Gov 1 Link, Dr. Caiazzo

East Georgia College
A unit of the University System of Georgia
131 College Circle
Swainsboro, Georgia 30401-2699
912-486-7072

Summer 2011

*MANDATORY ON-LINE ORIENTATION*
There will be a mandatory on-line Orientation via VISTA. You must participate in this Orientation. No exceptions! I will post
all information pertaining to this Orientation in the “Announcements” area of VISTA in your course section. It must be completed
no later than 10:00pm, June 7th, 2011 (which is the last day of schedule adjustment),

II. Office Information: East Georgia College - Statesboro Center
Office Hours: online via e-mail; and, any other time by appointment
Office Phone: 912-486-7072 E-mail: tcaiazzo@ega.edu

III. Course Description: In this course, we will examine the history, institutions, processes,
documents, and players in the American political system. The course will be taught via many different class formats including but not
limited to: the Socratic method of instruction; textbook and reserved readings; group activities; cyberspace and the virtual classroom;
and, service learning.

IV. Prerequisite: English 0097, 0098; Reading 0099. It is not recommended that you take this course until you have exited these
learning support classes.

V. Textbook:
Required: Understanding American Government – 4th Edition,
BVT Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-I-60229-689-3

VI. Course Learning Outcomes with linkages to General Education Student Learning Outcomes:
You should exit this course with a basic familiarity and understanding
of the processes and institutions associated with the American political system. The course is taught from a theoretical and policy oriented perspective, meaning that you should be able to grasp and understand the underpinnings of the American political process. Particular emphasis
is placed on the role of government as both an arena and arbiter among various groups vying for power in an environment of scarce resources.
In this environment, government assumes the role of decision-maker. In a more practical sense, you should come away with a basic understanding
of how government impacts your daily life, through the formulation and implementation of public policy, and the study of how government decides
who gets what. The course poses several philosophical questions:

	1) Do we really need government?
	2) If we do need government, how much power should it exercise over the lives of individuals?
	3) How should power be allocated among the various branches (executive, legislative and judicial) and levels (federal, state and local) of government?
	4) Whose interests should be served first? Those of the one, or the few and the many?
	5) How does the development of technology affect the answers to the first four questions?

You are expected to integrate the required readings with class lectures. East Georgia College assesses student learning based upon the
achievement of eleven general education outcome electives. A list of these outcomes is available on the East Georgia College web page.
Outcomes 1, 3, 6, and 9 are incorporated into the objectives of this course. The appropriate learning outcome is indicated at the end of
each objective.

	A) Describe the historical background, process and results of the U.S. Constitutional convention and compare and contrast it with the Georgia state constitution (1, 9).
	B) Identify the structure and processes of the three branches of the U.S. government and compare the U.S. system to other forms of government (1, 3, 4).
	C) Describe the non-institutional aspects of the U.S. system of government: public opinion, media, voting and elections, political parties and interest groups (1,6,9).
	D) Identify and describe major issues concerning civil liberties, civil rights and other public policy decisions on a local, national and global scale (1,3,6,9).
	E) Identify and describe the major institutions of local government as well as the Georgia State government (1,9).

VII. Evaluation: In most semesters, you will formally evaluate the course and the instructor (me) near the end of the
semester (not applicable for summer classes).

VIII. Grading:
1. Two (2) Sectional Assignments at 100 points each. Sectional Assignments will be in various parts and contain a plethora
of textbook, web, and readings as it pertains to political science. All information will be posted online and sent via e-mail. Due
dates will be stated on the Assignment.
2. Two (2) Exams at 100 points each (on and/or off campus). Exam material will come from course discussions and your
text. Exam #1 will be issued online. But, the final exam will be given on the GSU campus in Statesboro or the EGC Statesboro
Center. *It should be noted that I will ONLY need to see you on campus ONE TIME this summer semester: 1) Final Exam/Civic Engagement Project* (July 19^th or July 20^th). The room location and times are forthcoming but you MUST be available to come to
the EGC Statesboro Center or GSU campus and take the Final Exam. I am ONLY asking for you to be on campus once, so this is
more than reasonable. NO exceptions so plan your schedule accordingly and keep open both July 19^th and 20^th.
3. Daily/Weekly Discussion Board Interaction at 50 points. You will post on VISTA’s discussion board information as it
pertains to current events. I will lead the way and guide you to promote critical thinking.
4. Civic Engagement Project at 50 points:
Civic Engagement Project: To view our government in action, you are asked to attend any local government meeting such as the:
Statesboro (or another city) City Council, Bulloch County (or another county) Commissioner's meeting, or Bulloch County School
Board (or another school board) Meeting, etc. You must physically attend the meeting. Once you arrive at the meeting, secure an agenda sheet that shows the date of the meeting and the items that will be discussed – you must attain this sheet. You must then STAY for
the ENTIRE meeting. Take notes, and even contribute if you desire. Once the meeting is over, you MUST have on of the ELECTED officials sign the agenda sheet verifying attendance. Be cordial and nice, and even introduce yourself; they will be glad you attended.
I then want you to type a five paragraph descriptive essay about the process, procedures, elected officials, agenda issues, and your experience and opinion of the meeting. You will hand-deliver the final paper typed with a cover sheet, along with your stapled Agenda
Sheet to me when you take the Final Exam (Exam #2) on campus.

Grading Scale:
500 - 450 = A (90-100%)
449 - 400 = B (80-89%)
399 - 350 = C (70-79%)
349 - 300 = D (60-69%)
299 - 0 = F (0 - 59%)

*It should be noted that I will ONLY need to see you on campus ONE TIME this summer semester: 1) Final Exam/Research Paper* (July 19^th or July 20^th). The room locations and times are forthcoming but you MUST be available to come to
the EGC Statesboro Center or GSU campus and take the Exam. I am ONLY asking for you to be on campus once, so this
is more than reasonable. NO exceptions so plan your schedule accordingly and keep open both July 19^th and 20^th.

GRADE POLICY: The grade you receive is based on your performance without regard to
how others score in the class. In other words, grades in this course are not based on a curve,
and whatever the total number of points you earn, then this is the grade you will receive. You will
be treated equally and fairly and there will be no capricious grading on my behalf. Under no
circumstances are grades changed, except in cases of an error in computation.

IX. Attendance Policy: This doesn’t apply to our online course.

X. Make-Up Policy: There are no make-ups for any Exam. If an emergency evolves where you can’t complete a Sectional Assignment, I will
determine the makeup, if any. Proper documentation is required.

XI. Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty: please see EGC Student Handbook
http://www.ega.edu/counseling-center/handbook2008.pdf

XII. ADA Statement: can be found at
http://www.ega.edu/counseling-center/disabilityaccomodations.htm

XIII. Course Withdrawal Policy Statement:
Students are responsible for their own academic progress. Decisions regarding withdrawal from courses should only be made after consultation
with an academic advisor. Before withdrawing from a course, students should meet with a Financial Aid representative to discuss their personal
financial aid situation. More information regarding withdrawal from courses can be found in the EGC catalog at
http://www.ega.edu/registrar/catalog/Catalog0809.pdf

XIV. Campus Emergency Policy:
a. In the event the fire alarm is sounded, everyone must evacuate the building at once and in a calm
and orderly fashion, using the nearest exit. In the event of a severe
weather warning, which will be delivered verbally, everyone must proceed immediately to
the nearest designated shelter area which are marked by a small tornado symbol. All severe
weather shelter locations are posted on the EGC website. Each student should, on the first
day of class, determine the location of the nearest exit and the nearest designated
shelter area for each of his or her classrooms. If you have difficulty locating either
ask you instructor to assist you.
b. The Connect-ED system is a communication service that enables East Georgia College administrators and security personnel to quickly
contact all East Georgia College students, faculty and staff with personalized voice and text messages that contain emergency-related campus information (e.g., campus closing, campus threat, health scare, etc.). With Connect-ED, East Georgia College students can be reached
and provided with vital instructions anywhere, anytime, through their cell phones, home phones, e-mail, TTY/TDD receiving devices, or other
text-receiving devices
http://www.ega.educonnected.pdf
c. EGCS students should make themselves familiar with Georgia Southern University’s Emergency
Response Plan, http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/ess.Emergency%20Response%20Plan.pdf. In the
event of an emergency, EGCS students should follow the instructions of EGCS faculty
and staff members and GSU campus officials.

XV. Additional Course Requirements:
1. Please do not begin this course until you have Participated in the Mandatory Online Orientation meeting. See above.

2. Have MS WORD and understand how to open, receive, and send MS WORD attachments.

3. If you do not already have an account on VISTA, go to www.ega.edu and establish an account.
One account serves all classes. (NOTE: Please contact me once you have an account. You will not be able to view the course site until
classes begin).

4. Understand that you will ONLY need to be on campus ONE TIME this summer semester: 1) Final Exam/Civic Engagement Project*
(July 19^th or July 20^th). The room locations and times are forthcoming but you MUST be available to come to the EGC Statesboro Center or
GSU campus and take the Exam. I am ONLY asking for you to be on campus once, so this is more than reasonable. NO exceptions so plan
your schedule accordingly and keep open both July 19^thand 20^th.