POSI 2310: Principles of American Government.

Spring 2025

Course description: A survey of the principles of political science, of the American system of
government, and of the origins and development of the constitutions of the United States and
Texas.

Course ID: POSI 2310 Professor: Ezekiel Loseke Ph.D. (Cand)

Hillsdale College
Section: 280 Office Hours: UAC 353, Tuesday and
Thursday 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Time: Online Phone: N/A
Place: Distance Learning E-Mail: [email protected]

Instructional Assistant: Rene Dieguez

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours:

Since this is an online course, students may either physically show up to my office or send me an
email and receive a phone call. Students should email during the assigned office hours and will
be called on a first come, first served basis.

Email Policy:

Do not email the professor regarding questions or concerns over technical matters such as
attendance tracking on canvas, other canvas issues, or issues regarding extra credit tracking.
These questions are to be sent to the Instructional assistant, Rene. If Rene fails to address the
issue within two days, then the student should email the professor, while cc’ing Rene and
providing the date and time of the original email. Upon receiving this email, the professor will
follow up with the student or Rene as appropriate.

Any questions about the content of the course, the substance of assigned grades, extra credit
policy, or a need for a make-up exam should be sent directly to the professor.

Students are encouraged to email the IA and professor between the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00
PM.
Lectures

This is an online course, and it will be treated as such. Most chapters will not have a full lecture
explaining the concepts of the book to the students, but rather a short video summarizing the
contents of the chapter. In these cases, students are responsible for reading the chapter and
knowing the material. Sometimes, the professor will feel the need to either develop a point more
completely than is covered in the book or provide a perspective not covered in the book, and in
those cases, students will first receive the brief overview of the book chapter, and then additional
information. In sections 1, 3, and 4, the normal video will simply be an overview of the chapter.
However, Section 1 will include a lecture on the Declaration of Independence, as it is not
thoroughly covered by the book. Section 1 will also include a lecture providing a different
perspective on federalism. Other than these two exceptions, however, section 1,3, and 4 will be
mostly book based.
The exception to this rule is Section 2. Section 2 will consist of lectures covering the United
States Constitution, because, despite being the primary source of the subject of the section (the
Congress, Presidency, and Supreme Court), is entirely neglected by the book. This subject
matter, the United States Constitution, is also the subject matter of the final exam.

Slides

The slides in this course are a supplement to the lecture. They do not contain enough information
to be studied on their own, and act as an outline. Students are allowed to take pictures of the
slides, but should primarily be focused on the content of the lecture. Because the slides are
simply outlines, good note taking renders the slides superfluous.

Study Guides

One week before the exam a study guide will be released on Canvas. Every exam question will
be derived from the questions on the study guide.

Review Days:

Two days before every exam a review day video will be released. The quality of the review will
depend upon the effort of the class. The review will always cover material covered in class.
However, only if a sufficient number of students have done the reading by the review day will
the professor go over the study guide questions based on the reading. If the class is not reading
well, then the review video will only cover the materials not found in the book. Simply put, I’m
happy to help students who are willing to help themselves, but will not be a substitute for
students doing the assigned reading.

Required Text:

Textbook access for this course is already available to you through your course fees as part of
your tuition when you registered for the course. The required course materials are accessed
directly through Canvas and assignments will be available on the first day of class. When you
register the textbook, it will appear as “Texas State University San Marcos – POSI 2310”
 1. To access the textbook, log into your course’s Canvas page. On the left tool bar, click
“McGraw Hill Connect.” You will register the textbook through the directed page.
2. Directions on how to register your textbook are here:
http://video.mhhe.com/watch/xUs68jEUwVnAB2K64eWMgc
3. You must register your access within the first 12 days of the semester.
4. Register for your McGraw Hill account using your formal name and your Texas State e-
mail address. If you do not use your proper name and e-mail address, your grades will not
be uploaded to Canvas.
5. If you are having trouble registering, call the McGraw Hill help line at 1-800-331-5094.
Please be sure to get a case number for your reference.

Canvas Requirements:

All students must have an active Texas State e-mail account and be able to access online
materials. You may activate it online at www.txstate.edu. Click on “Online Services,” then on
“CATSWEB.” Click on “Students,” and under Online Services click “Activate My Net ID.”
With an active Texas State e-mail account, students may access online course materials posted to
Canvas.
Connect Chapter Assignments and Assessment:
1) For each chapter, there will be chapter assignments to be completed through the
online textbook in Connect. These activities are designed to improve student
comprehension and overall performance and are averaged to account for 10% of
your course grade.

2) There will be 4 online quiz assessments connected to the reading and activities. For
each topic, there is one assessment quiz in Connect. The assessments are listed in the
course schedule of the syllabus. The four assessments will be averaged at the end of
the semester and will account for 10% of your course grade.

Exams:

There will be 4 objective exams administered during the regular semester and a final exam
focusing on The United States Constitution (i.e., Test 5). These exams will be based on
lectures, and while some may coincide with the text, they will not always align. The final exam
may be taken to replace the lowest test score. It is optional for students who have not missed an
exam and are satisfied with their grade.

Exam Schedule:

The Exams Will open on Friday and close at midnight on Sunday, students are encouraged to
check Canvas announcements and the syllabus to follow the course schedule.
Exam Formats:

All five exams will consist of several multiple-choice questions. Every exam will be open for the
entire 24 hours of the exam day. You will have a finite period to complete the exam. The time
limit is necessary to ensure the integrity of the exam with students outside of observation while
the exam is proctored. The exams will be hosted on Canvas and based on my lectures and study
guides.

Your semester grade will be calculated as follows:

Exam One 20%

Exam Two 20%
Exam Three 20%
Exam Four 20%
Online Chapter Assignments 10% (averaged)
Online Assessments 10% (averaged)
Final Exam Replaces lowest test score or missed exam

Grade Scale:

90% and above (A), 80-89.9% (B), 70-79.9% (C), 60-69.9% (D), below 60% (F).

Grade Rounding:

The professor may round up a grade at the end of the semester if the student is within one point
of the next grade at his discretion. For example, an 89.2 may be rounded up to a 90. Rounding up
a grade is a privilege and not a right and will be treated accordingly. A student who wishes to be
considered for end of the semester charity should demonstrate a legitimate effort to earn a good
grade on their own; this may be done by doing all of the assigned work and taking advantage of
the generous extra-credit offered throughout the semester.

Make-Up Exams:

Make up exams will be offered only in the case of emergencies, with evidence of the emergency
provided to the professor, and at the professor’s discretion.

Extra Credit:

There are two kinds of extra credit available to every student on the first four exams.

1). The first kind is reading extra credit. If a student completes all of their online assignments by
midnight a week before the exam day, then that student will earn 2.5 points of extra credit on the
exam.
2). The second kind of extra credit is based on the online assessments. Students who score an 85
or above on the online assessment will earn 2.5 extra credit points on the exam.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of both forms of extra credit. This is an introductory
course, and as your professor, it is my job—in part—to help you become good college students.
Good college students read ahead of the course and come to lectures prepared to hear the
instructor discuss the assigned reading. Accordingly, I wish to reward you for reading ahead. The
online quizzes are entirely based on the reading and encouraging you to get a middling “B” or
higher is simply encouraging you to pay attention to your readings.

It is also worth noting that the “extra-credit assignments” correlate with work you have to do
anyway. The online assignments and online quizzes make up 20% of your overall grade. Zeroes
across the board in these categories will drop your grade significantly, but doing the reading will
raise your exam grade by a full letter grade.

Finally, this extra credit system offers you a total of 20 points of extra credit in the exam section.
Do not ask for more. All requests for further extra credit will be denied.

Attendance:

As this is a fully online course, attendance will not be a graded factor for this course.

Addressing Acts of Dishonesty:

Students accused of dishonest conduct may have their cases heard by the faculty member.
The student may also appeal the faculty member’s decision to the Honor Code Council.
Students and faculty will have the option of having an advocate present to insure their
rights. Possible actions that may be taken range from exoneration to expulsion.

Students with Disabilities:

Qualified students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable and appropriate accommodations in
accordance with federal laws including Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the 1990
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the university policy UPPS 07.11.01. Students with special
needs (as documented by the Office of Disability Services) should identify themselves at the
beginning of the semester.
Additional Readings

Note: All additional readings (the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution)
will be made available via Canvas.

Course Schedule:

Topic One Theoretical Foundation, The Constitution & Federalism

Topic 1 Reading – McGraw- Hill US Chapter 1, 2, 3, & Texas Chapter 2
Week 1: January 13th – 19th
 Syllabus Review and Course Expectations
 US Ch. 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture

Week 2: January 20th – 26th

 Theoretical Foundations and Constitutional Democracy
 Federalism Pt. 1

Week 3: January 27th – February 3rd

 Federalism Pt. 2
 The Texas State Constitution
Extra Credit Reading Due 31 Jan. at midnight

Week 4: February 3rd – 9th

 Review day video
o Exam 1 will be opened at 12:01 AM on 7 Feb. and close at 11:59 pm on 9
Feb.
o McGraw-Hill Unit 1 Assessment Quiz and Unit 1 Chapter Assessments – 9
Feb. at 11:59 P.M.

Topic Two The US Constitution

Topic 2 Reading – The United States Constitution and McGraw- Hill US Chapter 11, 12,
14
Week 5: February 10th – 16th
 Recap video for Exam 1
 Preamble to the United States Constitution and Article 1 section 1 of the United States
Constitution
 Article 1 section 2 The House of Representatives

Week 6: February 17th – 23rd

 Article 1 section 3 of the United States Constitution (The US Senate)
 The rest of Article 1 of The United States Constitution and Article 2 of the United
States Constitution (Powers of Congress and the Presidency)

Week 7: February 24th – March 2nd

 Articles 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the United States Constitution (The Supreme Court of The
United States)
o Extra Credit Reading Due 02 Mar. at Midnight
 Review Day video

Week 8: March 3rd – 9th

 Review Day
o Exam 2 will be opened at 12:01 A.M. on 7 Mar. and close at 11:59 P.M. on
9 March
 o McGraw-Hill Unit 2 Assessment Quiz and Unit 2 Chapter Assessments –
Due 9 March by 11:59 P.M.
Topic Three Political Culture, Public Opinion, Media, Interest Groups,
Parties, Voting & Elections
Topic Three Reading – McGraw- Hill US Chapter 6, 7, 8,9,10 & Texas Chapter 12

Week 9: March 10th – 16th

 No Class, Spring Break

Week 10: March 17th – 23rd

 Public Opinion and Political Socialization
 Political Participation

Week 11: March 24th – 30th

 Interest Groups, Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns
 The News Media and the Internet and Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas
o Extra Credit Reading Due 30 March at Midnight

Week 12: March 31st – April 6th

 Review Day video
o Exam 3 will be opened at 12:01 A.M on 4 April and will close at 11:59 P.M.
on 6 April
o McGraw-Hill Unit 3 Assessment Quiz and Unit 3 Chapter Assessments due
6 April by 11:59 PM

Topic Four Texas Constitutions, Branches of Government, Political Parties, Voting, &
Elections
Topic Four Reading – McGraw- Hill Texas Chapter 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

Week 13: April 7th – 13th

 The Texas Legislature
 The Executive Department and the Office of the Governor
 The Court System in Texas

Week 14: April 14th – 20th

 Public Opinion and the Media in Texas
 Voting and Political Participation in Texas

Week 15: April 21st – 27th

Extra Credit Reading Due 21 April at 11:59 P.M.
 Elections and Campaigns in Texas and Political Parties in Texas
 Review Day Video

Week 16: April 28th – May 5th –Exam 4 and Finals Week (after Wednesday)
  Exam 4 will open at 12:01 A.M on 28 April and close at 11:59 P.M. on 02 May
 McGraw-Hill Unit 4 Assessment Quiz and Unit 4 Chapter Assessments due 02
May by 1159pm
 The Final Exam will open on Friday 29 April at 12:01 A.M. and close at 11:59 P.M.
on 04 May at 11:59 P.M.

Note:
Every effort will be made to remain on schedule; however, student interest and class discussion
may necessitate topic and/or exam date changes.
Description from Course Catalog:

This course is a survey of the principles of political science, the American system of
government, and the origins and development of the constitutions of the United States and Texas.

General Education Core Curriculum (Code 070)

Political Science Component Area Outcomes:

Students will analyze governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their
political and philosophical foundations.

Core Objectives:
 Critical Thinking:
o Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis,
evaluation, and synthesis of information.
 Communication:
o Students will effectively develop, interpret, and express ideas through written,
oral and visual communication.
 Social Responsibility:
o Students will demonstrate intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and
global communities.
 Personal Responsibility
o Students will relate choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-
making.

Additional Departmental Learning Outcomes:

 Outcome 1:

o Students will demonstrate their ability by analyzing the development of the U.S.
Constitution and the Texas Constitution.

 Outcome 2:
 o Students will demonstrate their ability by evaluating and synthesizing knowledge
of the federal system of government and the relationship between the federal
government and state and local systems.

 Outcome 3:

o Students will demonstrate their ability by interpreting and expressing ideas about
the roles of public opinion and the election process both nationally and in Texas.

 Outcome 4:

o Students will demonstrate their ability by expressing their knowledge of civic

responsibility by analyzing individual behavior and its consequences in the
federal and state political systems of government.

 Outcome 5:

o Students will demonstrate their ability by understanding the separation of powers

and checks and balances in practice at the national level and in Texas, and to
engage effectively in regional and national communities.

Academic Honesty:

As University students, you are expected to do your own work. Cheating on exams and/or
plagiarism will be handled in accordance with Texas State policy. For more information you
may access http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/upps-07-10-01.html

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN MARCOS HONOR CODE

As members of a community dedicated to learning, inquiry, and creation, the students,
faculty, and administration of our university live by the principles in this Honor Code.
These principles require all members of this community to be conscientious, respectful,
and honest.

WE ARE CONSCIENTIOUS. We complete our work on time and make every effort to
do it right. We come to class and meetings prepared and are willing to demonstrate it. We
hold ourselves to doing what is required, embrace rigor, and shun mediocrity, special
requests, and excuses.

WE ARE RESPECTFUL. We act civilly toward one another, and we cooperate with each
other. We will strive to create an environment in which people respect and listen to one
another, speaking when appropriate, and permitting other people to participate and
express their views.
WE ARE HONEST. We do our own work and are honest with one another in all matters.
We understand how various acts of dishonesty, like plagiarizing, falsifying data, and
giving or receiving assistance to which one is not entitled, conflict as much with
academic achievement as with the values of honesty and integrity.