POL 110.67 100% ONLINE! American National Government (American Politics) Holyoke Community College Summer Semester 2009 Distance Learning Course Interaction Plan Course Number and Title: Political Science 110.67 “American National Government” Instructor: Robert J. O’Meara, PhD. Political Science, M.B.A, M.A. International Affairs. Telephone Number: 413-537-7901 (cell) Email Address: romeara@hcc.mass.edu, robertjomeara@yahoo.com (checked constantly). Office Hours: Available by appointment on campus when necessary. Telephone appointments are encouraged. We may use email to set up phone-appointments if needed. Online Hours: The course will be “asynchronous” (see below). So, the course will be open 24/7, but each unit will have a specific deadline for the posting of your responses. Just email me with questions, I’ll respond.
This is an “Asynchronous” course. There is NO Synchronous requirement for this course.
American National Government: An introduction into the structure, functions and politics of the United States national (federal) government within its historical, social, constitutional, social and theoretical contexts (3 credits). We will explore the principles, processes, and institutions which make up the American political system, including federalism; interest groups, political parties, elections; civil rights and civil liberties; Congress; the Presidency; and the judicial system. We will also consider policy-making and contemporary problems. Where appropriate, the class will venture into the underworld of informal politics as we critically assess any arguable democratic deficits within the US. Required Textbooks & Materials: The Main Book That You Will Need: America at Odds, 6th Edition. By Sidlow and Henschen. Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Belmont, Ca. 2009. ISBN 0-49550108-5. *However, you will be using an online access code for full access to the course. The HCC Bookstore will have this book bundled with the access code for WebCT. This “bundle” will have a ONE ISBN which will be different from the book itself. Please check with our HCC bookstore for the proper bundle. An additional text will be required, and available at the HCC bookstore prior to the start of the course. PLUS… FREE Online materials will be utilized. Plan to regularly search out online articles in order to supplement the text and course materials. We will draw from the following sources below, which are available FREE online at numerous websites. Yes... in full-text for FREE.
Also available ONLINE at no cost, try using this very useful source: http://www.thomas.gov/
We will inquire into the founding of the United States, paying some attention to historical context and literature from authors whose writings offer us a window into the past. Historic writings will enable the undergraduate to gain an enlightened understanding for original arguments for the US Constitution and the particular political system that followed. In studying American politics, students will consider evidence of American political culture from days of our early heritage through our more contemporary times. Students will be encouraged and required to think critically and in an open-minded way in an attempt to better analyze and evaluate “democracy” as practiced in the United States, including arguable shortcomings. The undergraduate should develop an understanding for political concepts and institutions, as well as for understanding principles and values that are at the center of today’s political discussion and discontent. As controversies unfold, in-class discussion and debate will be strongly encouraged, and will take place in threaded discussions under specific “forums”. We will inquire as to the extent that global trends may affect US domestic politics and policy, and the extent to which global trends may be affected by or shaped by US domestic politics. Thus, when relevant, there will be an international aspect to our inquiry.
During the course, we will be discussing significant real-world political concerns as they arise. Regarding topics and issues of American Politics, I encourage each of you to keep track of relevant news/information. This will help you apply concepts to the real world. Students should expect to utilize the resources of the internet in seeking credible information and analysis. Participation requires active participation in weekly discussions. At every opportunity, students should aim to think critically. Read. Analyze. Evaluate. Form well-considered positions and arguments. Collaborate with each other in order to develop and steer discussions. We will NOT be simply regurgitating material, but we will be analyzing and evaluating it in meaningful, courteous and challenging discussions.
100% Online – Distance Learning… NO classroom meetings. All class meetings are online. Students are required to engage in the following interaction(s) for successful completion of this course: Students will read text(s) and online readings, read lecture notes in each weekly “unit”, engage in weekly threaded (asynchronous) discussions in each weekly “unit”, write three short papers which you will post online, respond to several selected peers’ papers. Quizzes will be available to be taken at anytime during each weekly unit. Films and short media clips may be utilized, and are available online at no cost (links will be posted in course units). As an “Asynchronous” course, we will ONLY be meeting ONLINE during each week. Our weekly “units”, as I often call them, will be open for no less than three days during the week. This means that you can log and gain full access to any current unit during the three day period during each week. This should create a great deal of flexibility for you. All responses for each week must be posted by the close of that period in order to receive credit. Prior units will remain open for you to visit for the sake of follow-up when you desire to get back to some interesting topic. For each weekly session, or “unit”, you must finish the week’s reading and log in to access the posted outline / lecture notes and a variety of web-links. Then, you will be required to actively engage in online discussions. For each unit, discussion questions will be posted. You will select from the available topics and engage in interactive discussions with your peers. Post your responses whenever you can during the three day period, and check for responses from your peers. So, no simultaneous interaction is required. No live “chat” or “chat-room” is necessary. Student-centered discussion will be the key to learning, to broadening your perspectives and facilitating your critical thinking. Read, think, and get involved.
• Open-minded consideration is essential for higher levels of discussion. • Plagiarism is not essential for anything, and will be taken seriously. “Quotes” are fine. You MUST be sure to cite the ideas / work of other people. See our college’s policy. In this age of technology, the web is an amazing way to uncover great information, cut and paste into a text document, etc. However, most students do not realize how easy it is for the same technology to be used to discover plagiarism (yes, with certainty). Our class policy will be for “zero tolerance”. Plagiarize once, and you may fail the course. People from cultures that encourage high levels of memorization and replication of accepted ideas should ask about this in class or in private. Ask me about this if you are unsure. • If you may be interested in receiving accommodations for disabilities, learning or otherwise, please inform me as soon as possible so that we may implement reasonable and appropriate accommodations immediately in order to ensure your success. Let me know if you have any questions, please.
1. In-person meetings? NO (100% online course) 2. Telephone interactions? YES (between 10am and 10pm) 3. Electronic interactions? YES (email, plus threaded discussions over internet) 4. When? Dates and times of interactions: You will be able to access the open course 24/7. You must post your responses for any given week’s discussion topics before the close of the last day of that unit. However, each completed session, or unit, will remain open for you during the semester should you decide to revisit anything that we have already covered (for interest, not for grade-credit).
1. Meaningful participation in threaded (asynchronous) discussion forums (weekly responses to available topics). 2. Three short papers which will require critical thinking and some moderate degree of online research. 3. Quizzes each week (“low risk” assignments which will be used in consideration of boosting your final grade should your participation have faltered at any point(s). Identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses in each unit. Attend to any areas of weakness. 4. No Exams. But, you will be doing some serious work in lieu of exams. Emphasis will be placed on students’ participation in weekly threaded discussions. This is critical. The discussions serve as the place where the real learning occurs. Learn from each other’s thinking and varied perspectives. Do the reading, show that you are thinking about it! Pure fun. | |||||||||
