
-
Reflection Papers
= 100 points (20% of final grade)
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Discussion Forum = 100 points (20% of final grade)
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Extra Credit = 10 points
Grading
-
A = 90% of the total points
possible in the course.
-
B = 80% of the total points
possible in the course.
-
C = 70% of the total points
possible in the course.
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D = 60% of the total points
possible in the course.
-
F =
Less than 60% of the total points possible in the course.
7.0 Course
Schedule
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Module One Assignments (Due by Sunday August
23)
|
General |
Login to TalonNet (http://talonnet.cerritos.edu/xsl-portal) and get
familiar with the space. To log in use your regular login
information from Cerritos College. This is the main working area for
the course. At TalonNet you will find weekly updates and
announcements from me, the discussion forum, assignments, etc.
Register Mypoliscilab and get familiar
with the space. One of the "buttons" on the left-side navigation bar
at TalonNet is the link to Mypoliscilab. Much of the online course
content that you will be dealing with is in Mypoliscilab. Click on
the Mypoliscilab button and follow the registration instructions.
Your class ID# is
cm623285
(the registration process will prompt you for that number). Make sure you are able to access all content at MPSL.
Check TalonNet and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates. |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 1 on "The Political Landscape"
and take the online chapter exam. You can read the "physical"
chapter through your book or you can read it online at Mypoliscilab. |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. At the end of the semester, I will use your
highest 30 quiz scores to calculate your multimedia quiz grade.
|
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
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Module Two Assignments (Due by Sunday August
30)
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General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 2 on "The Constitution" and take
the chapter quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Reflection Paper |
Read "The Research Process" section in
Research Navigator at Mypoliscilab and the "Research Paper"
assignment for the course at the course website.
Write a reflection paper letting me know
what you think about the section. What was most useful? Least
useful? Anything particularly surprising? ALSO, at the end of your
reflection paper, let me know which question you have chosen for
your research paper.
Make sure your paper header has a title,
your name and date. The reflection text should be double spaced and should not
exceed 250 words total. Use 12 point Arial font and 1 inch margins.
To submit the paper, click on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
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Module Three Assignments (Due by Sunday
September 6)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 3 on "Federalism" and take the
chapter quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum |
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #1. |
|
|
Module Four Assignments (Due by Sunday
September 13)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 4 on "State and Local Government"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Reflection Paper |
Read "Finding Sources" section in Research
Navigator at Mypoliscilab.
Write a reflection paper letting me know
what you think about the section. What was most useful? Least
useful? Anything particularly surprising? ALSO, at the end of your
reflection paper, submit 10 possible sources for your research
paper. You are only required to used 5 in the paper, but submit the
10 you are considering. Submit them in bibliography form.
Make sure your paper header has a title,
your name and date. The reflection text should be double spaced and should not
exceed 250 words total. Use 12 point Arial font and 1 inch margins.
To submit the paper, click on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
|
Module Five Assignments (Due by Sunday
September 20)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 5 on "Civil
Liberties" and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #2. |
|
|
Module Six Assignments (Due by Sunday September
27)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 6 on "Civil Rights"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
Reflection Paper |
Read "Start Writing" section in Research
Navigator at Mypoliscilab.
Write a reflection paper letting me know
what you think about the section. What was most useful? Least
useful? Anything particularly surprising? ALSO, at the end of your
reflection paper, write a one paragraph summary of the five articles
you will use as part of your research paper.
Make sure your paper header has a title,
your name and date. The reflection text should be double spaced and should not
exceed 250 words total. Use 12 point Arial font and 1 inch margins.
To submit the paper, click on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
|
Module Seven Assignments (Due by Sunday
October 4)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read chapter 11 on "Public Opinion
and Socialization" and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #3. |
|
|
Module Eight Assignments (Due by Sunday
October 11)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 15 " The News Media"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Reflection Paper |
Read "Endnotes and Bibliography" section
in Research Navigator at Mypoliscilab.
Write a reflection paper letting me know
what you think about the section. What was most useful? Least
useful? Anything particularly surprising?
Make sure your paper header has a title,
your name and date. The text should be double spaced and should not
exceed 250 words total. Use 12 point Arial font and 1 inch margins.
To submit the paper, click on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
|
Module Nine Assignments (Due by Sunday
October 18)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 12 "Political
Parties" and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #4. |
|
|
Module Ten Assignments (Due by Sunday
October 25)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 14 "Campaign Process"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
First Draft of Research Paper |
To submit the first draft of you paper, click
on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
|
Module Eleven Assignments (Due by Sunday
November 1)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 13 "Voting and
Elections" and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read
PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum. (The
News Review is located at Mypoliscilab under the "News and Videos Tab."
The discussion forum is located at the TalonNet course website).
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #5. |
|
|
Module Twelve Assignments (Due by Sunday
November 8)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 16 "Interest Groups
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
|
Module Thirteen Assignments (Due by Sunday
November 15)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 7 "Congress" and take
the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #6. |
|
|
Module Fourteen Assignments (Due by Sunday
November 22)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 8 "The Presidency"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
Research Paper |
To submit the final draft of your paper, click
on
the assignment navigation button and use the add attachment feature.
The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. The research paper assignment at the the course
website has more details on this assignment. |
|
|
Module Fifteen Assignments (Due by Sunday
November 29)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 9 "The Bureaucracy"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
Extra
Credit |
Click on the assignment link in TalonNet
for details related to extra credit assignment #7. |
|
|
Module Sixteen Assignments (Due by Sunday
December 6)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 10 "The Judiciary"
and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
|
Module Seventeen Assignments (Due by
Sunday December 13)
|
General |
Check the course website and your email
regularly for announcements and course updates |
|
Readings |
Read Chapter 17 "Social Welfare
Policy" and take the quiz |
|
Multimedia Activities |
Complete at least
two multimedia activities (videos, simulations, timelines, etc.).
All of these can be found under the "Mulitmedia Library" tab at
Mypoliscilab. Select any multimedia activity that is associated with
this chapter. After you have completed the activity, you need to
take the corresponding quiz. You can take the quiz as many times as
you wish; however, I will only be considering your "first" score as
part of your grade. |
|
News |
Read PoliSci News Review Articles from the
week and submit at least two responses in the discussion forum
|
|
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