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Political Science Courses for SPS:  Questions and Answers | Requirements
revised 19 Mar. '07 with anticipated questions, by Jeremy Lewis.
Questions on Individual Studies: "How?" | "Where?" | "When?" | "How Much?" | "Fair and Honest?" |

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How can I find the web pages?

• The easy alias for my website is www.Political-Science.org -- then choose School of Professional Studies (or choose Courses, then SPS.)
• Bookmark (add to Favorites) the SPS index.
• Do I need a computer or typing for the test and final exam?
• Your exam essays will be hand written on the question paper, so you will not have to type or use a computer for the exams.
• You do need to be able to send email each week for any required outlines and responses.
• Is the research paper student choice or will you assign a topic?  If student choice, do you need to review the topic prior to starting the project?
• The research paper topic is by student choice from the weekly course topics -- but, yes, I would expect to approve topics that are not straightforward.  That helps me to keep you on track.
• How do I address the email questions?
• Be sure to include PSC and course number, the author, chapter number and reading title.
• Then type your response.
• What's the file format for responses?
• You can either paste the responses into an email in text format -- or you can send as attachment with the filename model 212LastnameWeek3.doc.  (Of course, adjust the course number -- such as 306 -- and the assignment number to fit the week number.)
• An MS Word doc file is OK as an attachment, though html attachment saves my time and labor.
• Preferably, you can choose File | Save As HTML in versions of Word since 1997, and that saves me some steps when you attach the html file to your email.
• Include ALL responses for the week in one file, in the order of questions -- otherwise I have to open multiple files for every student who is corresponding that same Sunday evening.
• How do I order the books?
• You may seek online discounters, order via your college bookstore, or HC's Folletts Bookstore in Montgomery.  e-Follett is available online if you wish.  Check with the SPS Dean at HC for the latest arrangements.
• In most cases you may save money with a used copy.  With textbooks but not anthologies, you may save with last year's edition.

 I was told that no on-site participation would be required for this individual study; however, I read that I will be required to take two essay exams at an SPS center.  Will these exams be in held in Montgomery or will there be an arrangement made with Enterprise/Ozark Community College?

• No on-site class participation is necessary for individual study, except for taking a proctored one-hour test and a two-hour final exam.
• The two essay exams can be taken at your nearest SPS center
• The local site director may arrange with you to proctor a closed-book exam at a mutually convenient time.
• That way we are giving you the nearest alternative to a standard residential course.
• I intend to give you a writing window of Tuesday through Sunday of week 4 (test) and week 8 (final exam).

When are assignments due each week?

• Assignments are due each week, by Sunday afternoons before 7pm -- which I imagine is the best time for individual study.  You can set yourself an earlier deadline during the week if you prefer.
• Can multiple assignments be completed each week, either the week due or the week after?  Or must they be completed as one per week each week during the eight week session?
• Yes, multiple assignments can be completed ahead of deadlines -- but obviously not behind deadlines.
• You can send a batch of responses and outlines together every Sunday afternoon, for convenience.

On the response papers for individual study, do we need to complete a one-page response per question or one-page for all three questions?

• Yes, there should be a one-page response per question, and choose three questions per week.

What does one-page mean exactly?

• One page single-spaced email with a blank line left between paragraphs, in twelve-point font.  That's about 450 words.

If the reading is just a few pages, do I have to write a whole page outline?

• No, half a page is sufficient for a short reading.  You'll need a full page outline for a main textbook chapter, though.

Isn't it too much reading for individual study compared with an evening course?

No, it's a reasonable number of pages of reading.  In 306, for example, there is just one paperback text; in 212, there are some slim and cheap paperbacks but only part of the main text is required.

Remember, you don't have to attend class sessions four hours per week -- and you don't have to drive in.

You also don't have to dress up -- you can participate by telephone or email wearing your pajamas and the instructor won't know!

Are the books expensive?

No, from years of experience and student comments, we have selected inexpensive paperbacks.

You should be able to obtain almost all books used -- and from online discounters if you wish.

An exception is the main Janda text -- but that is now a Brief edition and shared by two PSC classes (201 and 212).

How do you keep the integrity of the exams?  How do I know the other students are all taking the test properly, like me?

• Take a picture ID with you to the exam center, so that the site director knows the correct student is taking the exam.
• The site director will ensure that individual study students are writing exams without viewing books or notes, but it's your responsibility to ensure your books and notes are closed (preferably away in a bag), stored away from your desk.

Will I be able to earn a fair grade from the course (I can hear over the phone the instructor is English)?

Yes.  The instructor uses the American standard grading scale, based on over 25 years of teaching in five universities and liberal arts colleges across the US, and in line with national grade statistics.