PLSC 210 - American Government

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Is Distance Learning for me?
  2. How do I enroll?
  3. What is the class structure?
  4. Do I ever have to come to campus?
  5. How do I purchase the textbooks?
  6. How can I add this class if I am on the waiting list?
  7. How can I add this class if I am not on the waiting list?
  8. How can I contact the instructor before class starts?
  9. What textbooks will be used in this class?
  10. I can't see any images. What is wrong?
1. Is Distance Learning for me?
How well would an online course fit your circumstances and lifestyle? Take this little quiz to find out.

2. How do I enroll?
New students must first apply to College of San Mateo.
Once you've been accepted, you will be given a registration date for SMART telephone registration.
On or after your registration date, call SMART (650.372.3700) to register for this course. If you are able to register for the course, send the instructor an email to indicate an email address for contacting you about the course.
If you are placed on the waiting list, you must attend the first on-campus meeting,
Students must receive an Authorization Code from the instructor to add the course.

3. What is the class structure?
The course content is entirely contained in the online lessons. The suggested procedure for completing each lesson is:
  • Read the Suggested Test Questions for the lesson
  • Read the textbook chapter
  • Follow the online "discussion" for the chapter
  • Answer the Suggested Test Questions
  • Participate in the online conference (optional) for that chapter
  • Participate in the onine chat session (optional) for that week
  • Attend the on-campus review session (optional)

In addition, students must complete the midterm exam and the final exam. Participation in the online conferences and/or chat sessions is NOT part of the grade for this course.

4. Do I ever have to come to campus?
Yes. All students must attend all the on-campus meetings. If you can't make the exams, don't take the course. No makeups or reschedules are possible for the exams. Students must attend all the on-campus sessions.

5. How do I purchase the textbooks?
Bookstore hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and
Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You can order the textbooks from the bookstore by calling 650.574.6366. There is a charge for having the books mailed to you.
You can also order the textbooks online from Amazon.com.
Keep in mind that the O'Connor textbook is required.

6. How can I add this class if I am on the waiting list?
If you are placed on the waiting list, you must attend the first on-campus meeting,
Students must receive an Authorization Code from the instructor to add the course.

7. How can I add this class if I am not on the waiting list?
If you are not able to get on the waiting list, you must attend the first on-campus meeting,
Students must receive an Authorization Code from the instructor to add the course.
We may be adding an additional online section of this course to accommodate all students trying to get in.

8. How can I contact the instructor before class starts?
You can email the instructor at kennedy@smccd.net
You can phone the instructor at 650.574.6656

9. What textbooks will be used in this class?
O'Connor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change, 2006 ed. Allyn and Bacon, 2004

10. I can't see any images. What is wrong?
Make sure your browser is set to automatically display all images.