Textbook (bring to class)

Politics in States and Communities 10th Edition. Thomas R. Dye

Methodology

Class sessions for this course are conducted as seminars. Students are required to participate in class discussions. Additional learning activities will include in-class case studies and exercises, guest speakers, and visits to city/county government meetings or offices.

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

As with all my classes, attendance is absolutely required. There will be material presented in class that will supplement the material in the textbook. At times extensive material is covered in class outside of the textbook. Students are responsible for all material covered during class sessions including class activities. Note taking is very strongly recommended. Notebook computers are welcome if self-powered and quiet.

Attendance is also necessary to earn enough points for a higher grade in this course. As noted below, points are awarded for participation in various in-class activities. You must be actively and visibly participating to receive points for in-class activities.

2. Text and Supplemental Readings:

Students are expected to read the assigned material before each class session and be prepared to participate in discussions or activities related to the text readings. Additional readings may be assigned during the semester. Reading before class is very important for a successful seminar each week.

3. Weekly Contributions to Seminar Discussions:

Each week every student will be required to contribute some thoughts to the class discussion. This may be done verbally or in writing. If the contribution is presented in writing, it must be at least 100 words or more and must be typed and turned in at the beginning of class. If the contribution is verbal there is no length minimum-- within reason. All discussion contributions, whether written or verbal, must relate to the weekly topic. Some examples of contributions include: a brief critique of some information from the textbook; commentary regarding other written material; or your observations about a current local political event.

4. Local Newspaper Research:

Frequently, class discussions will begin through the introduction of a state/local government issue presented by a student. Each student will be required to give a five-minute presentation from a newspaper or other account of state/local government activity related to one of the course topics. A sign-up sheet will be provided the first night of class.

5. Mini Research Paper:

A very brief research paper is required to complete the course. Students can choose from various paper types to fulfill this requirement. Instructions, topic choices, and deadlines for the paper are attached. NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED FOR POINTS. Note: The college provides writing assistance through the Writing Fellows Program and the Learning Assistance Laboratory.

6. Interview/Analysis:

The class as a group will develop a questionnaire that will be used to assess the effectiveness of a state/local government official. Each student will then interview an elected or appointed official and write an analysis regarding that official’s role and effectiveness in state/local government.

7. Exams:

There will be four exams (non-cumulative) administered in class. The exams will consist of some combination of multiple choice and true/false questions, along with one essay question per exam. Questions for exams and quizzes are drawn from all course resources: textbook, lecture, discussions, activities, handouts, movie, etc.

As a policy, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS OR QUIZZES 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.

Important Note: 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 yourself a copy of all completed assignments and your position paper before you turn them in.

Final Grades

Grades are determined by a point system. Late assignments will not receive grade points.

• Exams (60 points x 4) = 240
• Mini-Paper = 60
• Interview/Analysis = 60
• In-class activities/homework = 55
• Weekly oral or written contributions = 60 (5-point flexibility allowance)
• Newspaper presentation 25

Total Points Possible = 500

A = 450 - 500 pts.

B = 400 - 449

C = 350 – 399

D = 300 - 349

E = less then 300 pts.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty

The MCCC college cataloge handbook policies regarding cheating and plagiarism apply in this class. Copying material is one form of plagiarism, even if the material is not copied word for word. You may be asked to produce your sources where plagiarism is expected.

Mini-Paper Topics and Instructions

General Instructions:

The paper has three main objectives-

1. Select one of the following formats and write a clear argument or analysis of your topic depending on the format: 1) Basic analysis (What? How? Why?); 2) Argument/position paper; or 3) Compare/contrast/analyze.
2. Support your analysis or argument by citing articles, writings, interviews or other information you discover through research.
3. Write the paper according to the MLA format or other parenthetical reference style, such as APA. This format will allow you some experience with college writing requirements by way of a relatively short paper.

Additional requirements for the paper include:

• Four-five pages, double-spaced; 10 or 12 point font.
• Cover page with your name and course section number
• Please staple - no plastic report covers
• Set margins at one-inch on all borders
• At least three resources cited, including internet addresses. You must use a minimum of two sources that are not obtained from the internet. More than one internet source or more than three sources total are allowed and encouraged.

Topic Choices (Select one from any one category only):

Topic choices are due on the date noted on the syllabus. Final research papers are due at the beginning of class on the date noted on the syllabus. NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED FOR POINTS – EVER.

 Please make use of the college Writing Fellows program and Writing Lab if you need assistance. I will also make myself available to assist you if you need help. The papers will be evaluated so as to reward thorough research efforts, insight, critical thinking, and sound arguments. There are no "right or wrong" answers to the topic questions, however, you should attempt to incorporate into your paper some of the concepts that you learn in this class. You should also be sure to use your resources as "evidence" or support for your own argument or analysis.

Note: Plagiarism of any kind will result in serious consequences for the student. I have a particular knack for spotting "borrowed" papers, or uncited passages. I have already searched the "term paper" web sites for my topics. See the MCCC student handbook regarding academic dishonesty.

Replacement Points for Paper

These points may be earned to replace missed points for any deficiencies in your paper. However, your paper may not exceed 60 points. Writing fellow conference = 5 points

Paper Grading Criteria

Correct format, including bibliography = 5

Research well done; adequate resources employed correctly: (resource citations support the analysis or argument) = 20

Specific points are made and thoughts are sufficiently developed = 15

Insight and critical thought is evident = 15

Mechanics: spelling, grammar, neatness = 5

Total points possible = 60

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