CE

08/18/2025

Welcome and Course Platform

  • Instructor: Professor Woodliff (name appears as Willblatt in opening; transcript uses both spellings).
  • Course: American Government.
  • All course content lives on Canvas: announcements, PowerPoints, assignments, and the textbook.
  • Home page updates: announcements about tests, papers, and upcoming assignments are posted on the home page and via announcements.
  • Email as primary contact: fastest way to reach the instructor; replies are usually quick, though very complex questions may take longer if many emails come in.
  • In-class time: introductions and getting-to-know-you activities planned; you’ll also introduce yourself to the class.

Textbook and Resources

  • Textbook is open educational resource (OER) and completely free; no purchase required.
  • Location: Canvas > Modules > Textbook > Table of Contents.
  • The textbook is accessible via Canvas and is described as free in the syllabus and modules.

Attendance and Participation

  • Attendance is taken every class day; incentives provided (attendance points).
  • You sign an attendance sheet each day (before, during, or after class); the instructor needs to record your attendance.
  • Excused absences: up to 3 excused absences allowed throughout the semester.
  • On the 4th absence, attendance points are affected (you’ll see blanks for days missed and a zero on the 4th absence).
  • Attendance value: 135 total attendance points.
  • Attendance can impact final grades; examples given: attendance points can raise grades (e.g., B to A) for consistent attendance.

Drops, Withdrawals, and Administrative Dates

  • Add/drop period ends on the 22nd (last day to drop/add for the term).
  • Withdrawal deadline: 10/25/2025.
  • Withdrawing protects your GPA from a failing grade (you’ll see a “W” on your transcript).
  • Advising recommendation: speak with an academic adviser (and financial aid) before withdrawing, as it can impact financial aid.
  • Anecdote: a former student had many Ws; the instructor cautions that Ws don’t help your GPA but protect it.

Course Requirements and Grading Overview

  • To pass, you must earn at least a grade of C or higher.
  • This course is a board-rule class, which requires a term paper.
  • Graded components and approximate point values:
    • News article discussions: 20 points
    • Group projects: 40 points
    • Papers: 100 points
    • Exams: 4 exams, 50 points each
    • Attendance: 135 points
    • Extra credit: 12 points total (three extra-credit questions per exam; see below)
  • Exam format: each exam has 53 questions (base 50 + 3 extra-credit questions).
  • FCLE (Florida Civics Literacy Exam) requirement: course meets the FCLE graduation requirement; separate exam not affecting course grade.

Florida Civics Literacy Exam (FCLE)

  • FCLE is an 80-question exam; passing score is 60/80.
  • It is a separate graduation requirement, not part of the course grade.
  • Free to take; can be taken multiple times at the testing center.
  • Instructor provides study materials; optional external courses (e.g., Doctor Fisk’s course at Dale Mandarin campus).
  • Advice: take the FCLE after completing the course when information is fresh; many students report passing after taking the class.
  • Advising tip: verify with an academic adviser that FCLE scores are recorded and meet graduation requirements, especially for students with financial aid.
  • Failure to take/pass FCLE can delay graduation; example given where students needed the FCLE to move on to the next institution.
  • FCLE coverage: includes history and American government topics; emphasis on the first ten amendments (Bill of Rights) and Supreme Court cases; not content-heavy within this course.
  • Reminders: exam reminders will be sent as we approach the end of the semester.

News Article Discussion (Assignment 1)

  • Value: 20 points.
  • Format:5–10 minute presentation (no more than 10 minutes).
  • Content: present on a news article related to government or politics (U.S. or another country); create a PowerPoint; present to class.
  • Scheduling: sign-up sheets are circulated; students sign up for one day; each student presents once; after a student presents, that topic is off-limits for future presentations to avoid repetition.
  • Late/make-up: late sign-ups or missed days allowed once; if a make-up is required, you will receive only half the credit (max 10/20).
  • Examples given: drag racing legislation in Florida; FDA restrictions on produce; hurricane as a topic precedent (to avoid repetition).
  • Purpose: spark discussion and student engagement; instructor will ask questions.

Paper: Electoral College (Assignment 2)

  • Topic: Electoral College; due on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 by midnight.
  • Prompt focus: history of the Electoral College; how it has changed election outcomes; is it necessary today given information availability about candidates?
  • Comparison: Electoral College vs. popular vote; Electoral College is an indirect election using state-delegates; popular vote is used in most other elections.
  • Rationale: explains why the Electoral College exists (balancing smaller states vs. larger states).
  • Positioning: allows for personal stance (e.g., whether you like it or think it’s necessary); it’s an opinion piece, but must be well-argued.
  • Scope and structure: six pages total (title page + works cited + four pages of text); must include introduction, thesis, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion.
  • Formatting and submission:
    • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt; margins: 1''; MLA format; page numbers bottom.
    • Separate title page and works cited page; content on title page includes name, date, course title, etc.
    • Four full pages of text (title and works cited excluded from the page count for the main body).
    • Works cited: at least three sources other than the textbook; no Wikipedia.
    • Submission: Word document on Canvas.
  • Late policy: up to 10/15/2025; late submission incurs a deduction of 10 points regardless of how late (even two hours late).
  • First-person usage: allowed in the paper.
  • Citations and Turnitin:
    • Turnitin will check for plagiarism; a green flag indicates acceptable similarity, while yellow/orange/red indicate potential issues.
    • You should cite all sources; a red flag indicates high similarity or plagiarism concerns.
  • Grading rubric (approximate):
    • Title page: 2 points
    • Thesis, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion: 2 points
    • Punctuation and grammar: 10 points
    • Works Cited: 15 points
    • Overall formatting compliance and page requirements: integrated into rubric
  • Important note: teacher emphasizes quality over mere submission; plan ahead to avoid late penalties.

Group Project: Supreme Court Case (Assignment 3)

  • Group size: 3–4 students.
  • Topic: present a Supreme Court case not previously covered in class (must be approved by instructor if not on provided list).
  • Deliverable: PowerPoint presentation OR a creative delivery (e.g., acting out the case, video submission, Kahoot game with candy prizes).
  • Length: 10–15 minutes; more creativity yields more points.
  • Points: 40 points.
  • Scheduling and group formation: on a designated Wednesday, you’ll sign up for either the November 19 or December 1 presentation slot; each group must present a unique case.
  • Group formation support: instructor will help assign groups if needed.

Case Suggestions and Resources

  • Instructor provides a list of Supreme Court case suggestions; you may propose alternative cases with approval.
  • Emphasis on learning about cases not already discussed in class to broaden understanding of the Court’s impact.

Instructor Background and Teaching Perspective

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree from USF in local science (as described in transcript); Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy from FSU.
  • Early career: Worked for state representative Brock Poppol (spelled variably in transcript) and later for representative Sandy Adams.
  • District work: Brevard County region (Titusville) in Florida; roles included door-to-door outreach, signs, events, and fundraising.
  • Transition to national level: Worked as a legislative assistant for Congresswoman Adams in DC; later returned to district work due to cost of living.
  • District and DC offices: Constituent services, VA benefits assistance, Social Security, Medicare, and letters of recommendation for military academies (e.g., West Point, Naval Academy).
  • Personal life: Married with two children (Aiden, 11; Logan, 7); husband a JAG attorney currently at Fort Leavenworth (Kansas) for a year due to promotion to major; family dynamics and moving for political roles discussed.
  • Reflections on politics: Enjoys sharing political experiences and teaching; believes teaching allows discussion of real-world experiences that aren’t feasible to pursue full-time in politics right now.
  • Career observations: Notes that many former staffers become lobbyists; emphasizes the importance of networking and campaign experience for political advancement.

Student Introductions (Class Activity)

  • Every student will introduce themselves with the following:
    • Name
    • Major
    • Grade level/year (e.g., first year, second year, dual enrollment, nearing graduation)
    • An interesting fact about themselves
  • Example introductions included a range of majors (nursing, IT, paralegal studies, criminology, psychology, political science, etc.) and diverse experiences (military service, living abroad, clubs, and personal hobbies).

Quick Reference: Important Dates (From Transcript)

  • Add/Drop period ends: 04/22/2025?? (context indicates late April; verify exact year in syllabus)
  • Withdrawal deadline: 10/25/2025.
  • Exam 1 date: 09/10/2025; covers chapters 1–3; format: Scantron-based exam with 50 base questions + 3 extra-credit questions (total 53 questions).
  • Exam 2: chapters 4–7; exam reviews provided in Canvas.
  • Exam 3: chapters 8–11; exam reviews provided in Canvas.
  • Exam 4: chapters 12–15; exam reviews provided in Canvas.
  • News article discussion sign-up: ongoing; sign up on the Wednesday session.
  • Electoral College paper due: 10/08/2025 by midnight; late submission allowed until 10/15/2025 with a 10-point penalty.
  • Group project presentation windows: 11/19/2025 or 12/01/2025 (presentation scheduled on Wednesday).
  • FCLE (Florida Civics Literacy Exam): optional, 80 questions; pass with 60; completed at the testing center; separate from course grade; free; multiple attempts allowed.

Notes on Study Strategy and Class Culture

  • Exam prep recommendation: use exam reviews for chapters, create note cards for vocabulary, and review the vocabulary and questions listed in each exam’s review.
  • Practice tips: bring a Scantron and pencil to exams; library provides some for free; extra Scantrons cost 5 each on exam day if needed.
  • Classroom culture: aims to be engaging and approachable; activities like news article presentations and group projects are designed to encourage participation and active learning.
  • Accessibility and accommodations: students are encouraged to contact the instructor via email for any accommodations or questions related to attendance or assignments.
  • Ethics and academic integrity: Turnitin is used for plagiarism checks; students must cite sources and avoid AI-generated content without proper attribution; a green flag indicates acceptable similarity; red flag indicates potential plagiarism issues.

How to Contact and Stay Informed

  • Check Canvas announcements regularly for updates on assignments, tests, and reminders.
  • Use the provided email for quick questions or to share more detailed concerns; keep in mind response times may vary with email volume.
  • Attend class and sign the attendance sheet to avoid missing attendance points; remember three excused absences are allowed without penalty.

Summary of Key Takeaways

  • The course uses a structured, multi-component grading system (exams, news article discussion, paper, group project, and attendance) with a strong emphasis on writing and critical analysis of government topics.
  • The FCLE is a separate graduation requirement, not affecting your grade, but essential for degree progress; plan to take it after the course.
  • The Electoral College paper combines history, analysis of outcomes, and personal perspective, requiring MLA formatting, a title page and works cited, and Turnitin submission.
  • Attendance and participation matter: regular attendance adds valuable points that can influence overall grades; plan absences carefully and use excused absences strategically.
  • The instructor brings real-world political experience and encourages active participation, creativity, and thoughtful discussion of government issues.
  • Student introductions set a collaborative tone for the class, illustrating diverse backgrounds and interests.