Syllabus
Last four numbers of student ID:
User Name and Password:
You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these words you will not be able to access the course materials. The format of your username and password are clearly posted on the main page of your course. If you still need assistance with your username and password please go to this page and read the instructions: http://www.bcconline.com/orient/password.htm, to receive further assistance.
In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:
Instructor Information: Dr. Mark S. BellnapE-Mail: mbellnap@bcconline.com
In the box below explain how you can contact your instructor.
Course Information:
Course NO: Political Science 1
Cr. Hrs. 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The fundamental principles of American federal, state and local government. Government structure, political parties and public policies.
COURSE CONTENT
1. Views of Democratic Government. 2. The Constitution of Human Nature. 3. Views of Federalism. 4. The Role of Print in the Broadcast Media. 5. American Political Parties. 6. Presidential Campaigns. 7. Congress. 8. Presidential Power and American Foreign Policy. 9. The Bureaucracy. 10. The Supreme Court. 11. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. 12. Terrorism in the World.
1. Views of Democratic Government.
2. The Constitution of Human Nature.
3. Views of Federalism.
4. The Role of Print in the Broadcast Media.
5. American Political Parties.
6. Presidential Campaigns.
7. Congress.
8. Presidential Power and American Foreign Policy.
9. The Bureaucracy.
10. The Supreme Court.
11. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights.
12. Terrorism in the World.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Define Learning Outcomes of this Course
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
Think rationally and critically with the philosophical principles of government that make the American experience unique. Develop an understanding of fundamental political principles and their relationships to the political process that shape the character of American political structures. Read and analyze divergent political writings. Evaluate and develop hypothesis and observations regarding practices and outcomes of the American political system. Develop and understanding of historical and political thoughts which led to the formation of the republic. Develop an understanding of the U.S. Constitution, the system of checks and balances and the role of the national, state, and local governments that have evolved into a federal system. Understand the role of the media in developing public opinion and its impact on domestic and foreign policy formulation. Understand the role of judicial review, majority rule, and minority rights. Understand the reality of American foreign policy and how it is shaped by numerous influences that are constantly changing.
In the box below type the one learning outcome that interests you the most from the list above and one reason why you took this class.
TEXTBOOK
Wilson, James Q. 2009. American Government. 9th Edition, Brief Version. Houghton Mifflin Company.
In the box below type, I have textbooks for POLI 1 or I will have it by the end of the first week of class.
EMAIL UPDATES
One of the primary methods of contact in an online course is email. Your college is capable of extracting student names and email addresses from our registration system. The purpose of extracting this information is two fold. The information will be used by the instructor to remain in contact with the class in order to provide information necessary for the students' academic success. The information will also be used to send emails to the students from the college administration. The emails sent by the college administration will consist of links to course surveys which will be used to improve our online courses, important announcements for students, and links to college surveys, which will be used to satisfy requirements placed on the college by the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The college will not use this information to advertise any products and will not share student email addresses with any other organization. In the box below type the following information: As a student I understand it is my responsibility to ensure my email address is up to date in the registration system, and that failure to do so can seriously impact my ability to successfully complete my courses. Further, I consent to receive email communication from my instructor and from the college administration. This consent will remain in force until it is revoked in writing or I am no longer taking classes with the college. Upon submitting the syllabus, I agree to enter the registration system, check my email address and change it if necessary. I understand a tutorial is available to assist me with this procedure. I also understand I can contact 760-252-2411 x7236 to receive additional assistance if I encounter any difficulties when attempting to change my email address.
COURSE ARRANGEMENTS
There are no scheduled class meetings. As a student, if you decide not to participate in or do not want to take this course, it is your responsibility to initiate and complete the action to drop this course. The textbook is the primary source of information for this course. As a guide, students may want to complete chapter readings by the schedule provided below.
21 - 27 March (Chapters 1 and 2 of the textbook) (27 March a discussion question assignment is due) 27 March - 3 April (Chapters 3 and 4 of the textbook) (3 April a discussion question assignment is due) 3 - 10 April (Chapter 5 and 6 of the textbook) (10 April a discussion question assignment is due) 10 - 17 April (Chapters 7 and 8 of the textbook) (17 April a discussion question assignment is due) 17 - 24 April (Chapters 9 and 10 of the textbook) (24 April Mid-Term Examination due and a discussion question assignment is also due) 24 April - 1 May (Chapters 11 and 12 of the textbook) (1 May a discussion question assignment is due) 1 - 8 May (Chapter 13 of the textbook) (8 May a discussion question assignment is due) 8 - 15 May (Chapters 14 and 15 of the textbook) (15 May a discussion question assignment is due) 13-20 May (20 May Final Examination due)
21 - 27 March (Chapters 1 and 2 of the textbook) (27 March a discussion question assignment is due)
27 March - 3 April (Chapters 3 and 4 of the textbook) (3 April a discussion question assignment is due)
3 - 10 April (Chapter 5 and 6 of the textbook) (10 April a discussion question assignment is due)
10 - 17 April (Chapters 7 and 8 of the textbook) (17 April a discussion question assignment is due)
17 - 24 April (Chapters 9 and 10 of the textbook) (24 April Mid-Term Examination due and a discussion question assignment is also due)
24 April - 1 May (Chapters 11 and 12 of the textbook) (1 May a discussion question assignment is due)
1 - 8 May (Chapter 13 of the textbook) (8 May a discussion question assignment is due)
8 - 15 May (Chapters 14 and 15 of the textbook) (15 May a discussion question assignment is due)
13-20 May (20 May Final Examination due)
The Mid Term Examination. This examination will be posted to the Website no later than 17 April. Once this examination is available, students should print off a copy and start working this examination. This examination must be completed by 24 April. Students will be allowed to take this examination once. After 24 April students will only be able to take this examination with the consent of the instructor. Late submissions will result in a one-point (per day or for each part of a day) penalty.
The Final Examination. This examination will be posted to the Website no later than 13 May. This examination must be completed by 20 May. Students will be able to take this examination only once. After 20 May students will only be able to take this examination with the consent of the instructor. Late submissions, if allowed, will result in a one-point (per day or for each part of a day) penalty.
Neither examination is proctored. Therefore, no proctor form is necessary. After completing the examination students will be notified by email as to the number of examination questions answered correctly. However, you will not receive the details as to which questions you answered correctly or incorrectly. After completing the examination, if you wish to review your examination showing correct and incorrect answers, please notify me within five work days after you complete the examination. I can make arrangements for you to review your examination at the Barstow Community College.
To ask questions about the syllabus, assignments, etc., you can email me or ask them on a discussion board. Students cannot use the discussion board to discuss the mid term and final examination questions with each other.
So that I can post the scores for each discussion question, students need to select a four digit numeric sequence, for example, 1446, and email it to me. This numeric sequence should not be part of your social security number. After I complete all of the grading of each discussion question I will post the results in the Instructors Posting Area by four digit code and will post final grades by four digit code.
GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
The final grade for this class will be based upon two examinations covering the entire textbook, as well as the eight discussion questions. Generally all of the examination questions will come from the textbook. However, I may include some relevant current events or relevant researchable questions. In addition, participation, answering discussion questions, will also be graded. Having the required textbook and proper edition is important to answer the examination questions. The maximum number of points that can be earned for this class is 100.
The midterm (Chapters 1-8) and final (Chapters 9-15) examinations will be true, false and multiple choice questions. Each question will have a point value of 1 point. The maximum number of points that can be earned on each examination is 34 (68 for both examinations). That is, 34 questions per examination at 1 point per question (68 points for both examinations). Students can take each examination only once and there is only one correct answer for each examination question.
Students can earn up to 32 points for participation. That is, four points per week for the first eight weeks. Starting with the Monday of each week and through the following Sunday during the first eight weeks of the class, students are to post a message to the discussion board answering a specific question or discussing a specific topic for that week. This message must be original work and not simply paraphrase another student’s posting. This message is to be of no more than five paragraphs in length. Students are cautioned to post their response to the discussion question within the time lines established. Posting your response after the appropriate discussion time will result in a one-point per day penalty. Therefore, no points can be earned for submission four or more days late. The first week of class students should use the discussion board introduce themselves and answer the appropriate posted assignment. These will be separate entries to the discussion board.
ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES
Letter grades are assigned based upon points earned. The conversion scale is provided below:
POINTS EARNED LETTER GRADE
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
00-59 F
In the box below type, I understand the methods of grading and agree to abide by them.
CLASS POLICIES
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
The underlying teaching/learning philosophy of this class is that students are ACTIVELY responsible for their own success and the development of their own potential as scholars and as human beings. The instructor does not "give" grades, rather, the student earns whichever grade he/she receives.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Plagiarism is claiming as your own a paper, report, article, outline or speech which in whole or in part was prepared by someone other than yourself. Plagiarism can result in failure of the course. The instructor assumes that registration in this class reflects a motivating value to the student. Students are expected to understand their own unique and most productive learning styles and maintain motivation in order to integrate the material covered in the readings and in class or discussions and to be able to recall this material.
Plagiarism is claiming as your own a paper, report, article, outline or speech which in whole or in part was prepared by someone other than yourself. Plagiarism can result in failure of the course.
The instructor assumes that registration in this class reflects a motivating value to the student. Students are expected to understand their own unique and most productive learning styles and maintain motivation in order to integrate the material covered in the readings and in class or discussions and to be able to recall this material.
In the box below type, I understand what plagiarism is and know that committing plagiarism will result in failure of the course.
STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATION:
Instructors have the authority to establish standards for in classes. It is each student’s responsibility to meet these requirements or the instructor may lower the grade or drop him/her from the course. If the student misses more than 10% of all class assignments for any reason, he or she may be dropped by the instructor. Remember, it is the student’s responsibility to drop a class, not the instructor’s. If the student does not drop, but remains on class roll, a grade of F may result. It is suggested that each student on campus or online employ effective time management skills and protect the time schedule necessary to ACE this course. You may find it helpful to construct a "master" time schedule for the forthcoming semester (include study periods) and share it with your family and friends so that they will know in advance of the semester what to expect of you. There are no make-ups. Be sure to schedule the midterm and the final in your personal scheduler. Do not plan to move, get married, go on vacation or any other such activity during this class unless you are a great time manager. Only hospital emergencies which are documented and/or verifiable TDY will allow you to make up work or perform an extra project. The midterms and the final are a substantial portion of your grade.
Instructors have the authority to establish standards for in classes. It is each student’s responsibility to meet these requirements or the instructor may lower the grade or drop him/her from the course.
If the student misses more than 10% of all class assignments for any reason, he or she may be dropped by the instructor. Remember, it is the student’s responsibility to drop a class, not the instructor’s. If the student does not drop, but remains on class roll, a grade of F may result.
It is suggested that each student on campus or online employ effective time management skills and protect the time schedule necessary to ACE this course. You may find it helpful to construct a "master" time schedule for the forthcoming semester (include study periods) and share it with your family and friends so that they will know in advance of the semester what to expect of you. There are no make-ups. Be sure to schedule the midterm and the final in your personal scheduler. Do not plan to move, get married, go on vacation or any other such activity during this class unless you are a great time manager. Only hospital emergencies which are documented and/or verifiable TDY will allow you to make up work or perform an extra project. The midterms and the final are a substantial portion of your grade.
In the box below type, I understand the standards for participation and agree to abide by them.
STANDARDS FOR WRITTEN WORK:
Written reports, presentations, quizzes and class exercises will be executed with proper grammar in accordance with standards expected at Barstow College. Points will be deducted for incorrect spelling and improper grammar.
In the box below type, I understand the standards for written work and agree to abide by them.
ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONS:
YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SYLLABUS IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE THE COURSE!
It is your responsibility to make sure the instructor has the all the contact information stated at the top of this syllabus by the start of classes!! It is your responsibility to email the instructor if you have any problems or do not understand this syllabus. It is your responsibility to confirm your enrollment either via the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/ or by calling (760)252-2411 x7236 if you are having problems accessing the course material. After you have confirmed your enrollment go to http://www.bcconline.com/orient/ and read the password link. Following this procedure will ensure you are helped in the fastest manner possible. By enrolling for this class, the assumption is that you possess the necessary skills to read at the college level, to enter and perform research on the internet, to email using proper email etiquette and to post to the discussions. When emailing your instructor: mbellnap@bcconline.com, include your full name. Send all email with the name of the course in the subject line and Lesson No. or the words: problem, question or comment. Many times I receive email with no name in the body of the email. Sign all email with your name as registered at school, or else you will not receive a reply and your assignment will not be graded. You must explain the problem in the subject line, i.e., POLI 1 -- Lesson Two -- need help. Email without an appropriate subject line will be deleted and will not be read. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines. Remember I do not answer email on the weekends, so 48 hours response time does not include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on Monday through Thursday you can expect a response within 24-48 hours. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on the weekends there will be a longer turn around time, but the email will be answered by Tuesday of the following week. Email assignments will have a one week turnaround time, and you should not expect an answer to a successfully submitted and completed assignment before the end of the one week turnaround time period. Receiving graded assignments or answers to your questions before the above stated timelines have passed does not guarantee that you will receive replies that quickly in the future. Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you time to complete your work, I am to be given time to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns. I appreciate your understanding of the above stated timelines and will respond to ALL questions and concerns about this class within the timeframes stated above. A posting place at the top of the discussion page indicates the instructor’s message board to you. Be sure to check this each week so that you don’t miss messages and clarifications; remember that sometimes no instructor posting will have been made. Students are not to post in the instructor's posting area. Should you have a concern with your class please email me your question. It is not appropriate for students to post their concerns in the instructor's posting area. Students who post in the instructor's posting area will receive a warning and their posting will be deleted unanswered. Students who ignore the warning and post again to the instructor's posting area will be dropped from the class. At the conclusion of the class students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades at the conclusion of the course.
It is your responsibility to make sure the instructor has the all the contact information stated at the top of this syllabus by the start of classes!! It is your responsibility to email the instructor if you have any problems or do not understand this syllabus.
It is your responsibility to confirm your enrollment either via the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/ or by calling (760)252-2411 x7236 if you are having problems accessing the course material. After you have confirmed your enrollment go to http://www.bcconline.com/orient/ and read the password link. Following this procedure will ensure you are helped in the fastest manner possible.
By enrolling for this class, the assumption is that you possess the necessary skills to read at the college level, to enter and perform research on the internet, to email using proper email etiquette and to post to the discussions.
When emailing your instructor: mbellnap@bcconline.com, include your full name. Send all email with the name of the course in the subject line and Lesson No. or the words: problem, question or comment. Many times I receive email with no name in the body of the email. Sign all email with your name as registered at school, or else you will not receive a reply and your assignment will not be graded.
You must explain the problem in the subject line, i.e., POLI 1 -- Lesson Two -- need help. Email without an appropriate subject line will be deleted and will not be read. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines.
Remember I do not answer email on the weekends, so 48 hours response time does not include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on Monday through Thursday you can expect a response within 24-48 hours. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on the weekends there will be a longer turn around time, but the email will be answered by Tuesday of the following week.
Email assignments will have a one week turnaround time, and you should not expect an answer to a successfully submitted and completed assignment before the end of the one week turnaround time period. Receiving graded assignments or answers to your questions before the above stated timelines have passed does not guarantee that you will receive replies that quickly in the future.
Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you time to complete your work, I am to be given time to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns.
I appreciate your understanding of the above stated timelines and will respond to ALL questions and concerns about this class within the timeframes stated above.
A posting place at the top of the discussion page indicates the instructor’s message board to you. Be sure to check this each week so that you don’t miss messages and clarifications; remember that sometimes no instructor posting will have been made. Students are not to post in the instructor's posting area. Should you have a concern with your class please email me your question. It is not appropriate for students to post their concerns in the instructor's posting area. Students who post in the instructor's posting area will receive a warning and their posting will be deleted unanswered. Students who ignore the warning and post again to the instructor's posting area will be dropped from the class.
At the conclusion of the class students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at http://bcregweb.barstow.edu/. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades at the conclusion of the course.
In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the online instructions written above.
IMPORTANT:
You will not officially start this course until after you have completed the orientation sessions at http://www.bcconline.com/orient/. No work should be completed until AFTER the you have reviewed the orientation area. The orientation area will answer many frequently asked questions about online instruction and also provides tutorials on common problems students encounter while doing online courses. If you are experiencing technical difficulties and/or need to learn how to use our courseware you should first check the orientation area to see if it answers your technical question. If your technical question is not answered on the website you may then email the webmaster@bcconline.com with your question. If your question pertains to class materials you should email mbellnap@bcconline.com. The webmaster cannot answer course related questions, and Dr. Bellnap does not answer technical questions. Remember that you must state your full name, problem, question or concern and your class name in the subject line when asking a question.
You will not officially start this course until after you have completed the orientation sessions at http://www.bcconline.com/orient/. No work should be completed until AFTER the you have reviewed the orientation area. The orientation area will answer many frequently asked questions about online instruction and also provides tutorials on common problems students encounter while doing online courses. If you are experiencing technical difficulties and/or need to learn how to use our courseware you should first check the orientation area to see if it answers your technical question. If your technical question is not answered on the website you may then email the webmaster@bcconline.com with your question.
If your question pertains to class materials you should email mbellnap@bcconline.com. The webmaster cannot answer course related questions, and Dr. Bellnap does not answer technical questions. Remember that you must state your full name, problem, question or concern and your class name in the subject line when asking a question.
I understand I must fill out the syllabus in order to complete this course and that completing the online orientation before beginning my course work is mandatory. I realize that I should email the instructor with any class related questions. I also understand that I should first check the orientation area for answers to my technical questions and can email the webmaster@bcconline.com my technical questions ONLY after checking the orientation area for the answer to my question first.
Disability Statement:
If you have a disability which may impact your success in this course, you may contact the Office of Student Support (OSS) to arrange any reasonable accommodations and supports to which you are entitled. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate these procedures. The OSS department can be contacted by calling 760-252-2411 x7225 or 760-252-6759 TTY/TDD or emailing oss@bcconline.com.
In the box below type: I understand that if I have or suspect I have a disability I can contact the OSS program at the number or email address listed above and request reasonable accommodations. Further I realize it is my responsibility to contact the OSS department.
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER
A syllabus is not a contract between the instructor and the student, but rather a guide to course procedures on objectives, attendance, requirements, and grading. The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when circumstances dictate. Students will be duly notified.
In the box below, I understand a syllabus is a general guideline for students to use in planning their time for a particular class. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to the syllabus with reasonable time allowances for students to adjust to the changes.
