Name:  Joanna Briganti    Title: Assistant Professor of Political Science
Email:JBriganti@mail.monroe.cc.mi.us

POLSC 151 -  INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Blended Technologies Format (This course is not currently offered).

COURSE SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE

Required Materials

1. Textbook: American Government Policy & Politics. Neal Tannahill. Fifth Edition.
2. POLSC 151 Blended Technologies Course Video Segment videotapes. These tapes as well as the required movie videotape are available for checkout in the MCCC Library.
3. Computer access to a computer with the following hardware and software requirements. You may use the computers on campus if you do not have your own. Information regarding computer lab access, hours and email accounts will be provided at orientation. Your computer should be equipped with:

• Hardware: Pentium Processor or higher
• compatible hard drive
• 16 MB of RAM
• Software: Internet Browser – Netscape or Microsoft Explorer (with an email address)
• Microsoft Windows 95 or higher
• Microsoft Word 7.0 or higher

1. Multimedia Class Materials:

This section of POLSC 151 is in part a self-directed learning experience. You will be learning much of the material on your own, with the help of videotapes, email, and the internet. You and your classmates will also attend four classroom sessions to participate in activities that will reinforce what you learn from email, the internet, and the videos. In addition, you are required to complete a position paper and a few exercises to complete the course requirements as outlined below. Material from all of these sources, class sessions, videos, activities, assignments, and email, may be included on the exams.

2. Chronological Order of Assignments:

The materials for this course have been orchestrated to flow from topic to topic in a logical sequence. You should follow the schedule of assignments closely. In addition, is very important not to miss weekly email postings because additional assignments will be sent to you with specific due dates.

3. Video Viewing:

The videos are labeled according to the assignment schedule. You may watch a video early, but it would probably be wise to review the video during the assigned time for viewing. It is important that you take notes while watching the videos. Doing so will help you assimilate the material.

4. Email Communication:

Email communications will be sent to you every Monday afternoon. You are required to read and respond to these email "lectures," usually within three to seven days. Sometimes these email lectures will be very brief; sometimes quite long. The length will depend on the video material assigned for the week. When longer videos are assigned, the email lectures will be more brief and vice-versa. Frequently, student responses will be re-posted for the class to read and/or respond to. Your email responses are considered as part of your "attendance" for this course and will be graded as such. You are also welcome to email the instructor at any time you have a question or comment related to the course material.

5. Internet Assignments:

There are six internet assignments for points. In the event that the first listed URL is not up and running, alternate sites are listed for most of the assignments. You should not use the alternate site or assignment, unless you first have permission from your instructor. Some hints when conducting internet assignments: 1) Always type in the URL after http:// and check that you have typed in it exactly as listed. 2) The symbol ® noted on the internet assignment page instructions indicates an item to click. 3) Remember to scroll down or look in the margin areas if you cannot find a "button." Points for each activity are noted in ( ) on the assignment schedule.   The internet assignment hyperlinks can be found at:           Course Assignments

6. Attendance/Participation/In-Class Learning Activities:

Attendance is absolutely required for the 18 hours spent in the classroom, including orientation. Any missed time will greatly affect your grade. It is impossible for you to make up the group activities that will take place in the classroom. In the event of an emergency, the instructor may substitute any missed group activity with an additional term paper or written exercise to be completed by the student. The topic, length, and due date for the extra paper will be decided by the instructor, considering the nature and subject material of the missed activity. Attendance is also necessary to earn enough points for a higher grade in this course. As noted below, points are awarded for participation in the various class activities—noted in ( ) on the assignment schedule. You must be actively and visibly participating to receive points for in-class activities.

7. Position Paper:

A brief research paper is required to complete the course. The purpose of the paper is to present your position concerning one topic from a selection of socio-political arguments. Instructions, topic choices, and deadlines for the paper will be distributed at orientation or can be viewed at: Course Assignments.  NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED FOR POINTS. Note: The college provides writing assistance through the Writing Fellows Program and the Learning Assistance Laboratory.

8. Exams:

There will be four exams (including a mid-term and a final exam) administered during the in-class sessions. The first and third exams will consist of some combination of multiple choice and true/false questions. The midterm and the final will include a brief essay component as well as multiple choice and true/false questions. Questions for exams and quizzes are drawn from all course resources: textbook, lecture, email discussions, activities, handouts, videos, movie, etc.

As a policy, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE GIVEN (proven emergencies considered on a case-by-case basis). Exams and quizzes are weighted as outlined below. Missed exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero points. In the event that a make-up exam or quiz is allowed because of an emergency, that quiz or exam may be different from the quiz or exam administered in class.

All assignments and tests will be kept by the instructor. You will be given the opportunity to examine your grade and any comments written on the assignments. You should make and keep a copy of all completed assignments and your position paper before you turn them in.

How to Turn in Assignments

All written assignments, except position papers, may be turned in via email to my college email address—JBRIGANTI@mail.monroe.cc.mi.us, or dropped off at my office or the Humanities/Social Science Office (C-201) during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. It is your responsibility to see that assignments reach me before the due dates. Written assignments sent via email, must be sent as a MS Word attachment, version 7.0 (or compatible MS Word version). Assignments of a page or less may be sent as a general email communication. Position papers must be turned in at the last in-class session on December 11, 1999.

Final Grades

Grades are determined by a point/percentage system. Research papers and in-class activities are required assignments, and if not completed will result in lower calculation of the final grade. Late assignments will not receive grade points.

Grade Calculations:

Exams #1 & #3 (50 points x 2) - 100

Exams #2 & #4 (100 points x 2) - 200

Position Paper - 100

In-class & internet activities - 90

Email/attendance - 10

Total possible = 500

A = (90%) 450 - 500 pts.

B = (80%) 400 - 449

C = (70%) 350 – 399

D = (60%) 300 - 349

E = less then 300 pts.

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POLSC 151 - Blended Technologies Course J. Briganti

Schedule of Assignments/Activities Fall 1999 (This course is not currently offered).

Note: This schedule is tentative. The instructor may alter this schedule to meet class needs.

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