LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
Political Science 1: Government of the United States—Section 0551
Summer Semester 2012
(June 11, 2012 to July 13, 2011)
Class Meetings: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays (MTW) 8:30
AM to 12:35 PM
Location: INST 1003
Course Website and Resources: http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls/
CLICK HERE FOR: Summer 2012 Teacher Track PS1 Syllabus.doc
Instructor: Mr. Som
Chounlamountry
Telephone: (818) 364-7600
Extension 4149
Email: chounls@lamission.edu
Office Hours: MTW 12:45 PM to
1:00 PM
Office Location: INST Cubicle 41
LAMC Sheriff Department (818)
364-7843
Mission College Catalog
Course Description
Principles, institutions, functions, and policy processes of the American
Political System: including ideology and government; the constitution;
federalism; Congress; the Presidency, the Judiciary; Civil Rights and
Liberties; the media, elections and voting, political parties, interest groups.
Also includes California government structure and constitution.
Student Learning Outcomes
1.
Describe the powers, roles, functions, and limitations of the duties of federal,
state, and local governments and the impact on individuals.
2.
Analyze current American domestic and foreign policies and be able to put them
into a historical perspective
3. Differentiate initiatives,
referendums and recalls in California Constitution and laws.
Class
Materials
Required Text: American
Government and Politics Today –The Essentials 2009-2010, 15th
Edition, by Bardes, Shelley, Schmidt, and Korey. ISBN: 9781111207786
Available at Los Angeles Mission College Bookstore
(Pre-Negotiated Price for Used Book is $30.00)
http://www.lamissionbookstore.com/
or http://eagleslanding.lamission.edu/
13356 Eldridge Avenue
Sylmar, CA 91342
Phone: (818) 364-7768 or (818) 364-7767
Additional Class Materials
A total of three (3) Scantron
forms 882-e and one (1) large “Bluebook” examination booklet are required for
the In –Class Tests and Final Exam.
Assessments and Points
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Assessments and
Activities
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Points
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In-Class Attendance, Participation, and Quizzes
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50
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Plagiarism, Voter Guide, Federal Budget and California
Budget, and Resume Assignment
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150
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Two (2) In-Class Tests (200 Points Each)
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400
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Policy Research Paper (2000-2500 Words) and Components
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200
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Final Exam
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200
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Course Grading Scale
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Grade
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Point Totals
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Assessment Criteria
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A
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900 to 1000+
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Performance
of the student has been at the highest level, showing sustained excellence in
meeting all course requirements and exhibiting an unusual degree of
intellectual initiative.
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B
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800 to 899
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Performance
of the student has been at a high level, showing consistent and effective
achievement in meeting course requirements.
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C
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700 to 799
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Performance
of the student has been at an adequate level, meeting the basic requirements
of the course.
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D
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600 to 699
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Performance
of the student has been less than adequate, meeting only the minimum course
requirements.
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F
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0 to 599
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Performance
of the student has been such that minimal course requirements have not been
met.
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Attendance and
Participation: Attendance is mandatory. As a courtesy to all, please
turn off cell phones or place on vibrations. (AVOID texting during class
or responding to calls and leaving room). If you are late, please remain
outside the classroom and wait for a pause in lecture or class activity to
minimize disruption to the class. If you have a special situation,
please don’t hesitate to talk to me about it. You are responsible for dropping the class through the Admissions Office
Online. Please be disciplined about your education and attend consistently.
Attendance quizzes incorporating reading, lecture and relevant current events
may be used periodically.
Students are also expected to follow relevant current events. Ways to do
so include following a daily newspaper, for instance the Los Angeles Times, a Meetingly
news magazine, like Time, The Economist or NewsMeeting; watching a TV news
program covering domestic political news such as “Newshour with Jim Lehrer” at
6 p.m. and BBC News at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on KCET Channel 28; and finally, listening
to public radio on 89.3 FM or 89.9 FM. You can also have access to most of
these papers, magazines, and news programs on the internet.
Late Assignments and Incomplete Grade: Late assignments are permitted only for religious,
medical or college businesses. I
reserve the right to drop the student to for in cases of excessive absences,
and/or incompletion of assignments. It
is your responsibility to drop the course. Incomplete Grade requests must meet
the LAMC standards for approval.
Extra-Credit—Optional
Internship: Students may select
to do internship with a political official or a candidate of their choice. LAMC
does not favor, promote, nor endorse one political office/official/candidate
over another. If you decide opt for this assignment, you are required to write
a three-page reflection paper explaining your internship and how this
experience has helped you understand the political process better.
Cheating: Unauthorized material
used during an examination (including electronic devices), changing answers
after work has been graded, taking an exam for another student, forging or
altering attendance sheets or other documents in the course, looking at another
student’s paper/scantron/essay/computer or exam with or without their approval
is considered cheating. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for the
assignment/exam and referred to the Department chair and/or Student Services
for further disciplinary action.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is
defined as the act of using ideas, words, or work of another person or persons
as if they were one’s own, without giving proper credit to the original
sources. This includes definitions found online on Wikipedia, materials from
blogs, twitter, or other similar electronic resources. The following examples
are intended to be representative, but not all inclusive:
- failing to give credit by proper citations for others ideas and concepts,
data and information, statements and phrases, and/or interpretations and
conclusions.
- failing to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another,
whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or a part thereof
-
Paraphrasing the expressions or thought by others without appropriate quotation
marks or attribution
- Representing another’s artistic/scholarly works such as essays, computer
programs, photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures or similar works as
one’s own.
First offense, you will receive a zero
for the assignment in question. Any further offenses may result in expulsion
from the class, as determined by the disciplinary action from the Office of
Student Services.
Recording Devices in the
Classroom: Section 78907 of the California Education Code prohibits the
use of any electronic audio or video recording devices, without prior consent
of the instructor (including cell phones, laptops, MP3 players, and more).
Reasonable Accommodations: If you are a
student with a disability and require accommodations, please send me a private
email. The sooner I am aware of your eligibility for accommodations, the
quicker I will be able to assist the DSP&S Office in providing them.
For students requiring accommodations, the DSP&S Office at Mission College
provides special assistance in areas like: registering for courses, specialized
tutoring, note-taking, mobility assistance, special instruction, testing
assistance, special equipment, special materials, instructor liaisons,
community referrals and job placement. If you have not done so already,
you may also wish to contact the DSP&S Office in Instructional Building 1018
(Phone: (818) 364-7732 TTD: (818) 364-7861), and bring a letter stating the
accommodations that are needed.
Tentative Lecture, Reading,
and Assignments Schedule
For
the most recent updates, please check the class website at http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls/
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Date
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Lectures and
Readings (Please have readings done
before meeting)
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Monday
6/11/2012
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Course Overview and
Introductions. What is Politics? What
is Government?
Homework:
1. Update your email with LACCD
http://laccd.edu/student_information/current_students.htm
View and Modify your personal information
2. Email instructor a Brief Bio to chounls@lamission.edu
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Tuesday
6/12/2012
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How Does
Government Affect Us On a Daily Basis? (Ch. 1)
Different Types of Government (Ch. 1)
Create Your
Political Manifesto
Bring Copy
of US Constitution & Declaration of Independence (Click to Download)
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Wednesday
6/13/2012
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The
Constitution (Ch. 2)
Federalism (Ch. 3) and Local Government (California Ch. 9)
DUE: Resume Assignment. 50 Points. (Click Here)
*Make sure your Resume is only 1 (one-page) and looks like the AFTER
examples in the UC Berkeley Guide.
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Monday
6/18/2012
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Civil Liberties
(Ch. 4)
Due
Beginning of Class: Policy Research Proposal and List of 10 Possible Sources
(50 Points)
2012 Summer Handout LAMC Rubric for Research Paper with Plagiarism and CA Bill.pdf
1. Select a topic from the list provided.
2. Read the assigned CQ Research Article.
3. Research and List in APA or MLA 10 possible reputable sources for your
topic.
4. Bring the list to class.
Using http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/,
focus on finding journal,
magazine and newspaper articles using the LAMC Library
Database. Avoid using websites, as they will not count.
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Tuesday
6/19/2012
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Civil Rights
(Ch. &5)
Bring to Class for +5 Points Extra-Credit
https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/bustcard_eng_20100630.pdf
Bring to Class for +5 Points Extra-Credit
Read A Dream Deferred by
Langston Hughes
In Class: Create a
Timeline for the Struggle for Equality
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Wednesday
6/20/2012
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Test # 1 (200
Points). Please bring Photo ID;
LAMC
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Midterm Review Sheet.pdf
Paper Workshop:
Bring your 10 Possible Sources Printed or Electronic Form
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Monday
6/25/2012
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Congress (Ch.
10); Domestic Politics (Ch. 14)
DUE:
(Plagiarism Assignment Due) 25 Points
1. Go to https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/definition.html
2. Learn about Plagiarism by doing the exercises
3. Take the Test for the Certificate. https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/test.html
4. Only a perfect will get the unique TIME STAMP certification.
5. Copy and Paste the Confirmation Certificate into a Word Processor and
appropriate assignments when required
6. Print the Confirmation Certificate and bring it to class for verification.
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Tuesday
6/26/2012
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The
President (Ch. 12); Foreign Policy
(Ch. 15)
Bring 2 copies
of Prisoners Dilemma Game and Rules.pdf
DUE: Detailed Outline Integrating Sources with List of Sources. 50
Points.
(Click Here)
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Wednesday
6/27/2012
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The Courts (Ch.
13); Review of the Court Cases and The Three Branches
DUE: Federal Budget Challenge and One-Page
Summary of Your Budget. 25
Points.
www.federalbudgetchallenge.org/
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Monday
7/02/2012
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Public Opinion
and Political Socialization (Ch. 6)
Political
Parties (Ch. 8)
Campaigns and Elections (Ch. 9)
DUE: Personal Voter Guide Due (25 Points)
Political Ideology and Personal Voting Guide: Each student
will use web resources to understand his/her own
political ideology then create
a personal voting guide on the candidates and issues for an upcoming or past
election.
Explore your political ideology
A. Take the World’s Smallest
Political Ideology Quiz from http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.
Print
out the results and read about your ideology and bring the print out to class.
Administer and explain the quiz to family member or friends for +1 Extra-Credit
Point each. Max+ 10 Points.
Also Available: shortest_political_quiz courtesy of theadvocates.org.pdf
B. Figure out who are your current
elected officials and candidates.
Go to http://votesmart.org and enter your Zip
Code.
Bring to class the screenshot print out of the result pages.
If it is
available, consider using the Try 2012 VoteEasy feature.
C. Create your personal voting guide for an
Upcoming Election or The 11-02-2010 General Election.
NOTE: IF there is not an
upcoming election, consider using the 11-02-2010 General Election
1. Go to www.smartvoter.org,
2. Enter your address and zip code
3. Select the Current Election or the
11-02-2010 General Election, and click FIND YOUR BALLOT.
4. Choose your
Candidates and Measures.
5. Go to http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm,
6. Read about the Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures
7. Choose YES or NO and
WHY for each qualified measure.
D. Bring the follow to class for grading:
1) The printout of the Political Ideology,
2) The list of your current elected
official,
and 3) Your Personal Voting Guide. +10 Extra-Credit for the Best
Personal Voting Guide.
See an example of a voting guide for
some suggestions.
Personal Voting Guide by Marissa Velarde.pdf
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Tuesday
7/03/2012
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Test #
2 (200 Points). Please bring Photo ID and Scantron 882-e
Review for Test # 2
Barbes Chapters 6-15 PowerPoint Outline and Political Parties Crossword.pdf
Liberal vs Conservative Viewpoints
http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/
U.S. Supreme Court Cases
1. Brown v. Topeka Board of Education (1954)
2. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
3. Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
4. Roe v. Wade (1973)
5. Bush v. Gore (2000
6. Marbury v. Madison (1803)
7. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
8. Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
9. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
10. Gitlow v. New York (1925)
Domestic and Foreign Policy Terms
1. Cold War
2. Containment
3. Détente
4. Diplomacy
5. Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program
6. Economic Aid
7. Food Stamps
8. Foreign Policy
9. Medicaid
10. Medicare
11. Moral Idealism
12. Political Realism
13. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
14. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
15. Universal Health Insurance
Review: Congress (Ch.
10); Domestic Politics (Ch. 14), The President (Ch. 12);
Foreign Policy (Ch.
15); The Courts (Ch. 13);
Public Opinion and Political Socialization (Ch. 6);
Political Parties (Ch.
8); Campaigns and Elections
(Ch. 9)
+10 Extra Credit to Create your own Crossword with the words and terms above.
Use the http://en.puzzle-maker.com/crossword
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Optional
Extra
Credit
+15 Points
for 7/03
Full Moon
Hike |
LAMC Teacher Track Optional TreePeople Extra Credit Event
and Volunteering Release Form
Earn up to +15 points per event or 5 points per hour; up to +40 points extra credit Maximum.
1. Read, Sign and Return The Release of Liability Form to Instructor before you engage in any activities
2. Go http://www.treepeople.org/
3. Review the information, and Register as a Volunteer: http://www.treepeople.org/volunteer-registration
4. Use the Event Calendar, Sign-up (Pre-Register) and attend a Volunteer Event or a Coldwater Canyon Event.
If doing two events, at least one must be an official volunteer event.
5. Ask for proof of attendance from the supervisor. Provide proof of event activities to instructor.
6. Write about your experience in a one-page essay evaluating your experience and what you learned about
government, politics andthe community.
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7/04/2012
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July Fourth Holiday: No Class
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Monday
7/09/2012
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California
Politics (CA Ch. 1 to Ch. 5)
Due in Class: California Budget Challenge and One-Page Summary
of Budget
25 Points. http://www.budgetchallenge.org/pages/home
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Tuesday
7/10/2012
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California
Politics (CA Ch. 6 to End); Student Presentations
Due in Class:
Final Draft Policy Papers and Presentations (100 Points)
Rubric
for LAMC Research Paper with Plagiarism and CA Bill.pdf
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Wednesday
7/11/2012
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Course Review; Student Presentations
In-Class Final
Exam (200 Points) Wednesday 7/11/2012. Please bring Photo ID and Scantron 882-e
+10 Extra-Credit Points
1) Revise your resume; set margins at one inch all around, with 11 or 12 Times New Roman. Use https://career.berkeley.edu/Guide/ResumeLetterWriting.pdf as a guide.
2) Sen d it to chounls@lamission.edu and jsalinas@sbaycenter.com
3) Deadline is 12:00 Noon on Friday 13 July 2012.
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This syllabus is a guide to use
throughout this course and is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance; it is my goal that you succeed in
this class. Revised 6.27.2012
