Kilgore College Distance Education       

Online Orientation

GOVT2305 - Government of the U. S.

(Fall 2008)

Welcome to the class

Welcome to class!
I am glad to have you with us this semester.  If you still have any questions regarding the course after reading the following information, use my college email address above to send me a message.  After the class begins, all communications with me will take place online inside the course management system.

I hope that your study of Government of the United States is an enjoyable one.  Don't forget to contact me if you have any questions.  Good luck!

Ayo Ogundele, Ph.D
Instructor

How to logon:

This online course uses a web-based course management system called WebCT.  I highly recommend that you print the instructions for logging on if you have not used WebCT software before.

Your WebCT account will automatically be set up for you during the first week of school.  *You do not need to create your own user id!!  Directions for accessing your WebCT account are available on the Resources page of this web site.

This is a completely web-based course, meaning that no physical presence on campus and in the classroom is required.  Everything, including discussions, assignments, and tests will be completed online.  Thus, it is imperative that you have dependable Internet access, preferably something faster than dial-up, to successfully complete this course.

Textbook and Supplies:

Text:  Essentials of American and Texas Government: Continuity and Change w/PoliSiLab by O'Connor et al.  2008 edition.  ISBN:  020557498x  Available at the college bookstore.

Course Requirements/Evaluation:

During this course you will complete 4 web-based tests, complete 8 lab assignments out of 10 possibilities, participate in 5 class discussions by responding to questions based on material in the textbook and on current events.  

Chapter Notes/Summaries:

Instructor's PowerPoint notes are available at http://kcfac.kilgore.edu/ogundele   Click on GOVT2305 hyperlink.

For additional notes on the assigned chapters for the course, go to the Course homepage inside WebCT and click on the "Chapter Notes/Summaries" hyperlink.

This course has a lot of adobe PDF-created documents. To access the course syllabus and other course documents, you will need to download and install the PDF file viewer software to your computer's hard drive if you don't already have it.  A free download of the latest Adobe PDF file viewer is available at http://www.adobe.com.

Lab Assignments

Please submit lab assignments to me via the Assignment section of WebCT.  Each lab assignment has a specific due date and time.  No lab assignment will be accepted after its due date.  It is OK to submit lab assignments early, but I may not grade and return them until after their due date.  Generally, you can expect to receive a graded lab assignment before the next one is due. 

Use Microsoft Word to write and save your assignments before uploading them to me via WebCT.  You may also submit them in Adobe PDF format if you have the Adobe Creation Software installed on your computer.  If you don't have the Adobe Creation software, a free download is available at http://www.primopdf.com. Documents saved in open office formats are acceptable as well (visit http://www.openoffice.org for a free download).

Tests

There will be 4 web-based tests/exams.  These exams may be completed in any order as long as they are complete before their due dates.  Occasionally, glitches or problems may occur when taking the tests.  Old computers, slow Internet, etc. can create problems.  I will deal with these problems on an individual basis as they arise.

Class Discussions and Participation

Class discussions are an opportunity for you to clarify ideas and concepts about government or politics. You will respond to four questions that I will post on WebCT through the threaded discussion link. You will also respond to the question of the week!!!!  All the questions will be based on material in the textbook and on current events. There is no right or wrong answer to these opinion questions. However, it is expected that you will apply critical thinking and thoughtful consideration to the questions before posting. You will be able to participate constructively if you first read the appropriate chapter in the textbook. Following current events through the media will also help. I encourage students to respond to each other’s posting. The more you participate, the better and livelier the class is.

Grading Procedure:

Course grade will be determined as follows:

900-1000 = A

800-899 = B

700-799 = C

600-699 = D

599 and less = F

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to uphold the Kilgore College Standard of Conduct relating to academic honesty.  Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the work submitted.  A student will be guilty of violating the honor code if he: 

Any student violating the honor code may receive a failing grade in this course.  While student interaction is encouraged, each student is expected to develop his own solutions to assignments.  A student may not under any circumstances use or copy another’s work and represent it as his own.

To complete your orientation for this class:
Send an e-mail message to aogundele@kilgore.edu

Subject:  Orientation complete
Body:  My name is <your name> and I have completed the online orientation for GOVT 2305.  Choose as appropriate:  <I understand the policies and procedures for completing this course> or <I have the following question regarding the policies and procedures for completing this course: (question)

If you need to complete an orientation for another web class, click here:   Web List

If you need to begin orientation for a telecourse, click here:   Telecourse Orientation

If you have completed the orientation for all of your distance education courses, please complete this short (4 question) survey:  Survey

If you need technical assistance after you complete orientation, you may call our distance education support line. It is operational for extended hours for the first several weeks of the semester. Extended hours are Monday thru Thursday from 11am-7pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am until Noon.  Call 903.988.3704 or come by the Woodfin Center on the Kilgore Campus.  You can also send an email to:  techsupr@kilgore.edu.  Be sure to include a description of the problem you are having, your name, and the course you are having trouble with. If you have a general question about your course,  please contact your instructor.

Link to Kilgore College's WebCT server:  http://disted.kilgore.edu