U.S.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Bluefield
State College
POSC 200 (BlkBrd Online)—Fall 2012
CRN:
10182
Class
Meets Online: From August 20—December 17, 2012
Colin
S. Cavell, Ph.D.
Course Description: An introduction to the structure, functions, and politics
of the United States national (federal) government within its historical,
constitutional, social, and theoretical contexts.
Instructional Objectives: Upon completion of POSC 200, students should be able to
read and provide an immanent critique of texts; to articulate arguments and
examine their flaws; be familiar with the basics of logical, ethical, and dialectical
reasoning; be familiar with essays, both pro and con, regarding the 1787 US
Constitution; understand the reasoning behind the separation of legislative,
executive, and judicial powers in the US Constitution; understand the reasoning
behind the idea of checks and balances in the US Constitution; be familiar with
characters associated with and the culture and history of the US republic; be
familiar with the constitutional history of the US experiment in
self-government; understand the differences between a secular and theistic form
of living; understand the historical evolution of human culture, including
struggles over rights and responsibilities; be familiar with the horrendous
tragedies as well as accomplishments of the US experiment in self-government;
empathize with the plight of the European Pilgrims, the Native Americans, the
enslaved Africans, women, et al. who struggled to overcome adversity in their
quest for freedom; understand the effects of race, gender, class and other
divisions on society and the effect of constitutional provisions to either
enhance or dissipate such divisions; articulate some conception of human
freedom and adopt a stance towards it; and be able to envision a defensible
future.
Caveat Emptor (i.e. Buyer Beware): This online distance learning course is intense and
requires a commitment by you, the student, to keep up with the readings and the
work. By taking this course, you are making a commitment to purchase the
required texts, keep up with the chapter readings, submit your Research
Paper by the required due date, and take the Chapter Quizzes and
submit answers to the Class Discussion Questions as they arise, in
addition to completing the Midterm Exam and Final Exam by the
dates indicated.
Grading Policy: 25% for completing
Online Chapter Quizzes and for answering Chapter Class Discussion Questions,
25% for the Midterm Exam; 25% for the Research Paper; and 25% for the Final
Exam. A Guideline sheet, stipulating what is required for the Research Paper,
is accessible by clicking on the Research Paper Guidelines. The Research Paper Guideline sheet should be
followed exactly.
Grading Scale: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D;
0-59=F. These numerical scores
correspond to the following evaluations:
“A” = Excellent; “B” = Good; “C” = Satisfactory (NOTE: A grade of “C” or better is required in major
courses); “D” = Poor (passing, except in major courses); “F” = Earned Failure
(removed only by repeating the course; upon successfully passing the course, the first grade is
“excluded” from grade point average. The
second grade is “included” in the recalculation of the grade point average);
and “I” = Incomplete.
Quiz and Test Policy: You will have three possible attempts with each chapter
quiz to make your highest score. On the Midterm and Final Exams, you will have only
one possible attempt to make your highest score. Your chapter quizzes will
become accessible on the date indicated online and you will have until the
last day of classes at 11:55 p.m. to take them. The Midterm and Final Exams
will be accessible on the date indicated online and on the syllabus and you
will have only a limited, specified time to complete each exam. If you
attempt to utilize the course textbook to answer the questions on the Midterm
and Final Exams, you will likely run out of time. Make sure to complete both
the Midterm Exam and the Final Exam by the stipulated dates. The Midterm Exam will cover chapters
1-10. The Final Exam will cover Chapters
11-19. Questions on the Midterm and
Final Exams will come directly from the chapter quizzes.
Special Note About
the Chapter Quizzes: Each Chapter Quiz contains at least
fifty questions and, sometimes, more. However, do not be discouraged by this,
because you will NOT be graded on how many answers you get wrong or right on
the Chapter Quizzes but, rather, you will be graded simply on whether or
not you took each Chapter Quiz at least once. Yes, you read that correctly.
All you need to do in order to receive your 12.5% credit (i.e. half of 25% for
the Quizzes and Discussion Questions) for completing the Chapter Quizzes is to
simply attempt to take each Chapter Quiz at least once. Make sure you click the
“Submit” button at the end of each Chapter Quiz so that Moodle notifies me that
you have taken the quiz. By completing
the chapter quizzes, you will also be preparing yourself for the Midterm and
Final Exams, as the questions on the exams will come directly from the chapter
quizzes.
Online Class Discussion Policy: Each of you will
receive each Chapter Class Discussion Question in your email. At the bottom of the chapter question, there
is a hyperlink “Reply” button. Simply click
this “Reply” button and submit your answer to the chapter question. [Alternatively, click on the “Discussion”
icon on the course Moodle page and then click on the Chapter Class Discussion
Question you wish to answer; go to the bottom of the question and click on the
hyperlink “Reply” button and submit your answer.] Each student must make at least one entry
per each Chapter Class Discussion question. Make sure you simply hit the
reply button on the Discussion Question you receive in your email to submit
your answer, so that the Subject Heading is the same as the Discussion
Question, in order to get credit for that Chapter’s Discussion Question. Note
that each student MUST provide their own answer to each question. Copying from any other student’s answer or
simply repeating what other students have written constitutes plagiarism and
will be dealt with harshly. Also, you will not be able to view other
students’ responses until you have submitted one of your own first. Note that, like the quizzes, you must
complete all chapter discussion questions by the last day of classes by
11:55 p.m. in order to receive 12.5% credit (i.e. half of 25% for the
Quizzes and Discussion Questions).
Communication Policy: There are no synchronous or on-site requirements for this
online distance learning course. As I am currently living in Bluefield, West
Virginia, we will not be able to meet directly in person. Nevertheless, I will
login to the course regularly to answer email, respond to bulletin board
questions, etc. If you have a question, email me at mailto:ccavell@bluefieldstate.edu.
Disability Services Statement: BSC is committed to full inclusion of all students.
Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require classroom,
equipment, testing or assignment accommodations should contact the Student
Support Services at 304.327.4227 to request accommodations before the start of
the semester. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is necessary to
assure a positive learning experience.
Academic
Integrity Policy: Academic
integrity is expected of all students. This means that all work for this class
must be undertaken and completed by you alone without collaboration from
others. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or
cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged
with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed.
The full text of the BSC
Academic Honesty Policy can be found at: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/academics/academic-honesty-and-proctoring. In addition, students should be aware that research paper assignments may be submitted to Turnitin by the instructor for the purpose of checking for possible
plagiarism. Submitted assignments will be included in the BSC dedicated database of assignments at Turnitin
and will be used solely for the purpose of checking for possible plagiarism
during the grading process during this term and in the future.
Library: Our goal is to ensure that distance learning students have access to resources and services that mirror those that are available to students enrolled in non-distance learning courses at BSC. Click here for Information for Distance Learners: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/distance-education. Access to traditional resources and services, including, but not limited to, magazine articles, books, course reserves and research assistance, is available through the Library’s homepage http://library.bluefieldstate.edu/.
Dean of the Virtual College: Should you ever need to contact Audrey
Biggs, Dean of the Virtual College at (304) 327-4578 or email her.
Help Desk: If you need technical assistance with BlackBoard, email blackboardsupport@bluefieldstate.edu or contact the IT Help Desk at 304.327.4510 or
304-327-4090. If you need
additional BlackBoard assistance, contact Audrey Biggs at 304.327.4578. If you need Moodle assistance, contact Cody Chambers
at 304.327.4591. Be sure to indicate
your full name, ID number, course number, and the problem. Email assistance is
preferred.
Free Tutoring Services Available: BSC offers free online tutoring for all BSC students
in the following subjects: Math;
Accounting, Managerial; Accounting, Financial; Writing (all subjects); Grammar;
Microeconomics; Macroeconomics; Statistics; Spanish. Chemistry,
etc. This service is free and available 24 hours a day to all BSC
students. Go to http://www.smarthinking.com/ and follow these instructions.
Important
Links:
·
Distance Education website: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/distance-education
·
BlackBoard: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/distance-education/blackboard
·
Moodle Website: http://bluefieldstateonline.com/
·
For Financial Aid or Student Account
Information: https://mycampus.bluefieldstate.edu/group/mycampus/finances
·
College Information: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/
Withdrawal Policy: Sometimes it is necessary for a student to withdraw from an
online course. If that should become necessary, please complete the withdrawal
form found at: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/faq/registration.
Technology Issues: It is the student’s responsibility to see to
the operation of any computing system you use off campus. A
malfunctioning computer system is not a valid excuse for submitting late work
or missing deadlines.
Required Texts: Available at the BSC
Bookstore:
Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page. 2011. The Struggle for Democracy, Tenth Edition. New
York, NY: Longman. [ISBN-13 9780205741496]
Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison and John Jay. 1787/2003. The
Federalist Papers. New York: Penguin Books. [ISBN: 9780451528810]
Ketcham,
Ralph, ed. 1787-8/2003. The Anti-Federalist Papers and the
Constitutional Convention Debates. New York: Penguin Books. [ISBN
9780451625250]
August 20,
2012: [Monday,
classes begin] Introduction to United States National Government: Main Themes
Mandatory Name Assignment: Log on to the course webpage and familiarize yourself with
the course content, icons, syllabus, Moodle links, etc. Each student must
send me, either through the Moodle course email or to my BSC email at <ccavell@bluefieldstate.edu>, a document indicating your name and, optionally,
your home page URL if you want me to post it on the course Moodle page for the
other classmates to see. This document MUST be composed in Microsoft
Word and SENT AS AN ATTACHMENT. As your research paper at the end of the
semester must be composed in Microsoft Word and sent as an attachment,
you must master this task at the beginning of the semester. Remember to
send your Mandatory Name Assignment as a Microsoft WORD file and NOT a
Microsoft WORKS file.
August
20-24: Democracy and American Politics
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 1 and (in the Appendix) The Declaration of Independence; Ketcham,
“James Madison to George Washington”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 1 and answer the Chapter 1 Class
Discussion Topic.
Aug. 24
[Friday]: All students taking a fully online
course must be logged into their course or be Administratively
Withdrawn
August
27-31: The Constitution & Federalism: States and Nation
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 2 & 3
(including the Constitution) and (in the Appendix) Madison, Federalist “No. 10”,
Hamilton, Federalist “No. 78”; Ketcham, “The Virginia
Plan,” “Debate on Representation,” “Debate on Executive Power”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapters 2 & 3 and answer Chapters
2 & 3 Class Discussion Topics.
September
3, 2012: Labor Day holiday; College Closed
Sept. 4-7: The Structural Foundations of American Government and
Politics & Public Opinion
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 4 &
5; Ketcham, “Opposition to Executive Salaries,”
“Opposition to a Unitary Executive,” “Electing Representatives,” “Debate on
Method of Electing Senators”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapters 4 & 5 and answer Chapters
4 & 5 Class Discussion Topics. .
Sept.
10-14: The News Media & Interest Groups and
Business Corporations
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 6 &
7; Ketcham, “Debate on Veto of State Laws,” “The New
Jersey Plan,” “Debate on the New Jersey Plan,” “Plan for National Government,”
“Opposition to the New Jersey Plan”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapters 6 & 7 and answer Chapters
6 & 7 Class Discussion Topics.
Sept.
17-21: Social
Movements & Political Parties
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 8 & 9
and (in the Appendix) Madison, Federalist “No. 51”; Ketcham,
“Debate on Federalism”; Ketcham, “Length of Term in
Office for Senators,” “Debate on State Equality in the Senate”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapter 8 & 9 and answer Chapters
8 & 9 Class Discussion Topics.
Sept.
24-28: Voting, Campaigns, and Elections
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 10; Ketcham,
“Majority Rule: The Basic Republican Principle,” “Election and Term of Office
of the National Executive”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 10 and answer Chapter 10 Class
Discussion Topic.
Oct. 1-7: MIDTERM EXAM [Click
on “Quizzes” and then “Midterm Exam”; you will have 120 minutes to take the
midterm, and you may only take it once. You must complete the midterm by 11:55
p.m. on October 7.]
Oct. 8:
Mid-semester Grades Due to Registrar; Columbus Day holiday; College
closed
Oct. 9-12: Congress & The Presidency
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 11 &
12; Ketcham, “The Judiciary, the Veto, and Separation
of Powers,” “Appointment of Judges,” “Method of Ratification”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapters 11 & 12 and answer
Chapters 11 & 12 Class Discussion Topics.
Oct. 22-26: The Executive Branch & The
Courts
Readings: Greenberg and Page Chs. 13 &
14; Ketcham, “Election of the Executive,” “First
Draft of the Constitution”
Assignment: Complete Quizzes for Chapters 13 & 14 and answer
Chapters 13 & 14 Class Discussion Topics.
Oct. 29-Nov.
2: Civil Liberties: The Struggle for Freedom
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 15; Ketcham,
“Qualifications for Suffrage”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 15 and answer Chapter 15 Class
Discussion Topic.
Nov. 5-9: Civil Rights: The Struggle for Political Equality
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 16; Ketcham,
“Citizenship for Immigrants”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 16 and answer Chapter 16 Class
Discussion Topic.
Nov. 9
[Friday]: Last Day to Withdraw with
"W" for Full Semester Classes
Nov. 12-16: The Budget and
Economic Policy
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 17; Ketcham,
“Executive Veto Power”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 17 and answer Chapter 17 Class
Discussion Topic.
Nov. 19-23: Thanksgiving
Holidays; College closed
Nov. 26-30: Social Safety Nets
Readings: Greenberg and Page Ch. 18; Ketcham,
“Slavery and the Constitution”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 18 and answer Chapter 18 Class
Discussion Topic.
Dec. 1
[Saturday]: Research Papers Due (Research
Papers must be submitted today)
Assignment: Research Papers Due today. Send your Research Papers to me
by email as a Microsoft Word attachment or post them on the course Moodle page
under the Discussions button in the Research Papers bulletin board. I must receive
them by 11:45 p.m. on December 1. If you email them to me, make sure they are
sent as an Attachment.
Dec. 3-7: Foreign Policy and National Defense
Readings: Greenberg and Page, Ch. 19 & Appendix, “The Declaration
of Independence,” “The Constitution of the United
States”; Ketcham, “Election and Powers of the
President,” “Opposition to the Constitution,” “Signing the Constitution”
Assignment: Complete Quiz for Chapter 19 and answer Chapter 19 Class
Discussion Topic.
Dec. 7 [Friday]: Last day of classes. All Discussion
Questions and All Quizzes MUST be completed by this
date. No submissions will be accepted after this date.
Readings: Greenberg and Page
Appendix, “The Federalist Paper No. 10,” “The Federalist Paper No. 51,” “The
Federalist Paper No. 78,” “Presidents and Congresses, 1789-2009”
Assignment: Make sure you have
completed quizzes for Chapters 1-19 and answered Chapters 1-19 Class Discussion
Questions and submitted your research paper.
Dec. 8-16: FINAL EXAM [Click on Quizzes and then on
“Final Exam”. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam and only one
attempt. You must complete the Final Exam by 11:55 p.m. on December 16.]
Dec. 17 [Monday]: Final grades due to Registrar by 12:00 Noon
electronically