GOVERNMENT 2301
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
INSTRUCTOR: Julie A. Janzer
Email: mjanzer@hal-pc.org 713-880-4301 (h) 713-459-4536 (c)
Government 2301 is one of two courses designed to introduce students to the politics of government in America at the national, state and local levels. This course is fully transferable to other colleges and universities. Topics will include the policymaking process, United States and Texas Constitution, federalism, political participation, interest groups, political parties, elections, city and county governments.
The Government Department of Houston Community College requires this textbook for Government 2301.
- Neal Tannahill, American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 9th edition (New York: Pearson Longman, 2008). The study guide for this text is not required, but it may prove helpful to many students. I’m also in the process of getting a Learning Center web based resource, where you will be able to obtain class materials online.
- The textbook is available for purchase as an e-book here:
http://www.coursesmart.com/9780205603039
- Supplemental readings will be assigned in class and copies will be placed on my HCC learning website. The link is:
http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/julie.janzer
GRADES:
Your final course grade will be calculated according to the following formula:
4 examinations 16.25% each* 65%
5 Homework assignments at 7% each 35%
100%
* No test grade will be dropped.
TESTING:
All work will be scored 0-100. The final percentage value resulting from the sum of the above components will be converted into letter grades according to the following scale:
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = Below 60%
- Please take all exams at the scheduled time. Makeup exams will be given only in emergency situations.
- Homework assignments will be due on assigned dates. These assignments are not to be done in groups, unless otherwise instructed.
- Tardiness interferes with the class presentation. If you cannot make it to class at the scheduled time, please consider transferring to another government class that will accommodate your time constraints.
- Students are advised and encouraged to inform the instructor of any disabilities, which might warrant special consideration in the classroom.
HCCS is compliant with the ADA and Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. "Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Service Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office." The Disability Services Office number for Southwest College is 713-718-7910.
- Attendance is mandatory and a record of attendance is carefully maintained. Students who miss frequently rarely perform as well as those who attend regularly. Please arrange vacations, trips, court dates, doctor’s appointments and work schedules accordingly. Policy allows students to be dropped if they miss more than 6 hours of class time.
- If a student wishes to drop the course, it is his/her responsibility to fill out the appropriate form in the college office on campus. A student may drop the course for any reason up Nov. 6, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. After Nov. 6, 2008, a student will receive the grade that he/she has earned. College policy prohibits faculty from submitting a grade of W after the official drop date.
- New state law indicates that a student may only drop six (6) courses during their college years. There are exceptions to the state law. Students should become familiar with the exceptions to this state law.
- Please note, however, the Three-Peater Statement:
NOTICE: Students who take a course for the third time or more may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
- Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Please refer to your student handbook for definitions of these terms. Academic dishonesty may result in a zero for the assignment or failure of the course, depending of the severity of the offense.