COURSE DESCRIPTION

MIDLAND COLLEGE
GOVERNMENT 2302: STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PART II
Dr. Jerry Franks

Office: Science-Faculty Building, Room 109 (hours to be announced)
Telephone: 685-4607 (direct line to my office)
E-mail, MC: franx@midland.edu
E-mail, Cox: franx@cox.net

In general, Government 2302 surveys the most powerful policy makers and policy-making institutions of the United States and Texas governments, with emphasis on the legislative, executive, and judicial systems of federal and state government. Bureaucracy and selected problems of public policy will also receive attention.

Thomas Dye, Politics in America (Sixth edition;  Texas edition)

SPECIAL NOTE FOR WEBCOURSE STUDENTS:  This is the text that is currently in use at Midland College, and it is adequate for your the online version of Government 2302.  When you have access to your course website, however, you'll notice that the study questions and exercises are "generic;" that is, they are not specific to any particular text.  Sufficient background reading can usually come from a wide variety of sources, including textbooks that are currently in use at other accredited colleges and universities in Texas.   If you have concerns, get in touch with Dr. Franks.

1. To cultivate confidence among students in their capacity to make informed judgments about the political environment in which they live; that is, to encourage "critical thinking" about politics.

2. To help students acquire the political vocabulary, terminology, and concepts needed for active and informed citizenship.

3. To remain flexible enough to deal with relevant political events as they arise, while updating lessons with material concerning current officeholders, elections, and other ongoing political business.

4. To encourage outside readings and use of newspapers and newsmagazines as well as other media; that is, to cultivate an appreciation for the advantages of learning via good books, good talk, and constructive argument.

5. To allow for as much topical discussion as possible, while maintaining an atmosphere of openness, humor, and tolerance at all times.

Class attendance is a must, since material developed in class often will have no exact parallel in the assigned readings. IF YOU INTEND TO CLAIM STATUS UNDER THE FEDERAL DISABILITIES ACT, PLEASE INFORM ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

All tests will involve writing. You will be expected to describe, explain, or demonstrate how well you understand selected topics that have been discussed thoroughly in class. Tests will be designed to reward and encourage careful study of all reading assignments as well. The test make-up procedure for any missed test, for any reason, will vary with the circumstances and will require a personal office consultation with me. It will probably involve a written project that expands on questions that appeared on the original test. In such event, different standards will apply: Students will need to write more carefully and cite their references properly. Students must take responsibility for arranging make-ups.

Evaluation of Students

Topical coverage for Government 2302 will divide into three roughly equal parts, with a scheduled testfollowing each of the first two segments, and a final examination following the third. Each of the two regular tests, as well as the final, will be averaged as one-fourth of a student’s final grade.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR ONLINE STUDENTS:  There will be no conventional tests.   Grades will derive from a regular sequence of carefully written exercises and essays parallel to the test sequences for conventional courses.

The remaining one-fourthof your grade will be for attendance and participation. I will assign this grade as soon as I have adequate impressions to go on. For many of you, this is likely to be a very good grade. It is intended to encourage you to come to class and demonstrate your interest in what we are doing. I will revise it upward or downward as seems appropriate towards the end of the semester.

Please note: "Participation" also means responding to any suggestions that I may write on your test papers, especially regarding office conferences. These meetings are the best chance for me to review your work with you and to suggest ways to improve your performance.

Class Schedule The timing of readings and tests will be kept flexible, to reflect student response. You will get a week’s notice prior to all tests!

I. During roughly the first five weeks of the course, we will read and discuss the relevant chapter from Dye on "The Congress," while also noting points of comparison between the United States Congress and the Texas Legislature. You will receive updated information in class on current elections, office-holders, and issues. A major test will follow, in essay form.

II. During the second five weeks of the course, we will discuss the relevant chapter from Dye on "The Presidency," while also comparing the powers that are available to the President of the United States and the Governor of Texas. There will be updated information in class on the staff, cabinet, and policies of the current President. As time permits, we will also discuss the relevant chapter from Dye on "The Bureaucracy." A major test will follow, in essay form.

III. During the rest of the course, we will read and discuss the relevant chapter from Dye on "The Judiciary" [or the Supreme Court].  There will be updated information on the current composition and decisions of the United States Supreme Court. We will also reserve time for material from the textbook addendum on Texas topics, in particular the chapters on the Texas Legislature and the Office of the Governor. A final examination will follow, in essay form, at the time scheduled on the College calendar.

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