Political Science 1100 Syllabus


	Page Last Updated: July 21, 2010 2:57 PM

	Syllabus Contents
		Find your required and recommended texts. Find the Dixie College general education requirements. Find the Political Science 1100 course objectives. Find the student polices link Find the grading system for this class Find a description of the course's Exam requirement Find a description of the course's "Patterson" tests requirement Find a description of the course's "Taking Sides" quizzes requirement Find a description of the ideology paper assignment. Find a description of the project requirement. Find Mr. Green's POLS 1100 Project Book List


	American Institutions Requirement: This course satisfies the American Institutions category of the Dixie State College General Education requirements.


Texts
	Required Texts
		Ginsberg, Lowi, Weir, and Spritzer, We the People: An Introduction of American Politics, 7th Edition -- Essentials Edition, ISBN 978-0-393-93266-9

		McKenna and Feingold, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues, 17th Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-804992-7
	Recommended Texts
		The publisher has provided study guide help at the end of each chapter. Start with the multiple choice questions provided there and use the URL address to find additional help. Study Guide Web Site

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	Gifts: Gift from students to the teacher can be misinterpreted. While the thought will be appreciated, Mr. Green cannot accept gifts under any circumstances. I would be better for all concerned if they were not offered.


	Class Interruptions: Please turn off your cell phones, radios, walkmans, and alarms such as watches and palm pilots during class. Electronic disturbances of this class will not be allowed.


Political Science 11 00 Course Objectives
1.	Students will identify and understand the major topical divisions in American Government including the nature of politics and political science, the development and principles of the American Constitution, the Institutions of American Government: the Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and the meaning of and issues concerning federalism, public opinion, elections, political parties, interest groups, and policy formation.

2.	Students will effectively analyze governmental and political decisions and processes.

3.	Students will argue and write analytically and coherently about significant issues and problems in American Government.

4.	Students will learn about American Government and about current political issues that relate to American Government by reading significant authors and authoritative texts.

	Provide the opportunity for academic work.
		We will working through a full semester's program of study and critical thinking through rigorous reading, writing, and library assignments.

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	Policies
		"An eminent mathematician once remarked that he was never satisfied with his knowledge of a mathematical theory until he could explain it to the next (person) he met in the street. This is hardly exaggerated; however, we must remember that a satisfactory explanation entails duties on both sides."

		http://new.dixie.edu/reg/syllabus Use the link to find the 1) the semester schedule, 2) information on student resources including the library, disability resource center, IT help, testing center etc., 3) policy statements including academic integrity,, disruptive behavior, absences for college functions and disability accommodation, and 4) D-Mail.

	Student Duties
		You must commit to a fifteen week program of rigorous study. For the average C+ to B-) Dixie College student, this course will demand two hours out-of-class study for every hour we meet in class or 6 hours a week. This means careful reading: in order to perform well on exams and class assignments you will have to work with your textbook, as opposed to just reading it. It also means you will do college level writing. Finally, you must be willing to consider viewpoints different from your own and to express your opinion in class.

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Grades
	At the end of the quarter, I must make a judgment concerning how much of the content of the class you have learned. I will use the following formula to make this assessment:
	•	Exams (grade times 50%)
	•	Tests (grade times 35%)
	•	Quizzes (grade times 15%)

Grade Creation
	All grades will be determined using one of the following two methods. First, your score on your will be divided by the high score in the class. If your score is within 95% of the high, you will receive an A. The breakdown will then descend by percentages of the high until the a score that is 60% of the high earns a D-. However, if the average grade for the class, calculated using the first method, is less than a C, a second method will replace the first. Instead of dividing by the high score, the denominator will be manipulated until the average grade for the class is set near C. Further adjustments will be made if there are several sections of the class and significantly differentiated denominators between the classes. If there are multiple sections of the class that use the same measuring instrument, as when all section take the same exam, the average will calculated from all sections rather than from just your class.

Grade Creation Sample

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	Grading Percentages Breakdown

		Above 95%	= A
		90% to 94.9%	= A-
		87% to 89.9%	= B+
		83% to 86.9%	= B
		80% to 82.9%	= B-
		77% to 79.9%	= C+
		73% to 76.9%	= C
		70% to 72.9%	= C-
		67% to 69.9%	= D+
		63% to 66.9%	= D
		60% to 62.9%	= D-
		49.9% and below	= F

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Exams
	The exam grade is based on two major written exams given during the semester which account for 50% of your grade; You must take both exams to pass the class.

	Exam Grade Options
		Most students in the class will not have been exposed to a written exam. Because of this, many will be disappointed by their performance on the midterm exam. They will not really have understood what to expect. To manage this weakness in the course structure, each student will be given a choice as to how his or her exam grade is calculated.

		Option One: the midterm will count as 40% of the exam grade while the final exam will count as 60% of the exam grade

		Option Two: The midterm grade will be thrown out and the final exam grade will be the exam grade.

		The default grade will be option one. To be eligible for option two, students must comply with all five of the following requirements:
	1.	take the midterm exam. Failure to take the midterm, means you will automatically fail the class; choosing not to take the midterm makes option two meaningless
	2.	retrieve the midterm exam from Mr. Green within one week of when the exam is turned back. [The exam will be turned back during one class period. If you are not in attendance on that day, be warned that the one week clock begins ticking when that class period ends].
	3.	go over the midterm using the Written Exam Grading Codes to determine areas where improvement is needed.
	4	by option one week (see the semester schedule) bring your midterm to Mr. Green’s office and go over the midterm exam with Mr. Green in his office during his office hours. At this time you will receive your option contract from Mr. Green
	5.	by option week two bring at least one sample purpose statement for one of the final exam essay questions to Mr. Green in his office during his office hours for critique.

	Exam Schedule
		The date of each exam is listed in the schedule of semester activities in this syllabus. Each will be administered in the classroom. The midterm will cover lecture material for the first half of the semester. The Final will cover lecture material for the second half of the semester only.

	Exam Questions
		The exams will be constructed using the following question and point format.

	Midterm Exam Scoring: 54 points possible
	•	Logistics = 5 points

	•	Short Answer Questions = 24 points
		The midterm exam will have three short answer questions each worth 8 points

	•	Essay Questions = 25 points
		The midterm exam will have one essay question

	Final Exam Scoring: 79 points possible
	•	Logistics = 5 points

	•	Short Answer Questions = 24 points
		The midterm exam will have three short answer questions worth 8 points each

	•	Essay Questions = 50 points
		The final exam will have two essay questions each worth 25 points

		A list of all the possible questions will be posted on the Exams and Quizzes page of the American Government the web site. All questions on the midterm exam will be taken from the Midterm Exam lists, and all questions on the final exam will come from the Final Exam lists.

		A sample Midterm Exam and a Sample Final Exam are posted on the Exams and Quizzes page. Be sure to read the directions for each carefully before the exam so that you are not surprised by the directions or the grading expectations.

	Exam Grading
		Both the midterm and the final exams will be scored based on criteria that are posted on the exams and quizzes page of Mr. Green’s website. A sample midterm exam and a sample final exam, each displaying all instructions that appear on the actual exam, are also posted. Because the final exam period is longer than that set aside for the Midterm exam, there will be two essay questions on the final while the midterm exam has only one. Therefore, while the midterm essay is worth 24 points, the final exam essay will be worth 48 points.

		The midterm exam and the final exam scores will be converted to letter grades using the procedure outlined in the Grade Creation section above.

	Sources of the Exam Questions
		The questions for each exam will be drawn from the issues from the lectures and class discussions only. They will have nothing to do with the textbook, encyclopedias, websites, or any other source. Each question will be graded based only on class lectures and discussions outlined in the Power Point slides.

	Blue Book
		This is a written exam. You will need to bring a blue book to class and a pen or pencil. You can pick them a bluebook up at the bookstore for $.25 Please use the small 7 x 8½ version rather than the large 8½ x 11 version. The best answers will receive the highest scores. Failure to show competence with the topic addressed in the question will result in no credit.
		Blue Book

	Open Notes
		You may also bring with you any notes, written or typed to your exam as long as you do not bring your textbook or any copied, scanned, or otherwise reproduced part or section of your textbook. Be careful, however. You will put yourself at a disadvantage if you use your notes too much during the exam. Be prepared to answer most of the questions without referring to your notes; use them only to check the details you have forgotten.

		Because for the open notes policy, each exam will be strictly timed – the midterm will last 55 minutes and the final will go 75 minutes. The object of the notes is to encourage maximum preparation and learning before the exam. Timing is necessary so that you will show what you have learned instead of just copying notes.

	Early, Late, or Make-up Midterm Exam
		Early or late midterm exams are possible but highly unlikely. (See the Attendance Policy.) An early or late midterm will require private consultation with Mr. Green (in his office, not the classroom) and will require evidence of school sponsored activities or real emergencies before they will even be considered.

	Early or Late Final Exam
		The date and time of your final exam are listed in the schedule bulletin and on Mr. Green’s web site. You must take your final with your class on the correct day at the correct time. Student’s missing finals for any reason without written permission from Mr. Green and the Dean of Education, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences will not be allowed to make up the exam. Students arriving late for the final will have 10% reduction of their final exam grade

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Tests
	Your grade on four tests, which will be based on your reading of Ginsberg, Lowi, Weir, and Spritzer, We the People: An Introduction of American Politics,, will constitute 35% of your final grade

	Test Content
		Number of Tests: Four tests will be held during the semester. Each will be held as indicated in the semester schedule to cover the following Chapters
	•	Test #1 covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4
	•	Test #2 covers Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8
	•	Test #3 covers Chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12
	•	Test #4 covers Chapters 13 and 14 (31 questions)

		Source of Questions: The purpose of these tests are to insure that you thoroughly read, study, and understand the material in your textbook. All questions on the test are written by the publisher, not Mr. Green. Each test is constructed by a computer program that chooses the questions are random with approximately the same number of questions from each chapter. Literally anything mentioned in the text could be the focus of a test question. You must read the book, maybe several times, to do well.

		Number of Questions: Each test will contain 49 questions based on material in the text. A final logistics question will also be included, making each test worth 50 points.

	Test Rules
		Each test will be conducted in the testing center in the Browning building. You will generally have several days, including a weekend, to take the testing center tests. You will have as much time as you need to finish it, so long as you do it one sitting. You must bring a SCANTRON sheet, a #2 pencil, and you will be allowed to bring one 8½” by 11 piece of paper on which you may write, using both sides, any notes you may need to stimulate your memory. Please leave everything else home.

		ScanTron Answer Sheet


	Grading the Tests
		Mr. Green uses the same test and follows the same schedule for each section he teach's during the semester. Therefore, the grade for the tests, unalike the grade for the exams and quizzes, will be based on the high grade received among all those to take the test in a semester. On the tests you will be competing against all individuals in all sections.

	Studying for Tests
		Mr. Green strongly recommends that you use the Study Guide for We the People that has been prepared by the publisher to compliment your textbook. Most students using this source score better on their tests. The bookstore will have hard copies or will get them, there is a copy at the library on reserve under Mr. Green’s name, the URL to the publishers website is included above, and a link to the on line version is included on the Syllabus page of the American Government website.

	Early or Late Tests
		Because each test is available at the testing center over several days, it should not be necessary to ever ask to make one up. Class policy, therefore, discourages make-up tests. Sometimes students miss tests for reasons beyond their control such as scheduled school sponsored activities or real emergencies. In these cases, a one make up test per semester will be allowed. If arrangements are made before the test is scheduled, and if there is a valid – college activity related reason – no penalty will be assessed. If no arrangements are made, a 10 point reduction of the test score will be imposed. Under no condition whatever will more than one make up test per semester be allowed.(See the Attendance Policy )

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Quizzes
•	Quizzes constitute 15% of your final grade. The Quiz points will be distributed among quizzes from the "Taking Sides" text, some films we films we will view in class, an ideology exercise we will complete, and a class period to ask the instructor for his views.
	•	First, during the semester you will take eight quizzes, each worth 8 points, based on your reading of McKenna and Fein gold, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues, in preparation for class discussion that will take place around the issue introduced by the reading
	•	Second, as time permits we will use class time to watch some issue discussion films. A worksheet worth 10 points will be distributed during the film. A competed form is required to earn the points.
	•	Third, we will prepare a short paper in conjunction with our study of ideology. The paper assignment is outlined below. The paper is worth 16 points.
	•	A course evaluation score equal to 8 points will be added if the college administration decides this the semester to evaluation this course. These evaluation are done on line. You will be e-mailed details if necessary.
	•	Finally, on the last day of the semester, you will prepare a list of questions to ask Mr. Green concerning his view on the issues raised during the semester. This list will be worth 14 points.

	Taking Sides Quiz Content
		We will use the Taking Sides reader to introduce important ideas about American Government nine times during the semester (See the semester schedule for dates and chapters). Before the days activities begin, a short quiz will be distributed. Questions may be from material created by the author or they may be written by Mr. Green. These quizzes are designed to insure that you thoroughly read, study, and understand the material in the assigned Taking Sides reading before coming to class.

	Taking Sides Quiz Rules
	•	In Class: Each Taking Sides quiz will be conducted at the beginning to class
	•	Question Lists:A set of possible questions for each quiz will be posted on line on the Exams and Quizzes page. All quiz questions will be selected from these lists. In addition, two points will be added to each quiz as a reward for attendance
	•	No Pen or Pencil?: Failure to have a working pen or pencil for any Taking Sides quiz will result in a loss of credit (0, F) for that quiz.

	No Late or Make-up Quizzes
		Each quiz is part of an in-class participation and class-discussion activity. No make-up of any of these quizzes will be allowed. Sometimes students miss class for reasons beyond their control such as scheduled school sponsored activities or real emergencies. These will be dealt with 1) privately on a case by case basis in the instructor’s office, by office phone, or possibly by e-mail – not in the classroom, 2) before the quiz begins, and 3) if allowed, will involve an extra writing assignment. Missing class for reasons that are in the student’s control – sleeping in, getting stuck in Salt Lake or Las Vegas because a ride doesn't show or the car breaks down, or choosing to go on family vacation rather than coming to class – will never count as a reason to make-up the quiz. (See the Attendance Policy )

Ideology Paper
	Ideology Paper Content
		Links to three ideology internet tests are posted under the heading Political Ideology Tests on the Political Science home page. As part of our discussion of ideology (see the semester schedule) please take all three tests and write a paper on what you confirm or discover.
	•	You could report on whether the three tests agree or disagree about your ideology.
	•	You could report on whether or not you agree with the results remembering to explain your answer with concrete examples.
	•	Your could report which tests, in your view, are most accurate.
	•	There may be other ways to write your reaction. I will love to read creative and innovative responses to the assignment and will reward such efforts according to the excellence and content.
	•	Remember, however, that no matter how you decide to structure your paper, you must show concrete evidence that you have taken the three assigned tests.

	Ideology Paper Grades and Due Date
		The Ideology papers will be awarded one of only six possible outcomes. The points corresponding to those outcomes are reflected in the following list: A = 16 points B = 13 points C = 10 points D = 7 points Unacceptable paper = 1 point Failure to submit a paper = 0 points

		The points awarded will be added to the quiz portion of the grading system. In other words this paper is worth two quizzes.

		The paper's due date is listed in the schedule. Papers turned in after the due date will lose one point for each day they are late. No papers will be accepted after 5:00 pm on the Friday before the Midterm..

	Acceptable Ideology Papers
	•	Acceptable papers must convince me that you have actively taken all three tests. Failure to do so will cost one or two grades.
	•	Acceptable papers are unified and coherent. (For this requirement, see the sample paper graphic.) This means that at a minimum:
		–	the paper must have a thesis statement
		–	the paper must contain recognizable arguments outlined in the thesis and developed in the body of the paper
		–	the paper must define the key terms and other jargon for the reader (your mother of a roommate must be able to understand what you have written)
		–	the paper must repeat key terms and use transitions to move the argument from one point to another and to make the paper a united whole,
		–	the paper must stay on topic
	•	Acceptable papers are no less than three double spaced pages -- at least 750 words and no more than 5 pages -- about 1200 words. Papers shorter than 750 words are unacceptable and will be marked late and turned back for revision.
	•	Acceptable paper identification: your paper must include your name, your class (POLS 1100), and the time and days your class meets (10:00 MWF, 10:30 TH, 5:00 T, etc.).
		–	You don't need to include your student number, the date, or the current semester.
		–	You may include a title page but it is not required and will not help your grade.
	•	Acceptable papers are typed.
	•	Acceptable papers use a 12 point font.
	•	Acceptable papers are double spaced..
	•	Acceptable papers use normal margins (1" all around).
	•	Acceptable papers are turned in hard copy on or before the due date.
	•	Acceptable papers are grammatically correct.
	•	Acceptable papers have a word count in parentheses () at the end of the paper.

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