There are no prerequisites for this class. However, you should be able to read and write at the college level .

Texts : Struggle For Democracy , Greenberg & Page. If you purchase the text from the LACC bookstore you get the online access and the California Text. If you buy a used book, you may still purchase the access code for "mypoliscilab course compass" & California Government , Mona Fields, any edition (Latest edition comes in the bookstore package).

For mypoliscilab.com the class code: (Given in an eTudes announcement on week 1). You must take the pre-test, post tests and chapter exams of all the chapters we cover on the week we cover the chapter in order to get the maximum extra credit points. If you buy the book used, you may also purchase the code for mypoliscilab from the publishers - But ALL mypoliscilab.com work is for extra credit.

Course Objectives:  Students will develop an understanding of and be able to discuss the following concepts: power, federalism, limited government, civil liberties, the pluralist and elite theories of U.S. government, the legislative process, the electoral process, interest groups, the independent judiciary, political parties, domestic and foreign policy and the role of the media in politics. Students will be able to write college level essays on all these topics. Students will be expected to analyze their own political beliefs and others'. Students will also learn to spot "ugly English."

Course Learning Outcomes Martix:

Students will (outcome)

To the following standard (criteria) As measured by the following meathod (assessment) Andas scored by the following rubric (rubric)

Students will analyze the American political system.

Students will identify the fundemental aspects of American governmental structure, frame personal response to essay, answer question thoroughly, following all directions.

A written in-class essay: Random samples of students' essays will be collected and assessed using the criterion referenced rubric by a faculty committee from the department.

Exemplary: Identifies the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure and provides detailed examples, formulates a clear and precise reponse using own words, answers question with detailed response and follows all directions. Acceptable: Identifies the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure, articulates response in own words but does not express ideas clearly, answers question and follows directions. Unacceptable: Fails to identify the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure, fails to formulate and clearly express response using own words, does not provide through answer, does not follow directions

For all Course Projects You MUST use APA citation format for the Course Project: click here for a great page on APA . Each Course Project has specific directions that should be followed. All Course Projects must have an APA style bibliography. You are expected to do RESEARCH for your Course Project. You are expected to have citations in your Course Projects, using the APA style citation format.

Also, the California Government Essay Project (the mid-term) must be done in APA with citations, title page, abstract, bibiography, etc.

We will be using eTudes for this semester - learn it - use it - get on it! NOW! - Go to the College Home Page - Click On "Classes/ Areas of Study" then, on lower right of that page, click on the eTudes help and learn all about eTudes before you use it.

You are expected to do the reading (from the text) for each week... Then Go to eTudes and click on the appropriate "Lecture Page" for each week. You can read ahead a little - but don't fall behind!

The week ends midnight Sunday.

The week starts on Monday morning and runs through midnight Sunday (11:59pm).   

Late work will be substantially graded down. When the week ends - if you haven't turned in the work due that week - its late!  Turn it in asap - some points are better than none.

GRADING:

Two Quizzes (25 each)	50 points - posted on eTudes - answer via email
Critical Thinking Project	25 points - via email
Political Contribution Project	25 points - via email
Course Project Declaration	25 points - via email
Political Party ID Project	25 points - via email
Ugly English Example and Translation	25 points - via email
Week 1 Student Statement	25 points - via email
California State Government Essay Project	50 points - via email *
Class discussions	50 points - on eTudes
Course Project	100 points via email*
Final Exam	100 points - on campus
Total possible points	500
Total possible points from mypoliscilab.com Extra Credit	25 points

For the Maximum Extra Credit Points - mypoliscilab.com: You take the Pre-test, post test, and chapter exam for each chapter as we cover each chapter (not all at the end).

*For all projects - simply email it to me in a "word" document. If you do the downtown project and you cannot include your pictures in "word," you can mail it to me at City College or drop it off in my mail box in FH 219 I. All may also drop off the course project in my office or in my box in FH 219 I. It is your responsibility to get it to me on the week it is due - before then end of the week (the week ends on Sunday midnight). Do not use lame excuses - just get it to me!

NO EXCUSES!

For a grading rubric on the Course Project, California Government Essay and the rest of the assignments, click here .

Approximate Points-to-Letter Grade scale:

A 500 - 450	B 449 - 400	C 399 - 350	D 349 - 300	F Below 300

On Week 1 - Do everything on the "Week 1 checklist" and email Prof Meyer the "student statement" with your full name and section number in the correct spaces. DO NOT ATTACH anything to the email - send it in regular email - cut and paste the "student statement" and fill in your correct name and section number. Email this to me during week 1. DO ALL THE STUFF ON THE CHECKLIST First - then email it to me...

...If you cannot do all you need to do on week one, than maybe you should drop the class..

meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu

Class Bulletin Board:

Get on eTudes. Go to the College web page, on the left, click on "classes/areas of study" - From there - look to the right - in the light blue area - see where it says "eTudes portal"? - well - first click on "eTudes help" and take the tutorial and learn how to use eTudes. If you can't get on eTudes, maybe you shouldn't take an online class???

Posting work on the Class Bulletin Board (on eTudes ) serves several functions. First, it is an attempt to build a sense of "group" even if it is only "virtual." Second, it allows students to see if any other students are working on similar policy areas. You are encouraged to "make friends" and to work together whenever possible. Of course, every student has to do her or his own work. Third, posting work creates an open environment where we can help each other by sharing ideas. Fourth, it takes advantage being online in a way a traditional class could not.

You will need to be able to access eTudes by the second week of class (at the latest). If you cannot get on eTudes by the end of week two you will be dropped from the class.

I will leave the "Class Bulletin Board" open all semester for students to use to contact each other. 

ALSO Click here to see details about the Course Projects. Start thinking about which Course Project you will be doing for the semester. You must declare your choice by week 4.

You must read the Orwell Article and my explanation of the assignment and then start looking for Ugly English examples. Click here to go to Orwell & Ugly English Assignment Explained. The assignment is due on week 5.

ALSO - CLASS DISCUSSIONS begin:
You earn participation points by giving your opinion and contributing to "Class Discussions."  There will be five separate Class Discussions which will last three weeks each.  You can post your thoughts on the question as well comment on what others have said.  Of course, common rules of civility apply.  You are expected to make a posting for each and every one of the class discussions.  All postings must be accompanied by your name and email address.  No anonymous postings. No personal attacks or anything you wouldn't say face to face.  Just say what you think and why.

Contribute to the discussions, positively.

All you do, really, is what you would do in class.  Say what you think and why you think it.  In a paragraph or two give your opinion and the reasons for it.  When commenting on others' thoughts, don't just say "I agree," say why you agree. 

You can access the discussions, when they are open and active on eTudes . Remember to include your name and email address on everything you say, or you won't get credit.  No anonymous postings, please.

The class discussions are graded at the end of the year in their totality. You can earn up to 100 points by simply posting your opinion and responded to some one else's opinion (at least once each discussion). Do what is required and earn 100 points. Do less and earn less.

The class discussions can be accessed on eTudes when they are open and active! Here are the topics:

Discussion One: What should Pres. Obama NOW?

Discussion Two: What should be our College's main focus and mission?

Discussion Three: What's the state of education in our state?

Discussion Four: What can be done to "fix" the LAPD and LA Sheriff's?

YOUR COURSE PROJECT DECLARATION is one page (typed, double spaced) stating which project you picked and the following information, depending upon your choice. Each Project has slightly different information you must tell me on your Declaration.  For CP #1 - briefly describe the problem and level of government. For CP #2 - tell what date you are planning on going downtown. For CP #3 - list the films you will watch for the project. For CP #4 - tell exactly which local government you will use for your project. Send this via email: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu Once you have chosen a course project you CANNOT change it - just make up your mind early and stick with it!

The choices for Course Project are discussed in greater detail at the link below, but briefly they are:

1. The Policy Argument - where you propose and argue for a specific government policy at a specific level of government.

2. The Downtown LA Project - where you turn downtown LA and write on what "revitalize downtown LA" means to you.

3. The Leadership Project - where you investigate what "leadership" means in our complex democracy.

4. The State Government Project - where you answer questions about state government and investigate your own State Assembly and State Senate districts.

5. The Local Government Project - where you find out about your Local government, attend a meeting, and write about it.

6. The ASO Project - where you learn about LACC's student government, the ASO and attend some meetings and discuss the problems and positives of LACC or the ASO.

Click here to see details about the Course Projects.

The UGLY ENGLISH EXAMPLE AND TRANSLATION simply involves finding an example of what Orwell calls "ugly English." Then translate your example it into "standard" or "simplified" English.

Here's what to do:  Find an example (a word or phrase) and type it in quotes. Note the source. Provide the simplified "translation" of how the author (or speaker or whatever) could have better made the point. You can use newspapers, magazines, text books, radio or t.v. broadcasts, even things you hear people. All these are places to find examples of inappropriate jargon, obtuse verbiage, over-used expressions, inappropriate foreign terms and the like. Be creative, this just might be fun!

For further information and examples click here to go to Orwell & Ugly English Assignment Explained. The Ugly English assignment must be emailed to me by the end of week 5. If you find an example, attempt a translation, and email it to me when it is due, you get 50 points. (It's kind of like a gift!)

The Critical Thinking Op-Ed Project:

First, choose the op-ed piece or article you will be analyzing. You can use an opinion piece or article from any newspaper, magazine, web site, etc... It does not have to be about politics, but wouldn't it make more sense if it were? A traditional opinion/editorial is an argument by someone who is clearly identified, paid to write it, and qualified to have an opinion on the subject. DO NOT use editorials (they have no "by line." - they are written by a staff). DO NOT use "letters to the editor." DO NOT USE BLOGS - unless the piece conforms to the standards of a traditional op-ed piece (from 250 - 1500 words, clearly on one topic, expert, etc). The web page explains the eight answers you must provide about the op-ed piece. Just fill in the blanks, with bullet points or brief clauses, do not copy the question - DO NOT ATTACH anything to the email - JUST SEND IT IN NORMAL EMAIL! Click here to learn more about Critical Thinking and the Project

The Political Contribution Project:

 The Political Contribution Project - click here for more details - You have a million dollars to give to either five or ten political groups.  This can be done on the web and just might be fun - check it out.   Send this via email - do not attach anything - just follow the directions and you'll earn the max points!!!

The Party Identification (ID) Project:

The Party Identification (ID) Project - click here for details - You are forced to look around your world and find which political party people around you identify with.  Then you share our results via email - do not attach anything - just follow the directions and you will earn the max points!!!

The Califorina State Government Essay: You pick one of four essay questions and write a 3-8 page research paper answering the question. Follow APA style citation format, including an abstract and bibliography. You must have citations in your paper. Click here for more details.

The Course Project Click here to see details about the Course Projects. You will email me your course project in word or a program I can read. You may attach the document to an email . For the downtown report or any other use of pictures, if you can incorporate those pictures and captions in a word document great. If not, you must you may mail it to me or drop it off in my office or mail box in FH 219.

The FINAL EXAM 100 points: 50 points for 50 multiple guess questions (scantron), taken from the publisher's test bank. And 50 points for (my choice of) TWO ESSAYS from the list provided by clicking here. You may take the final with either of my on campus classes with prior appointment. The Final CAN NOT be taken late.

If you cannot attend the Final Exam DROP THE CLASS NOW!!!!

NOTE WELL:   You cannot earn better than a D in this course if you do not take the final or you do not turn in the Course project or both.

Students are responsible to live up to, and adhere to, all rules and regulations listed in the Student Handbook, the College Catalog, the College Schedule of Classes, and the various regulations, requirements and rules of the College and the District.

Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor. Such students are encouraged to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services

Note Well:   Plagiarism is the serious ethical and legal violation of presenting other people's words or ideas as your own. Plagiarism or any other form of cheating can result in a failing grade for the paper, a failing grade for the course, and a formal report to the dean of students. See the student conduct code in the Catalog and Schedule of Classes.  

Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However each student must do her or his own work. Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum.

Please do not ask for an incomplete. I will not grant it.

Any questions - please email me: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu