SYLLABUS POL 1111
MISSOURI CONSTITUTION: COMPONENT OF SBU POL 1113
(SBU.CCTC.JULY 2007)
© 2007-2008 SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY


Instructor:
Dr. BOB KLOSTERMEYER

Mailing Address:
Southwest Baptist University

Taylor 204
1600 University Avenue

Bolivar, MO 65613


Phone:
417-328-1722 (Office)
E-mail:
bklostermeyer@sbuniv.edu


Please read this entire syllabus. There is a "Welcome" statement at the end.


Disability Disclaimer:

It is the desire of
Southwest Baptist University to provide all students with optimum learning experiences.  If there are circumstances, due to disability, that may impact your learning in this course, it is necessary for you to inform your instructor within one week of official enrollment (as determined by the Department of Extended Learning) in this course.  If you do not notify your instructor, it will be assumed that you do not require special assistance.


Course Description:

 

Organization and policy of Missouri State government as established by the Missouri State Constitution.  Course promotes familiarity and understanding of Missouri government and its influence on the citizens of the state.

 


Texts:

There is no text for this course. 

 

You will study portions of the Missouri Constitution at the Missouri State Government website at:

 

(http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/moconstn.htm)

 

You will use this site to prepare for an examination that demonstrates familiarity with the structure of Missouri State government and the rights given to the citizens of Missouri.

Course Goal, Content Objectives and Outcomes:

Course Goal: This course seeks to fulfill the university's goal of producing students who understand and will know how to participate intelligently in the political system at local, state, and federal levels.  In this instance, understanding and participating in a political system at the state and local level, as well as an appreciation of the fundamental rights afforded Missouri citizens is the focus of this course. Fulfills the Missouri statutory requirement.
 


Course Content Objectives and Student Outcomes for each major course topic listed:

A. Constitutional Foundations:

(1) Civil Rights and Liberties


You will be able to identify, and explain the major civil liberties and rights found in the Missouri Constitution’s Bill of Rights (Article I).

 


B. Missouri Governmental Institutions:

(1) Legislative Department (Article III)

You will answer questions, which demonstrate knowledge regarding the size, qualifications, term of office, restrictions, salary, veto process, operation and other aspects of the Missouri General Assembly and its members.  In addition, the process of proposing and enacting laws and amendments to the Missouri Constitution by the citizens of Missouri is referenced as an area of study and identification for you.

(2) Executive Department (Article IV)

You will demonstrate knowledge of the office of the governor by being able to identify the qualifications, term of office, major roles, powers, absence and/or disability, and duties of chief executive of the State of Missouri.  In addition, you will be able to identify some of the constitutional responsibilities of administrative officials and departments. 

(3) Judicial Department (Article V)

You will be able to explain the organization, size, power and its distribution, term of office, qualifications, political restrictions, jurisdiction, calendar, and other aspects of the Missouri Supreme Court and its judges.  Similar areas of study for Missouri’s inferior courts are referenced for study and identification. 

You may observe that the organization of most state, county, and city governments is similar, and that much of what you learn about one state is applicable to others.


Course Requirements:

Unit Examination: There is (1) ONLINE examination. The exam is worth 100 points. There is a combination of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions worth 2 points each. Questions are drawn from Sections of each Article (I, III, IV, and V). The exam has a time limit of 50 minutes. Exceeding the time limit will result in a score reduction. The following is a list of the point penalties that will be applied if you extend beyond the 50 minute exam time in POL 1111:

1-4 minutes over = minus 2 points from overall score
5-9 minutes over = minus 5 points from overall score
10-15 minutes over = minus 20 points from overall score
greater than 15 minutes results in an automatic 0 on the exam.

 

Please secure access to this exam by following the guidelines within the course.

Total of 100 points possible in this course (one examination). The grading scale is as follows:

A=90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=50-59%

As a general rule, you should allow adequate study time for the examination. You will have only one attempt at the examination so please prepare yourself well. Test score will be posted immediately on Blackboard. Click-on "Tools" button and look for "Check Grade" button.

The four Article Section Practice Quizzes are in an objective quiz format (multiple choice and true and false). Each quiz will draw questions from the respective Article Section. You can take the quizzes as many times as you wish, and you can also tell how you did after pressing the submit button. These review practice quizzes do not have points assigned, but are great tools to use in preparation for the examination.


Sequence of Study:

 

Go to the appropriate web site. Read each Article (I, III, IV, V) and its respective Section individually. Read all the Sections within each Article.  Take the appropriate Article Section Practice Quiz. You are encouraged and advised to take the practice quizzes as often as you like. Practice quizzes will give you an accurate feel of what to expect on the test, and some of the quiz questions will appear on the actual test. Finally, to secure access to the exam, please follow the guidelines within your course.


A Word from Dr. Klostermeyer:

Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to the Missouri Constitution via CCTC. I hope your experience with this course is a positive one.

Compared to the traditional form of delivery (print-based), we have many more options hitherto unavailable to both students and faculty in distance courses.

 

Please email at the address provided if you have any questions about the materials. This may be beneficial if you have questions about the Missouri Constitution.  Hopefully you can have issues clarified by me before you take the exam.

You are encouraged and advised to take the practice quizzes as often as you like. They will give you a feel of what to expect on the tests and some of the questions will appear on the actual tests.

After reading the selected provisions of the Missouri Constitution and taking the practice quizzes, one should have no problems comprehending the to provisions of the constitution and doing well in this class.

Let's make it a fun and educationally enriching experience by working hard in this course so that in the end, we will all be happy learners!

Welcome, and best wishes.