Government of the United States Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

GOVT-2305-005 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

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 AMERICA’S  DEMOCRACY, 20011 2nd Custom  Ed. for AC, Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson, Voss and Mayer, Pearson-Custom Publishers.

Supplies

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Student Performance

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

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.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

TAPING:   Lectures may be tape recorded by any student whether they have a disability or not. This is to assist the student in taking good class notes.

DAILY COURSE WORK:  We will be covering approximately one or more chapters per week in the text.  The student is responsible for reading all the material in the assigned text and any class handouts. It will be important to success that the student take notes on class lectures and on current events class discussions.  Study guides and review sheets for course  tests are normally NOT prepared for this class.  Students will NOT have access to the instructor's lecture notes for days of class missed.  Therefore, good class attendance is crucial to success in this class.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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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

\ COURSE  ETHICS:  At Amarillo College, there are serious academic penalties for any unethical conduct on the part of any student.  The policy and penalty for such conduct is provided in the general Catalog.

Grading Criteria

HOMEWORK: There will be four (4) assignments.  Each is worth a possible 25 points, for a total possible homework grade of 100.  The total homework grade will constitute 20% of your total semester grade.

CHAPTER TESTS:  There will be Five (5) CHAPTER TESTS each covering approximately 3 chapters.  The average of your 4 highest Chapter Tests will constitute 55% of your semester grade, UNLESS you are exempted from taking the Final exam, in which case the average of your 4 highest Chapter tests will count 75% of your semester grade.  Dates of Testing will be announced two class periods prior.

MAKE-UP TEST POLICY:  If you miss a Chapter test, this will be your one test grade that will be dropped  in calculating your chapter test average.  Exceptions made only with proof of DIRE circumstances, and then you will be given a different Form of the exam from the rest of the class.

FINAL EXAM:  The final exam is Comprehensive (over whole textbook) and MANDATORY for all non-exempted students. It counts as 20% of your semester grade.  This grade is NOT a test grade you can drop.    NOTE: In order to take the final exam at other than the pre-scheduled time, permission must be obtained from the department chair, not this instructor.

You may have an EXEMPTION from taking Final Exam  if you

1.Missed 2 or less class days of class.

2. The average of your 4 highest chapter tests is at least a 90, and you actually took all 5 Chapter Tests

3. Have turned in all Homework Assignments on time and made at least 15 points on each of them.

If you choose to take the Final when you are exempt, note that the Final Exam grade cannot be dropped.

 GRADING POLICY:  If your raw score on any test, exam, homework or final grade calculation contains a decimal amount, it will be rounded off to the nearest whole number.  Refer to the student handbook for the corresponding letter/numerical grading scale used at Amarillo College for this department.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  Five (5) percent of your semester grade will be your attendance.  Regular attendance is required for satisfactory achievement in this class.  Attendance shall be taken at each class meeting.  There will be a Review or Study Sheet for the tests, but you must have good class notes to make good use of them.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ DROPPING THIS CLASS: YOU MUST SEE THE REGISTRAR AND FILL OUT THE PROPER FORMS IN ORDER TO DROP THIS CLASS.  FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER DROP PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN YOUR RECEIVING A GRADE OF “F” AS YOUR SEMESTER GRADE IN THIS CLASS.