Kilgore College Distance Education       

Online Orientation

GOVT2306 - State and Local Government

(Summer/Fall 2008)

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 the State and Local Government 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 course uses a web-based course management system called WebCT. I highly recommend that print the instructions for logging located on the WebCT Resources Page if you have not used WebCT software before.

Your WebCT account will automatically be set up 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 higher than dial up, to successfully complete this course.

Viewing Course Grades and Progress

1. Log in to WebCT by keying in your ID and password (see resources page for direction).
2. Click Student Tools
3. To view grades, click My Grades
4. To view progress in course and student profile, click My Progress

Textbook & Supplies:

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

Access Code:  Students who buy a new copy of the O'Connor textbook will automatically receive an access code for registration at www.mypoliscilab.com, one of the textbook's companion websites.  The code is located inside a postcard packaged with the textbook.  Students who buy a used copy of the textbook will have to purchase the access code separately from the website.  This website is where the chapter tests, quizzes, and activities for completing some of the lab assignments are located.  Thus, having the access code to mypoliscilab.com mandatory for this course!

Instructor’s powerpoint lecture notes are available at http://kcfac.kilgore.edu/ogundele.
Click GOVT 2306.

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

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

Course Requirements/Evaluation

During this course you will:

Lab Assignments

Please upload your assignments to me via the Assignment section of WebCT.  All lab assignments have a specific due date and time.  No lab assignment will be accepted after the due date.  It is OK to submit lab assignments early, but I will not grade them and return them until after their due date. Generally you can expect to receive a graded lab assignment back before the next one is due. Also, please cc a copy of every lab assignment to your own e-mail address so that you have a record of submission.

When you submit an assignment, make sure that the assignment is in Microsoft Word (.doc or .rtf) file or PDF (.pdf) format. No other word-processing software is allowed.  Use Microsoft Word to write and save your assignments before uploading them to WebCT.  You may also submit them in PDF format if you have the Adobe Creation Software installed on your computer.  If you don't have the Adobe PDF creation software on your computer, a shareware program called Primo PDF will suffice.  It can be downloaded at www.primopdf.com  If you don't have Microsoft Word or the ability to create Adobe PDF files and you don't want to download the PrimoPDF software, another alternative is to use open source (free) software that creates Word compatible documents.  It is available for free at www.openoffice.org

Please read the section of the course syllabus titled "Writing, Saving, and Uploading Your Assignments" and make sure you understand the format by which you must name and save your assignment documents.  Failure to heed this instruction in each of the assignments will cost you 5 points.

Tests & Quizzes

There will be 7 chapter exams and 5 quizzes given through Mypolicilab.com.  Chapter exams and quizzes may be completed in any order as long as they are done by the date and time posted on the course calendar.  Occasionally, glitches or problems may occur when taking exams or quizzes.  Old computers, slow Internet, etc. can create problems.  I will deal with these problems on an individual basis as they arise.  Problems must be reported promptly.  

Make-up Examination: There will be no make-up tests given in this class, period!!!

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:

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 2306.  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 during the first two weeks of the semester.  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