Course Information

Organization

Kellogg Community College

Course Number

POSC 201, Sec. 1.

Credits

3

Contact Hours

48

Instructor

Jonathan Williams (Jon)

E-mail Address

Course/Faculty Website

WilliamsJ@kellogg.edu

http://academic.kellogg.edu/williamsjon/Default.htm

Office

SB 139F (Social Science Department)

Campus

Battle Creek

Address

450 North Avenue

City/State/Zip

Office Hours

Battle Creek, MI 49017

Contact Instructor for Office Hours

Office Phone

269-965-3931 ext. 2229 FAX: 269-966-4086

Beginning Date

01/21/2015

Number of Weeks

15

Meeting Times/Location

Location: Battle Creek/Severin Building RM 210

Core Ability – Global Awareness/Citizenship: Evaluate knowledge of the implications of being a citizen of the United States in the context of a global community.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO): With successful completion of this course (inclusive of attending regularly, engaging in discussion, completing reading assignments, as well as course materials, as assigned), students shall be able to:

1. Examine how cultural, social and/or economic perspectives relate to being a citizen of the United States in the context of a global community.

2. Identify the persons representing their interests.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the policy process.

4. Apply the policy process to the branches of their government..

5. Evaluate their ability to effectuate change locally, nationally, and/or globally via their rights as a citizen.

Student Learning Objectives: Through lecture, various media presentations, group discussion, and reading exercises, the objective of gaining the following abilities, will be evaluated through standard tests, writing assignments and a comprehensive Final Exam.

1. Evaluate the rationale behind the Federal System of Government and governing in general. [CLO 1, 3]

2. Analyze the meaning of "politics", "Democracy", and our "Representative Democracy". [CLO 2, 3]

3. Justify the history leading to our Federal System of Government. [CLO 1, 3]

4. Evaluate the global and national struggles of freedom, the struggles of equality, and the conflict between the two. [CLO 1]

5. Analyze how one's ideologies are formed and how they impact government. [CLO 1]

6. Contrast the different types of political participation through organization. [CLO 1, 5]

7. Evaluate the role of the media within the political process. [CLO 5]

8. Validate the role of political parties in national political races. [CLO 2, 5]

9. Demonstrate knowledge of who the legislators, judges, and executives are at the federal level. [CLO 2]

10. Analyze the intricate function of the three branches of our American System of Government - including the role of bureaucracy. [CLO 4]

11. Analyze how the branches interact (and remain separate) from one another. [CLO 4]

12. Evaluate ones impact/access within the federal political process as a citizen of these United States. [CLO 5]

Grading Information

Grading Rationale

The techniques used to determine your grade are listed below. Tasks and their weight/grade value may be subject to change.      

Letter grades will be based on the % scale listed below. Final percentage scores will be determined by weighting the grades earned and totaling the percentage. All assignments should be reviewed for spelling and grammatical errors. Please staple all parts of the assignment together. It is not necessary to enclose assignments in plastic covers or binders unless I explain to do so. I will try to grade assignments within one week of the due date. If a student turns in an assignment prior to the due date, I will not grade it early unless prior arrangements have been made.

Grading Scale:                               Weights:                                      Tests:

100-94 = A     72-70 = C              Course Paper = 10%           Multiple Choice & Short Answer

93-88 = A-     69-67 = C-              Journals = 20%                             

87-84 = B+     66-64 = D+            Tests = 30% (10% Each)

83-80 = B     63-62 = D                 FINAL EXAM = 40%

79-76 = B-     61-60 = D-              Total 100%

75-73 = C+    Below 60 = F

Mode of Instruction:

This course will incorporate a variety of learning experiences. Lectures, class discussions, large and small group work, and oral and written assignments will be used to enhance and reinforce textbook readings. Guest speakers, videos, hands-on learning activities and field trips may also be used to support textbook theory and practice.

Assignments:

COURSE PAPER - 10% (points based on completing the assignment as required - Weighted total of 10 points for the forthcoming paper).

JOURNALS - 20% (points based on following directions listed within each of the Journals Assigned, and the ability to show the student is able to apply and relate knowledge gained from each corresponding topic – Weighted total of 20 points, for the average of score of completed journals)

TESTS 1, 2 & 3 - 30% (points based directly on the score of the test - total 30 points, 10 points for each test)

FINAL EXAM - 40% (points based directly on the score of the test - total 40 points. The points are weighted as noted above.)

(General) Attendance Policy:  

TWO (2) un-discussed absences will lower your final grade by 5%.

THREE (3) un-discussed absences will lower your final grade by 10%.

MORE THAN THREE (3+) un-discussed absences could initiate the "excessive absences report" process and may lead to administrative withdraw.

RATIONALE- Competently learning the American system of government is the responsibility of the student. Competently explaining the American system of government is the responsibility of the POSC instructor.  If either the student or the instructor is negligent in their individual responsibility, then the time spent in POSC 201 is both wasted and worthless.  Therefore, it is required that you attend each class, and in turn I will make the course worth your time.

Incomplete Grade Policy:
The grade of "I" may be awarded only when the instructor has determined that illness, unavoidable absence, or extenuating circumstances will prevent you from completing all course requirements. At a minimum, you must have completed a majority of the coursework and have a passing grade at the time you request the "I" from your instructor. Remaining course requirements must be completed within one calendar year of the end of the semester in which the "I" grade was assigned. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor issuing the grade for completion of the remaining course requirements. If the course requirements are not completed, the "I" grade will remain on your academic record.

Course Withdrawal Policy:
If you drop a class during the refund period, your academic record will not be affected. If you withdraw after the refund period and before the last date to withdraw, a grade of "W" is placed on your transcript. If you withdraw after the last date to withdraw for a grade of "W", the grade earned (usually "F") is placed on your transcript. The decision to withdraw from a course can have a significant impact on your financial aid and your academic record. For financial aid purposes a "W" is treated the same as the grade of "F". Be sure to read the course withdrawal policy in the college catalog and contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on how this decision will affect your financial aid award.

The last day to drop for a refund and the last date to withdraw for a grade of "W" can be found at www.kellogg.edu. Click on "Class Schedule" (located just above the web portal icon on the main page), or on "schedules" (located in the lower right hand corner of every web page). Locate the course you are enrolled in and click on the hyperlink for the course title. The dates are listed in the section information detail.

The Bridge:
You can drop-in to The Bridge (on the Battle Creek Campus) to receive help in any subject matter or program area. Specialized help is available in English, Math, Reading, Science, and Learning Strategies. If you need additional help, you may request a tutor in The Bridge or submit a request online at: http://www.kellogg.edu/studentservices/tutoring/. Tutoring services are dependent upon locating a qualified tutor for the course.

Professional Standards:
Kellogg Community College students are expected to model the skills and behaviors of working professionals. This includes maintaining confidentiality, oral and written communication skills, and courtesy. You may be withdrawn from any course when it has been determined that your behavior has been disruptive or detrimental to the learning environment.

Confidentiality: Some courses may place you in a position of trust with access to privileged information. You are expected to not divulge information that was disclosed in a relationship of trust.

Oral Communications:
Some of the material in this course will touch on sensitive subjects. Always speak and listen to others, including your instructor, in a respectful way.

Written Communications:
All written correspondence and assignments will use college level writing skills in regards to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity of content. This includes e-mails, forums, and other electronic communication. It also includes journals, essays, and any other written assignment.

Courtesy to Peers:
Be courteous to your peers. While posting online: Post on time and be respectful of your peers. In a face to face course, arrive on time and stay for the entire class period. Put your cell phone on mute and be sure it is not visible to anyone, including you. If you must take or return an emergency call, please go out in the hall to do so.

Face to face courses: Using personal electronic devices inappropriately hinders instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. Texting, surfing the internet, listening to music and other activities not conducive to learning are prohibited. Notify the instructor if you are using an electronic device to access an electronic textbook. Ask for the instructor's permission before recording any portion of the class.

Drinks and snacks, not complete meals, may be brought into the classroom. Please make sure your drink has a secure lid. Clean up any mess you make.

Children cannot attend class. Child care reimbursement services are available to qualifying students. Call 269-965-4150 for more information, or contact the Support Services Department.

Academic Integrity:
The Kellogg Community College policy on academic integrity is included in the student handbook. If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, facilitating academic dishonesty, or plagiarizing, there may be serious consequences. The incident will be documented and reported to the academic chair and/or program director for possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college expulsion. A violation of this policy will be included as a permanent part of a student's record.

Student Email:
You are responsible for checking your college e-mail account regularly. The College uses the e-mail system to communicate important messages regarding your courses and other services such as Financial Aid. Information on how to access your e-mail account is available at www.kellogg.edu/email.

American with Disabilities and Section 504 Section:

Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability. The College is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Support Services Department is responsible for the coordination of services for students with disabilities. You may contact the office at 269-965-4150 to make arrangements to supply the Department with appropriate documentation.

Kellogg Community College Students with Disabilities Statement:

Kellogg Community College is dedicated to providing the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal access to educational opportunities for individuals with verified disabilities. Accommodations will be based upon the complete professional evaluation report provided by a physician or some other specialist authorized to make disability diagnoses. Contact the Section 504 compliance officer with specific questions, Holly Moore McKee, director of Support Services at 269-965-2624.

Additional academic services are available to all students through Support Services and The Learning Place at 269-965-3931, ext. 2296 or Support Services at 269-965-2624. Please refer to your student handbook for further information.

Syllabus Disclaimer:
Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation.

Use of Technology:
The College has a variety of computer systems which are provided for the use of students and are to be used for education, research, academic development, and public service only. You are responsible for seeing that the computing facilities are used in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner. Computer systems, such as e-mail, are intended for college related activities only. Inappropriate messages and/or materials are not to be sent or stored. Read more about the Acceptable Use of Technology Policy at www.kellogg.edu/about/aup.

You are responsible for checking your college e-mail account regularly. The College uses the e-mail system to communicate important messages regarding your courses and other services such as Financial Aid. Information on how to access your e-mail account is available at www.kellogg.edu/email