TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

POLITICAL SCIENCE 101 Fall 2021  WEB-BASED

Business Division/Political Science Department

*** You must notify me of any name changes due to marriages or divorces                                                                                  

Principles of American Constitutional Government

Constitutions of the United States and Nevada with additional attention to principles and current problems of government.  Satisfies U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirements (3 credits)      

Professor:            PAUL DAVIS, Ph.D.

                              Professor of Political Science

                              TMCC Web College                            

Office:               SIER 200-N TMCC Main Campus

Office Hours: Online 23 hours and 45 minutes and 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm Monday/Wednesday Online for the Fall 2021 Semester as well.

Phone:              (775) 673-7213

E-mail:              Use the mail system (Inbox) on the Canvas website or if Canvas is not working: pdavis@tmcc.edu

COVID-19: Mandatory All Syllabus Statement Regardless of Delivery Modality

For the Fall 2021 semester, all TMCC courses are restored to their previous seating capacities and can permit up to 100% occupancy for all face-to-face activities. Capacities for student support services such as tutoring are also fully restored. 

Effective Friday, July 30, 2021, and until further notice, all unvaccinated and vaccinated NSHE students, employees, and members of the public are required to wear a face-covering while inside any building or structure on any NSHE campus or property. Please read the New COVID-19 Face Covering Requirements for NSHE Institution's memo. If public health circumstances change, TMCC will issue further guidance as needed.

   

 

WEB COLLEGE SUPPORT CENTER

If you need any assistance with issues of a technical nature (can’t access the class, problems with username or password, Browser problems, difficulty attaching files, etc.), please use our technical support by calling:

 (775)-673-7814 between 8:30am – 4:30pm (Mon-Fri)

 There is also an extensive knowledge base of common problems/how to resolve them.  Visit:  http://webcollege.tmcc.edu  and click on “HELP”

 

THE COURSE: PSC 101

Published:  2021. Version 1.1 Edition

                             ISBN:   978-1-4533-9182-2  

Bringing textbook prices back down to earth

Enter Text

Hello Class.

After signing on to the class on Canvas – Click on the Module Tab – Under the Getting Started Section -click on the link for Textbook. This will inform you of the various way of purchasing your textbook. The online Ebook for $29.95 will do you just fine. You have other options to choose from if you desire to do so.

***Students receiving federal aid are required to order the textbook through the TMCC bookstore to receive reimbursement from your federal aid.

Dr. Davis

Objectives of the Course: 

1.  Students will critically analyze the structure and processes of the American and Nevadan governments. In particular, students should be familiar with and be able to analyze the constitutions of both systems, the political structures and processes established by each constitution, and the current principles and problems of state and national government.
2. Students will analyze citizenship duties and the importance of effective involvement in politics.  Specifically, students will develop the skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as responsible, ethical, and contributing citizens of the community, state, and nation.
3. Students will competently read and write about contemporary issues of local and national governance.

Outcomes of the Course:                                                                                                                               1. Students will be able to critically analyze the structure and processes of the American and Nevadan governments. In particular, students should be familiar with and be able to analyze the constitutions of both systems, the political structures and processes established by each constitution, and the current principles and problems of state and national government.

2. Students will be able to competently read and write about contemporary issues of local and national governance.
3. Student understanding of politics should include knowing citizenship duties and the importance of effective involvement in politics. Specifically, students should develop the skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as responsible, ethical, and contributing citizens of the community, state, and nation.

 

 

Grading Policy

Grading/Examinations: 

-  1 Nevada test worth 50 points.

- 12 textbook chapter quizzes with 15 points each.

-  5 discussion post assignments are worth 14 points each.

-  1 research paper worth 100 points.

-  1 acknowledgment of reading the syllabus within the first 3 days of class worth 0 points.

-  1 introduce yourself assignment within the first 3 days of class worth 0 points     

 Your performance will be evaluated as follows:                                                                                                               Quiz specifics:

-        All quizzes/tests will be conducted online (no requirement to come to campus). They are timed. 

-        Quizzes are open-book/open-notes

-        Quizzes will be comprised of a mix of objective questions

-        Quiz question point values vary depending upon the topic area  

-        Quiz questions will be randomized – each quiz will pull from a substantial list of questions (and select the questions randomly from that list).  

-        The Nevada Test questions are derived from the appropriate website for the online content that is provided for Nevada.

-        If you have a question about a quiz question, you will need to cut/paste that question into private mail (I have no way of knowing your question order)

-        All quizzes are open from the first day of class until the last day of class – the syllabus offers a recommended pacing, but you can fall behind or work ahead on quizzes.

Final Grade Scale: ***There Is No Extra Credit Available for this course!

A = 360-400

B = 320-359

C = 280-319

D = 240-279

F =      0-239 - it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course

before the semester deadline date.

obtain a “W”.  The last day to withdraw is Thursday, October 28, 2021.

        If you have a question about a quiz question, you will need to cut/paste that question into private mail in the Canvas Inbox (I have no way of knowing your question order).

Remember: Your quizzes may be taken anytime throughout the course. The discussion posts do have a written deadline

 

Student Behavior and Discussion Forum Topics:  I expect everyone to respect a diversity of opinions, to discuss ideas but not engage in personal attacks, and to maintain an appropriate decorum online.  Avoid the use of profanity and other languages that could be viewed as inappropriate or offensive.  You remain subject to the Code of Behavior for TMCC students.  Just as I might need to end a discussion in a traditional class (to keep things moving), I reserve the right to end our discussions in this class and move on to the next discussion topic.  I may also need to remove a posting if I deem it to be offensive.   In other words, this is a classroom discussion (just virtual) and I have control over it.  I appreciate your cooperation and understanding.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Writing Assignment: This course requires a written research paper in support of the “writing across the curriculum” practices at TMCC.

The research paper assignment must be submitted by attachment only no later than Sunday, November 14^th, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. You may submit the paper earlier anytime.

NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

 

***Please see the assignment topics shown in the modules and follow the requirements requested exactly in the module within your specific course.

Student Support:      TMCC provides a wide range of assistance.  Visit the TMCC website (www.tmcc.edu) to find links to the library, counseling, 24-hour tutoring, financial aid, the bookstore, admissions & records, and the controller's office.   In addition, you may qualify for assistance.  We have a Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) on campus that can assist you.  Please let me know if I can be of any help.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that a person is eligible for accommodations if they have a qualifying disability.   Students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community College.

Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community College. For assistance, contact TMCC’s Disability Resource Center at 775-673-7277, TTY 775-673-7888, come by the Red Mountain Building, room 315 B, or visit www.tmcc.edu/drc.                                             

Taking a Web-based class:   Please remember that to survive and succeed, you will need to focus on being organized and staying with the pace of the class.  If you need it, please ask for assistance.  It is very easy to get behind on coursework – stay current and focused.  AND IF NEEDED, ASK FOR HELP EARLY.    I can really do a lot more in the first few weeks than I can in the last weeks of the term.                                                                               

 Course Evaluation -The evaluation will appear in the 5th week of the class.  The evaluation provides useful feedback regarding course requirements, the text, the discussions, etc. - and I feel you are in the best position to evaluate when you have experienced most of the course.  I especially encourage you to provide written comments as they provide more context than the standard questions on the evaluation.

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR

2021

Dr. PAUL DAVIS                                                                         Email: davisp775@charter.net

Phone (775) 673-7213-Office                                                      

 

Paul Davis received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah in International Relations and has been teaching for the University of Nevada System for the past 34 years. He has traveled around the world lecturing and researching international terrorism and Politics. He is a three-time International Fulbright Scholar who researched in India, Egypt, and Israel as well as Russia, Spain, and France and teaching in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Greece. He was a selected participant in the United States State Department Scholar-Diplomat Program on National Security in Washington DC and was involved in conducting a program on international peace, security, and conflict management for the United States Institute of Peace also in Washington DC. He is a two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellow in the field of international violence and a two-time National Science Foundation scholar. He co-authored a textbook entitled: Introduction to Political Terrorism for McGraw-Hill Publishers.  He was recognized in 1999 by the Nevada Board of Regents as Professor of the Year for the State of Nevada. In 2000 he was appointed by the Governor of Nevada to serve on the 5-member State Board of Dispensing Opticians. In 2001 the journal Cerebrum: Dana Forum on Brain Science (Summer 2001) published his article entitled The Terrorist Mentality. It was republished in the Seventh Edition of Annual Editions: Violence and Terrorism 2004/05 by McGraw-Hill Publishers. In 2002 he was appointed as a Commissioner to serve on the Sparks Centennial Commission by the Sparks City Council. In 2002 he was appointed by Congressman Jim Gibbons to serve on the anti-terrorism Homeland Security Advisory Board for the State of Nevada. In 2003 he was selected to serve on the Academic Advisory Board for the Annual Editions: Homeland Security Publication by McGraw-Hill/Dushkin. In the Fall of 2003, he underwent training and became a member of the Citizen Homeland Security Council of Washoe County. In November of 2003, he was appointed by Washoe County Commission to serve on the five-member Library Board of Trustees. In 2004 he completed training and joined the Community Emergency Response Team of Washoe County, Nevada. In 2004, he was also appointed by the Washoe County Commission to serve on the seven members Animal Control Board. Since 2004 he has been an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for the Graduate department program in Emergency Management and Homeland Security teaching the required international terrorism courses. In 2005 he graduated from the Truckee Meadows Regional Citizens Academy and also completed the Reno Citizens Institute on Local Government Academy. In 2007 he completed the Washoe County Leadership Academy. In 2009 he was appointed to Wadsworth’s Publishers Political Science Technology Advisory Board and McGraw Hill’s AM GOV and Weapons of Mass Destruction Board of Advisors. In 2009 he was selected to the American Council of Education College Network course review team. In 2009 and 2010 he was appointed to serve on the Washoe County Human Services Board. In 2010 he was a guest of the Turkish Cultural Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. In the fall of

2016 he became a professor in the newly instituted Bachelor’s Program in Emergency Management and Homeland Security at Truckee Meadows Community College where he teaches upper-division courses in International Terrorism and Cyber terrorism and Domestic Terrorism and Homeland Security. In 2016, he wrote Does Nevada Deserve Its Early Spot For Voting? CNN.COM. February 18, 2016. Finally, in 2021 he wrote Wall Street Tax Would Hurt Us. LAS VEGAS SUN. May 16, 2021.

                        

ADA Statement: Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community College. For assistance, contact TMCC's Disability Resource Center at 775-673-7277, TTY 775-673-7888, or come by the Red Mountain Building, room 315.