GOVT 2304:
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
AI is a helpful tool for research; therefore, it may be used by students for research purposes. However, the goal of this course is for students to gain a particular set of skills and knowledge, as stated in the instructional goals, learning outcomes, and course content of this syllabi. Students who use AI for an easy/quick grade (regardless of the assignment type) rather than the acquisition of skill and knowledge are hindering their academic growth. Consequently, the instructor, whose expertise is the basis for assessing student development, reserves the right to change a student's grade on any work, provably or suspiciously related to AI, which is inconsistent with these goals. In cases of disputed grades, an instructor may require students to repeat their performance on a course assignment in a controlled environment and without the use of AI to demonstrate their true acquisition of course skills and knowledge. The refusal or failure to repeat the performance shall be considered the acceptance of the originally assessed grade.
The purpose of this course is to serve as an introduction to the various forms of government and political ideologies that have prevailed throughout history.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Define and apply political terms and concepts.
- Define political science and identify the subfields.
- Compare and contrast different political systems and institutions.
- Apply the methods used to study politics.
- Critically interpret and analyze contemporary political issues and problems.
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Outcomes section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- Various political concepts, including but not limited to justice, law, equality, and natural rights.
- Various forms of government, including but not limited to democracy, tyranny, theocracy, republics have communism, and fascism.
- Contemporary political issues, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, eugenics have environmentalism, and globalism.
This class will convey the course material through lectures, discussions, primary/secondary documents have guest speakers, instructional videos and PowerPoint presentations. Reciprocally, students are expected to take notes, listen proactively, ask questions, and read the assigned texts. Instructional methods for this course will vary depending upon the instructor and format (online, face-to-face, hybrid, etc.).
Assignments
- The assignments will cover the course material. The number and style of assignments will vary based upon the length of the semester and the individual instructor. Collectively, the assignments make up a main portion of the final grade as they ensure students are engaging the material and preparing for the exams.
- All students will be assigned a class participation grade. This grade calculates a student’s attendance and participation in graded class discussion. The means by which attendance and discussion are calculated may vary based upon the method of course delivery (i.e. face-to-face or internet class).
Assessments
- Students must successfully demonstrate their knowledge of the course learning outcomes by completing the class assignments.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
- Assignments – 50%
- Class Participation – 50%
Grade Distribution
- A = 90-100
- B = 80-89
- C = 70-79
- D = 60-69
- F = 59 or below
- All the required materials for this course are provided to the students in Canvas at no cost.
- All the required materials for this course are provided to the students in Canvas at no cost.
- All recommended readings are provided in Canvas at no cost to the students.
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)