Government of the United States Syllabus for 2011-2012
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

GOVT-2305-006 Government of the United States

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

The foundation, organization, growth and development of the national government and its problems.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Farmer, Brian, Robert Bresler, Robert J. Friedrich, Joseph J. Karlesky, D. Grier Stephenson, Jr., and Charles C. Turner. Understanding American Government. Sixth Edition. Redding, CA: 2011. 

\

\ Farmer, Brian, Robert Bresler, Robert J. Friedrich, Joseph J. Karlesky, D. Grier Stephenson, Jr., and Charles C. Turner. Study Guide to Accompany Understanding American Government. Sixth Edition. Redding, CA: 2011.

\

\ Farmer, Ed. Readings in American Government. Thomson Custom Publishing, 2010 

\

\ Optional Recommended Text: Farmer, Brian R. The Outrageous Government of the United States. Baltimore, MD: PublishAmerica, 2004. 

Supplies

\ Paper, pens, #2 pencils and scantrons for tests.

Student Performance

\ After Studying the Material Presented in this Course of Study, the Student will be able to:

\

\ 1. Define and describe federalism and Intergovernmental Relations,the basis for federalism in the Constitution, and its changing character and development as well as explain other ways of organizing government.
\ 2. Identify and explain the three branches of government in the U.S.
\ 3. Explain the Constitutional powers and limitations of political actors.
\ 4. Identify and define the rights of U.S. citizens.
\ 5. Explain the philosophical development-theoretical concepts of the state, government, limited government, democracy, and authoritarian government and demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each concept.
\ 6. Explain the historical development of Constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the political system that has developed under that Constitution.
\ 7. Explain the concepts of limited Government, protection of the individual through the limitation of government power, and explain how American government is limited through through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and democracy.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus. Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion. Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, Christian, university students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the University. This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the Lad 'N' Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of the aforementioned. In order to clarify my position, the following list of behaviors are included as examples of behavior which may result in permanent expulsion from this class. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor 

2. Sleeping, head on desk 

3.  Interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means

4. Cheating in any form

5. Disruptive talking/visiting between students

6. Throwing paper wads or any other objects

7. Passing notes

8. Disrespect for fellow students

9. Any other disruptive behavior

10. Doing homework related to this or any other class

11. Wearing headphones

12. Disrespectful comments

13. Eating

14. Moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

15. Knitting, needlepoint, or any other arts and crafts.

16. Cell Phones Off!-No Text

The instructor reserves the right to assign seating if necessary to preserve order. Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students. I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.

Academic dishonesty:
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.

Grading Criteria

\ Course requirements/grading:

\

\ Exams. There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final exam on Tuesday, May 10, 10:30AM. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Students are allowed to drop one exam other than the final, but may not drop the final exam. Each exam is worth 30% of the final grade for a total of 90%.

\

\ Las Vegas Option. On exam #3 only, if a student has achieved a minimum grade of 70 on each of the first two exams, he/she may attempt to answer all 50 of the questions on the third exam incorrectly. If a student is able to incorrectly answer all 50 questions on this exam, then a grade of 100% will be entered for this exam in the gradebook. All questions must be answered and no questions may have more than one answer. If a student is unfortunate enough to exercise this option and answer at least one question correctly, then the Las Vegas Option exam becomes the exam which the student is allowed to drop.

\

\ Makeup Exams. There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor. If a student misses an exam, that exam automatically becomes the one that the student must drop. If the student misses a second exam, then the student must arrange with the instructor to take an essay makeup exam.

\

\ Instructor Attendance Policy. Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy. Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.

\

\ Class participation grade. Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade. Students that never miss class normally receive 100% for their class participation grade. Conversely, the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for absences or behavior detrimental to the class. For example, a student who misses half of the class periods will probably receive only 5 of the possible 10 percentage points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. A more complete listing of behaviors which may result in loss of class participation points is presented in the behavior section below.

\

\ Synopsis of Grading
\ Total
\ Three Exam scores 90%
\ Class Participation Grade 10%
\ Total 100%

\

\ 90-100 = A

\

\ 80-89 = B

\

\ 70-79 = C

\

\ 60-69 = D

\

\ Below 60 = F

Attendance

\ Amarillo College Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

\

\ Instructor Attendance Policy:  Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with instructor counts as a tardy. Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.