I have to answer some questions. I posted guidelines and questions also.
DISCUSSION TOPIC POSTING GUIDELINES
Types of Post: “Response” and “Reply”
Definitions of “Response” and “Reply” posts:
Each Discussion post has two parts that must be completed to earn full credit:
1. Your “Response” post to my original question(s)
a.
Response post
is a post written by you in response to the instructor’s original discussion board assignment or discussion board test preparation/assignment. This is worth 20 out of 25 points. To earn these points, you must write a substantial “response” post of a minimum of 400 words.
2. Your “Reply” post to a classmate’s “Response”
b.
Reply post
is a post written by you as a reply to one of your peers’ response post (mention them by name). This is worth the remaining 5 out of 25 points. To earn these points, you must write a substantial “reply post” of a minimum of 100 words.
Again, both the response post and the reply post are required in order to earn the full 25 out of 25 points (See rubric below).
Discussion Topic Formatting: An Example of How Your Work Should Look When Posted:
Your work should follow the below pattern. Each time you respond to a discussion question/request, you should do the following:
1. Type or copy my exact question (not a variation) and paste it first. Be sure my question is in bold. I may ask several questions, be sure to break down each question individually, then reply. In some cases, you can lump two questions that are related together. No more than two questions, before replying.
2. Underneath my question, place your answer to my question. Your answer should appear un-bolded (see the three examples below):
A. What is your name? (My discussion question is bold and used as a header)
My name is Tiffany Nacoste. (Underneath my question, place your answer to my question. It should be like the example, un-bolded and beneath my question.)
B. What is your short-term goal and the steps you plan to take to reach your goal? (My discussion question is bold and used as a header)
My short-term goal is to make an A in this class. (Underneath my question, place your answer to my question. It should be like the example, un-bolded and beneath my question.)
C. What Steps do you plan to take to reach your goal? (My discussion question is bold and used as a header)
I plan to use my google calendar to help with time management and that will help me earn my A. For example, I have a post due on Tuesdays by 11:59pm, on each of those nights. I have set up a reminder for 2pm on each of those days to stop what I am doing and to complete the required reading and work. This reminder will help me complete both the “Response” post and the “Reply” post. Also, I do this at two o’clock, so that if I have no internet connection, I still have plenty of time to find a solution to the problem. Finally, as a final back up plan, I have a second reminder set at 3:30pm just in case something goes wrong at 2pm (This is an example of your answer explained and it again demonstrates how your answer should be un-bolded and placed beneath my question.)
D. What is your name? What is your short-term goal and the steps you plan to take to reach your goal? What Steps do you plan to take to reach your goal?
My name is Tiffany Nacoste. My short-term goal is to make an A in this class. I plan to use my google calendar to help with time management and that will help me earn my A. For example, I have a post due on Tuesdays by 11:59pm, on each of those nights. I have set up a reminder for 2pm on each of those days to stop what I am doing and to complete the required reading and work. This reminder will help me complete both the “Response” post and the “Reply” post. Also, I do this at two o’clock, so that if I have no internet connection, I still have plenty of time to find a solution to the problem. Finally, as a final back up plan, I have a second reminder set at 3:30pm just in case something goes wrong at 2pm. (This version is NOT acceptable)
Rubric: How to Earn (25) out of (25) points for each of your Discussion Topic Assignments
How to earn full credit: To earn full credit students must complete both the Response and Reply post
Response Post Specifics:
First, when you respond to the instructor’s questions, you shall demonstrate understanding and application. In order to achieve the first twenty (20) of the twenty-five (25) possible points, you must do all of the following:
1. Copy and paste each question individually, and then place your answer(s) beneath them. Do this by placing my EXACT question(s) or part of the question(s) you are answering at the beginning of your answer(s)—Not a variation. In other words, use the question that you are answering as an EXACT heading for each of your answers.
2. Next, you must demonstrate understanding by appropriately, accurately and thoroughly answering each question and its PARTS in your own words. You must demonstrate critical-thinking and application by showing how the information presented in your “response post/answer” applies to the discussion topic.
a. Your response post should include specific examples and/or statistical analysis to illustrate your perspective.
b. The sources you relied on while crafting your post should be cited at the end of your post using the APA standards.
c. Response post should be a minimum of 400 words, not including restating the professor’s question (heading)
Once you “Respond” to my discussion questions, you must “Reply” to one of your peers’ post (mention them by name) in order to receive the remaining five (5) points out of the possible twenty (25) points. When you reply, you shall demonstrate “understanding, thoughtfulness, and an analysis”. In order to demonstrate understanding and thoughtfulness you must do all or close to all of the following (at the instructor’s discretion):
1. To demonstrate understanding in your “Reply” post, you must restate the part of your peer’s “Response” post you wish to address. This must be done in your own words.
a. Mention your peer by name
b. Reply post should be a minimum of 100 words
2. To demonstrate thoughtfulness you will attempt to add to your peers’ knowledge. In other words, share something insightful by relating to your peer’s response or relating your peer’s response to a different subject. Put your peer’s response in context.
3. To demonstrate an analysis in your “Reply” post, you must clearly explain or demonstrate an analysis, such as compare and contrast, using one or more parts of your peers post.
For example:
I expect to earn and A in this class and I plan to read the course material. (This is a peer’s response post.)
(Your answer would be structured like so…)
Hi John,
I see you want an A in this class (You are showing knowledge here). I do too. I also noticed that you plan to read the course material, but you didn’t mention that you were going to learn from reading your peers work. I know it is probably implied, but I figured I would add this just in case you had not thought about it (Here you are showing analysis by suggesting an inference or implication of work or lack thereof).
You might want to read your peers postings as well. I find that by reading our peer’s postings, of course after I have posted my own—again, I find that I may or may not have missed something. Also, everyone is so different, that I learn a lot from my peers as well. Anyway, well wishes in the class (Here you are giving an implied example as to benefits of learning from your peers through comparing and contrasting).
How to Start a Response and Reply Post:
a. When posting to the discussion questions (i.e. starting your “response thread”), you will click the “start a thread” button.
b. When posting to one of your peers (i.e. doing a “reply post”), you will click on that student’s post, read it, and then click the “reply button” in order to craft a peer reply that demonstrates understanding, thoughtfulness, and an analysis (i.e. significant and substantial). Mention your peer by name.
c. For all discussion topics, cut and paste your work into blackboard. I strongly advise you to craft your work in MS Word and save it. Then copy and paste it under the corresponding assigned button. File Attachment has been disabled. Emailing your discussion post to professor is not acceptable.
d. To copy in the online class you may have to click ctrl-v.
e. To paste in the online class you may have to click ctrl-p.
Term: Spring 2020
Course: GOVT-2306-40401/40404/40408
Course Dates: 3/30/2020-5/14/2020
Class Location: INET
Instructor: |
T. Nacoste |
Phone: |
972-860-7163 |
Email: |
tiffanynacoste@dcccd.edu |
Office & |
TBD |
SS Division: |
G-Building: Room 237 | 972-860-8313 |
Course Drop Date: |
May 4, 2020 |
Disclaimer: |
The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as necessary. |
Institutional Policies: |
Eastfield College Institutional Policies |
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: GOVT 2306
Course Title: Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics)
Course Description: Origin and development of the Texas Constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas
Course Credit Hours: 3 INET Prerequisite: College level ready in Reading & Writing
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
6. Analyze the state and local election process.
7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
CLASS INFORMATION
Class Information: GOVT 2306
Section Number: 40401/40404/40408
Course Resources: Benson and Giardino (2019). The Texas Experience: Lone Star Politics, Policy and Participation. Pearson Publishing. ISBN -13:9780134891163
Supplies: computer access, textbook
Course Requirements: This is an accelerated 7-week course. Students are expected to manage their time as well as be self-motivated. These qualities will prove to be extremely valuable in pacing themselves with reading each chapter in such a way to be prepared for the completion of the assignments by their respective due date. For the purposes of this course, students will be allowed to work at their own pace while completing each unit by a specific deadline (please see course calendar below). All deadlines are firm. Because students are aware of all deadlines upfront and have the opportunity to work ahead and at their convenience. No late work accepted. No exceptions.
Method of Evaluation: The grade in this class will be based upon 4 examinations, 4 discussion topics and a writing assignment.
Exams are based upon the content of the textbook and any of the following including PowerPoints, video lectures and/or supplemental videos. Exams are worth 50 points each. There is one exam per unit and roughly covers 3 chapters each. The exams are 50 questions, True/False, multiple choice and are timed. The completion of all exams is required. The use of Internet Explorer is strongly discouraged as well as taking the exam on your phone, as it is more likely to “freeze”. If your exam “freezes” or gets “stuck”, please send me an email. I check emails at least once a day excluding weekends/holidays to reset any exams. Warning! If your exam requires resetting, you will have to start over. Because of the likelihood of an exam freezing, it is strongly suggested that you give yourself enough time to complete. Do not to wait until the last minute before the exam is due. Exams will only be reset if it was attempted before the stated deadline.
Discussion topics are included to simulate classroom discussion. They are worth 25 points each. There is one discussion topic per unit. The link can be found under each unit tab. Under the discussion topic link, you will see a small online blog-style discussion board containing that unit’s topic. Your response to the prompt must be a minimum of 400 words. You must also comment on at least one of your peer’s post (mention them by name) with a minimum of 100 words. Both steps must be executed to receive full credit. Failure to do so will result in a penalty. Points earned by the student are based on the thoroughness of the response and the ability to follow instructions (Please refer to the discussion topic posting guidelines found under the syllabus and textbook tab and under each discussion topic). Feel free to openly share your opinions but remember you must not use offensive or threatening language. Be nice!
The Writing Assignment is worth 100 points. The instructions will also be presented in class posted to eCampus in unit 1. The grade will be based on ability to following instructions as well as the content and thoroughness of the student’s research (Please refer to the writing assignment instruction document found in eCampus).
I use the point system. Points will be awarded in the categories of discussion topics, exams, and writing assignment.
Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale:
Grading Scale: A= 360-400+
B= 320-359
C=280-319
D=240-279
F= 0-239
COURSE CALENDAR
Confirm Enrollment Exercise due by Thursday April 2nd at 11:59pm
All Unit 1 activities due by Saturday April 11th at 11:59pm
All Unit 2 activities due by Wednesday April 22nd at 11:59pm
All Unit 3 activities due by Sunday May 3rd at 11:59pm
All Unit 4 activities due by Thursday May 14th at 11:59pm
*Please note that the semester ends on Thursday, May 14th at 11:59pm
The population of Texas has changed over the time and is continuing to grow and transition. Some of these changes can be attributed to immigration. According to the textbook, the Latino population in Texas is fast growing and is mainly of Mexican descent. It is speculated that a portion of the immigrant population in Texas has entered into the state in an illegal fashion. What are your thoughts? Do you know where your family immigrated to the US from? Discuss the various reasons groups immigrant to the United States both past and present. Keeping in mind any cultural, social and economic, what are some of the pros and cons of immigration in Texas? Should more be done to curtail illegal immigration or should more be done to allow a legal path? Do you agree with the role of the federal government, such as its attempt to repeal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, build a border wall or even closing off the US southern border during this pandemic? Do you agree with the concept of sanctuary cities? What role should the state government take if any?